Overweight Cyclists?

[Kris]

I'm 60. I've lost 55 pounds in the last 18 months and have at least 10 left to go. The laws of physics apply no matter how old you are. I tried for several years to lose weight, and then all of a sudden I got myself in the right place mentally, started eating right and exercising more, and the pounds came off. I'm fitter now than I've been since I was in my 20's, and I feel 10 years younger than I did a year ago. It's never easy, but it is so worth the trouble.

[kenyonchris]

Chris, I think you glossed over a very important point she was trying to make

it was a whole lot easier to lose weight at 40 than it is at 52. And no, I'm not whining.

No whining detected. It is easier to lose weight at 20 than 40, easier at 40 than 52. Your body burns less effectively than it stores. That is a given, I am not glossing it over at all. But it CAN be done...the advice is for those who are saying that no matter how much they exercise and starve it won't come off. It WILL (unless the body is undergoing some physical problem). The problem is generally that the body has adapted, or is not being challenged in the most efficient manner so as to make it burn effectively. This happens in people of all ages, but is even more important with people who struggle to lose weight.

[staceysue]

Here's a little encouraging news for those who feel the weight just won't come off no matter what. I'm 40 (but have been through 'that part of my life' because I lost my ovaries) and I have been (am I going to say it out loud?) . . . . . . this is a big leap for me . . . . 152-157 lbs for about 15 years now. I'd take up an exercise program and do it for a few weeks and not see any change and quit, diet and quit, eat terribly for months on end, didn't matter. The great part of it is that my same clothes have fit for a long time. My body had very stubbornly decided that's the size it wanted to be and it wasn't taking any argument from me.

Since I started really cycling - at least 3 times a week, long distances when I have the time but never less than 10 miles, I'm definitely seeing some changes in my body. I've been cycling regularly since late August or early September and, though I felt a lot better, I wasn't seeing changes in my body or on the scale until just over the past week or so. I'm only down to 150, and my clothes still fit, but they're a little looser in places and they just seem to hang better. My body is certainly firmer.

There was a time when I would have seen the changes in 2-3 weeks instead of 2-3 months, but the changes are still happening!

It's slow going, but it's fun. It's not like the old days when I'd starve myself to fit into a size 2 or look in the mirror and cry my eyes out because I jiggled when I jumped up and down. I'm truly enjoying cycling and the way it makes me feel, and it's given me so much self confidence. I feel stronger and happier - and not like I'm trying to make my body fit some supermodel image. I'm not comparing myself to other women all the time, trying to get attention from guys.

I suppose if I was counting calories I'd see changes faster, but I don't want that kind of headache. I'm enjoying being physically active and I'm not pigging out and I rest assured knowing that if it takes me an entire year to lose 5 lbs, it doesn't matter. I'm going to be a year older in a year anyway, right? Time goes by pretty fast and if I'm 15 lbs lighter in 3 years that will be awesome. I've got at least a good 40 years left on this earth and I'm really not in any hurry.

I enjoy cycling and I'm happy that my body can take me the places I want to go!

[MomOnBike]

I've written (whined) already about how I just don't seem to be able to lose weight, and my frustration.

Still, I know I'd be a LOT bigger if I weren't riding. At least the bike is keeping me (somewhat) under control.

[OakLeaf]

It's really important to remember that while none of the laws of science change, both "calories in" and "calories out" are about two part physics and eight parts biochemistry.

The same food intake will translate to a wide range of energy input for two different people, and the same activity by two people of the same weight will translate into a wide range of calorie output.

I'm only a year and a half into menopause and haven't yet experienced any of that kind of change (although in the same period of time I've tripled my running mileage and doubled my cycling mileage), but I'm sure not going to dismiss the thousands of women who have experienced it.

[kenyonchris]

The same food intake will translate to a wide range of energy input for two different people, and the same activity by two people of the same weight will translate into a wide range of calorie output.

Agreed. So will fitness level and a zillion other factors. People who are having trouble losing weight need to look at their calorie output as it pertains to them to avoid that frustration of "I'm doing the same thing as my neighbor and eating less and not losing weight while she is".

[lph]

It's really important to remember that while none of the laws of science change, both "calories in" and "calories out" are about two part physics and eight parts biochemistry.

The same food intake will translate to a wide range of energy input for two different people, and the same activity by two people of the same weight will translate into a wide range of calorie output.

Now I know a lot more about physics than I do about biochemistry, so this intrigues me. I can understand two people of the same weight and similar lifestyle having a very wide range of calorie output just by watching how differently people move, some people are jumpy and on their feet all the time, some people are slower, relaxed and seem to conserve energy. And I assume how you dress and what temps you're in make a difference too. Which is why I've never really understood how calorie counting can work, it seems to me there are just too many variables in the equation.

