Help I can not get into gear

[steve peat]

ive brought the bike ridden it once it crippled me I'm 24 stone and desperate to lose weight I look at the bike daily but have the confidence to ride it!! Thinking I'm to overweight I need the focus guys any good advice

 

[vickster]

Maybe have a look through this for some inspiration

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/an-updated-video-on-what-cycling-has-done-for-me.40775/

Just start slow, build up the miles, sort out your diet, perhaps consider slimming world or weight watchers if you need some help and moral support

Good luck

 

[Roadrider48]

You can do whatever you want Steve. You need to want it bad enough.
Best of luck-keep on rockin'!

 

[Wetdog]

Hey Steve, a few weeks back I was20 stone and came back from my first ride, 1 mile, absolutely shattered. But I've stuck at it and now I'm up to 9 miles . Don't know what I weigh but I'm not all that. Bothered be honest.

If I can do it so can you, so come on bud what you waiting for

 

[Doobiesis]

Confidence for cycling comes from cycling. Your bike, is it a mountain bike, hybrid or road?

As the prev guy said, take it a mile at a time. Do it really early one morning, Sunday's are best. As it's only cyclists out at that time. And all cyclists have started where you are at the moment, even Chris Froome and Laura Trott had a first ride, unfit or not, 80% of a ride is getting out the door!

Good luck, let us know how you get on

 

[Big Andy]

Pic on left me June 2015, weighed 26st, pic on right June 2016, 7 stone lighter due to joining slimming world, walking, running and cycling. If I can do it anyone can. Highly recomend joining slimming world and getting an activity tracker such as a fit bit.
You can do it, don't worry how you look or what people may think.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@steve peat Cycling is only part of a weight loss regime, though a very good one once you are cycling more, it boils down to calories in to calories spent if the latter is greater than the former you will lose weight (providing no other medical issues).
Cycling is hard to start with but as @Wetdog pointed out it does become easier quite quickly.
I see quite large people riding all types of bikes so don't ever worry about how you might think you look no one gives a stuff.
As @Roadrider48 pointed out you need to want it, it not only helps with physical fitness it also helps with mental fitness too, as @Doobiesis says 80% is getting out of the door.

 

[burntoutbanger]

Another vote for early morning cycling. Get out at the crack of dawn and you will mostly have the roads to yourself, only a few people about and only a few cars on the road. Best time of day to build confidence in my opinion.

 

[welsh dragon]

Take things slowly. If you can only manage to cycle to the end of the road and back that's fine. Do that until you feel you can go a bit further. Don't overdo it. Look at your diet as others have said. My fitness pal might be a good ap to use, as it shows you all of the calories you are eating, and is a good way to keep them in check, in addition to weight watchers as above posters have said. Try combining walking with cycling.

Don't give up. Little steps each day, and there is always someone here who will listen to you and offer advice and encouragement. God luck.

 

[stoatsngroats]

@steve peat You're at the very beginning, and it's ok to have concerns, but really the best thing I think you can do is to keep getting on it. My OH has a terrible 1st ride, expecting to get 6 miles, up a gentle slope, and bombed at 1/2 mile! She was totally knackered, and really didn't enjoy any of the ride. A short while later after riding flat roads, she cheered herself at the 1 mile stage, and againa few weeks later later after 2 miles. We progressed to touring Guernsey, and she regularly completes 25 mile rides since. it's taken a number of years, and now she is loving her bike.
We both have changed our food intake, and despite being on a week long cruise in 2015 lost weight during the cruise (apparently that's rare!)
Consider this, every ride will be improving your health!
Good luck!

 

[MichaelW2]

Dont use your bike to get fit or loose weight at first. Your first step is to learn how to ride comfortably. Ride by time not distance, starting out on short 5 or 10 minute rides, extending then by duration a bit each time.
Ride in an easy pedaling gear, probably a lower one than you would normally choose. You are not trying to get out of breath, but to ride along with enough breath to talk if you wanted.
Once you are accustomed to being on the bike, maybe after a couple of weeks, you will find that it becomes easier and you can start to use the bike for exercise.

 

[Darren69]

Just build up gradually, a couple of miles and then maybe a 5 mile ride and so on, just don't let it be a misery, enjoy it.

 

[Roadrider48]

View attachment 142308
Pic on left me June 2015, weighed 26st, pic on right June 2016, 7 stone lighter due to joining slimming world, walking, running and cycling. If I can do it anyone can. Highly recomend joining slimming world and getting an activity tracker such as a fit bit.
You can do it, don't worry how you look or what people may think.

You'll have to change your screen name mate; not so Big Andy any more.

 

[S-Express]

Dont use your bike to get fit or loose weight at first. Your first step is to learn how to ride comfortably. Ride by time not distance, starting out on short 5 or 10 minute rides, extending then by duration a bit each time.
Ride in an easy pedaling gear, probably a lower one than you would normally choose. You are not trying to get out of breath, but to ride along with enough breath to talk if you wanted.
Once you are accustomed to being on the bike, maybe after a couple of weeks, you will find that it becomes easier and you can start to use the bike for exercise.

Good advice, especially the 'time not miles' bit.

 

[Louch]

Yeah don't measure your efforts to start. Go out, and just pedal a speed that suits you. Adding looking at time and distance will only add to Worries you have already mentioned. Even if it's only to pop to shops and back for a newspaper. All the best