Looking for Newbies with a large amt of weight to lose..

[polliwog88]

I have about 100 lbs to lose. I started riding last summer and even completed my first metric half century! I stopped cycling over the winter and gained back the 15 lbs I lost. So I'm starting again and it feels like I'm a newbie, newbie all over again.

So I'm really interested in touching base with other women in the same boat and ALSO women who have lost a large amount of weight through cycling.

I'm especially interested in the special concerns and experiences of women with extra weight. Things like: riding hills with extra weight, how fast are you losing, body image issues on the bike, etc...

I'm training for the metric half century again (actually my group wants to ride a metric century). I'm struggling with a training program because I have to start really slow and from scratch.

Thanks for your input!!

[Zen]

Good for you! A lot of overweight people are too intimidated to go to the gym let alone get out on the road and ride.

As far as doing the rides you mentioned, I'd say just get out there and put in some TITS (time in the saddle). You can do this.

I have some experience in losing weight, about thirty pounds. I went to Weight Watchers, learned how to eat healthy foods, swam and lifted weights. I got certified as a personal trainer then went back to college and got an AA in health and Phys. Ed. (I did that mainly for myself, I have a chronic liver disease)If you belong to a gym, start taking spin classes. The intervals are a great way to lose weight and improve your aerobic capacity. It's a great way to train during winter as well.

Don't even think of it as a hundred pounds, break it down into small increments. Don't be a slave to the scale, either. Once a week should be fine. Let your clothes be your gauge.

If your schedule allows, you might want to look into Weight Watchers. You might find other members there who can relate and help you better than I have (or haven't).

[Zen]

Forgot one very important point- don't be in a hurry to lose weight.

Two or three pounds a week is a safe amount.

[Jenn]

You GO GIRL!! You ride your booty off!! I know how intimidating it is but you just have to say.....Screw it, "This is about me." and GO.....GO...GO...
I'm not a small (typical cyclist) build by no means!! I'm 5'8" 195 so I'm not small. You can do it and you will, since you have before. It's all new to me, so I'm so hooked it's scary....I wore shorts today, I haven't worn shorts in 5 years!!
I know it's hard getting started again, but you CAN do it, you WILL do it and you will love the results, you know that since you've riden before. Go for it and if you need anything I'm here!!!

Jenn

[ace]

Hi Polliwog, and welcome! I can relate. I had over 100 lbs to lose, lost 85 lbs with Weight Watchers a couple of years ago (and I still basically do WW), but have gained some back. The good news is I've stayed 50 or more lbs under my top weight. I still have 60 lbs to go to my goal. Anyway, my advice about the weight loss is slow and steady. I think it's easier taking it off than keeping it off (especially for those of us who are compulsive overeaters), so long slow progress just gives you the practice you'll need to keep it off once you hit your goal.

I have loved getting into biking. It's given me a reason to be fit, which means when I'm losing weight, I'm doing it so I can be better at something I love to do. Hills are definitely a challenge for me at this weight, but part of that is because I have a bum knee right now. I wouldn't say I have any body image issues on the bike- I just feel really happy and proud that I'm able to do what I do.

Be really kind to yourself with your training program- it's 100% ok for you to be exactly where you are. If you stick with it, you'll progress.

Looking forward to hearing more from you!

-Amy

[esmerelda]

H Polliwog. I, too, have begun riding to lose weight -- 50 lbs. (Already lost 10.) I do a number of activities and wanted to add another sport to keep some variety in my exercise.

I just bought my bike a week ago. I don't have a training plan, per se. Just to exercise 5 times/wk for a min of 30 min at a level 6 or 7 (on a scale of 1 to 10). Target heart rate 135. Other than that, I'm letting my body tell me what's right for that day.

How are you training? I'd love to keep in touch!

[bikerchick2]

Polliwog, I am SO glad to have found your post! And so many others in the same boat!! I bought my bike last year, most I have EVER spent on a bike! But it was definately worth it. My big thing was comfort, because if you aren't comfortable, you aren't going to ride it. I love it! I too need to lose about 100lbs, and I think it is great that there are others here to share their experiences, good and bad with!

