Fitness and how long does it take to get used to it

[kelvin davies]

I agree Steve an excellent thread. I have two main mototvations for commuting by bike: 1) Saving money on petrol 2) Lose some weight (another baby on the way, so won't have any time for rugby ). With that in mind, this thread ticks all my boxes.

Anyway, I am thinking about starting a new thread to monitor and document the progress of my weight lose. What do you guys think? I am a bit iffy about doing it, as it seems a little femaine (I'm sure someone is going to shout at me for saying that).

Well done CooperCyclist

 

[defy-one]

Steve Keay - we are the same height,age & weight - or at least we were.
2 weeks into proper cycling (10-12 miles on a mtb with slicks) and i've lost 1/2 a stone (7lbs)

Keep going - it works and doesn't feel like exercise


Sent by iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[steve keay]

I agree Steve an excellent thread. I have two main mototvations for commuting by bike: 1) Saving money on petrol 2) Lose some weight (another baby on the way, so won't have any time for rugby ). With that in mind, this thread ticks all my boxes.

Anyway, I am thinking about starting a new thread to monitor and document the progress of my weight lose. What do you guys think? I am a bit iffy about doing it, as it seems a little femaine (I'm sure someone is going to shout at me for saying that).

Well done CooperCyclist

Go for it with a new thread , the more motivation for me the better

Steve Keay - we are the same height,age & weight - or at least we were.
2 weeks into proper cycling (10-12 miles on a mtb with slicks) and i've lost 1/2 a stone (7lbs)

Keep going - it works and doesn't feel like exercise


Sent by iPhone using Tapatalk

Ive been cycling to work for a couple of weeks now but my commute is less than two miles so no weight loss but can feel the difference in how much easier its becoming. once I collect the road bike Sat I'll be able to start building the miles up properly. Youve had an impressive weight loss in two weeks. My other problem is I drink to much wine. I usually have a couple of glasses an evening and always eat too late. but Im changing all that too

 

[Philtofit]

This all sound familiar, you will be amazed how quick you improve; as it sound that you are putting in the effort. I'm 59, took up cycling last Nov, with two and a half time out. From March to now have gone from 10 miles to completed a 60 mile event last Sunday. I'm 16 stone and now average 15 mph, and feeling great. I wish I had taken up cycling at 40, I'm sure you will build the miles and time quicker than you think. Good luck.

 

[defy-one]

I started eating really healthy the week before the cycling started and have given up drink until I reach 14 stone. The cycling is just so much fun, and I don't see it as a chore. My 16 year old son wanted a race today over our 3 mile loop, I won!!!!!!!

I have found I need less gear changes down to get over the modest inclines, I can start seeing the beginnings of my waist, so this is spurring me on

 

[Maylian]

Personally love cycling and when describing it to friends and colleagues I call it lazy exercise (I don't drive so only transport I have to and from work / gym / friends). When I started in January 2011 I was 6'4" and 23 stone , now I'm still 6'4" and just about to break into the 16 stone bracket.

Cycling combined with swimming and gym have got me reasonably toned now and I love every opportunity to get on the trusty steed! In fact only this weekend have I started with clip in pedals and I'm loving the change.

 

[400bhp]

You're getting tired at 8 miles because you're body has conditioned itself to do 8 miles. What you need to do is go further on your rides. When you do this a few times, you're tiredness at 8 miles will disappear.

If it continues, i'd suggest visiting a doctor.

 

[Andrew_P]

I started Cycling after hiring bikes in France whilst on Holiday, the kids kept on at me so I relented and hired 4 bikes for the last week I was 44 & 17+ Stone 2009 I fell back in love with Cycling it was a true relevelation also totally unexpected.

Came home bought a Hybrid cycled a few times to work but it was killing me 14.8 miles I was doing one way only, I was truly exhausted. The hill in the middle I could only get halfway before my lungs exploded and took the walk of shame

Winter came and the bike went back in the shed. Spring -Summer 2010 tried cycling once way per day, managed quite a few around 1500 miles. Bought a Road bike in November 2010 and rode it a few times through the winter then back in the shed. May 2011 I decided to break through the pain barrier and do it every day both ways. Which more or less I have done including winter. The first 4 months were really really hard.

It is now mostly an easy journey, and one I sometimes do 6 days a week, in fact the last 3-4 weeks I have extended it to 16.5 miles each way.

The simple answer to your question is takes a lot of miles for the intial pain to become less, the miles don't have to be huge they have to be regular.

Commuting is your firend I would find a long way to work that is maybe 5 miles each way and extend it once you are okay with the 5 each way.

 

[400bhp]

It is now mostly an easy journey

It was....










Then you found STRAVA

 

[Andrew_P]

It was....










Then you found STRAVA

Yeah that has helped make it a little harder :-)

May 2011 327 miles avg speed 12.9mph
May 2012 809 miles avg speed 17.4mph




being 12.5lbs has also helped a fair bit lol

 

[Electric_Andy]

I too have been trying to build my miles up more, but haven't been loosing much weight (I'm 5'7" and 12 stone 4, but I aim to get down to 10 stone). My problem is that after a longish ride (30 miles) I feel the need to reward myself with beer and food! I've started to cut out the alcohol but I still can't stop eating. I heard someone mention brushing teeth, so will give that a go! As I have reported in numerous other threads, my biggest barrier to longer miles has been saddle comfort. Seem to have remedied this now, thanks to some helpful recommendations.

 

[Pauluk]

I too have been trying to build my miles up more, but haven't been loosing much weight

Hi Andy. I don't know how old you are, but as you get older it's very difficult to loose weight by exercise alone, if at all.

Another problem is that, for some people, when they burn a few calories (and I mean a few) with a long ride or other exercise their body will expect a calorie intake to make up what they have used. This may be why you feel the need to reward yourself, may be I'm not sure.

I'm 5'7" and I've dropped from 14 stone 4 pounds to 11 stone 3 pounds in 7 months by changing the way I eat and what I eat (not through a "diet plan" because I aim to keep it off). In the last 2 weeks I've been cycling about 20 miles a day and using my cycle trainer for some further exercise. I also do some mountain walking but never appear to loose any additional weight (although the more I exercise the stronger I feel and it improves my stamina).

If you are a lot younger than me (59) then exercise alone may loose you some weight as you build muscle and the muscle burns off more fat.

I'm sure others on this board will be able to say that they have lost weight through their cycling and I wouldn't for a minute disbelieve them, but at the end of the day its about calories in against calories used (harmful fat and sugars aside). If you use them but replace them your weight will usually stay the same!

 

[defy-one]

Remember muscle is heavier than fat,looking at the scales all the time isn't ideal. Instead look at yourself in the mirror naked, or how clothes fit better.

 

[Pauluk]

Instead look at yourself in the mirror naked, or how clothes fit better.

Good point

 

[Electric_Andy]

Yes, all good advice. I'm actually not a very good advert for someone with a degree in Sport and Exercise Science! I agree with the mirror, much better than the scales for assessing your own body. It's probably better that I don't loose too much too quickly, as I am a bit of a yo-yo dieter. Far better to make a lifestyle change if I want to keep it off.