Add strength training to your program. I'm on a personal mission to tell everyone to not forget strength training. It doesn't mean doing max reps, or heavy lifting, it means getting in the gym and make sure you hit every muscle group at least once, but twice is better, per week. For endurance athletes low weight and higher reps is the key.

I dumped weight training last year because I was losing pretty steadily. I didn't realize that the strength training I was doing was actually keeping muscle imbalances and weaknesses at bay. I did 'something' to my ankle in October and last month, when I got another physical therapy assessment, the PT pointed out all the weaknesses I had. And I just got my certification as a NASM personal trainer this month. How bad is that?! Either case, core training along with a good weight training program will also start torching the fat. I'm convinced of that as I started weight training again and I see the scale going down again. It helps raise your lean body mass so you are burning all the time, not just during and after your rides. It also gives you some even BETTER definition in your calves and thighs.

I didn't pay attention to my highest weight but let's just say it was above 250 lbs. I am now down to 188 lbs. Up from 176 lbs last year. The best thing is people say I don't look like 188 lbs. I guess what I'm trying to say is:

Eat for performance
Focus on how you feel
Ride it like you stole it

It's a lifestyle change. Don't let a number on the scale rule your life.

You have some more important numbers to focus on : BP and blood glucose levels. How about adding cholesterol into it? Or the number of pushups and crunches you can do? Or better yet...miles you can do in a week?

I hear you on weight, you shouldn't not mind it, but there are some even more important numbers that we should focus on.

As far as food, just steer from junk. I log my food half heartedly. It's so hard to get into it anymore, I keep a little journal on it, but it's still a struggle! Calories are hard to figure out. I use calorieking.com software to help me with that, it will track your exercise calories (if you use a HRM) so you can add them back in. I eat about 1/3rd of them back, not all of them.

Just remember it's a lifestyle change-and long standing change is the best kind.

Slow and steady wins the race...