WiggyNC

New to these forums and have been looking for a judgment free zone. I have been a little shy to search out a local club for help so I have decided to post here. I am overweight and have decided enough is enough. In the past year I have dropped from 350 to 300 but am leveling out and want to get on a bike. I have not been on a bike since i was 12 so I am looking for a few tips/suggestions.

Carbonfiberboy 

Many, many people have done exactly what you're wanting to do. It works. You'll need a sturdy bike. Probably a mountain bike is a good thing to start with. Talk to your local bike shop. You don't want a department store bike - it won't hold up. Buy good bike shorts, and decent bike shoes, too. You won't need or want clipless pedals to start with. Start by just riding a little. Around the block is good. Very gradually increase your distance. Try to ride 6 days/week. Don't push hard, just ride. It's time in the saddle that does it. Don't reward yourself with food for riding or try to eat back the energy you expended. That's really easy to do. Enjoy riding! It's really fun. The more you enjoy it, the more likely you'll be to do it. So explore on the bike. Go places you don't go in a car. Look for quiet roads. Be curious, have fun. And good on you.

chasm54

Visit the Clydesdales and Athenas forum. It's full of people who are your weight and heavier, and is probably the least judgmental place on bikeforums. They'll have lots of advice to supplement that given by Carbonfiberboy above.

The real issue is making sure you get a bike that fits you, and that the wheels are robust enough, and properly tensioned. It's wheels that are vulnerable to weight, mostly.