Well gang I've been reading this thread for about 3 months now and I'm ready to commit. I'm 39 years old 5'7" and 205 pounds. I'm active and I ride alot. But my major vice is Junk Food , Candy and Soda. I love to travel on bicycle tours and I race mountain bikes in 24 hour races. I'm riding hard again and I'm working on hitting the 155 pound mark again. I was there 2 years ago but with work and just plain being lazy saw the waist line stretch out of control. I love to bike I own 9 of them and I can still ride. Yesterday I rode a 75 mile road ride with my best buddy. But the weight is holding me back I can't climb those hills like I used to and it really bothers me. So starting right now I'm back on the Fitness Bus and I'm hoping I can hit the 155 mark before my birthday in Sept. I'll be posting a progress report every week that way it will keep me on the strait and narrow. I know there is alot of support on this thread and I know you folks can help me out if you have any biking question maybe I can help you out. One more goal for getting in shape is were going camping in July to Mt Shasta and were riding our mountain bikes around the mountain its a 65 mile ride with about 4,000 feet of climbing so I need to get the big arse in shape.

Wingman, sounds like you've got it goin' on...

Mr. Moontang, Don't rule out recumbents. I am 262 pounds, but was once 308. My bike is a Sun EZ-1 SC and I love it! Talk about comfort bikes! These start around $500.00, and are worth every penny. It's been said that the best bike for you is the one you ride, I have all ready put 1052 miles on this one since January 1st 2005.
WWW.TOURDEPANTS.COM :D

good luck man keep us posted i am down to 357lbs my goal of 340lbs by my bday (june 23rd) is looking good!!!!

Ritz Good luck on whatever it is that you are doing!!

Moontang get a kona hoss if you are looking at mountain bikes it is a never look back choice!

Time for another update:

January 18, 2005 --> 213 lbs.
February 21, 2005 --> 203 lbs.
March 30, 2005 --> 190 lbs.
May 2, 2005 --> 184 lbs.

Target --> 170 lbs. by September 2, 2005.

Whew, 14 lbs. to go! Does anyone have any tips for the push to the finish line? As you can see, my weight loss is beginning to taper off somewhat. I still routinely eat far fewer calories than I burn (roughly 600-700 a day), but as I lose weight the deficit is obviously decreasing. I'm trying to stay active, riding as much as the weather permits and starting soccer this month. Any secrets for dropping those last 10-15 lbs?

just keep at it man you will make it!!!

My story I copy from half way down this page:

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...59058&start=30


As I child I always tended on the heavy side, though not excessively so. I had polio aged three and spent my childhood recovering from paralysis in the left leg. I was never any good at sport and consequently have no interest.

By the time I was fully grown at 6 ft 3 in I was top of the range normal and weighed about 14 stone (196 lb) – I will subsequently quote only in lbs, but they may not be round numbers. Obesity is an issue in the family. My sister struggled as a girl and is now – size 24/26. By middle age my father was over 250lb but brought his weight under control. My mother is short and a size 20. My weight crept up to around 210 when I was an undergraduate reading Theology at Durham University. I managed to get down to 198 when I went aged 27 to the Sandhurst Military Academy to train as a chaplain. When I married at the age of 32, I was 210 again. Over the years the weight crept up. Medical Officers grumbled a bit over the years, but it was no serious medical or professional concern.

When I was 53 I was over 250 lb. After spraining my ankle my mobility was badly impaired for a few months and my weight climbed to 260 lb. Time for the routine medical. At 54 I got a serious talking to from the Senior Medical Officer!
Blood Pressure March 04 147/94. Cholesterol up a little but differential very very good.

“Do Atkins”, he said, “It works.” I was on the edge of this decision anyway, but his backing made it easier at home. My wife is a biology teacher and has also taught nutrition and domestic science. Low fat was the regime at home – “Not too much meat, dear, it’s bad for you.” I am a Viking and love meat, so for me Atkins was easy and natural. I have no intention of abandoning the low carb way of life. One of the nurses in the medical centre and my wife raise a caution from time to time about “stress on your kidneys.” The Senior Medical Officer dismisses those concerns.

