Is weightloss possible from riding alone?

[bounceswoosh]

The hard part is eating the same amount when you're exercising more. My understanding is that women's bodies in particular are prone to demanding more calories to avoid losing fat (horrors!).

But if you're exercising, you're building muscle, which is a good thing regardless =)

[GLC1968]

I know tons of men who lose weight by just riding more. No diet alterations at all.

On the flip side... I started riding almost 3 years ago now. In that time, I've GAINED 30 lbs and almost all of it during cycling seasons. I have a very difficult time controlling my appetite when I'm riding a lot.

Ultimately, very few people can out bike what they can eat. Diet plays a HUGE role.

[jayjay]

I know tons of men who lose weight by just riding more. No diet alterations at all.

On the flip side... I started riding almost 3 years ago now. In that time, I've GAINED 30 lbs and almost all of it during cycling seasons. I have a very difficult time controlling my appetite when I'm riding a lot.

Ultimately, very few people can out bike what they can eat. Diet plays a HUGE role.

Well, that's discouraging !

I can't help but think that the calories/burn ratio is just a part of the picture. Age, and lifestyle off the bike must count for something. I'm 46 and have been riding, and hiking, and gardening for most of my adult life, off and on... mostly on. I'm a mesomorphic build , never over 20 lbs overweight till I hit 40yrs... then with perimenopause, all hell broke loose. Now I'm just having to deal.

[OakLeaf]

For a slightly different viewpoint - cycling is the most weight-loss-friendly exercise I've ever done, for the simple fact that I can maintain a moderate intensity for long periods of time. Running is just too demanding for me (and most people, I think) to do for the same amounts of time that would be considered a medium-length ride (2-4 hours). I almost always drop a pound or two when I increase my mileage significantly. (... but maybe I'm kidding myself and that pound is coming from the upper body muscle I'm losing from less time in the gym - anyway my pants fit better -)

Plus, to me, terrestrial exercise really suppresses my appetite - I have to force myself to eat after a ride to replenish my muscle glycogen. (Swimming, OTOH, always makes me ravenous. )

[jayjay]

For a slightly different viewpoint - cycling is the most weight-loss-friendly exercise I've ever done...Plus, to me, terrestrial exercise really suppresses my appetite - I have to force myself to eat after a ride to replenish my muscle glycogen. (Swimming, OTOH, always makes me ravenous. )

WEll, this one is *very* encouraging ! Come to think about it, I recall the years I was riding lots (32 to 40) I really could eat, and I kept a moderate BMI. I also agree with you that the distance riding is an appetite suppressor, it seems one can hit the threshold of longer aerobic with cycling, which must wrench the stomach.

[jayjay]

(horrors!)...But if you're exercising, you're building muscle, which is a good thing regardless =)

Monique, aint it true ! I've always had a lot of muscle, dont' think I can get much more! There's quite a muscular woman beneath my stack of spare tires. Thanks!

ps. just curious... what does 'bouceswhoosh' and 'oooh shiny' really mean ? Sounds quite interesting....

[bounceswoosh]

Monique, aint it true ! I've always had a lot of muscle, dont' think I can get much more! There's quite a muscular woman beneath my stack of spare tires. Thanks!

ps. just curious... what does 'bouceswhoosh' and 'oooh shiny' really mean ? Sounds quite interesting....

LOL

Bounceswoosh -- very geeky origin -- Back in the day, my Everquest character used to do the following when fighting:

Weylin bounces!
Weylin swooshes!
Weylin (says) Pa Pa Pa POW!

... so then some of my in-game friends started calling me bounceswoosh, and it kinda went from there.

"oooh shiny" is ... hrm ... just me trying to capture my adoration for bike parts and, well, frankly, all things material. But especially bikes; I see a bike and I'm fascinated like a crow finding a shiny object.

[jayjay]

LOL

Bounceswoosh -- very geeky origin -- Back in the day, my Everquest character used to do the following when fighting:

Weylin bounces!
Weylin swooshes!
Weylin (says) Pa Pa Pa POW!

... so then some of my in-game friends started calling me bounceswoosh, and it kinda went from there.

"oooh shiny" is ... hrm ... just me trying to capture my adoration for bike parts and, well, frankly, all things material. But especially bikes; I see a bike and I'm fascinated like a crow finding a shiny object.

I see, wow, very interesting. Crows and raccoons ! Raccoons are known to grab something shiny and not let go... sounds like some of us cyclists.

[F8th637]

I've lost some weight from riding without really making significant adjustments to my diet but the scale hasn't budged in a while HOWEVER I am back to wearing older, smaller clothes so that has to account for something, right? Food and I have a torrid love affair. If I could find a jersey that said, "I ride to eat!" I'd be ALL OVER that one.

[Red Rock]

Well, my experience with cycling and weight loss is this...

I pulled my bike out after ten years of not riding. My husband and I started at the same time. I was 140 or so and knew I needed to loose the weight. So on I went to my bike. After work we would do something like 6-10 miles. everyday or so. Then on the weekends, I would go for a longer length ride with no particular specified milegage. At the time, I did not have a cyclometer so I went by how I felt and how my body changed. In a few months I ended up loosing 10 or more pounds.

I have been very active my whole life as well. Now I am reaching 40! Yikes. So I make an effort to ride, or hike, or somesort of exercise as best I can do with school, work, and some sort of family life. The exercise part has been a struggle!

Red Rock

[jayjay]

I've lost some weight from riding without really making significant adjustments to my diet but the scale hasn't budged in a while HOWEVER I am back to wearing older, smaller clothes so that has to account for something, right? Food and I have a torrid love affair. If I could find a jersey that said, "I ride to eat!" I'd be ALL OVER that one.

I'd buy that jersey too, and it would have a big slice of chocolate cream pie on it, with a steaming cup of espresso..... rather like a WayneThiebauld painting ! I can picture it " I brake for food " and the jersey sponsor pix can be all those lovely pastry, desert, & coffee companies like Hostess, Peet's Coffee, Ben & Jerry's Icecream, etc....

YUM! Lets get a team, and train together nationwide as The BonBon Babes !!!

[indigoiis]

Last year this time I weighed 140 lbs and intended to lose 15. I did that but at the same time started cycling more seriously. After I lost the 15 I ramped up my cycling to train for a century and by the time of the century I was 135. Over the winter I kept riding and eating about the same. Now I am 140 again, but my body is definitely different. My legs are muscular and my rear doesn't "seem" fat, although I am back to wearing 8/9 pants because the 5/6 pants that fit me at 130 stopped fitting over my upper legs, which are more muscular now. It seems like the newer fashion pants - the skinny pants - don't work on my bicycle legs at all.

But I am happy with the weight because I know a lot is muscle and it's really all about if you're happy with what is in the mirror. And I am. Plus I eat whatever I want. Let the scary-skinny girls wear the new fashions. I'll be voluptious and strong in my 8/9 bootleg jeans.

[F8th637]

I'd buy that jersey too, and it would have a big slice of chocolate cream pie on it, with a steaming cup of espresso..... rather like a WayneThiebauld painting ! I can picture it " I brake for food " and the jersey sponsor pix can be all those lovely pastry, desert, & coffee companies like Hostess, Peet's Coffee, Ben & Jerry's Icecream, etc....

YUM! Lets get a team, and train together nationwide as The BonBon Babes !!!

Haa haa, a girl after my own heart, jayjay! The "I Brake for Food" jersey did cross my mind at one point as well. The BonBon Babes, I love it!