[bikerchick2]

COUNT ME IN! Here's MY story. I'm 41 yrs old. (ugg). Last month, I was 256 lbs. I'm old, I'm tired, and I'm FAT. I want to lose around 100 lbs. I bought my bike last fall. I rode a bit, not a lot. This year, I am RIDING. I did my first organized ride, 12 miles. Felt like an accomplishment until you realize I kept up with a 93 yr old man! :^). So, for mother's day I rode 20 miles. That's been my highest number so far. I would like to
lose weight, get my MPH up to over 10, (I've been riding for 3 weeks, and keeping a log. I started out at 6-7 mph, am up to 8-9). I took measurements, and started weighing. I don't like the weighing. discouraging to see gain even though I KNOW muscle weighs more than fat, and I've definately been building muscle. I feel FANTASTIC.
I ride in our local State park, it has a road that goes all the way around in a circle that is just over 3 miles, and if I go down a side road and back, it's about 8. Lots of small inclines, 1 major hill, (if you go counterclockwise, not so major if you go clockswise but still tough :^). Last year, I had to walk the bike up it Counter clockwise, this year, I'm riding it.

So, need advice! nutrition, water, electrolytes, (gatoraide makes me nauseous), etc. I have given up diet pepsi, (a few slips here and there though), and try to eat yogurt everyday. Other than that, not a lot of changes, except I am HUNGRY after riding.

Let's get losing!

bikerchick2

[BookGnome]

Great thread! In addition to all the other great advice (SparkPeople.com) & inspiration here, I'd like to tell you about a book I'm reading -- Secrets of a Former Fat Girl by Lisa Delaney. "Fat girl" is not just a number on a scale, but your mind & spirit. This is NOT a diet (nasty 4-letter word) book, but how to change your image of yourself as a "fat girl". I have laughed, cried, and gasped at how this author perfectly understands the thought process of this soon-to-be former fat girl.

Kudos to us all for taking the first (or fifteenth) step towards being healthy women.

[pooks]

For me, my attitude about being a "fat girl" changed when I started riding my bike. Maybe part of it was just wearing spandex in public, but now I admire my calves and examine my thighs and think how strong and muscular they are. My middle is still a big fat round squishy tomato. (Apple sounds much too firm and in shape!)

But I have a knit dress I haven't worn because it hugs me too tight, and shows my fat off too clearly, and I wore it last week anyway. I like the way it shapes my back and backside, and I like the way my legs look, and I wore a long scarf hanging down in front to perhaps camo some of the fat.

I have a different body image, just because I feel like more of an athlete (even though I'm not an athlete by a long shot -- but I'm working toward it).

[Caecilia]

I have a different body image, just because I feel like more of an athlete (even though I'm not an athlete by a long shot -- but I'm working toward it).

I know this feeling! It's great, I had never seen myself as athletic before - 'total klutz' is more like it. But a few weeks ago I hit some sort of sweet spot of weight loss and increased strength, and ever since then I have been feeling more like an athlete and less like a slug, even though I'm still 60 pounds over my goal weight.

While I'm delurking... hi, everyone! I'm 30, 5'3", current weight 195, down from about 221 since February. Started losing with a combination of simple calorie counting (I use calorieking.com to track my food, with a target around 1600 cal/day) and strength training at the YMCA (bodypump anyone?). When my weight got below 200, I rewarded myself with a bike - a 2007 Specialized Globe Sport, my first new bike in 20 years! Back in college my bike was my main transport, and I've missed it. In the past month I've put about 100 miles on the new bike and commuted to work (and home again - always harder) 3 times. My goal is to commute by bike MWF but so far the weather hasn't been cooperating.

Hope y'all are having a good weekend. Mr. C and I rode 6 miles this morning while the day was nice - now that the storms have rolled in, time to get to work.

[tnmastiffmom]

I am so glad to find this post. I was just skimming by and found it and it really touched me. I am glad I am not the only one out there. It has been so frustrating just trying to lose any weight, I have low back problems and neck problems which cause me to have migraines. I start working out and do good for a month or so and then end up in some sort of pain and have to stop for a while and then try to motivate myself to start again. It has been a vicious cycle. I just went this Saturday and bought a new bike and now my husband and I are planning on riding as much as we can. So I hope this will be the new beginning for me. I have somewhere between 50-80 lbs to lose depending on what my body sees is correct. And my first goal is 5 lbs!!! So when I get my bike on Thursday (it had to be ordered), I am going for it with all my gears!!
Thanks for the support and hopefully I can encourage someone else.
Tina

[poetcomic]

hi everyone. Wow, reading this thread is very inspirational.

