Skeletor (rockmuncher) does have a good point, we were off topic. For my part, I appoligize. On topic, I would like to say that even though I did not ride my bike today, I walked 4.55 miles with my son. I only had to put him on my shoulders for the last 1/4 mile. Not too shabby for a three year old. I can just smell the fat burning off! (Smells like bacon) :D

Optimum is 67kg (147lbs), but I won't be that low in February unless I get half my stomach removed! The target weight for the start of the winter season is around 72kg (158lbs), which works out at just under a kilo per week. That's the same rate as for the last 25 weeks, so it shouldn't be a problem.

I'll be training through Christmas and start on intervals mid-January, so there won't be any time for Chritmas cheer to settle! :D

I've read the past few pages of posts with interest.

N7CZinMT: Congrats on going off your diabetes meds. That's awesome!

PWRDbyTRD: Dude, you are an inspiration. Seriously. Keep up the great work!

Really both of you specifically have been inspirations to me. I want to lose weight and keep from being diabetic later in life. I'm 28 years old, weigh 330, and bike commute every chance I get. Usually 4 days a week, sometimes 5. I want to be in better physical health in general (which I am, having been riding since April/May), but better than I am now. I want to lose 100lbs by the time I am 30 (I *just* turned 28). I want to be down to 200-210lbs in the end, but right now I'd be happy to hit 300.

My wife is about 80lbs overweight and she just joined Curves and is working out there 3 days a week. She's been working out for 2 weeks and we just started a low-carb (not Atkins, just lower carb) diet last week. She has already lost 4.25 pounds and 1% body fat, and is doing really good. She is who is helping me with my diet, which eating 6 times a day and eating *healthy* with very little processed food. I FEEL so much better after only 1 week, its amazing.

Anyway I just wanted to say: Keep posting progress, keep working out, and don't anybody get discouraged. We can all do it!

RyKo, I know you are not new around here, but welcome. When we are supportive of each other, we are all more likely to succeed. Stick with it, before you know it, we'll all be carrying rocks in our pockets (to keep from blowing away). :D

Arnold accent, "Ja. Ve vill have lawge rripping mussslels."

Since August 16, 2004 I've lost 31lbs. 4 1/2" from my gut, 3 1/2" from my hips & 2 1/2" from my waist.

:D Yeah! That's what I'm talkin' about! Go Man, Go!

Weighed in at 235 in mid-late June. I'm at 175 as of today (december 1st). Looking to get down to 160 so I still have a ways to go.

Hehe, check this out. This one picture is from 2001 when I was on steroids for a medical condition.

http://img62.exs.cx/img62/5599/smallfatme.jpg


Here's my most recent picture (not sure why my hair is so wild).

http://img62.exs.cx/img62/1064/smallthinnerme.jpg


As you may have guessed I've aged a little (I'll turn 19 in January) and I use the top picture for motivation :D

Man, things are WAY quiet in this thread lately! Perhaps we don't want to admit to our seasonal weight gains? I have been fighting to maintain 215 and have lost big time! Maxed out at 232 and now back down to 225. I look at this as another bump in the road to my goal weight. I've been sick since Thanksgiving and unable to ride. Not an excuse, just a fact.

ROLL CALL EVERYONE!

What is your current weight? (+/- goal) Mine is 225 +45lbs from goal.
What are you doing to keep motivated? Trying to get everyone else here going!

Come on ya'll! We gotta help each other out! I know I need the motivation!

I lost a few pounds.
I'm at 170 with a goal of 160. Sooo close. I've upped my workout. I now ride for an hour and 15 minutes every night on varying inclines (exercise bike). I am also now officially addicted to Clif bars :)

Ritz Here! 253 and fallin' babeeee! I started this at 265. I was 308 at my heaviest. The weather has been my undoing as far as riding goes. I ride when I can and walk when I can't. Check up on me anytime guys, accountability is cool.(Edit) Oh yeah, my goal weight is 180 by August 5th 2005.

I'll throw my litle story in here. About 2 years ago I stepped on the scales and saw the wheel turn to that lovely little number 311. Well, being about 6'3, and just a big guy in general I really didn't think I was that heavy. Any time somebody would guess my weight they would usually say 260, or 270. Anyway, I never really knew how big I was until that day.

I decided I needed to slim down a bunch, and told myself if I could get down to 230 I'd be happy. No set dates, no benchmarks, just lose the weight. First thing I did was go out and buy myself a bike, which by the way has become an extension of myself.

