Oh, to be a loser...

[Crankin]

I just read the rest of this thread (since i responded in the beginning). It just shows everyone is different. If I worked out the same amount as Veronica and ate 1500 calories a day, I think I would faint! My BMI is 20 and has been at that point for many years. But, I do agree that many people over estimate how much nutrition they need to fuel their work outs. I suspect I am the opposite. I seem to need more food now than I did 10-20 years ago. I basically weigh the same as I did in HS and I am turning 56 in 3 weeks. But, when I was teaching aerobics 6 days a week and weighed 92 pounds, I was definitely not eating enough. I didn't "starve myself," and I went out to eat a lot, but I ate small breakfasts and lunches and would eat no snack before working out in the late afternoon. No wonder, I often felt faint. Then I would go home and eat a normal, healthy dinner.
My weight seems to stabilize on the days I do an easy workout or take a rest day. I think it's because when I do long and hilly rides, I just need a lot more fuel.

[Biciclista]

If you read Veronica's ride reports, you can tell she's eating enough. I'd be challenged to keep up with her on ANY ride.

[Crankin]

Oh, I don't doubt that! I am weak, basically. But, I know I eat more than 1500 calories a day (probably around 2,000-3,000) and my weight (106) and my body fat (18%) remain relatively stable. I've noticed more lately that my legs just give up and I am cramping up more. I always attribute it to my fibromyalgia, but it's more like I need to do some major weight training. I also think the nutritional aspect is playing into it. I just need to figure out what I need to change.
I am putting myself and my husband through a self-styled boot camp, starting in December. We are doing a cycling tour in May, which is a bit early for that type of riding. So, over the next few weeks, I need to experiment with my calories, and other stuff.

[featuretile]

I have also been struggling with how to get stubborn pounds off (about 30). In the process, I have tried several different things. I was eating a really healthy diet with between 1200-1500 calories a day and going to water aerobics 3X a week and hiking once a week. That was not enough. I started cycling about 6 months ago. Now I ride about 20 (hilly) miles 3-4 times a week, and I am 57 years old.

I had a natural doctor check my thyroid. Although the TSH test was normal, the T3 uptake was on the very lowest normal range. I started to take a low dose natural thyroid pill to speed up my metabolism.

Then I went to Tibet and got horrible diarrhea which required many days of cipro (heavy antibiotic). I realized that I had probably killed every bacteria - bad and good in my body - so when I got home I took some probiotics (healthy bacteria like in yogurt). I started to lose a little weight after that with the same amount of exercise and diet as before the trip. I am wondering if there was something stuck in my gut that was preventing weight loss and this involuntary purge cleaned it out.

Then I read a book recommended by a doctor about leptin resistance. The book suggests that inflammation is preventing leptin from regulating your metabolism. I did not want to go on the no carb diet in the book because I don't think you can cycle with no carbs. It makes me feel tired and cranky. I eat mostly whole grain carbs now. But there are certain anti-inflammatory foods that you can add or sub in that are helpful. So I added blueberries, pomegranate juice and green tea to my diet.

I have lost 12 pounds and am fitting into some of my old pants. I think it is mostly the cycling with the help of the other things. I just feel better. I know I have to eat while I'm riding, so I always bring something healthy to eat like nuts and raisins or a granola bar, and lots of water. I can get up hills that I could not get up before, and a 15 mile ride is easy. Hopefully, I will continue to lose weight, but I have already benefited so much that I am grateful for having gotten hooked on cycling. I ride with a woman who is over 200 lbs., and I am really impressed that she is riding and improving.

[e.e.cummings]

Featuretile, where I come from there is a saying 'you have been up and down the road' meaning that you have experienced a lot - this definitely applies, with all puns intended for cycling. Your story is very interesting. And Tibet - wow!

[tulip]

Hi. This is really interesting. Until I was 39, I was around 145lbs. I'm 5'6". I was never happy with the way I looked. Belly fat--I had it. But, like GLC said, all I got was, "You look fine, love yourself, yadda yadda."

Then, for a variety of reasons, I lost 20lbs in a couple of months a few years ago. Wow, I can tell you, it's great. I have stabilized at 127 and I actually AM delighted with my body--for the first time in my life, at age 42. I'm stronger and faster. But for me, the most important result is that I am more confident in myself in all sorts of ways--not just athletic.

So for some people, it does matter. It would have been nice, really nice, if I could have allowed myself that confidence and freedom back when I was heavier--all of my adult life til then. But now I have it, well most of the time anyways.

If you love yourself whatever your weight, then that is fantastic and so much more than I could accomplish. You should be commended, because what you do is not easy at all.