lose weight fast on bike?

[Swan]

Checking in!
After losing 21# I lost my job and my car, which sent me into a bout of inactivity and toward a big ol' pint of icecream. Yay, depression won again. I gained back several pounds and am at an odd size now (a 16-19 instead of the firm *15* I'd gotten down to), but since Monday I've become more active again. I'm hoping it will catch again. Everyone slips up and it's alright to take time for yourself, right? The important thing is that I keep trying!
I finally got a proper bra fitting (36FF, omg). It does feel better, but a bit of niggling back pain is still persistent. I'll keep losing weight and if they don't shrink down, I'll just phone up the reduction surgeon I've been eyeing. Even if it doesn't help with the back pain, it'd be nice to be able to sit at a table without them blocking my way!

[Kathi]

Glad to hear you got a new bra and a UK brand, good for you. I know an FF cup sounds depressing but if it makes you feel better technically, I'm a 26G but size 26 bands are viturally non existent so I wear a 28 FF. On my small frame I don't consider it a huge size. I always thought I was small but wearing a properly fitting bra makes me look less grandmotherly. I'm not a even a grandmother! If Victoria Secrets and many department stores quit trying to convince women that they're all in the A-DD range and put them in good fitting bras you'd see more women wearing larger cup sizes.

Bra fitting takes awhile. I thought my 30DD's were great, until the band stretched a little. It took me a long time to realize they weren't. Then I went to 28G's, miscalculated that one. Once I started learning about my shape I was able to settle into 1 brand and 2 styles that work for me. Did you measure your band tight or loose? If you measured loose you could also consider trying these sizes (UK,not US sizing), 34FF, a band/cup size down or 34G, same cup volume as your FF, but tighter band. Also, remember to "swoop and scoop" often.

I don't have any other advice except to say good job on your progress.

[Swan]

Thanks, guys. I'm benched again.
Riding my bike has made my back flare up really horribly again. I don't know what's causing it. I stretch, I hydrate, I eat... I'm going to try raising the handlebars to more of a casual commuter's level and see if that helps any, and I'll raise the seatpost a bit, too, to further extend my legs on the downstroke.... Haven't been doing this because like most casual bicyclists in my area, I like to be able to put both feet on the ground. Looks like I'm going to deal with being wobbly for a while, because I'm getting real tired of not being able to be active.

[Catrin]

Thanks, guys. I'm benched again.
Riding my bike has made my back flare up really horribly again. I don't know what's causing it. I stretch, I hydrate, I eat... I'm going to try raising the handlebars to more of a casual commuter's level and see if that helps any, and I'll raise the seatpost a bit, too, to further extend my legs on the downstroke.... Haven't been doing this because like most casual bicyclists in my area, I like to be able to put both feet on the ground. Looks like I'm going to deal with being wobbly for a while, because I'm getting real tired of not being able to be active.

Any option of visiting an experience fitter? Seriously, the difference of even a couple of mm can make a huge difference. My own fitter adjusted my height by less than 2mm and that removed the hip pain I was experiencing at the time. If you can see a talented fitter with good experience it might go far in helping you - without possible ramifications that come from guessing incorrectly in adjustments. Sometimes bike fit issues aren't obvious as everything is connected. Hoping you feel better soon!

[Swan]

There aren't any mechanized fitting machines or anything like that in my area. Maybe if I drove to Tallahassee, I could find one... I'll look around on the web. But what are the fitting machines called? The ones you get hooked up to while your bike is mounted??

[LunaB]

I too have back problems riding my bike. The muscles in my lower back start to burn and ache and I have to stand up and stretch all the time while riding. During the winter months I ride the same bike in the same position indoors on a trainer - and I never have ANY back pain. But as soon as I go out on the road, it starts again, after about 30 minutes or so. I think the difference is that I am balancing as well as riding, which you don´t on a fixed trainer indoors. Even though it´s the same bike.

Part from getting a really good bike fit, I have been told to train my core muscles. Doing the "plank" is one way - but I can only hold it for less than 30 seconds yet, it´s quite a tough one. You can do the usual Plank and the Side Plank. All to strengthen you core muscles.

As far as weight loss goes, i found a neat way during my recent weight loss: I change all pasta, rice and potatoes for bags of frozen veg. You can find all sorts of mixed veg in the freezer department, and they are usually a tiny 20 - 35 calories per 100 grams, so a whole 500 gram bag gives you maybe 150 calories! But it sure fills you up, it is good for you and some of the mixes tast really good. On top of them I put whatever the rest of the family eats - a ladle of tomatoe sauce, curry sauce or whatever. (I don´t fry the veg in much oil, if any, I use a good non stick pan. Maybe some soy sauce to spiff it up a bit.)

Good luck on your inspiring journey!

[kris7047th]

I can relate to this thread .. BIG TIME. I had two major knee surgeries, the last was a total reconstruction back in 1977, back surgery 1999, and I have neck compression. I am also in the process of losing weight .. have lost almost 10 lbs and another 20 to go. The biking is definitely helping, but this isn't my first rodeo dieting. Food portion is the key and burning more than what you consume in a day. When I get serious to loose .. I just don't eat *meals* per se. I will eat a wedge of cheese, small portion of meat and later some vegetables. I am 62 and losing gets harder when the metabolism does a 180* around 40 years old. As you get older it is even more important to figure ways to burn the calories and stay fit. Winter months is my bane, like a lot of people we get lazy, and I am no exception. I will be looking into buying a bike trainer when I can't ride due to the weather.

[Swan]

Checking in.
My weight seems to have stuck at 180, which is beyond frustrating since at my height I'm supposed to be 110-120, but everyone has commented that I look thinner. So that's something. I hit a snag when my dad took control of groceries again.... pizza, cookies, and extra sweet tea every single night for two weeks straight, and nothing else in the house to make a healthier meal with. Ouch. And he's wondering why he's gaining weight! I wrestled with him and got back dibs on meal planning earlier this week.
Although I havent been biking as much what with all the heat and the rain, I'm trying to do at least a little activity every other day. I can't tell if it's helping or not, though, and I have to go very slowly because my back has been testy of late (probably from gaining back some weight.. darn it!!).
Trying to lose weight has been the most challenging, frustrating, and demotivational thing I've done this year, haha

[aviatrix58]

Since you're struggling with back pain, have you considered a recumbent? I was an avid upright rider until my hubby's back pain reduced his riding to almost nothing. He switched to a recumbent and started riding pain-free. I soon followed (if you can't beat 'em.....) and have never looked back. I am faster now (top speed 25, cruising at 17-18 easily) and able to cycle hours without any pain whatsoever. We even toured the Pacific Coast on them last year - 1,254 miles in 24 days. And I'm not a spring chicken - 54 years young.

Don't give up - getting healthy is too important to quit!