By the end of June 04 my weight was down to 225 and my blood pressure was121/74. By December 04 I weighed 208 lb and my blood pressure was down to 119/72. My resting pulse is in the mid to high 50s. I do not have the results of the blood tests, but I do know they were impressively healthy. On a 65% fat diet my cholesterol had fallen a little, though it was not an issue in the beginning.

What Atkins said about high glycimic index foods and the blood sugar roller-coaster was certainly true for me. If I feed on fat and protein I do not suffer from hunger or cravings and just feel generally more “steady.” I may be a strange way to put it, but quite precise – I feel steady, stable and satisfied eating the Atkins way. I have no need to rush for the sweets or for apples and oranges as I did before. I was probably heading for type two diabetes before. I hope to avoid that now.

I eat lots of meat, foul and fish with mountains of salad and green vegetables, and yes, I drink litres of water a day. I have Greek Yogurt or Low Carb Home made Ice Cream with strawberries. I am not sure to what extent these dairy products contributed to my winter stall. I have taken to flax cooking - half and half with Whey Protein Isolate, olive oil and egg, and flavoured with lemon, cinnamon, “Italian Herbs” or sun-dried tomatoes. My treat is a square or two of high cocoa content dark chocolate, sometimes by itself, and sometimes microwaved into fudge with cream and butter.

There is still more to be done. I have lost no weight since before Christmas – I put on three or four pounds but have lost those. I have had no serious cheats or binges – didn’t even have any Christmas cake, which I love.

Now summer is on the way I must exercise more and try harder to get those last few pounds off. The Base swimming pool has closed, which is a loss, but I have been enjoying cycling the country lanes. My ambition is to get below 14 stone (196 lb). I will have to work hard for these last few pound, but the 50lbs down from 260 to 210 was very easy.

Quote from Atkins Bulletin Board ends.

Postscript:

Yes, the pool has closed :mad:

So I have dusted off a Trek 800 which is 12 years old and almost unused. I have fitted slick tyres and I am enjoying the country lanes. It's a Bank Holiday Weekend here in England - 20 miles Saturday, 20 miles Sunday, 15 miles Monday morning and 12 miles Monday evening.

So lets see where that gets me!

Poorer, I would think, because now I have hankering after a road bike. As a boy in York I cycled everywhere on a Falcon - a road bike with ten speeds and drops - not an expensive one, and not the fastest, but it got me round with a lot more ease that the plodding Trek 800.

_________________
Male 6 ft 3in 55 years Married 23 years.
Within sight of 200lb now, down from 260 lb since March 04
Blood Pressure Mar 04 147/94 . Jun 04 121/74 . Dec 04 119/72
All blood measurements now impressively healthy.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y11...260to208lb.jpg

^^^ awesome job so far. But there a few things to be careful of. One is that if you plan to really ride a great deal, you're going to need carbs for fuel. You'll just tire out too quickly if you stay on atkins (as I come to understand it) and ride during the same time. Also, the problem with atkins is that a lot of that weight loss is "water weight" which is also very easy to gain back if you are to increase your carbs. So when you say you are willing to keep living the low carb lifestyle, that's great, it really is. But if you do ever decide to up your carbs, you're going to see a weight gain. You need to understand that I think because along with rigorous exercise, the body needs at least some carbohydrates. I also wouldn't dismiss the kidney worries that accompany atkins. I've heard from various doctors that they are real concerns. I'd just have a regular check up on the kidneys. Maybe 2 a year. Well, good luck and great job! :D

Thanks for your concerns. I am thinking very hard.