I won a Trek, now I want to start riding it. Problem is, I've only ever been on a 1-speed, and that was a LONG time ago.

I am trying to get my health act together. I am diabetic and got thisclose to needing insulin. I have been eating right the past few weeks and have lost a few pounds (yay). At my heaviest, I was 252 (that was 2 years ago); I am 5'8'. I am now about 222. I'd like to be 199 by the Jan 2008. I'm trying to look at it in 24 pound segments, lol.

[Tuckervill]

Wow, thanks for the route! Saved it to my PDA.

I'm so excited about Vermont because it's so beautiful there. I'm hoping to have some serious time to ride.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Karen

[Kano]

hi everyone. Wow, reading this thread is very inspirational.

I won a Trek, now I want to start riding it. Problem is, I've only ever been on a 1-speed, and that was a LONG time ago.

I am trying to get my health act together. I am diabetic and got thisclose to needing insulin. I have been eating right the past few weeks and have lost a few pounds (yay). At my heaviest, I was 252 (that was 2 years ago); I am 5'8'. I am now about 222. I'd like to be 199 by the Jan 2008. I'm trying to look at it in 24 pound segments, lol.

You CAN do this, Poetcomic!

Congratulations on winning the bike, and also on your weight loss so far! AND on getting your health act together! I decided I needed to do that a couple of years ago -- for the second half, you know! -- and I feel like the project is finally starting to come together for me, like I'm finally making progress since I started biking. The weight loss is slow -- my goal is "overweight by ski season," which doesn't sound all that good, except that when you're obese.... (which is a recent achievement too -- just crossed from the "morbidly obese" range! HOORAY!)

But back to riding your new bike...

Shifting's not real difficult. You won your bike, but I bet that there's a person at your nearby LBS (local bike shop) who will help you understand how the shifting works, which direction to push levers, and how far -- unless you've got the "turny kind" like are on my first bike. Well, the bike-guy will show you how to work those too, but they've got numbers, and it's kind of more obvious than the lever ones. You'll want to develop a relationship with a shop, for service and extras that you will inevitably want to buy as time passes anyway, and a wise bike shop guy knows that and will be interested in cultivating you as a loyal customer.

Ride somewhere easy, no real hills or anything, and practice a bit with the back gears first, then start adding in the front. Keep to the easier gearing until you're fairly comfortable with shifting around and speed. You'll find that some gears are just too easy to ride in when you're on the flats. (pedaling these gears just feels kind of crazy -- you kind of bounce around, well, you'll feel it!) These too-easy ones are really handy if you start heading up a hill, though!

You'll also find that some gears are really hard to pedal -- for now, stay away from those, cuz while they'll make you stronger, they're also harder on your body! Find some gears that are comfortable, and stick to those most of the time as you gain confidence on your new bike.

Many people get bike computers that have a "cadence" feature, so they can tell how many pedal strokes they're doing per minute, and try to stay in a certain range, with easy pedaling (not pushing hard, but also not the "crazy pedaling") I haven't felt the need to buy that kind of computer yet, since I have been doing something similar by feel -- there's a speed for my legs that feels good, and there's always a gear that works well with that.

Since you mention that you're working on getting healthy again, let me mention something else too, Poetcomic. When hubby and I started riding, probably too far at a time those first several rides, I enjoyed each ride, but afterward, I was WHIPPED! Muscles ached, and I was tired. Each day, I made myself ride anyway, not too terribly far, just to move the achy muscles and loosen them up. The first day, it was danged near impossible to make myself go out. After that, it was easier to force myself: I'd found a herd of rock-chucks to go spook -- one gets startled, and they all run and hide. Watching them run in from the fields was so pretty that they made a great carrot to get me out again. I always started to feel pretty good by the time I quit. I ate well and took naps. It would have been pretty easy to just curl up and never touch the bike again, but I persisted, and after a couple of weeks, I was better.

If/when you run into things about riding that cause discomfort, or confusion, find someone to ask -- here or at your bike shop. There are a remarkable amount of things that can be adjusted or changed to help make your ride more pleasant. Don't figure it's just the way it's gotta be if things hurt! (though we also find out that there are body parts we need to work on to help this too -- strength issues are big, I think for us who are returning to fitness after a too-long hiatus!)

Karen in Boise