Overweight Cyclists?

[kenyonchris]

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.

[SlowButSteady]

My thyroid has been checked a gazillion times. In fact, I'm currently pending tests for hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus. Mom and brother take supplemental thyroid hormones, so there is a family history.

My brother, however, is in an entertainment field and has to look good (ie, be slim) for his job. At one point, he was doing two a day workouts--lifting and running up to 10 miles a day and starving himself AND HE WAS STILL about 40 lbs OVERWEIGHT.

At some point, he saw a doctor who told him to stop exercising and dieting, as it was simply training his metabolism to be more stingey with the calories...and he lost weight. Of course, the diet pills and resuming smoking probably helped a whole lot!!! But he looks like a million bucks and looks 10 years younger.

I'm pretty disheartened. Not being able to find tri clothes, for one thing. The ones I have are guys XXL and they are too tight. Getting all the catalogs like Title 9 and Athleta which have all the stuff I like but where a size 12 - 14 is an XL--just frustrates me. I want to write them a dirty letter and tell them to stick those catalogs...

It didn't help when my son said, "Mama, why are you doing all that stuff? It's not helping you any."

...I'm kind of taking a break from working out for now.

[tulip]

SBS, work out if it makes you feel good. If it becomes a downer and a chore, then it's not working for you. I would only encourage you to remain active, whether it's hiking or just romping with your kids alot. Have you tried Pilates? It really has helped me feel good and strong in my middle.

Have you checked TE for plus-size clothing? I've heard they have a good selection, and it's right here!

[sundial]

...I'm kind of taking a break from working out for now.

Slow, have you made an appointment with an endocrinologist to check your thyroid levels? Even if your family doc says it's in the normal range, it may not be normal for you.

I have to say too that hormones, or lack thereof, can make a BIG difference when it comes to weight gain. Being peri- and post- menopausal wrecks havoc on the body I tell ya.

[sundial]

It really is calories in/calories out...with some twist. Your body WILL adapt and not burn as many calories unless you exercise correctly.

I have to respectfully disagree. Many women, including myself, will attest that after having a hysterectomy the weight just skyrocketed shortly thereafter. I personally was losing weight before my surgery and lost weight afterwards--even during Christmas. Not six months later my weight quickly changed--despite being on the same diet and exercising like mad. Today I can barely get the weight off. It's really, really difficult just losing 8 pounds. I'm focusing now on just maintaining my health and exercising when I can. Cycling is changing my body shape and the weight pretty much has leveled off for now. Unfortunately, it's much higher than what it used to be.