Peteaud
Veteran
- Location
- South Somerset
Also, for me a little but long hill is more of a killer than a short but steep one.
I'm a complete beginner...........
- Thread starter Roshan Varma
- Start date
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Steve Malkin
Veteran
- Location
- Cheshire
I read your post and it is exactly the situation I was in a couple of years ago, I too an 5'9", mid 40s, and weighed 18 stone 2 years ago.
Now I'm 12 stone and whilst not exactly super fit, I am fitter than I have been at any time in my adult life, and I'm loving it!
My advice would be simply to stick with it and don't expect to see instant results. It took me 43 years to get my body into the state in the left hand picture, so I decided to give myself at least a few years to get back into reasonable shape. Do frequent exercise and build up gradually by trying to push yourself just a little bit harder every time you go out, tiny increments soon add up to a significant change.
Also, whilst cycling is great, try not to make it your only exercise option. In the middle of winter when it's pitch black and freezing cold outside it can be difficult to find much enjoyment in a bike ride, so I tend to concentrate on swimming during the winter, it doesn't matter what the weathers doing outside, it's always the same in the swimming pool.
The good news is that it definitely does get easier, as the weight comes off and your stamina increases you'll find that you enjoy it more and more, it's like a sort of virtuous circle, the more you do the more you'll enjoy doing it, so stick with it!!
Now I'm 12 stone and whilst not exactly super fit, I am fitter than I have been at any time in my adult life, and I'm loving it!
My advice would be simply to stick with it and don't expect to see instant results. It took me 43 years to get my body into the state in the left hand picture, so I decided to give myself at least a few years to get back into reasonable shape. Do frequent exercise and build up gradually by trying to push yourself just a little bit harder every time you go out, tiny increments soon add up to a significant change.
Also, whilst cycling is great, try not to make it your only exercise option. In the middle of winter when it's pitch black and freezing cold outside it can be difficult to find much enjoyment in a bike ride, so I tend to concentrate on swimming during the winter, it doesn't matter what the weathers doing outside, it's always the same in the swimming pool.
The good news is that it definitely does get easier, as the weight comes off and your stamina increases you'll find that you enjoy it more and more, it's like a sort of virtuous circle, the more you do the more you'll enjoy doing it, so stick with it!!
OP
OP
Roshan Varma
New Member
wow steve! thats amazing. Hopefully i can do what you and others have done. cheers mate
Graham1426
Active Member
- Location
- West Midlands
Look at it this way, even walking up hill is excercise so you are going in the right direction. Keep the faith and keep going, believe me you WILL soon be be pedaling up those hills.
Good luck with your weight loss, and keep us posted.
Happy safe cycling.
Good luck with your weight loss, and keep us posted.
Happy safe cycling.
TonyEnjoyD
Guru
- Location
- Newcastle upon Tyne
Been there, done that, t-shirt etc 4 years ago.
Just keep trying mate.
By the way, get checked out at your doctors if he out of breath still the same after 5-6 weeks
Tony
I would second that. If you have not exercised regularly get checked over by your doctor.
Ethan
Active Member
Others have said it all, but I'll still pitch in with something similar.
Dont worry mate, its perfectly normal! And dont let it get you down!
Walking up a hill isn't anything to be ashamed off, especially if your jumping on the bike for the first time in years
If you're having to get off because your out of breath and just cant manage it, you should be damn pleased in your performance.
The miles will pass by before you know it once you get into this cycling lark (And yes, you will eventually get lycra
) and soon you'll be flying up them hills as if they weren't even there.I've only been a keen cyclist for half a year or so. I used to be shattered after a 5 mile ride, now I pop out for a 'quick ride' and end up doing 10/15 miles! You'll be amazed at how quickly your fitness increases.
Good to have another cyclist out there!
Keep it up mate
Sittingduck
Legendary Member
- Location
- Somewhere flat
Lycra?????????????? Bloody hell! Do they do fat git size? That would not be a pretty sight at this stage in the game
Top Tip: Get some lycra padded cycling shorts and put normal baggy shorts over the top. Thus increasing your riding pleasure (more comfy on the 'arris ain't it), whilst protecting your modesty
. I have been using this trick for years and quite frankly, I think it makes me look awesome!
Pedal pusher
Veteran
- Location
- Alloa
I read your post and it is exactly the situation I was in a couple of years ago, I too an 5'9", mid 40s, and weighed 18 stone 2 years ago.
Now I'm 12 stone and whilst not exactly super fit, I am fitter than I have been at any time in my adult life, and I'm loving it!
My advice would be simply to stick with it and don't expect to see instant results. It took me 43 years to get my body into the state in the left hand picture, so I decided to give myself at least a few years to get back into reasonable shape. Do frequent exercise and build up gradually by trying to push yourself just a little bit harder every time you go out, tiny increments soon add up to a significant change.
Also, whilst cycling is great, try not to make it your only exercise option. In the middle of winter when it's pitch black and freezing cold outside it can be difficult to find much enjoyment in a bike ride, so I tend to concentrate on swimming during the winter, it doesn't matter what the weathers doing outside, it's always the same in the swimming pool.
The good news is that it definitely does get easier, as the weight comes off and your stamina increases you'll find that you enjoy it more and more, it's like a sort of virtuous circle, the more you do the more you'll enjoy doing it, so stick with it!!
