Hi everyone - I'm a Newbie

[meg33]

Hello everyone,
I have been reading this forum for a while now and as they don't seem to have an equivalent women's forum in the UK (which is where I am from, by the way) I thought I would join up.
I have bought a Dawes hybrid bike and am planning to use my bike for a combination of commuting (just under 5 miles to where I work) and for weight loss (aiming to lose 3 stone ).
I went out for my first ride today and managed about half an hour in total. Felt a bit rough when I first got back but within about ten minutes had recovered and felt quite chuffed that I had finally got out on the bike!!

I really don't think I could manage the commute just yet but plan to ride on my days off (only work a 3 day week but 12 hr days) and build up to the commute over the next few weeks.

How quickly did people see their fitness and stamina improve?
How soon was the weightloss noticeable?

Thanks everyone!

[bikerz]

Hi Meg - welcome to TE!

Our regular "greeters" must be out riding! If you have a chance, drop in on the Getting to Know You thread and say Hi.

Speaking for myself, cycling has been a huge benefit for weight loss (not to mention enormously fun - there's probably some sort of corelation there!), and I was surprised at how quickly I saw improvement. I've been riding a little over a year, and have lost more than 50 pounds (lets see - that probably about 3.5 stone, right?) and I still have something like that amount still to go, but it came off very easily (compared to decades of struggling with crazy diets and un-fun exercise). And I know the actual number of pounds lost doesn't reflect the fact that I've put on muscle and lost inches. I think you'll be very pleased with your progress.

Half hour out for your first ride is great! You deserve to feel chuffed! You'll be out riding longer and longer before you know it! You'll find lots of great support and advice here, and maybe even a riding buddy or two (we seem to have a growing contingent from the UK...)

I do recommend investing in a pair of padded cycling shorts once you start spending more time in the saddle - it makes a world of difference.

Welcome, and happy riding!

[meg33]

Thanks bikerz, the forum seems like a really friendly and helpful place.
I have ordered a pair of padded shorts - even after today I can feel a little soreness!
Congratulations on your weight loss and fitness aswell - that really inspires and motivates me!

Meg x

[Popoki_Nui]

I'll jump in too....welcome Meg33! I hope you'll have as great a time on that terrific Dawes as we do on our bikes! I've also lost about 50 pounds of blubber, but gained some muscle and lots of endurance. I was some of the fat melt away almost immediately, then it sort of levelled off. I'm not the "strength" body type, but more of the endurance rider (so it seems, anyway), and I'm amazed at how far I can ride compared to how I used to be able to go. I'm sure you will see results very soon, too.

Cheers,
~ Sherry.

[mtkitchn]

Congrats on doing a half hour the first time out, Meg33! Welcome to the forums!
Stamina & improved fitness is a personal thing I think, but you'll feel better fast if you keep at it!
I'm not an expert on weight loss through biking. In fact, I never had a weight problem until I started cycling six months ago. I know what the problem is...I eat far more than I burn off now, but can't seem to stop! If you can keep your food intake the same as you have now, you'll see results pretty quickly!
Good luck to you!
Sue

[margo49]

You see immediate results mentally.
From the first moment you get on the bike
Every single revolution of the pedals.

(Now you will be spinning downhill too!!)

[donnambr]

Hi Meg33 ,

I have been riding for a little over a month now, 7 mi round trip work commute, Monday-Friday. I've only missed riding 2 days for meetings outside the office. Sometimes I ride on the weekend, sometimes I don't. I don't have a car, so it's either bike, walk, or bus. My strength and stamina improved noticibly within a week, and more each week since. I've actually not had a net weight loss, still hovering around 200 lbs - but - my clothes are looser, especially my waist and above. My hips, and my backside seem more "toned". I'm now wearing 38C bras instead of a 40Cs. I think I've even lost weight in my chin and cheeks, because my housemate had to significantly tighten up my helmet straps today before we rode. I can see that my wristbones, collarbones, and kneebones are more defined.

My coworkers all say I've lost "lots of weight" in the last month, so I can only think I've lost fat and gained muscle. That would explain remaining at the same weight as when I began, and that's fine with me.

I see my doctor on Tuesday, so we'll see then if my borderline high/normal blood pressure has gone down any. For me, that will be the biggest accomplishment.

I wish you the best in your bike commute, which I think is the easiest way to get the exercise in. After all, you're just going to work!

[meg33]

Thanks for the encouraging replies; they really boost my motivation.
I am pleasantly surprised this morning that I don't ache as much as I thought I would, although my bum is a bit sore! Considering how 'padded' it is at the moment, that is a bit of a laugh really!!!
But, my padded shorts have been ordered and are on the way hopefully!

Happy biking everyone!

Meg x

[allabouteva]

Hi Meg33,

Welcome to TE! I'm from down under, and like you I couldn't find a womens cycling forum from around these parts. And anyway, in the cyber age, there are no borders, and it really doesn't matter where you come from.

I started cycling after I lost weight (about 2 stone), and so wasn't the big motivation. But I found that I had to exercise daily to maintain my metabolism, so that I could indulge in my eating habits (chocoholic). What I found with cycling, is that exercise isn't a chore, its something that I love doing, so that the motivation factor was completely different. Which is something quite astonishing for me!

This is the first winter I'm coming into as a cyclist, and the motivation is a bit tested because of its now cold and dark in the mornings. So I got a trainer and am doing some indoor training, which I'm actually not minding too much.

But good luck, and it's very addictive, a really really good one tho'.

Keep it up, and keeping hanging around here, you'll get heaps of support,

e

[oldbikah]

Biking is important to me for so many reasons, not the least of which is weight control. My metabolism requires me to keep pedaling to keep the 30 pounds off from last summer's loss. Also it is a way to keep my sanity! Great stress reliever! Helps to keep healthy and keep blood pressure under control...I just dropped one of the BP meds with doc's approval. Yeah! And on and on! Not to mention that I love it (to the point of acquiring 3 different bikes, justifying buying cool jerseys, and so on. A new life in my 60's!

[fatbottomedgurl]

Your bum will be sore for a little while, but soon you won't notice a thing. I started riding again on March 18. I have a mountain bike, and spent the first six weeks on the road, concentrating on hill climbing. This last week I have gone on a couple offroad rides and cannot believe how my endurance improved over the last time I was cycling. Hill work on pavement really pays off!

I am not overly overweight- the dreaded 15 lbs. (1 stone). I have lost 4 inches (10 cm) on my waist, and 2 inches (5 cm) on my hips, 1 inch (2.5 cm) on my thighs. The calves have not budged. I have not lost any weight, but imagine if I keep it up I will see some loss of that post-kids belly fat. Plus my bottom is on the wide side.