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Why are there so many cyclists with potbellies?

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Why are there so many cyclists with potbellies?

Old 04-29-16, 07:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Doge
But not a Pot Belly.
It can give the appearance of a pot belly.
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Old 04-29-16, 07:16 PM
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It's an interesting question. I don't see the original question as offensive. As the OP explained, he wondered how reasonably fit riders can have a potbelly. The answer, at least to me, is diet. If nothing else thus thread maybe helped some people get a little healthier by watching their intake.
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Old 04-29-16, 10:04 PM
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Actually, as OP later elaborated, his question was really about how people can let themselves be fat, not really about how a potbelly is formed. He just can't understand how some people would let themselves appear to be unathletic.

His question was not about physiology but a perceived character flaw with which he cannot empathize nor understand, and it's not unreasonable to doubt his sincere desire to reach any kind of understanding in the first place.
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Old 04-29-16, 11:07 PM
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true. diet is responsible for losing weight. but I just learned doing some research on caloric intake and caloric burn while exercising. While cycling, (fast/racing) you will burn 650 calories per 30 minutes. So if those people who are potbellied, cycle that fast, then yeah eventually (daily cycling at same pace) they will lose that potbelly.

I remember my youth, I would cycle fast daily minimum 1 hour, maximum 5+ hours on weekends. I was frustrated because i couldn't gain weight as I was too thin. My parents were frustrated because I would shovel tons of food into my mouth, and still couldn't gain weight. Now, I am getting a bit older and have to juggle time between working, and exercising, and social life. I notice I am gaining a bit weight and now am carefully watching what I eat so i don't develop pot belly. But eventually when I start cycling fast daily, then i will lose my belly, however small it is.

P
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Old 04-29-16, 11:13 PM
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I've read most of this thread but not all. Has anyone mentioned cortisol? I know there's been tons of that damned hormone running directly to my belly because of a job that affordable me this sport.
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Old 04-29-16, 11:54 PM
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Sure, stress hormone has been mentioned.
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Old 04-30-16, 02:14 AM
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I think everyone who has posted here should post a recent photo of themselves ... you know ... to provide some context.







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Old 04-30-16, 03:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Ratzinger
Actually, as OP later elaborated, his question was really about how people can let themselves be fat, not really about how a potbelly is formed. He just can't understand how some people would let themselves appear to be unathletic.

His question was not about physiology but a perceived character flaw with which he cannot empathize nor understand, and it's not unreasonable to doubt his sincere desire to reach any kind of understanding in the first place.
Yeah. Wrong.
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Old 04-30-16, 05:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Machka
I think everyone who has posted here should post a recent photo of themselves ... you know ... to provide some context.







Wouldn't that be fun?

You want to see a forum drain out of membership?
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Old 04-30-16, 06:39 AM
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Originally Posted by StanSeven
It's an interesting question. I don't see the original question as offensive. As the OP explained, he wondered how reasonably fit riders can have a potbelly. The answer, at least to me, is diet. If nothing else thus thread maybe helped some people get a little healthier by watching their intake.
Diet is big for sure...the biggest factor...but so is 'type' of mileage. More miles isn't necessarily better for body fat content. Studies have shown that excessive endurance riding versus shorter duration intervals for example which builds muscle, release more free radicals and hence a higher BMI for the same body weight. More fat, less muscle. True of my body. I got more lean by doing few and harder miles versus doing 50-60 miles per day at a lower power level.
My $0.02
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Old 04-30-16, 06:51 AM
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Most of the overweight rider riders I know, do the same thing. They don't reduce calorie intake and assume cycling will burn a lot more calories than it does. Exercise is not as effective as calorie reduction.
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Old 04-30-16, 07:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Machka
I think everyone who has posted here should post a recent photo of themselves ... you know ... to provide some context.







An ibuprofen stop during a 62 mile charity ride last weekend.

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Old 04-30-16, 07:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Paul Barnard
An ibuprofen stop during a 62 mile charity ride last weekend.

What's going on with the seat? Style/angle look weird.
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Old 05-01-16, 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Paul Barnard
An ibuprofen stop during a 62 mile charity ride last weekend.

