Looking good Zin!!! :)

Update time....185 lbs this morning with a BF of 28.2 and passed a personal milestone yesterday of 5000 km rode this season. I have put more km on my bike than my truck and car combined!

I did get a blood anaylis (sp) done and was told that my body was not breaking down carbs properly. With the help of the analyst reccomended medication, fitday, Herbal Magic and my bike I have averaged 4 lbs weight loss per week over the last 2 months. I continue to visit this site to see how others are doing and want to wish everyone success on the weight loss journey.

The good news is that the pants I'm wearing today are way too big.

The bad news is that I forgot to pack a belt today, so they keep falling off.

You guys are fantastic.

I'm still struggling with weight loss, but as Mugsy said, the clothes are too big. I'm adding belt loops.

My wife commented that "your legs are ripped". Have to admit I noticed my quads look like real quads, nice definition. Just need to get the stomach under control.

Panic - my fiancee saw me from behind this weekend in my shorts, and she made the same comment about my legs. I looked down and was like "you know, you're right...I have actual muscles in my calves now...cool!"

My weight loss plan is pretty easy so far - eat pretty much the same as before (healthy) and don't add much, except for a small icecream cone just before I head home for fuel (it is all up hill)

Since this isn't my first time cycling, my legs look huge - now the bands of muscles are starting to appear again. What amazes me is how fast I am recovering. It has been about 4 months now, getting close to a good weight (195 is my first decision weight - currently, 199) and my conditioning is at the point I am attacking the hills now - which of course increases fitness / weight loss - which means better conditioning...

Seems like an endless spiral to me folks - but a good one. Yesterday, my wife was in the office with me - she need to pick up a few things at the store so I went ahead with my bike. She was driving the Montero. I figured I got a 10 minute start (no more) and beat her home. This is great since the trek home is uphill. What was also amazing was that I was still in the big ring half the way home!

If I can get down to 190 (I am 6'2") I bet I would only need a 5 minute head start... :)

Total transformation
 

2006 has been a year of total transformation for me. When I was in high school, I was an avid cyclist, even doing a couple centuries. Then in 1989, the two worst things happened to me from a fitness standpoint -- I got my driver's license and went away to college. As the years progressed, I kept gaining and gaining and gaining weight. In June of 2005, I decided to undergo gastric bypass surgery. I made the decision with the specific goal to not only get down to a manageable weight, but get back to the sport that I love so much. As I started the process in June, they put me on the scale -- 462 lbs. (I'm 6'3" tall) On December 20th of that year, I underwent the procedure. About five times as fast as the weight piled on, it came off. As of August 29th, I have lost 165 lbs., and I now weigh under 300 lbs. for the first time in 15 years. As for cycling, that has played a huge role in my weight loss progress. The first time I got back on a bike in February, I struggled to do five miles, even stopping on a moderate hill two times just to catch my breath. On Saturday, I celebrated my 36th birthday with a 36-mile ride. I felt so strong that I could have ridden 50 miles! I'll need that strength next month as I participate in the Discount Tire MS 150 Best Dam Bike Tour -- 174 miles over two days from Lake Pleasant to Parker, Arizona. You can visit my personal event page at https://www.nationalmssociety.org/AZ...MS120061028PHX -- and you can even make a pledge. It would be greatly appreciated. :)

As proud as I am of myself for losing all the weight, the job's not done yet. My goal is to maintain a weight of between 235 and 265 lbs., so I have 30-60 more pounds to lose. There are a couple other cycling goals I have for myself. In March of 2007, I'm planning on doing a bike tour from Phoenix to San Diego. I'm going to a lightly-loaded tour on my cyclocross bike, with a Topeak beam rack and RX rack trunk with mini panniers on the back and a compact handlebar bag on the front. I figure this should be sufficient for a six-day tour. Then, in 2008, I would love to be part of an eight-rider corporate team for the Race Across AMerica.

I'll keep you posted on my continued weight loss.

Happy riding!

Andrew

Congrats on your success. Keep us posted. Later.

I am looking at purchasing a new bike for the purpose of weight loss. I only have a hardtail mountain bike but am looking for something more road friendly.

I am confused about getting to good of a bike which would cause me not to get as good of a workout. does this make any sense or am i crazy? I am debating between the trek 7.3fx (flatbar road bike) or a fuji newest 3.0 (road bike with drop bars). I also can expand my budget and get something like a trek 1200 but am not sure what i should do. I feel a bike like the 1200 might make things to easy slowing down progress.

Ok guys,

I reached 190 lbs. Its been 10 pounds shed over 2 months. Thanks again for all the advice and motivation Ive found here. After I achieve my goal of 176 pounds I will start working on improving my fitness and maintaining my weight.

Ricardo.

Ricardo

Nice job on the transformation. I was a size 40 (now 36) and was 235 at my roundest. I am 6'1 and currently 210 and dropping. I have not really changed my eating habits much just riding by bit off. I intend to start a more nutritious eating pattern and will check out the book you recommended thanks for the info!

Just curious what your height and weight are now at a size 33 waist. Also, do you measure your BFI?

This week I've worn a t shirt I haven't worn in 4-5 years, and pants I haven't been able to wear in at least 2 years. Now if this belly will just go away. Media ***** that I am, I'll be on Richard Simmons radio show next Sunday. Maybe get some more bicyclists started if I'm lucky.

Guys,
not so great news today. I think I've reached a plateau in my weight loss program. Should I continue with the same exercise intensity and eventually I will continue losing pounds or is it necessary to increase the intensity during my workouts?

Thanks... you guys rock!