Great piece Steve. I have started cycling a few months ago for the exercise and to start a hobby. I'm up to 32 miles but still have to get off and walk the long steep hills !!!!
Primal Scream
Get your rocks off
- Location
- On the road to hell
Hi Roshan.
Last year I was in much the same position as you, I weighed 15st 6 Lbs and at 5' 7" was as close to obese as makes no difference, On the 3rd June 2011 I bought a book by Dr Charles Clarke called the High Protein Diet Book, now I did not expect to much but the results have been outstanding and I have lost 44Lbs in weight, the diet is based upon carb counting not calorie control which mainly does not work and in the end is self defeating.
The diet is boring and you need never be hungry and best of all IT WORKS two guys I work with and my wife have all lost weight AND KEPT IT OFF.
I now belong to a gym, rum 7K three times a week (last June I could not have run a bath
) and after many years have got back into cycling again.
But enough about me this will work FOR YOU, i am a normal weak willed man who has tried many many diets and failed, why? because calorie controlled diets dont works but this one does. If I can do it the believe me ANYONE can do it.
Please, please try it you have nothing to lose but your fat.
Last year I was in much the same position as you, I weighed 15st 6 Lbs and at 5' 7" was as close to obese as makes no difference, On the 3rd June 2011 I bought a book by Dr Charles Clarke called the High Protein Diet Book, now I did not expect to much but the results have been outstanding and I have lost 44Lbs in weight, the diet is based upon carb counting not calorie control which mainly does not work and in the end is self defeating.
The diet is boring and you need never be hungry and best of all IT WORKS two guys I work with and my wife have all lost weight AND KEPT IT OFF.
I now belong to a gym, rum 7K three times a week (last June I could not have run a bath
) and after many years have got back into cycling again.But enough about me this will work FOR YOU, i am a normal weak willed man who has tried many many diets and failed, why? because calorie controlled diets dont works but this one does. If I can do it the believe me ANYONE can do it.
Please, please try it you have nothing to lose but your fat.
Aiden_23
Active Member
- Location
- Cumbernauld,Glasgow
I got back on the bike a few weeks back, cycled about 2 miles and actually thought I was going to die. I play a lot of football and my "fitness" was okay but I was embarrased at only 25 rolling my bike back into my garage after 2 miles.Just smashed a 20 mile commute yesterday and I can't wait until I am back at work on Tuesday I enjoyed it so much,I was very tired particularly on the way home(Had to stop on hills about 4 times) but hey I got there in the end. Just keep cracking on and you will be smashing mile after mile pushing yourself harder and harder."Fitness is between the ears........Push your Mind and your Body has no choice but to follow". Happy Cycling!!!!
Speedywheelsjeans
Active Member
Firstly, well done for getting out there for your first ride.
its is completely normal to be in pain, out of breath and uncomfortable on a bike no matter how fit you are.
Secondly, keep it up, you will onyl see the benefits if you make this a regular thing... i'll be back with an inspiring like about a member on here
Speedywheelsjeans
Active Member
Sittingduck
Legendary Member
- Location
- Somewhere flat
Hi Roshan.
Last year I was in much the same position as you, I weighed 15st 6 Lbs and at 5' 7" was as close to obese as makes no difference, On the 3rd June 2011 I bought a book by Dr Charles Clarke called the High Protein Diet Book, now I did not expect to much but the results have been outstanding and I have lost 44Lbs in weight, the diet is based upon carb counting not calorie control which mainly does not work and in the end is self defeating.
The diet is boring and you need never be hungry and best of all IT WORKS two guys I work with and my wife have all lost weight AND KEPT IT OFF.
I now belong to a gym, rum 7K three times a week (last June I could not have run a bath
But enough about me this will work FOR YOU, i am a normal weak willed man who has tried many many diets and failed, why? because calorie controlled diets dont works but this one does. If I can do it the believe me ANYONE can do it.
Please, please try it you have nothing to lose but your fat.
Well done on your loss, that's great!
I don't agree that calorie counting doesn't work - because it has worked for me and although I try to eat more protein than before, I still eat a bunch of carbs
I think the problem stems from people thinking of it as being a 'diet' and a temporary solution that they have to get through, like some kind of prison sentence. You need to make long standing changes in diet and perhaps exercise regime, in order to stick with these things, Having said that - once you reach target weight, you don't need to keep on being in calorie deficit, only to maintain, so I never really get why folks say it's impossible to keep it going...
Good luck all!
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Well done on getting back on a bike.
You've gone a step further than an awful lot of people do.
The riding will get easier, just keep at it. If 4 miles is that much of a struggle perhaps try a slightly shorter route to start with, that way you'll feel more willing to keep on with the rides, then increase the distance when you feel more comfortable.
Check the set-up of your bike. If your saddle is too low it makes the bike harder to ride. For a beginner, you should have the saddle set up so when you are sat on it you are on tiptoe to touch the ground. When you are more confident you'll find it can go higher still.
You've gone a step further than an awful lot of people do.The riding will get easier, just keep at it. If 4 miles is that much of a struggle perhaps try a slightly shorter route to start with, that way you'll feel more willing to keep on with the rides, then increase the distance when you feel more comfortable.
Check the set-up of your bike. If your saddle is too low it makes the bike harder to ride. For a beginner, you should have the saddle set up so when you are sat on it you are on tiptoe to touch the ground. When you are more confident you'll find it can go higher still.
SWJ - I'm not sure you're really selling it to me.