I initiated another discusion here:

http://www.cyclingforums.com/t237330-.html

Hey labarum could you tell me more on how your doing to maintain your weight? I too went on a semi/atkins style diet with exercise and went from 260 down to 215. But then I stalled around winter time and went up to like 228. Basically I'm struggling to maintain the 228. Before the stall I had hoped to reach my goal of 190 before 2004 ended but courtesy to relatives and christmas food is a bad combination. :(

And as I slipped and started eating a few carbs here and there I started to gain weight again. And of course along with the added carbs I started exercising less cause of the winter. Well, its spring again and I'm out exercising more.
And to help kickstart my diet plan again I bought a mtn bike. :)

You guys have any advice?
And ya labarum how is your weight loss going? Have you been able to overcome your stall?

Hi Stalker

Gained two or thre pounds over the winter which I have mow lost, but cannot get below 208 lbs.

I have been gradually increasing cycling mileage over the last three weeks - over 20 miles a day now, but no decrease in weight. I hope I am making muscle: i think my shape has changed. Early days yet.

I have been eating more carbs - but that is permitted and required and I am in deep ketosis after a ride. Dark purple on the sticks. Before I stated cycling I didn't see that often as I drink lots of water.

For constant advice sign up to

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/

lots of supportive and knowlegable folk there.

On a side note I noticed that Its easier to be on a low carb diet if your not actually eating red meat and eggs all the time. At least thats how I did it. I ate mostly fish,chicken,turkey and salad. I stayed away from red meat mostly and I ate boiled eggs for breakfast without the yolk.....that was me not that its necessaary to remove it.
But anyway, I was thinking....have you started training with weights? I've heard if you gain a few pounds in muscle mass that it would in turn accelerate fat loss. So if you were to do some weight training during the week along with the bike riding and the continued diet you should finally be able to go under 208. I'm gonna try to incorporate some weight training into my plan soon. But in the meantime I need to get my bike training going more for my cardio workout.
Ya see, the thing is my first phase of weight loss was due to my diet and walking exercises.....alot of walking. :|
My feet just can't take it anymore. I used to get terrible pain in the soles of my feet. So I HAD to find away to overcome that. I think biking is the key.

Wish me luck people. I hope to AT LEAST get back to my plateau weight of 215 and from there I hope to go down further. :|

Hey guys, thought I would just give you an update.

My weight has been floating around the 275 mark. This is down from 304 in January.
I may have just torn my ACL (hopefully its just pulled or strained), so biking may be out for a while :-( I hope I can keep this up, I just need to watch my diet a little closer now.

Can I join in?

I'm 33yo male 6'3" and I tip the scale at 378. I just picked up a new bike after lurking around here for choices. I hope the damn thing holds up to my weight.

I don't really think I can lose much weight until I can get stabilized on my thyroid meds and get my diet to were its hypothyroid freindly. But I along with my doc. is working on that.

Its nice to get back on a bike after so long.

Welcome Ladrones! WWW.TOURDEPANTS.COM

hey I am also on hypothyroid meds. What do you mean by you diet being "hypothyroid friendly"? My doc didn't really tell me any specific things I needed to change about my diet.

My doctor actually recomended the zone diet. It's all a bit confusing right now. I've been doing some research on the net and there are some things I should be staying away from. For me its all in the research phase.

Check out this book it has alot of good info in it.
Eat to Win for the 21st Century by Robert Haas It talks about the zone and akins and how to eat to slim down but still be able to ride or run...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...672789-2755950

http://www.springboard4health.com/no.../diet_win.html

Anyone know anything about Coconut Oil? A Sister at church recomended it for weight loss. WWW.TOURDEPANTS.COM

Just felt compelled to add to the sucess stories
3/20/04 235lbs
5/9/05 147lbs
I owe it all to the pushback diet(pushing myself back from the plate and excersizing more :-) and a lot of running and recetly cycling)
Keep up the good work all of you.

I bought my bike in January. The "before" results were in November of 2004. The "after" results are from late April:

Weight: before - 265 after - 255
Cholesterol: before - 272 after - 168
Triglycerides: before - 417 after - 157

This has been done without any drug therapy, with no change in diet, and while doing something I really enjoy!

