Overweight Cyclists?

[tulip]

NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! (that's a scream of horror) Please tell me this is not possible! I, too, thought the weight would just start melting off when I started cycling - and it hasn't. I have a little lower abdominal bulge - not an apron, just a bulge I got when I was pregnant 19 years ago that never went away. Since I started cycling I'm thinning up in other areas but that little bulge is still there and now it seems more noticeable.

OK - I'm going on a diet starting today. I do NOT want to gain 25 lbs.

I wasn't going to chime in because I'm not overweight. But I have a big mouth and can't keep it shut, so here goes.

Perhaps when we start exercising, we see that as an excuse to eat more. That's fine as long as there's an awareness of it.

As for the ab fat--that's unhealthy for your heart, so that's why I have to say something about it. I think it's great if you are fine with your weight whatever it is (like SlowButSteady--definitely fantastic that you are stronger and do triathlons!). But too much extra weight and things get harder for your heart. From all I've read, that is particularly true for people who store extra fat around their middles (and I am one of those people).

I was 20 lbs heavier until a few years ago. I started taking Pilates classes and that really, really helped my middle. It also coincided with losing those 20 lbs, although I have no idea about cause and effect, since I was doing alot of other things at that time, too. For instance, I cut out coffee and all the junk that went with it from Starbucks (1000 cals for breakfast!!), started eating more fruit and less junkfood, stopped drinking soda except for rare treats, started going to spinning classes, and was very stressed out at work and in life.

So while it's great to be comfortable in your own skin, it's also great to be as healthy as you can be.

'Nuff said, I'm shutting up now.

[WindingRoad]

I am not currently overweight but I was about 30 pounds heavier 5 years ago. I actually didn't lose all my weight cycling I had to make some lifestyle changes. It sounds simple but I stopped eating so much processed food and pretty much cut out fast food completely. I still indulge in some french fries once in a while but not a lot. What I found was the quality of the food made a HUGE difference for me. Organic groceries are worth the extra money to me. Drinking a lot more water made a huge impact too. Another thing I've found quite filling recently it homemade yogurt. It's kinda cool because if you make your own you can increase the nutritional content of it by simply adding more powdered milk. It's a fat free protein that you can add any kind of fruit to and actually feel satiated afterwards. Store bought yogurt doesn't do this??? As Tulip said Pilates is a great way to tone up the mid section. As an avid commuter I find it easy to forget about the abs and think all the miles I log will take care of it. Not so much, I get the poochy belly thing and I log around 100 miles a week. That's when I do Pilates and it REALLY helps and relatively quickly I might add. Don't get too frustrated trying to lose weight everyone is different and sometimes just finding that special blend of foods and exercise is what your body needs. Try mixing things up with your exercise and diet and see if you can find some new foods you like and can incorporate into the diet. Another suggestion and I'll stop yapping, Mangoes! They are VERY filling, loaded with the good stuff and you can eat the whole thing. Very rewarding

[Bike Chick]

It also depends on your age..........the older I get, the harder it is to loose.

[nsandz]

It has been said before, but is worth repeating: Thanks for this post.

I am about 40 lbs overweight and just started cycling about a year ago. I have never had anyone comment on my weight, but I feel it is because I avoid being around people while cycling or exercising. I am very self conscious and really felt that I was the only one like this. I know that is unrealistic, but sometimes I really thought it was true. I would be embarrassed to go into a bike shop because I'm usually the only overweight one in the store. My boyfriend and cycling partner is in perfect athletic shape, so when he tells me I look perfect and not to be so hard on myself I always thought he didn't understand. It's funny because now it seems that I am the one who didn't understand.

Thank you to everyone who posted