I have posted on this board before about the frustrations of trying to lose weight while maintaining energy to ride. I had yet to find the right balance. For two years I attempted to lose ten pounds off and on, but could never break below 147-148. I'm 5'9", so 147 is a decent weight, but not when you're trying to climb better.

My weight loss method, which I lost 60 pounds on years ago and maintained my weight by, was basically "eat less food". The Weigh Down Diet method of listening to your hunger and fullness signals, etc. However, after several failed attempts to get below 147, and then actually gaining 5 or 6 pounds at Christmas when I didn't ride all month (didn't happen last year when I did the same ... hmmmm!) ... I finally decided to take a more drastic approach.

I joined Weight Watchers. This was a HUGE step for me, because since becoming a Weigh Down person, I scoffed at anyone who actually read calories, eat "low fat" food, weighed their food, etc. However, what I was really looking for was a weekly "thing". A place where I can be held somewhat accountable. A place to weigh weekly (even though I weigh every morning naked!). A place to inspire me to keep on keepin' on.

So, I joined about 7 weeks ago. For those who don't know, Weight Watchers does the Points system. Everything is worth a certain number of points. You are allowed a certain number of points every day and they show you how to figure out how many points everything has. Really not too difficult.

They also give you exercise points, which is AWESOME for a cyclist. I can rack up some extra points out on a two hour bike ride, and then I can figure out exactly how much more I'm allowed to eat and still lose weight. And then they give you an additional number of points that you can use any time during the week. A little each day, or all at once a party or whatever.

So, what I did was I tried to stick to my initial daily allowance of points unless I was about to do a big event or training ride, where I knew I needed more "fuel". I'd use my additional points the day before. And then when you DO a big event, you accumulate a lot of points, so I can recover from my event, eat a decent amount of food and still lose weight.

This takes some of the guess work out of "how much" to eat before a big event and "how much" to eat after. For the most part I have not had trouble having energy for my rides, which is HUGE. I had low energy like twice on shorter rides, but never for an important ride.

When I started, I stuck fairly closely to the points thing, but some days it was easier to just do my Weigh Down thing. As time has gone on, I really am not counting points at all, but I still go to the weekly meetings, weigh in and take home some inspiration and tips. They know I'm doing this for cycling purposes and they even know I'm only "sort of" following the Weight Watchers method. But my leader says, "Whatever you're doing, it's working!" Her husband is actually in my cycling club, and she rides a little, so she gets the cycling thing.

So, I lost ten pounds, but since I started 5 to 6 pounds heavier than I normally am, I still have about 4 - 7 to go to get to around where I think I want to be. I'm so motivated and doing so great. AND seeing the results on the bike.