Question I hate to ask...

[Roadtrip]

OK. I'll come out as ask it. When wearing a jersey, it shows off.. the.. ummm.. flaws of my mid-section a little more then I'd like. Is there anything I can do (I'm working on the weight loss) so I don't feel so on display in a jersey while out riding.

I'm seeing all sorts of figure slimming clothing and some of the compression apparel, but not sure what works best on and off the bike.

Thanks,
Shannon

[JennK13]

In what way? Is it too tight or too short? I have one jersey that's too short so I don't wear it, and unisex or men's jerseys don't fit me as they're too tight in the waist and ride up. So I wear women's cut jerseys that are long enough and not too tight. Although I don't have any, I hear bibs are good for "muffin tops"

[Kiwi Stoker]

Umm I think all jerseys are not going to look too great on a bike. Unless you are super stretched out you will always have a bulge in the belly. <sigh>

On a slightly different note, I had a friend who I mentioned that you don't normally wear underwear underneath cycle shorts. Turns out she had been wearing "tummy tuck" underwear and felt really uncomfortable on the bike.

I have decided that I will forget what I look like while cycling- if anyone thinks otherwise well I am out exercising and having fun and they are probably in their car. Who's better off in the long term?

[Roadtrip]

Fits fine in the chest and shoulders, if not a little loose, it's the tummy area I am having issues with, so I'm a little self conscious, but even the xxl jersey hugs me tighter then I'd like in the middle!!

I normally wear a little bit of a larger shirt cause I've always wanted to "hide" my belly fat/love handles. LOL. Freaking spandex offers NO forgiveness and allows NO places to hide those extra pounds you've picked up over the years. OY!

Shannon

[tulip]

Roadtrip, I'm have some photos of me in bike clothes that I would rather were not taken! The cold, hard truth is that clothes are not going to fool anyone. So just keep riding and try not to be self-conscious about it (easier said than done, I know!) Now that it's getting colder, you can wear a jacket or sweater over, so that might help you feel more confident. But really, the best thing to do is keep riding, eat an apple a day, and keep moving forward with your healthy actions. Try to focus on the idea that you are strong and beautiful, and that your body does amazing things by taking you on bike rides that are so much fun even though they are alot of work.

[ny biker]

Roadtrip, I'm have some photos of me in bike clothes that I would rather were not taken! The cold, hard truth is that clothes are not going to fool anyone. So just keep riding and try not to be self-conscious about it (easier said than done, I know!) Now that it's getting colder, you can wear a jacket or sweater over, so that might help you feel more confident. But really, the best thing to do is keep riding, eat an apple a day, and keep moving forward with your healthy actions. Try to focus on the idea that you are strong and beautiful, and that your body does amazing things by taking you on bike rides that are so much fun even though they are alot of work.

+1

Look for jerseys that are "club cut" which is looser than "racing cut." Other than that, like any other clothes you will find that one manufacturer's clothes will generally fit better than another, and that there is even variation within one company's jerseys. So try on different jerseys to see if you can find some you like better.

But mostly, just have fun and be proud of your accomplishments.

[DarcyInOregon]

Roadtrip, a female cycling friend had this problem before she lost weight. The suggestions I gave her worked out well for her, and that is: 1)the Terry jerseys in a size 1x or 2)the Voler mens' jerseys in a size XL or XXL. Terry has a longer length and more room around the middle. Voler fits tight, but the longer length hid her belly, and they really make awesome jerseys.

Suggestion: try buying some used jerseys on eBay for a modest amount until you find the maker you like.

Another suggestion: If your cycling bottoms are too tight around the waist, fat will spill out over the top and be obvious in the jersey. If you wear cycling bottoms that are actually a bit too large around the middle, the waist will go higher and no fat will spill out, and the middle section will be compressed, making you look slimmer.

In reality, nobody sees you on the bike, except when you get off the bike. So don't worry about it too much. Focus on burning the calories and it will no longer be a problem.

