Quote Originally Posted by Heifzilla View Post
I didn't expect to lose 10 lbs at this point, but to see myself having GAINED 3lbs was disheartening.

I'm not really looking at biking as a way to necessarily lose weight, I just expect it to be a side effect...I mean, if I can maintain my weight doing nothing I should be able to lose weight by actually getting off my butt, right?

And I certainly hope I change shape! Things are going south fast and I need some moving back northwards! LOL
You haven't gained 3 lbs of muscle from riding 80 miles over 10 days.
If you have not been eating more (or drinking more liquids with calories), then it's probably just a natural 3 pound fluctuation in water weight, which is common.
Stick with plain water when not riding, and keep up the good work. Losing 1 to 3 pounds a month is actually a healthy rate.

You simply have not ridden enough yet or burned enough calories to either lose fat or gain muscle. Perhaps in a few more weeks you'll notice something if you don't take in more calories to compensate.
But make sure you do take in calories and fluids when you are biking- to fuel your efforts and avoid feeling ill.

But you HAVE ridden enough already to start making a tiny difference in your health! Your respiratory/heart system is likely already making little changes, and your muscles are just waking up and blinking and saying "Hey, what the heck is going on here?"

It's a lifestyle change.