I'm not going to get into all the details of what I did to lose weight, the whole idea was just a change in all the fundamental ways I live my life. Food, activity levels, frame of mind. I gradually just tried to swap the bad habits with some good habits. Well, maybe not good, but better habits.

Getting to the point, I decided that I was only going to step on the scales 1 time each year. I figured that way I wouldn't drive myself crazy with numbers that may not always be to my liking. One year later I weighed in at 240. I gotta tell you, I hadn't been so happy in a long time. Increased energy levels and traded the 42 and 44 inch pants for some 38's and 40's. The biggest change was in my confidence and just general mental strength and agility.

The changes I made have stuck with me since then, something that continually benefits me. After that first year I figured I should set a goal, 220 sounded good. My reasoning being I was so big that the first 70lbs would be eaier to lose than the last 20lbs.

1.5 years into this I decide to check out the scales again, because my clothes were getting way to big. Stepped on, closed my eyes and gave myself a moment. Looked down, 211. I not only achieved my goal 6 months faster than planned, but I surpassed it by 10lbs. Traded in the 38 and 40 inch pants for nothing but 36's. That felt good. Well, skipping to today. I stepped on the scales again 4 or 5 days ago...204. I've lost 106lbs in 2 years. I just bought a new pair of jeans, 34 inch waist. It's a bit of a squeeze right now, but I figure by March they'll fit just about right. Not since I was 14 have I worn that size.

I just realized how long winded this was, and poorly written at that, but I'm not editing it. When I think of how lazy and angry at the world I was when I weighed 300+, I'm astonished. Not so much astonished that I lost the weight, I think I can do pretty damn near anything now, but astonished how easy it was over the long term. It started with one simple change. Once I got that down, I made another, and so on.

I feel better than I have my entire life. I feel stronger and smarter than before. And I have more confidence than I thought I would ever posess. All it took was small steps and small lifestyle changes.

I guess this is my challenge to every person out there that is overweight and out of shape. I challenge you to lose that weight, but don't look for the quick fix. Take your time, go at your own pace, and just start with simple changes. I think you'll find that you won't stress yourself out, but you will achieve your goals. Just don't STRESS about it!

i can't wait to get back on the bike and lose some pounds! Congrats to all those who hit or achieve their milestone.

S/F,
CEYA!

Don't give up..Don't ever give up!!
Jimmy Valvano

All the kids in the Peanut Gallery say..."Yea! Woo Hoo!" I'm hearing the title lyrics to the Beatles, "I'm a loser." In a good way of course.:D

Nice write-up Narc. Congrats on reaching and surpassing your goal!
Good job cheeb. Keep at it!
Ritz, I wish I had your "get-up-and-go" right now! I'm fighting this winter blues syndrome. I am going to try getting out for at least a short spin today. First time since Thanksgiving. My chest cold is not gone, but I really miss being on my bike.

Dude! (NC7Z) It's not hard to get up and go when you are in Houston Texas, the rain is really the only thing to contend with here. You are in Montana! Lighten up on yourself a little. :D

All Y'all are my support system, and I'm yours... Go! Go! Go! Pedal! Pedal! Pedal! Put that twinkie down and get on your bike! You can do it! I have faith in you! Go! Go! Go!

stay hungry...you won't die!!

don't drink that...drink water!!

Now That's What I'm talkin' about! :D

I just finished 26.1 miles and I am charged up! Beautiful day! Wish Y'all could all be here! (That is of course, unless you're in Hawaii.)

Be careful with the Clif bars, they contain caffiene. Too much caffiene can cause problems getting to sleep, which can in turn lead to eating problems. Caffiene is also stored in the muscle tissue and displaces glycogen (energy).

NOTE: If you have a large caffiene intake and you need to reduce it do so slowly. Cutting out caffiene too fast can also cause pretty bad withdrawal symptoms.

oooo, excellent point. I know exactly what you mean by eating late. Which is why I have sworn off any food after dinner :D I learned my lessons. I couldn't drop any weight. why? Because I would snack before going to bed. Horrible thing to do when trying to lose weight. Thank you though for your comments. Everyone here trying to lose weight needs to know eating late at night is detrimental to losing weight. Otherwise though, the clif bars are alright, right?

Yes! 28.9 miles today, haulin' my 40 pound three year old in his trailer! :D That weight is gonna start fallin' off! I already feel 100% better.

Welcome BeeTL, Thanks for joining us! One day we can start a Skinny guys who used to be fat thread! :)

40 years old, 165 pounds, 5'8" 14 in arms, 40 in chest...need to drop about 7-10 pounds, or until 30-31 inch pants fit respectably again. Seems like the last couple pounds are taking FOREVER!