My doctor is amazed. I'm happy and considering buying a more comfortable bike for longer rides.

If four months of bicycling can make this large a change, what will a year or a number of years do?

Ya I'm 17 so I'm so happy to be saying that biking turned me around. My parents had a rough divorce and I was really really sedentary, both my parents are overwheight, so it felt sort of normal to be overweight. Just these few summer months I've started riding my bike to school (don't know how far it is but I'll update it once I've rode the distance again with my new spedometer). I bike fairly fast and it takes me around 25 minutes one way. I'm not a scale Nazi, because scales only indicate the mass of your body, not what it's made out of. I can see the fat melting off. I'm going to be 18 in june and I think I will be f'ing fit by then. My skin is really nice and taned, my legs are purely muscle and my abdomen has less and less fat on it. I love bikes

david.l.k
that's good to hear, keep up the good work who knows maybe you can be another Lance in the making. I'll keep my fingers cross and good luck.
oscar

Hi everyone!

I think sometime last year I tried to join this group, but since that time, my weight has taken a terrible turn for the worse, so I hope I can join in with you, become inspired and encouraged and meet my two major goals for this summer: 1) Ride my first 100K and 2) Lose at least 15lbs.

My story in a nutshell:

I am one of the people at a "normal" weight, but heading down a very slippery slope with my excessive eating. My BMI is now dipping into the "moderately overweight" category. I have now broken all my previous weight records, having gained 30lbs since I was dancing daily (in my late teens/early 20s, realistically I'll never be that thin again!) and 20 lbs since the fall of 03 when I met my fiancee. Of course he thinks I look fine, (he likes "heft" in my ass) and that's great, but all my clothes have that tight "freshly washed" feeling, and some I can't get into at all. My arms are heavy and jiggle. I am getting a wattle. I am TOTALLY ashamed of myself.

It's not that I eat such terrible foods (I hate sugary soda, and rarely have fast food) but I just LOVE eating so much. It has nothing to do with stress or emotional eating, just an adoration of good food. Oh, and ice cream, my biggest "bad" food weakness.

Anyway, I am in the process of immigrating to the US from Canada, we are getting a fiancee visa and our petition was recently approved. (yeay!!!) and I just need to go through the final steps. If all goes according to plan, I will be getting married sometime in October.

As a result of moving here, I have not yet found a ballet school to replace my school from Toronto. It takes significant effort to get to a good school here because we live out in the boonies, and I still haven't mastered driving! I would need to take the bus, metro etc for at least an hour to get to class.

In addition to that, with visits here from my mom, working on the house, travelling, and going home to Toronto for quick visits to see friends and family, I've done lots of eating and drinking and not much constructive exercise. I have been on about 5 rides so far this season, and am terribly out of shape, huffing and puffing up hills.

It's not that I don't know just what to do to lose this weight...I need to cut back the calories and start cycling like a fiend. I need to get back to ballet class (ballet is actually excellent cross training for cycling, it strengthens your core). I need to go for walks....I do know all this. It's just that I'm so depressed having a whole summer of misery ahead of me.

All this is just to say that I want to meet my goals by September 12 and hope that I can report positve results back to this group along the way!!!

Cheers,

Jessica

Hey Jessica! Thanks for sharing your story with us! It sounds like you have a lot going on right now, and it's always harder to lose weight when there are other things happening in life. Good for you for recognizing the changes you need to make in your lifestyle!! Maybe don't think of it as a 'summer of misery', but a summer to really focus on your physical well-being. I'm trying to lose about 15 pounds this year, and I find when I think of it that way, it's a lot easier to stay on board. Anyway -- good luck!! I can relate to your ice cream weakness, mine is chocholate. :)

-GS

Well, it sounds like you know what you need to do, but thinking of it as misery probably doesn't help. Perhaps "summer of opportunity" or "summer of fun" or "summer of awesomeness" (inspired by my avatar) would be better.