patentcad

One of the reasons I love road cycling (and always have) is I've always had a hard time staying thin. 20 years ago I realized that this would be a life-long struggle, so a calorie burning hobby like cycling would make it much easier. It's a big reason why I ride.

So today I'm talking to my overweight neighbor, the very out of shape cop, who is 5' 9" tall and weighs about 200 lbs. He says to me 'you know, according to those weight charts, I'm obese.' He implied that since those charts dated back to the 1950's they were somehow 'out of date'. 'Out of date' with what? I asked. Super Size McDonald's meals and processed foods?

He tells me he can bench press 250 lbs. I told him that's great if you're wrestling a suspect to the ground on the job, but when it comes to your overall health, I doubt your heart cares if it's supplying muscle or fat, it still puts stress on your cardiovascular system. His attitude about the weight charts is very typical. I'd agree that they are sometimes out of touch with different body types and you have to allow a little wiggle room on them, but for the most part they don't seem unreasonable. He should weigh no more than 170 lbs or so (max weight for a large frame). His goal is 175, and that would certainly be much healthier for somebody his size than 200. At least he seemed to understand this.

Generally cyclists understand all this because of the nature of our sport. We may all be too fat for this sport, but most of us know it. Most of us are out there most days trying to do something about it instead of blaming those crazy 'out of date' weight charts.

It's not easy. And I have noted a distinct downshift in my metabolism just in the past few years. Oh well. Less Oreos, more miles.

rollin

That was me before I rediscovered cycling 6 years ago.

After racing bicycles and swimming in the juniors I let it all go in my 20s and 30s. I was in denial about the charts, hell I was in denial about smoking 2 packs a day and drinking for England. Then one day my metabolism just stopped. I put on 50lbs in 4 years. In my mind there was no way I was obese even though the charts said I was. F the charts they were written in a bygone age.

Then I woke up.

It was a real shock for someone who was always skinny to admit I was fat. After that it's been a day at a time.

I'm still "overweight" on the bmi charts so still a way to go.

Whenever I see guys sitting by the side of the road in their bulging Discovery jerseys I think good for you for being out here.

recon455

In before arguments begin.

EDIT: I guess I could contribute to the thread.
It's interesting to see out of shape people, who aren't in denial but rather believe that it doesn't matter.

Gluteus

All you have to do, is to travel out of the US, or even watch a movie from the 50's or 60's to realize, how skinny people look compared to the "average american" today. It's not genetic, it's cultural.

Yes, the BMI charts have some limitations/exceptions (I believe Michael Jordan was clasified as "overweight" at a BMI of 26), but in general, they are on target.

You're are right about the health implications of being overweight, even if you're muscular. The life expectancy of football players, is shorter than the general population's.

patentcad

Effin A. Couldn't agree more. I once saw a morbidly obsese guy in full racing kit up on Rt. 9W (the local bike weenie road from Manhattan up to Nyack, even Lance rides that way when he's in NYC) on a Colnago. This dude had to be 5'9" and over 300lbs. I mean, circus fat lady fat. Which was my first thought. My second thought was admiration that he was out there despite the fact that many will laugh at and judge him, trying to do something to get healthier, and brave enough to suffer the inevitable arrows and slings.

So we bust balls here, but if you're embarrassed to be a cyclist, think again. I'm embarrassed for the idiots that judge you. Including myself of course, but that's a whole other thread.

tuxbailey

Sigh, I am regretting that ice cream I had today. I am the same height as PCad's neighbor, weight less but not at the point that is considered healthy.

patentcad

Bingo.

7bmwm3gtr

I'm sure even though we all think we're too fat, we probably feel better when we compare ourselves to fatter and inactive fatties.

patentcad

I think you're too fat. I think I'm way too fat.

rydaddy

My peak was 230 pounds (6'2"). Then came diabetes followed by cycling. I'm now at 180 and still way too fat for this sport.

patentcad

But you are far thinner than you would otherwise be. Ditto for me. And that is the point. I'm not going to become a Cat 2 or ride in the Tour de France. I just want some endorphins and to fit into my skinny jeans.

Velo Vol 

I actually went on a small group ride today. One of the guys there was out for the first time this spring. He said he lost 25 pounds over the winter.

Later I joked that I wished I could lose 25 pounds, too. He kind of gave me a dirty look. [I think part of the reason he lost weight was because his wife left him over the winter, so he didn't necessarily appreciate my juvenile BikeForums humor.] Oh well.

rollin

My first wife weighed a lot more than 25lbs, it was the best weight I ever lost./ off topic over

urbanknight

I just think it's funny that people say "those charts say I'm obese" but I don't think I've ever heard a person come right out and say "I am obese".

Gluteus

Hard to believe.

Kneez

An excellent thread! I feel the same way about the Clydes out there and I am really glad, as a Clyde myself, to know there are some people who are thinking "good for you!" rather than, "Guys like you should not be in spandex."

Kneez

I am obese. My immediate goal right now is to become overweight.

Velo Vol 

On the other hand, there were plenty of bigger actors as well. In earlier eras, being overweight was viewed as a status symbol because only people who were better off could afford to have that kind of lifestyle.

patentcad

You're not kidding. That's what this idiot says to me today. 'That chart says I'm obese.' I wanted to point at his pot belly and respond, 'I'd say your mid drift says it more effectively'. What is it with people? Get a grip. Hey, if you're fat and you're having a hard time with your weight, the solution is not to deny the obvious and blame the weight charts.

urbanknight

I'm sorry, but I can't see your location. Either you're in Europe, or you're the most honest man in the USA.


Because of how people act (in denial) in this country, I was literally shocked when I actually found out the medical qualifications for obesity. Suddenly, more than half the people I knew to be "overweight" were actually obese... some were even considered "morbidly obese".

youcoming

When I began this crazy sport I was one of those guys stuffed in a jersey, all 305lbs of it. Three seasons later I'm at 203lbs. At 6'1" still way to fat for this sport but I'm thinking I'll hit my target weight of 175-185 by end of this summer. Yes it's taken a long time but for awhile I was thinking 235 was a lot better than 305 so I wasn't pushing the weight loss. Now it's all about getting even more fit for better health and for better biking. I always encourage bigger guys to ride and when a new bigger rider comes out and we stop at bakery I kinda encourage them to skip the apple fatter.

KiddSisko

Compounding the issue with America is that so many of it's cultural "spokespersons" such as Oprah and Kirstie Alley have made a mockery of weight issues with their never ending fat and skinny cycles. People with that much clout and resources should not be so out of control. Just my opinion.

stevegor

I heard recently that Aussies are more obese, (per head), than Americans.

If a casual glance around while I'm downtown is any indication, then that statement is true.

Cycling has kept me thin enough to still wear a 14 yr old sponsor's kit..... if I stop, I get fat, so I won't stop.

NathanC

136 pounds. I like this sport.

Braden1550

170cms and between 53kg's and 61kg's. It depends on what I'm training for. Ahhh the joys of a crazy teenage metabolism
Bmi fluctuates between 18.3 (underweight) and 21.1