Winter weight gain / spring shed cycle

[CyclaSutra]

Is anybody else feeling the weight of winter on their thighs/belly? WARNING: Low self-esteem day...

I'm a chunky punky monkey, 5'4 and size 14 (currently 184.5 with ginormous muscle content (30 percent BF?), thank you very much)

I always gain 10-15 pounds in the winter, it seems. Two years ago, my excuse was mononucleosis in September and a pity party of wine and Ben & Jerry's. Last year? I dropped out of my first attempt at a hilly double century (LOTOJA) because of sleet and snow. Self-pity strikes again.... but I've been in a cycling pre-season class at the bike shop, and I'm back down to within 8.5 pounds of my summer low.

Problem number 1: My summer low weight last year wasn't LOW ENOUGH to be very fast. I needed perfect conditions to attain 14-15 mph on the hilly course and finish before dark. Perfect conditions I did not have. And I know it's all about the journey and not the event, la la la, and 206 miles is a hella accomplishment, la la la, but this year I decided to get a "team" to support me and draft with, etc.

Problem number 2: I've drafted/recruited three FAST GIRLS to be on my teamn (sizes 6, 8, 10, perhaps?). Now I'm worried that I won't be able to keep up with them. I think I need to lose down to my summer low in the next two months and then get down quite a bit more after that just to hang. I know my muscle mass is important, but my weight is a liability on the hills.

I've hired a coach again (he helped me for three months last summer) and I really trust him to help me with the actual type and quantity of miles I need, but I need ideas and support for my mental state (hello, he's a dude, not good at that stuff ) ...

I tried the no/flour no sugar thing for a couple weeks, but that was really hard and it's not workable for actively training. I think I just need to focus on making good food choices, upping my fruits and veggies, etc.

Because I don't ride with other girls much, could anyone give me an idea of whether it's possible for a ballast-challenged girl to hang with these Amazon gals?

[Veronica]

I lost 30 pounds five years ago and have kept it off mostly. I went from 180 to 150 (size 10, sometimes an 8). My weight has gone up and down 10 pounds over the five years if I wasn't being very active. Right now, it's going down. And I'm hoping I'll drop below 150, before April 29.

I don't diet, I just stopped eating a lot of junk. I only eat what I bring to work. I seldom have soda. I eat fully fatted things - just not a lot. And I ride a lot. But I can not climb as fast as my lighter friends. Climbing really is about power to weight.

V.

[jobob]

You may not think you've lost much weight (or perhaps you have?) but you're looking very trim these days V. LeeBob and I were remarking on that after we saw you at the bike show.

[jjcac1]

I too am trying to loose the extra weight so I can complete my ride in a decent amount of time & am not fit enough right now to be able to keep up with the ladies ride that I want to join. I am currently 5’9, 192#, a size 16/18.

For me I am doing Weight Watchers Core, which is primarily lean meat, veggies, fruit, FF dairy and some whole grains (brown rice, whole wheat pastas… limited to once a day). For me the best thing about this plan is that it is whole unprocessed foods and I feel so much better not getting all the preservatives, colorings, etc. I also like that I am not starving or depriving myself. I would recommend checking it online if you are interested or going to a meeting.

It can be very depressing and slow. I want the weight off NOW! Not 3-6 months from now. I want the endurance and ability NOW too. It has been a challenge for me to go at this slowly, but in my head I know that is the healthiest way. I have found the WW meetings have helped a lot as well as my family getting on board with the plan. They eat the same foods I do and we are all learning together to be healthier.

[Veronica]

You may not think you've lost much weight (or perhaps you have?) but you're looking very trim these days V. LeeBob and I were remarking on that after we saw you at the bike show.

Thanks - I've lost 5 pounds since Christmas - when the training program began. I'm pretty sure I've added muscle to my legs too. It probably helped that I was wearing my skinny jeans (size 8!).

V.

[gr8lakesgurl]

I hate it too...it seems like even if I do a lot of indoor stuff I still gain some over the winter.
I recently lost 50 pounds, I did the cheerio thing, ate cheerios for breakfast and lunch and then a good dinner. But then I found out that I was gluten intolerant so I can't have them anymore
AND I stopped drinking pop...I would only drink diet...but I hate it so now I don't have any.

[maillotpois]

I am on the larger side of the bike rider/racer spectrum (5'9", 170, size 10), and I can assure you that it is possible for you to stay with (or drop) those skinny chicks you recruited! For a double, the key for me is a sustained endurance pace - and I don't think size (within reason) is a disadvantage there either. You're pretty darned close to your summer weight right now, even if you think that was not enough.

When is your double?

I am also trying to get a few more pounds off. I am at my last year summer weight right now, and working it slowly down. I am a Weight watchers lifetime member from whem I lost 60 lbs. with them about 20 years ago in college (yikes I am old!). After having a kid and dealing with a thyroid auto immune disorder, it makes the weight a challenge.

Hang in there - you can do it!