Overweight Cyclists?

[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.

[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.

[arielmoon]

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.

No, I am not overweight but I spent a few years there and I dont ever intend to go back! I am vegan and I am a health foodie. No enriched grains, refined sugars, empty calories or junk food. People think is hard but it is actually really easy. Simple, basic fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains.

I try to do an apple day so long as it is organic! Apples are one of the most heavily treated with pesticides! If you only eat one organic thing make it apples!

[MomOnBike]

Oh, I wish I could eat salads. I love them, especially the green, leafy veggies. Sadly, since the embolism (was it really a whole year ago?) I've been on blood thinners. I shouldn't eat the green leafies 'cause they contain Vitamin K, which helps blood clot. So I stay away.

For those of you who point out that I could eat the greens, just the same amount every day, and take more Coumadin (AKA rat poison), yes, I know. The thing is, I'd have to eat the same amount of greens every single day, without fail. I can't guarantee that. Also, I'm taking a fairly hefty dose already - I'm not sure I want to take more.

So I sit and watch (really skinny) DH eat his greens and I whine a lot. (filed under "life ain't fair")

[Pedal Wench]

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

Much as my distorted body image would argue, I'm probably a healthy weight. I do eat healthy - nothing fried, no beef or pork, no heavy dairy (hardly any dairy at all lately) whole grain everything, fruits, lean proteins, etc.

I did just start using The Daily Plate and was suprised at how many calories I do eat. Who knew a cup of dry-roasted soybeans had 544 calories????

[GLC1968]

I was just wondering how many overweight folks eat enough fruits and veggies.

I do. I eat 5 - 6 cups a day. And I'm 35-40 lbs over my goal and 45-50 lbs over 'normal' weight for my height.

There is NOTHING wrong with me physically. My diet is chock-full of heathly clean pure, often home-grown, foods. I exercise regularly. I'm not yet at menopause.

A little over a month ago, I got a device to tell me exactly what I am burning (with some error, of course). Turns out, my body is extremely efficient. If civilization comes to an end and there is no more food around, I'll be the one to survive. I burn very, very few calories in a day. Very few. It's now obvious to me why I had to eat less than 1000 calories a day to see weight loss just a few years back. It's also why I am struggling so much with getting back on board to do it again. It's HARD and frankly, I'm being a winey baby.

It's great when people suggest giving up soda, eating fruits and veggies, avoiding fast food, working out regularly, parking far away from stores, taking the stairs, lifting weights, wearing a HRM, setting goals, tracking food, weighing food, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to be doing ALL of this stuff and STILL not lose weight.

[Blueberry]

PI 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.

I'm overweight (not saying how much), and yes, I eat enough fruits and veggies. When I eat grains, they're whole, and in calorie controlled portions. Lots less dairy than I used to. Lean protein. Yeah, my diet is great.

As others have said, some of us are very efficient in our use of calories

CA

[Loraura]

And plan my menus so when the alarm goes off I won't stand their in front of the fridge wondering what to do.

This has been most helpful for me. I've lost and kept off 80 pounds for 2 years. It took about 2 years to lose.

Meal planning is key for me. Healthy nutritious balanced meals simply do not fall in my lap. As much as I wish they did, they just don't.

It was a bit more complicated than that. I had specific components of each meal, and weighed and measured unless I was eating out. But in a nutshell... I gatta plan.

A big part of my meal plan for weight loss was no sugar or flour. I could have fruit, but nothing with sugar in the first 3 ingredients (which rules out 90% of prepackaged foods). Veggies at lunch and dinner, with protein. In order to avoid the bread, it takes planning on my part. Regular grocery store trips were imparative, too. Fresh foods don't fall out of my pantry.

When I don't plan, bread looks like a really dang good idea. When I eat bread, I lose nothing. I've tested this for long enough to have convinced myself.

[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