But why would the same food intake cause a range of energy input? Do we process food that differently?

[Zen]

People are individuals and each have their own unique physiology.
Genetics, chronic disease, and undiagnosed conditions factor in as well.
A calories -in-calories-out approach is a broad brush.

[staceysue]

I think those of us who still have time to do it need to get all he weight off that we want off before the big "M" hits! It's a lot harder after.

[Bike Chick]

I had a complete hysterectomy at age 29 and gained 20 pounds the first 3 months after my surgery. That was 21 years ago and I've struggled with my weight ever since and it gets harder as I get older. The only time I was ever at my pre-surgery weight was when I was going through my divorce--I'm sure everyone's familiar with the divorce diet. My point is that hormones are a huge factor in weight loss/gain for us.

[tulip]

I went to a Nutritionist today. I don't have an overweight problem. My problem is that I tend to forget to eat, and then I get all spaced out. She suggested that I set an alarm clock for mid-morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and supper. That way, I won't forget to eat.

I need to eat more fruits and veggies--5 cups a day. Who here eats five cups of fruits and veggies a day? I will be having fruits and veggies for my snacks, as well as with my meals.

I also need to eat fish twice a week. And plan my menus so when the alarm goes off I won't stand their in front of the fridge wondering what to do.

Those are some useful tips for me. I thought I'd pass them on because some of you might be able to adapt them to your particular situation.

[Ritamarie]

I'm almost 49 years old, peri-menopausal, 5' 6" and 116#s. I can and have gained weight quite easily. Here's a few things that work for me:

Momentum is my friend. It's easy to put off til tomorrow (I'll ride tomorrow, I'll eat better tomorrow.). I can fall into this trap. What I do TODAY matters. It's not what I do between Christmas and New Years, it's what I do between New Years and Christmas.

Eat carbs on the bike. I'm an extreme reactive hypoglycemic; my body does not like when I eat carbs and wants to store them as fat as quickly as possible. It leaves me feeling "fluffy" and lethargic! Most women I talk to seem to be somewhat hypoglycemic. On the bike I can eat carbs without the hypoglycemic reaction because I'm burning them immediately. Simple carbs are simple carbs. I find I do just as well bringing those favorite cookies along instead of a sports bar (though one of my favorite treats is the Luna chocolate peppermint bar so I use them a lot!). One 180 calorie treat and one 20 oz bottle of very light sports drink every 25 miles is perfect for me. More if I am riding hard. Your results may vary.

Eat protein off the bike. For reasons stated above, I find protein off the bike is the way to go. Tuna fish and eggs are my friends. Not only do we need protein for preserving muscle, but I feel MUCH better, have steady energy and have less cravings. One cookie (off the bike) leads to another cookie. And another. And another.

I try not to fall into the trap of "Well, I rode 30 miles today, I can treat myself". I find this is a sure recipe for weight gain (or at least no weight loss). I try to eat moderately and well between rides. My metabolism will stay high for the day. I try to get my satisfaction and reward from knowing that my furnace is stoked and burning those calories, not from that dish of ice cream.

Besides my normal supplements of a multi, calcium, etc... I use a top quality glucose regulating supplement (chromium, etc) and a menopause balancing supplement (black cohosh etc).

Rita

[Pedal Wench]

I need to eat more fruits and veggies--5 cups a day. Who here eats five cups of fruits and veggies a day? I will be having fruits and veggies for my snacks, as well as with my meals.

I do! Massively big salad for lunch, huge servings of veggies for dinner, and typically a piece of fruit after lunch and maybe one in the evening after dinner.

I wish I could forget to eat...

[arielmoon]

I am 41, 5'7, approx 130# and peri-menopausal due to an ovariectomy in 2005.

I do! Massively big salad for lunch, huge servings of veggies for dinner, and typically a piece of fruit after lunch and maybe one in the evening after dinner.

I wish I could forget to eat...

Yup, big salad for lunch for me too. For a snack I like to drink my whole food supplement because it is packed with whole fruit and vegetable goodness. Another favorite snack is a Lara bar cause they are raw, vegan and yummy!

Dinner for me is really small and I very rarely eat after 7:30PM.

Like Ritamarie I eat protein after riding but I usually eat the carbs before and not during the ride unless I am going to be riding for a while. I am never hungry while actually riding so I have to make myself eat something on the big rides.

[tulip]

Pedal and Ariel--that's great you eat so many veggies. I don't know you, but as I recall, neither of you are overweight (right?). I was just wondering how many overweight folks eat enough fruits and veggies. Thyroid issues notwithstanding, I would bet that increasing fruits and veggies would help with weight loss, as well as improving health (that's my goal).

I've gotten away from An Apple A Day, but now I'm back on it.