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

[JesTutripup]

Polliwog congratulations for getting back on your bike.

life went into a tailspin for me. '04, i left my job; a month later the day before my bday my dad passed. I weighed 320+lbs at his funeral. I just wanted to ride b/c I missed that feeling of when I taught myself how to ride my sisters bike. freedom, happiness and truly focused.

June '05 i got Felty and just rode for the pleasure. I couldn't quiet my desire. during the winters i danced, walked around my apt/the block & shovelled just so i wouldn't become horribly depressed. i just stirred and repeated '05 in '06.

Feb '07 i went to the hospital and was told i weighed 260lbs. i told them the machine was broke. i pulled all of my 'old-not-a-4X' clothing box and fit everything below a 24. All of my Terry cycling outfits (4X) really swing in the wind and I need a tailor to alter my clothes.

I went to visit my LBS owner this April to find he gained the 80lbs i lost. almost made me cry as he's a VERY, VERY HANDSOME MAN! Did I tell you how handsome he is? Mercy! and Taken!

changing the what, how and when you eat and the activities in your life is a life change. everything takes time and I'm in no rush for the next 120lbs to drop. i think i get most of my workout looking in the closet to see what fits for the day. i haven't worn a size 18 in over 20 years..back to the consignment shop and good will.

keep riding, walking, swimming....keep moving and having fun.

[pooks]

I hope everybody is feeling successful right now. I'm absolutely loving posting my info at sparkpeople (even though I'm keeping it all private) and am losing weight, which is phenomenal.

[sundial]

I am glad this thread was started because it's encouraging to see so many people motivated to make a healthy change in their lifestyle. It's nice to have a community of supporters here who understand the struggle to lose or maintain a healthy weight--myself included. I am a newbie that has been lurking and finally joined this friendly forum. I guess misery loves company, lol.

I have been struggling with my weight the past 3 years and I'm once again motivated to cycle again. Ironically, several years ago when I was putting in the mileage, I injured my knee. I laid out for awhile and I'm ready to get back into it. I am going to try the Speedplay Frog pedals in hopes that I won't have to be sidelined due to knee pain.

I really wish the best for the members who have have set a weight goal. Maybe we can all continue to uplift and encourage each other as we work toward our individual goals.

This is a fun forum and I look forward to being a part of this group.

[Kris]

I was so glad to see this topic that I went and registered so that I could respond. I thought I might be the only heavy person looking to find the right clothes, learn how to shift gears, and lose 100 pounds (I'm 5'4" and about 220). I'm not alone anymore!

I started riding about a year and a half ago when I got a very active young Australian Cattle Dog in a moment of madness at the pound. He's a great dog, but there was no way my 58 year old knees could walk that dog enough to get the crazies out. I bought a device called a Walkydog that attaches to the seat post and allows me to keep both hands on the handlebars and the dog (named Bob) out of the spokes. We started slowly, half a block the first time. But he loved it, and we were soon going 4-6 miles in the morning before work. I've got a Specialized hybrid bike that DH gave me for Christmas (ever hopeful) the year before we got the dog. There aren't many hills here in Central Illinois, and no big ones, but I couldn't get up the one that I live on when I started. I have had some successes. I feel a lot better. I have muscles I've never had before, even when I was 20. I just got back from a bike and barge trip from Brussels to Amsterdam where I rode about 30 miles a day for a week, and I didn't hold the group up or embarrass myself. Poor Bob doesn't always get to go with me any more, because sometimes I want to go faster and farther than he can, and in summer he just can't take too much heat. Don't worry; he still gets out many days, if only for a "tour de neighborhood". And we also got him a little buddy, a cocker spaniel. So if he doesn't get a bike ride, he can chase her around the living room. I've started commuting occasionally too, and am resolving to quit making excuses and do it more often. I'm a little hesitant about traffic, though. Bob and I stick to quiet neighborhoods and the wonderful bike trail we have here. During the winter I swam three days a week and rode the stationary bicycle in the basement a couple of days. (DH rides it every day while he plays video games, and commutes to work.)

But I haven't lost any weight. I'm eating healthier in many ways, but I still have trouble negotiating the treats at work, or being left alone in the kitchen. I guess I've just got to keep making those small changes until they add up to enough. I resolved a couple of years ago not to diet anymore. I'm not going to all that trouble to lose weight and have it come right back on. I was trying for "lifestyle changes" that I can maintain for the rest of my life.
But I've been reconsidering. I really need to get rid of some of this weight so I can go faster!

Anyway, I'm glad to "meet" you, and I hope we can keep the conversation going. You're an inspiration!

Kris

[Tuckervill]

Welcome Kris! You sound like me. Lifestyle changes made incrementally. You're on the right path!

You should try lifting weights, as well. Just get some dumbbells and do some of the obvious exercises. Do some squats and lunges, gently and slowly, while holding the weights. There are some cheap DVDs at Wal-Mart for this purpose.

Someone here posted a website about weightlifting to prevent osteoporosis. It was sponsored by some pharm company, but I can't remember which. Thought I bookmarked it but now I can't find it.

Keep riding!

Karen

[Kris]

You should try lifting weights, as well. [/QUOTE]

You're right. I did for a while, then got too enthusiastic, hurt myself (very minor) and quit. I should get back on that. DH has weights in the basement.

Kris

[new2ride]

My story is somewhat different. In January, 2004, I was diagnosed with a life threatening condition. And it was diagnosed by a fluke. I had a defective heart valve and if that wasn't bad enough, I had an ascendng aortic aneurysm. I had exactly what killed John Ritter. In April 2004, I underwent open heart surgery to repair the aneurysm which saved my life. I recovered well and remained fit and trim.

In 2006 I was placed on a drug to alleviate some nerve pain I was experiencing in my cervical spine. I've also been through two spine surgeries as well as a couple other surgeries. The medication caused me to gain an inordinate amount of weight. The medication alleviated the nerve pain but it was placing a strain on my heart. I had to be weaned off the medication but not before gaining nearly 60 pounds.

I started riding my bike in May of this year and have managed to drop about 15 lbs. I'm 5'4" and currently weigh approximately 183 lbs. Before all the medical problems started, I weighed 135 lbs. After the heart surgery, I weighed 138 lbs. I'm nearly 49 years old and need to drop the weight to keep from placing a strain on my heart. I've never been this heavy and know it will take time to get the weight off permanently.

The weight didn't happen overnight and it's not going to come off overnight. I ride practically every day for about 20 to 25 miles. I have a Trek 3700 WSD bike but am thinking about upgrading to a road bike. I love riding and want to be able to ride further in a shorter period of time.

Good post and good luck to everyone. Baby steps will help us to reach our goal!