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.