Sixty Fiver

Is there an off season in Tennessee ?

If I lived there I'd be riding my ass off every day.

Wait.

I already do that.

JamisVE

Those last 10 or so pounds can be tricky. Count your cals and reduce by 250-300 per day. Combined with some extra cardio several days per week, you should be able to knock off 5-10 lbs within a month. Restaurants are just bad. I hardly ever eat out and when I do, I'm extremely careful because portions are insane. Spread your meals out to 6 per day. This keeps your metabolism jacked. If your always burning food, its hard to store it. The last thing you ever want to do is not eat or skip meals. Your body goes into conserve or starve mode after 3-4 hours so its best to eat small meals before that happens. Thats why you never ever skip breakfast, because your body has already gone 10-12 hours without food.

I lost 80 pounds in 5 months. It took a total overall of my crappy diet and alot of exercise and dedication. Once your in tune with your body though, it basically tells you what you need. You will want food that you didn't like before once you cut out the crap (fast food, junk food, etc.). Its a whole de-tox process. Dont deprive yourself though, just be smart and count those cals. Once your where you want to be, be sensible and maintain. Weigh yourself several times per week (at the same time) so you know if your slipping. Its like anything else, once its routine, its just part of your life. Didn't mean to ramble- just trying to help!

patentcad

I once went from 210 lbs to about 164lbs. I didn't lose any power until I was under 168lbs, and then it came back. I'm 5'11", 50 years old

So I wouldn't worry about it until you look as emaciated as I do when I'm that thin.

EvilGoodGuy

I'm 6'0, 160lbs, 8% body fat. I'm working my way to 155. When I initially started losing weight the first 10lbs came off quickly (178 - 168). Since that, the last 8lbs were slow. The next 5lbs will be equally difficult. There is very little room for error. I've found the best time to lose weight is in the off season or early season when most rides are subthreshold. If I attempt to lose weight during the racing season, my high intensity workouts really suffer. My secret to weight loss: tea. I drink tea all the time (herbal without any added sugar or milk). It tastes great and helps stop the urge to eat.

CharlieWoo

6' @ 155?

Terex

I'm 6', 162lbs and about 8% bf. My wife and I are really into tea also. I always have a couple of big cups made from loose leaf white tea in the afternoon at work. I'm edging down towards 155 also, but I probably won't make the move until next spring, if at all, after I've had a full winter in the gym working to improve my strength.

Mlovo

Trying drinking a protein shake for breakfast everyday, increase your fiber by using some flax seed or good fiber capsules and try a supplement like CLA. I have dropped 50 lbs in 6 months 217 to 167. I have seen my average speed and endurance improve dramatically as well.

MKahrl

Some diet advice I read, and am now adhearing to, is to lose 20% of your weight, as you have, and then stop trying to lose weight and adjust your food intake so that you are maintaining your new weight. Not as satisfying as losing weight each week but it's important to figure out what's going to get you through the winter without feeling like you're starving every day.

Next January go on another diet to lose any remaining pounds. Although at 6'2" and 185 lbs you are within normal weight range.

pagliaci

Easier to use, more food items.

umd

Whatever, fatty

patentcad

I'm 5'11", and if I were 155 I'd be DEAD. DEAD I say. And I'd still be too fat for this idiot sport.

TeleJohn

What are you doing the other 4 days? Try to get an additional ~1hr of exercise every day.

JoelS

Geeze, some of you are scrawny!

I'm 5'7" and 178 as of this morning. But pretty muscular. I'm down from 205 at the end of April. Just eating the same as I always have, just less of it. Add in 100 miles or more a week = weight loss. I have no idea when the weight loss will end. Or if I'll have to just say "enough already."

I wouldn't mind dropping another 20 or so. I'll just see how it goes.

umd

5'9" 140 this morning, up from ~120 a few years ago, but fairly stable now. 300+ miles a week, and I rode 100 miles yesterday

nycphotography

I think one key to the "last 10" (for me it's the last 5) is teaching your body to burn fat. A guy a work with is on a race training program, and the regimen is lots of endurance miles BELOW ZONE 3. Lots of intervals IN ZONE 5. And some Tempo in zone 3-4.

The intervals build power. The endurance burns fat more so than carbs, and teaches the body to metabolize fat efficiently.

We did a 120 mile ride and he ate about half what I did, and it was all I could do not to bonk. Burning calories and eating less (even on ride day) is the key. but you have to train specifically for it. Which I won't, so my last 5 will be tough.

DataJunkie

It looks pretty slick. I think I am switching over tomorrow.

beavertoof

Once again thanks for all replies. Lots of ideas now!

patentcad

Oh Jeez, don't friggin THINK.

RIDE.

CharlieWoo

+1

They call us fatties, but when the rednecks get out of the pickups to open up a can o' whoopass guess who they'll be hiding behind?

DataJunkie

Screw hiding. I am running away.... or riding

MSchott

At your age and height you are according to an internet search in the 20-25th percentile for weight at 185 lbs. That is very good. You probably aren't losing weight easily because your body doesn't want you any thinner. Don't worry about it and enjoy your rides.

Thanks, Mike.

mercator

I guess I am in the same boat as the op: 50 years old, 6'1", 190lbs. I could stand to lose another 10lbs or so and I can really notice the difference in climbing from when I weighed 200.

I am pretty certain that I can get down to 180 any time I want, I would just have to stop drinking beer. Not sure if this will ever happen, however.

JohnKScott

Hi there. I live in Franklin, TN and spend a fair amount of time on the Trace. Great riding around here.

Yeah, I'm 45, 5'10" & 177. Started out at 250 at my peak and 220 since I started cycling. First goal (since I started cycling) was 170. I'm finding the last 10 lbs to be coming off slowly. Once I get there I will see how much fat I still have hanging around and maybe try to lose a few more. I really don't care how quickly it happens at this point though. I look and feel better than I have for 20 years and the weight will take care of itself soon enough. Will probably start doing some light muscle building this "off season" and maybe some jogging or jump rope to maybe stoke the furnace a little higher and get rid of the little bit of flab I have left.

I also switched from fitday.com to thedailyplate.com.

thedailyplate has a much better database. However, the calorie estimates for exercise seem WAY high. I usually fudge them down quite a bit to be more realistic.

Nice to meet you & good luck!

Skewer

Is he still doing this? I thought turning a big gear at low cadences was supposed to be hard on the knees.

CharlieWoo

Don't know. He hangs out on the 50+ forum, although he could probably put a hurt on most of the young ens here. Maybe he racks his seat way back. I remember him saying he spends a lot of time out of the saddle.