You favor Kramer on Sienfeld!
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Old 05-01-16, 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by CNC2204
Kinda like why not everybody has a 1000 lb squat & 600 lb bench.

How many of you so called 170 lb "cyclist" hit the gym consistently ?

I could take most of you in my gym with a 100 lb straight bar and within 10 to 15 minutes have you calling 911.

Stock cars & cycling in a circle is boring as ****.

I did a long ride with two Cat #1 dewds last Saturday, we weren't "racing" we were "riding" and we are friends.

Thats what cycling is about.
Apparently, you know nothing about stock cars...
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Old 05-01-16, 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by one4smoke
You favor Kramer on Sienfeld!
That's funny, my wife says the same thing. Even more so from a profile view. Big nose and big Adam's Apple
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Old 05-01-16, 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by ckindt
What's going on with the seat? Style/angle look weird.
tri/tt -centric saddle

deep channels and no nose

for getting real low and forward
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Old 05-01-16, 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Paul Barnard
An ibuprofen stop during a 62 mile charity ride last weekend.

Dork disc?
Tri saddle
Top tube bag
Skinny legs

But no potbelly so you're good

*disclaimer to the people who like to lecture* I'm joking, lighten up, it's the internet.
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Old 05-01-16, 03:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Lazyass
Dork disc?
Tri saddle
Top tube bag
Skinny legs

But no potbelly so you're good

*disclaimer to the people who like to lecture* I'm joking, lighten up, it's the internet.

I spent 20 years in the military. It's hard to hurt my feeling. That's a 40T cog on the cassette though, not a dork disc.
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Old 05-02-16, 03:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Lazyass
Dork disc?
Tri saddle
Top tube bag
Skinny legs

But no potbelly so you're good

*disclaimer to the people who like to lecture* I'm joking, lighten up, it's the internet.
I be poking no fun at Paul. Look at the definition in his upper arm muscles!!!
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Old 05-02-16, 08:03 AM
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Dat tricep
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Old 05-02-16, 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Rowan
I be poking no fun at Paul. Look at the definition in his upper arm muscles!!!
Those ibuprofen heavy��
A little extra mid body weight is referred to a luxury weight.
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Old 05-02-16, 03:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Rowan
I be poking no fun at Paul. Look at the definition in his upper arm muscles!!!
Haha, if you only knew.....
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Old 05-02-16, 09:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Lazyass
I've always wondered about this phenomenon. I have a fast metabolism and don't drink so I've been slim and @160lbs for the last 30 years. Couldn't get a potbelly if I wanted to. But I see guys on charity/group rides, club members who ride all the time and they keep their freaking potbelly. They usually wear club cut jerseys with loose sleeves but it doesn't hide anything. No, they usually aren't that fast but if someone rides all the time how does the potbelly not get burned off? Heavy drinking maybe?
I believe it is common for heavier cyclists to overtake snotty, skinny cyclists, crush them by sitting on them, then eat their flesh. Hard to lose weight that way.
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Old 05-03-16, 06:21 PM
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Originally Posted by wrldtraveller
true. diet is responsible for losing weight. but I just learned doing some research on caloric intake and caloric burn while exercising. While cycling, (fast/racing) you will burn 650 calories per 30 minutes. So if those people who are potbellied, cycle that fast, then yeah eventually (daily cycling at same pace) they will lose that potbelly.

I remember my youth, I would cycle fast daily minimum 1 hour, maximum 5+ hours on weekends. I was frustrated because i couldn't gain weight as I was too thin. My parents were frustrated because I would shovel tons of food into my mouth, and still couldn't gain weight. Now, I am getting a bit older and have to juggle time between working, and exercising, and social life. I notice I am gaining a bit weight and now am carefully watching what I eat so i don't develop pot belly. But eventually when I start cycling fast daily, then i will lose my belly, however small it is.

P
You have a totally different metabolism and testosterone level now. This is the difference. Classically, tapering testosterone levels result in accumulation of body fat around the waste and inside the abdomen.

That being said, we can lose the belly fat.

But we'll probably never look like that guy Paul ^^ (I never looked like that guy!!)

Last edited by DrRobert; 05-03-16 at 06:24 PM.
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