Quote Originally Posted by SlowButSteady View Post
I want to "weigh in" on this topic but I'll have to suppress some anger.

I've always been athletic but can gain weight on air. I have very, very bad feet and in 2005, I bought into cycling as THE alternative to running. And I sort of thought the 25 or so extra pounds would melt off once I got going.

And, I've gained/am still gaining weight. Now, instead of being 25 lbs overweight, I'm more like 50. A little bit of my body has remodeled some. My back/butt are flatter...now I'm carrying this apron of fat on my lower abdomen.

I enjoy all aspects of food and drink. I'm a cook. I mean, I love to cook, and have written a book-length manuscript about food. And, yes, I eat, but I don't eat truly unreasonable amounts of food. I don't really eat sweets at all.

But I would have to seriously deprive myself to lose this weight!!! By now I know that cycling and cross-training ain't gonna do it.

I'm not sure I want to do that. And I'm a little bit bitter about it, can't you tell? I don't want to be skinny like a model. I'd just love to wear a size 12 or 14.
As a personal trainer (certified through NASM) I would suggest two things (you may not be asking for suggestions, but here they are if you want them)...1) have your thyroid checked, get a physical, make sure there is nothing physical or chemical (including drug interactions) that are causing you to have problems losing weight. 2) get with someone who has an idea of how to design an exercise weight loss program. It really is calories in/calories out...with some twist. Your body WILL adapt and not burn as many calories unless you exercise correctly. And riding (running, whatever) on its own will not do it for you. It is about pushing your heart rate up, then recovering. I can burn more calories doing a 30 minute ride than a 2 hour 40 mile ride if I just spin on the 40 miles and do intervals and hills on the 30 minute one.

And it isn't all about cardio...lifting burns a ton of calories even after you finish...do low weight, high reps.

If you are having problems getting results....take heart, it most likely isn't YOU. Just your program. That is EASY to change. But do see a doctor first to make sure!

And, the nice by product is that by changing the WAY you are riding, you will get faster and stronger as well as leaner.