I lost ten pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And here's how ...

[Jiffer]

I have posted on this board before about the frustrations of trying to lose weight while maintaining energy to ride. I had yet to find the right balance. For two years I attempted to lose ten pounds off and on, but could never break below 147-148. I'm 5'9", so 147 is a decent weight, but not when you're trying to climb better.

My weight loss method, which I lost 60 pounds on years ago and maintained my weight by, was basically "eat less food". The Weigh Down Diet method of listening to your hunger and fullness signals, etc. However, after several failed attempts to get below 147, and then actually gaining 5 or 6 pounds at Christmas when I didn't ride all month (didn't happen last year when I did the same ... hmmmm!) ... I finally decided to take a more drastic approach.

I joined Weight Watchers. This was a HUGE step for me, because since becoming a Weigh Down person, I scoffed at anyone who actually read calories, eat "low fat" food, weighed their food, etc. However, what I was really looking for was a weekly "thing". A place where I can be held somewhat accountable. A place to weigh weekly (even though I weigh every morning naked!). A place to inspire me to keep on keepin' on.

So, I joined about 7 weeks ago. For those who don't know, Weight Watchers does the Points system. Everything is worth a certain number of points. You are allowed a certain number of points every day and they show you how to figure out how many points everything has. Really not too difficult.

They also give you exercise points, which is AWESOME for a cyclist. I can rack up some extra points out on a two hour bike ride, and then I can figure out exactly how much more I'm allowed to eat and still lose weight. And then they give you an additional number of points that you can use any time during the week. A little each day, or all at once a party or whatever.

So, what I did was I tried to stick to my initial daily allowance of points unless I was about to do a big event or training ride, where I knew I needed more "fuel". I'd use my additional points the day before. And then when you DO a big event, you accumulate a lot of points, so I can recover from my event, eat a decent amount of food and still lose weight.

This takes some of the guess work out of "how much" to eat before a big event and "how much" to eat after. For the most part I have not had trouble having energy for my rides, which is HUGE. I had low energy like twice on shorter rides, but never for an important ride.

When I started, I stuck fairly closely to the points thing, but some days it was easier to just do my Weigh Down thing. As time has gone on, I really am not counting points at all, but I still go to the weekly meetings, weigh in and take home some inspiration and tips. They know I'm doing this for cycling purposes and they even know I'm only "sort of" following the Weight Watchers method. But my leader says, "Whatever you're doing, it's working!" Her husband is actually in my cycling club, and she rides a little, so she gets the cycling thing.

So, I lost ten pounds, but since I started 5 to 6 pounds heavier than I normally am, I still have about 4 - 7 to go to get to around where I think I want to be. I'm so motivated and doing so great. AND seeing the results on the bike.

[colby]

Great work, Jiffer. Being motivated and feeling good is just as awesome as the numbers on the scale.

[abejita]

Awesome! I think that sometimes the whole weightloss machine tries to scare us away from carbs...like it is the great evil. Success like yours show that the only real way to loose weight is to eat a balanced diet complete with proper amounts of fat, protein and yes, carbs.

[azfiddle]

Way to go Jiffer! You'll get the rest of it off with your method.

I've lost 38 pounds on WW since Jan 2009- 25 due to WW + cycling since the summer. (Before that I did very little exercise). I almost never use the activity points, and rarely even use all the "weekly" points. Now that I'm doing longer rides, that is changing a little though- I eat more after the big rides- so I'm not feeling ravenous later or the next day.

Sharon

[abejita]

Sharon,

How are you liking the Nancy Clark books? I finished the sports nutrition guide and read most of the cyclist food guide. I have been eating like she suggests all week and i can really feel the difference. My two rides this week seemed so much easier. I just got finished planning out my food for tomorrow. this will be the big test for my new eating plan since it is our 40 mile ride.

[azfiddle]

I do like the books a lot. I'm still working my way through them. Both my DH and I have been reading them and he really likes her concept of "front-loading".

Most of her suggestions just make sense to me.
Sharon

[Jiffer]

Okay, so what's the Nancy Clark books all about? Obviously eating to fuel for cycling? What are the names of the books?

[abejita]

One is 'Sports Nutrition Guidebook' this one is more of a general overview of how an athlete should eat for maximum performance, it also has a guide on how to loose weight while still maintaining performance. The other is 'cyclist's food guide' This one is much more specific to cycling and has suggestions on pre, during and post ride food. the two books are a great compliment to one another.

here is the link to her website:

http://www.nancyclarkrd.com/books/cyclistsfoodguide.asp

[Bike Chick]

Great work, Jiffer! That's quite an accomplishment.

[ummbnb]

Congrats!

I've used WW a few times. First to get that stubborn last 30 pounds off after my dd was born. I'd gained 50 pounds with both pregnancies but with my son, it all melted away on it's own, not so much with #2. They have a nursing moms plan which is incredibly awesome.

I like the old flex points system the best and do it every time.

I use it every year for two weeks as a way to keep discplined and I'm generally at the top of my comfort zone after the holidays. I'm always kind of counting points, it just gets into your brain after awhile. I generally do two weeks following the holidays but this year I decided to start the week before Christmas and it was really great. I worked my way through indulgent holiday eating with much more consciousness and stayed at the lower end of my zone without stress or feeling deprived.

I will also do it for a week here and there to recover from a string of bad eating. It forces you to eat healthy (if you are avoiding the processed WW foods) and is a great way to feel detoxed.