Ricardo

I'm hitting it hard again too!. I'm 5'9" and started out again at almost 260. I've lost a bit over the past three weeks and down to 246. My initial goal is sub 200, and then 170 to 175 for a maintenance weight. I have seen the most dramatic loss in the past week. I guess it takes a few weeks for the body to start digesting that fat and get muscle working. I have been doing spinning classes primarily and started taking tennis lessons twice a week which really works up a sweat too.
Good Luck to everyone

Don Haller

Just wanted to join in this discussion. I'm a 39 year old Type 2 diabetic. I'm in pretty good shape, aerobically speaking, but i need to lose about 20 lbs to get to what I feel is my ideal weight. I'm 5'9" and currently weigh 193 with a BF% of 24%.

I am commuting to work and home again 3-4 times each week, about 20 miles round trip. I do occasional weightlifting as well.

I hope to get a lot of inspiration from this thread and hopefully provide some inspitation for others as well.

I've just started riding in hopes of losing some weight. I'm 20 years old and I'm 6' tall. When I started, I was at 160 lbs. I don't really have a set target, but I guess 140 would be a good goal.

I started about 2 or 3 weeks ago - riding every day. I'm riding at least 20 kms per ride which usually takes me an hour or an hour and a half (moderate riding effort). On weekends I go for a much longer 2-3 hour ride.

I'm really enjoying my self, I love biking and I just hope that it works. I haven't weighed my self since I started because I don't own a scale, so I'm not sure if I've even lost any weight yet. However, from reading some of this thread it sounds like I will.

I'm riding a Kona Lava Dome (XC hardtail) with road tires on it. So far it has been working really well, although it would be nice to have some higher gears.

I have already noticed a difference in my endurance after only a couple of weeks. I've started riding a little longer and further with each ride. So now that I'm spending even more time on my bike, I'd like to wear appropriate attire.

What should I be wearing?
I'm currently wearing a t-shirt or a long sleeve shirt if it's cool out, and a pair of shorts.

I'm down a total of 29 pounds since 5/18. I have hit a bit of a plateau with the weight loss but it has nothing to do with the exercise I am getting....I ride nearly everyday to work (30 miles round trip). My doctor is happy with my 'gradual' weight loss and was blown away that I have been biking so much (1780 miles and counting since May 18th) but if I could show ANY constraint on my food intake I would be dropping weight like crazy. I usually hit 2 buffets a week (Indian buffets are my crack cocaine...but it makes the ride home unpleasant for me and my fellow commuters). Anyway, I need to hold my intake down somewhat but I'm just addicted to food. I'll keep the forum updated on my progress but would appreciate whatever advice you can offer. Does anyone use a nutritionist, or is it kind of silly to have someone tell you things you already know but never implement?

Wear whatever is comfortable for you. Bike shorts feel more comfortable than regular shorts for me as the time in the saddle extends. I'm a sweaty person when I exercise, so I wear moisture wicking tops, mostly bike jerseys, because of the pockets, but I do rock my HHCMF shirts as well. I usually wear a headband under my helmet to keep sweat out of my eyes. I always wear gloves and a helmet because you will crash eventually, and possibly reducing the injuries just makes sense.

New Recruit
 

I might as well jump on the band-wagon considering I bought my bike for just this reason... and well gas prices. I haven't ridden in about 10 years so I know it will be slow going at first but I am looking forward to it.

I figured biking was the best way to go about losing weight I do rock climb, kayak, hike and camp. But unfortunately with my school/work schedule its hard to make time to do these activities and I don't care to run.

I currently 22 years old, stand at 5'6", and weigh 210lbs. I am usually at school or work 11-14 hrs a day 6 days a week and Sunday is my only down day So I figured I would make Sunday my push day. I am planning to ride at least once a day and my plan is to be 185 by Jan 1st 2007 and 165 by June of 07.

I try to eat fairly health but considering I am a broke college student trying to get out of debt....( lol which the bike didn't help but is well worth the investment hehe:D ) I tend to eat what is available for me. I am at least going to set a regiment of eating nothing after 9 pm but preferably 7pm.

So that is me and my plan and we will see where it takes me. I enjoyed the advice and stories others have passed along and hope one day can do the same as well.
Good Luck to all

I find that since I have been using FitDay to keep track of my food going in compared to calories burned as a visual aid it is very easy to SEE where I need to get better to continue losing weight. I entered my lifestyle as bedridden sedentry as to keep the FREE calories burned to a minimum. You need to measure most things which is a real eyeopener in itself, as a cup of pasta is not very much and a cup of mixed veggies is quite a bit. But the most important thing to be honest with entering the food you eat each day. If you are not using fitday give it a try, you have nothing to lose but weight maybe. Good luck.

I have to agree. I just started using FitDay. So far it is easy to enter in the info and you have visual aids to referance your progress.

I'm not sure if anyone would be interested in this, but here it is. I only hope that my story can help anyone who is working hard to loose weight, and get healthy.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4...ArticleWeb.jpg

Awesome job Zin and a very good story to go with it. It is yourself and people like you that HAD to make the life saving lifestyle change that gave me the inspiration to get off my butt and lose the weight BEFORE it was a major do or die situation. Although the first 9 km loop rides 3 years ago SEEMED like they were going to kill me, I remember getting home and almost staggering into the house and collapsing on the couch saying "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." This year I have road 5500 km and lost 57 lbs and am only 13 lbs from my goal weight of 170. I feel better than I have for 15 years and give thanks to my Devinci Caribou, good riding friends, and inspirational people like yourself Zin. Thanks , good luck with the move and keep up the good work.

Zin....Awesome article. As a fellow type 2, I'd like to say "well done". I personally have given up on the idea of ever getting off the medications. I have not given up on the idea of being my "ideal" weight though. I need to drop about 20 lbs to get there, and its people like you that help provide the motivation to do this.

Zin,

Fantastic job. Can you send a link to the article if its available online, I find the letters too tiny to read.

Thanks