jwalther

I've never had a weight problem (still don't), but for the first time in my life, I can feel the few pounds I've put on over the holiday season. Beyond exercise more/eat less, is there anything "easy" I can do to lose five pounds? I hate to carry the extra weight around until the spring when the riding season will make everything right. . .

Machka 

Exercise more/eat less is about as easy as it gets.

Eat more fruit and veg rather than higher calorie foods ... and eat fewer calories in general. I find tracking programs such as Fit Day, Daily Plate, etc. to be beneficial. I can usually only keep them up for about 3 weeks, because they can be a bit of a pain to use, but they're very revealing.

Exercise for a minimum of 1 hour a day 5 days a week. Exercising now will make your riding season better ... you'll be in great shape when it begins. Join a spinning class 1 or 2 days a week. If the class is at your local gym or community centre, make an evening of it and also get on the treadmill for 30 minutes + weightlifting. Or go for a swim or row. Get a trainer and do commercial intervals for 30 minutes a couple days a week. Get outside and walk, go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing ...

wolfchild

I ate like a pig during christmass holidays and I didn't even gain any extra fat, even my six pack is a little more defined then before... Want to know the secret ?? I work out everyday.

Spld cyclist

The first 5 pounds is often pretty easy to lose because it's 20% calories (glycogen) and 80% water. Chances are you can lose 5 pounds in just a few days by creating a 500 - 1,000 cal/day deficit by whatever combination of diet and exercise you like. If you want to lose 5 pounds of fat, that's a bit harder.

jwalther

Thanks for the responses all. I already do some form of moderate to strenuous aerobic activity daily (power walk/run/stationary bike) for 45 minutes +/-. I guess I should up that a bit, and watch what I eat more closely.

spoiledrotten

What was very beneficial in my weight loss start was to cut out extra sugar and salt in my diet. The salt causes the body to retain fluids. Like stated above, the first 5 pounds will come off in a week, easily.
I'm also getting one of those neoprene waist belts that causes a lot of sweating around the waist, which is the only place I want to lose some more of my weight. I'm in a 36" waist pant now (and since I started cycling, they are getting large on me) but want to be in a "comfortable" 34" waistline pant. That's my New Year resolution.

Machka 

Do let us know if that works for you.

beatlebee 

Gee, I guess I should get a neoprene body suit to get ready for race season. Beats all that training and careful diet.

spoiledrotten

I'll let you know. I'm willing to try it. As long as I'm exercising anyway, I may has well allow the sauna action of the belt, work a little extra in the targeted spot I want some help with. You lose weight when you sweat, so this should speed it up, some. Not looking for a miracle product, but this does make sense. I read many of the reviews associated with this product (over 2200 with a 4.5 star rating) and it looks to be legit.

spoiledrotten

I'm watching what I eat, too. I don't look at this as a miracle diet pill where they try to make you think you can sit around and eat potato chips while watching television from daylight until bedtime. This is to add to the workout.

Number400

It's all about portion control and that is the hardest part. Cut the extra calories but don't starve yourself. Cut out the salt too as mentioned above.

Don't eat less real food just so you can more sweets ;-) It does not work, trust me.

beatlebee 

Spot reduction is a myth.

wolfchild

I doubt it works. You going to get as much results from it as wrapping yourself with shrink wrap...Doing core/abs workouts and good diet is a lot more effective for your mid-section.

beatlebee 

As has been said ad infinitum: abs are sculpted in the kitchen, not the gym (or bike).

gregf83 

I know it doesn't work but I haven't figured out if spoiledrotten is serious or trolling.

Machka 

Yeah ... water weight. The minute you have something to drink, you replace the sweat you lost.

wolfchild

To loose weight you need to boost or speed up your metabolism. This can only be accomplished through diet and exercise.

spoiledrotten

Not sure why you're getting so worked up. I'm not looking for a 6 pack or "sculptured abs". I'm 56 years old. I'm talking about working a few pounds away, not going for the iron man championship. I don't care that you are skeptical. I'm not doing it for any of you. I'm trying it for me. And as far as "being a troll"; if that were the case, I'm not sure that would be any worse than the comments some of you are making. Go get a strong drink and a cheap woman. Maybe you'll feel better tomorrow. And for the ones that know it won't work, how do you know? Tried it for yourself or know someone that has? If not, then you don't know, so save it.

gregf83 

Sorry, you're not a troll.

I don't doubt that you might lose some water but you don't really want to spend your life in a dehydrated state. It's fine for a short term goal (like you need to make weight for a welterweight bout) but if you're trying to lose a couple of inches from your waistline on a more permanent basis you need to lose fat not water. And wrapping anything around your tummy to sweat more isn't going to burn the fat. That's just basic physiology.

Being dehydrated all the time is not healthy so I think you'll need to stick with the tried and true (but not easy) techniques of eating less and exercising more.

Carbonfiberboy 

Yes, it's the four little words weight loss plan. I find that the reduced portions part of eating less is, in practice, the easiest part. You just gradually reduce your portion sizes. Your body will step right in and compensate by burning more fat to make up for the fewer calories consumed. It takes time for your body to adjust, to don't rush in with huge changes. Do it gradually. I do best if I add in 2 more meals. I have a small "tea" halfway between lunch and dinner, and a small snack at bedtime of either fat or protein, no carbs. Total calories are still less than I used to eat when I tried to eat enough at each meal to make it through to the next of the three western main meals. I simply adjust my portion sizes over time to make the scale do what I want it to do.

A pound a month of weight loss is just fine. No need to do more if you're reasonably close to your goal weight. But that's 12 lbs./year or 60 lbs. over 5 years. Take the long view.

ThermionicScott 

My gf and I resolved in early October to cut way back on added sugar in foods. Knowing that the holiday season was upon us, we gave ourselves some leeway for the holiday meals, but still came out a lot better than in past years. I'm pretty stoked to have only about 5 lbs to lose rather than my usual 20.

Now that January is here, we're getting strict again, and I expect those extra 5 lbs to fall right off as I go back to apples and almonds as snacks, and saying "**** no" to pop and candy. And being as active as I can.

caloso

Tracking calories really works for some people. If you are honest and disciplined, it can be a real eye-opener.