Good for weight loss... or not?!? You be the judge!
 

Hey guys, I have been having a hard time finding out of biking really is good for weight loss... As I am not nearly as expeirienced as allot of you expert bikers I am going to ask your opinion. Is Cycling a good way to lose weight? If so what kind of support do you have for your statement. Also, have you lost weight cycling? If so how much?

Thanks for all the great feedback guys <3

-VirginBiker

Like anything else, you get out of it what you put into it. I've lost about 80lbs. over the last 14 months and cycling is my only exercise. I could've lost a bunch more, but one of the main reasons I ride is for my weekend post-ride ribeye and beers.... so I'm not exactly doing myself any favors there.

Cycling is good exercise, and you can burn up a bunch of calories. But the best thing for weight loss is to change your diet for good, and add in some form of exercise.

I did just that- started cycling, cut back on intake, reduced protein, cut out soda, booze, ice cream, etc. More veggies. Less calories. Lost 65 pounds in 9 months.

Any info you can add to the conversation about how much you ride, distances, frequency would be great.

March 2010: 175lbs
Today: 149lbs

Cut back on intake, ate better foods, rode around 5500 miles.

April 23, 2011, 235 pounds. December 1, 2011, 208 pounds.

Average about 100 miles per week, much of it commute (18 miles round trip), plus weekend rides.

You do not lose weight with exercise alone. You lose weight with diet, and exercise helps. There are four rules that the entire multi-billion dollar weight loss industry is baed on: Eat less junk; eat more good stuff; eat less overall; and add exercise. Follow those rules, and you will lose weight. But exercise alone will not result in weight loss, because exercise makes you hungry. Change your diet and cycle a lot, and you will lose weight.

It kind of depends on your current state of fitness. Some people loose 5 pounds but gain 2 pounds of muscle. Most that are far far out of shape can't stick to cycling for fitness .... either their body hurts, have no time, or some other reason. If one wants to you will find a way, those that that truly don't want to will find an excuse (not just cycling).

Lots of factors go into weight control. Some say it is a simple equation, calories consumed vs. calories burned. I tend to say cut out the sugary drinks, minimize alcohol consumption, and reduce/minimize consumption of enriched bread products. Your body will balance carbs, fat, and triglycerides beyond this (with some activity).

My weight is steady but I ride 3,000 miles a year for 6 years now. Find a group, friends, or co-workers to ride with regularly. This will reduce procrastination. Incorporate riding to work once or twice a week. First ride from work to home at the end of the day then into work the next day (because you have to, no car). This lets you clean up at home and then in the morning you will not work up a big sweat on the return trip. After a few times it becomes habit and confidence is there to figure other stuff out. Of course lets hear the excuses 1) I can't leave my car 2) I need my car 3) there is no where to clean up or change at work 4) its too far. Like I said if you truly don't want to one will find an excuse.

See, it's reading about people like you that made me wanna pick up the sport... it really is quite inspiring

Control of fitness- cycling.
Control of weight- diet.

Oh, and, "a lot". :)

I ride so I can drink more beer...

rofl

I've gotten fatter...no lie...i weighed about 157 when I started riding now somehow I'm 166-167...

You're doing it wrong.

I agree with ancker.

I started 2011 at 255 lbs. Today I'm 205. Rode 3,500+ miles and changed my eating habits. Ate better but wasn't nuts to the point of "dieting". Just eat more veggies, fruits, etc. and less cake, cookies, chips, and other crap.

+1

Before I picked up riding again 5yrs back I was around 175-180. Currently average 142-143.

Seriously do a search and you'll find tons of info on this topic. Also a visit to the training and nutrition forum might be useful.

I cant wait to see the results :) thats all I need to go even further with it, you know?

it's called a relationship...the woman cooks like theres no tomorrow! I've recently told her to cool it with the awesome meals and let me eat like a ****ty college student again.

How fat is she?

February 2011: 286 Lbs.
Jan 2012: 228 Lbs.
Goal: 160-170 Lbs.

Ridden about 1200 miles in that time, maybe more. A 12 mile route 2 or 3 evenings a week after work, and >20 on at least one weekend day. Also learned to eat better. Cut out most of the crap like sodas, chips, fries, etc. Making better food choices (most of the time). I even learned to eat broccoli. I've NEVER liked broccoli.

Spring 2010 - 238 lbs
Fall 2011 - 161 lbs.

Changed diet and rode my ass off, literally. Ate much better and rode over 8000 miles this year to lose weight.

I'm 70 pounds lighter than I was a decade ago. You must change your life if you wish to lose weight and keep it off. Exercise is part of that, but not all of it.

How about this? Do you guys think DIET soda is ok? If not why?

No, because it's ****ing gross.