[Owlie]

What Tulip said. I've got one or two jerseys that I don't think I should be wearing in public, but no one but me cares.

That said, look around for looser-fit jerseys. Foska has some "freeride" jerseys, which are cut kind of like t-shirts, as far as I can tell. I'm not sure on the sizing, though. (Their selection is limited, they're not exactly cheap to begin with, and the shipping's a bear because it's based in the UK. If you register and log in, you get a bit of a discount, though.)

The jacket thing (why are we getting snow over Thanksgiving?) gives you another layer too.

[JennK13]

I also like Skirt Sports jerseys - they are longer and more fitted for female bodies.

[OakLeaf]

I agree that it's just part of it, and not the most pleasant part by any means. The thing about cycling is that you're breathing from the belly and NOT using the abs for rotation the way you do with running or swimming - on the bike, your abs are pretty much completely relaxed, and that's not necessarily the prettiest sight from the side. Look at pictures of the pros some time. Body fat around 12% (women), and their bellies are still sticking out, because that's where their diaphragms are.

I think the bottom line is that you need to understand that you, looking at your pictures, are the only one looking at your belly from that angle. Everyone else is admiring your powerful legs.

[indysteel]

+1

Look for jerseys that are "club cut" which is looser than "racing cut." Other than that, like any other clothes you will find that one manufacturer's clothes will generally fit better than another, and that there is even variation within one company's jerseys. So try on different jerseys to see if you can find some you like better.

But mostly, just have fun and be proud of your accomplishments.

I avoid any jersey labeled as having a race cut. For the most part, I stick to Terry jerseys and those from Shebeest's "S cut " line.

When in doubt, call up the fine people at TE and ask for specific suggestions or feedback on how a given jersey fits. They're happy to help and have road tested many of their product offerings.

[redrhodie]

Design wise, look for solid colors, or designs with a more vertical print. Horizontals emphasize width. Avoid elastics on the bottom of jerseys. A lot of the jerseys on TE have a contrasting color or print on the sides, and that kind of design is very slimming.

I think most everyone feels self conscious in cycling clothes. There's no where to hide, and a lot of the things that make our rides more comfortable are not very flattering. Who looks good in a padded chamois, I ask?

[hebe]

<snip>That said, look around for looser-fit jerseys. Foska has some "freeride" jerseys, which are cut kind of like t-shirts, as far as I can tell. I'm not sure on the sizing, though. (Their selection is limited, they're not exactly cheap to begin with, and the shipping's a bear because it's based in the UK. If you register and log in, you get a bit of a discount, though.)

The jacket thing (why are we getting snow over Thanksgiving?) gives you another layer too.

Foska have a sale on winter jerseys and jackets at the moment. Watch the sizes though as US womens sizes are 1-2 sizes bigger than the same UK size (this has caught me out a couple of times).

I agree with adding a jacket. Personally I struggle far more than I thought I would with wearing cycling tights, a Terry wrapskirt over the top has been a revelation. If you can find a solution that you're happy with then that's one thing less to distract you from your ride. I'm sure this won't be a long-term problem anyway, with the great job you're doing on weight-loss.

[bhashiguchi]

I just got a few new pairs of shorts and found that they helped me feel better about my midsection also. My first pair was a Gore brand pair that have a relatively short inseem (7"- though thats somewhat long for women's shorts, I guess)- hitting me mid-quad and making them look (fat)big. They were also a little lower rise, which made me feel like my belly was spilling out everywhere!

I just got a pair of Terry euro shorts and Voler peloton (sample) that both have longer lengths and higher rises, and I feel so much more comfortable in them, regardless of what top I wear.

Beth

[bcipam]

I was going to say... shorts with a higher rise seem to help. Terry use to make a high rise short and I bought several. Not certain if they are made anymore or not. Terry does make jerseys that are not fitted at the botton (ie have no elastic) and that seems to help.

All I can say is I'm glad its fall and I can start wearing a vest (which hides my tummy) again!!!!