Is Cycling Decent Weight Loss?

[JDM]

Thank you so much for all the feedback. I bought a trek last year it cost over 500 euros and some scumbag just stole it...

 

[smokeysmoo]

Wait for the incredible shrinking gaz to post , a real poster boy of how cycling can turn your life around.
http://theamazing39stonecyclist.wordpress.com/tag/incredible-shrinking-gaz/

Beaten to it but +1 This ^ gb155 is da man

 

[gb155]

Beaten to it but +1 This ^ gb155 is da man

Too kind boys, thanks

 

[ColinJ]

6'10" or 183cm (6'1")??

6' 1" is more like 186 cm, 183 cm is near enough 6' 0".

Anyways I was 240lb @ 6'1" and have dropped to 196 lb in the 10 months I have been cycling.

Yes - off came out on a forum ride with me back then and again several times since then. The difference over those 10 months is very impressive, in terms of both weight loss and improved fitness!

 

[eshroom]

I ahd a similar question... Is 10 miles a day going to do much? I don't really imagine the 5 miles to work and 5 back being that much exercise?

 

[Powely]

I'm no expert but get something to count the calories burnt and count the calories consumed and simply go from there. It'll soon start dropping off.

 

[ColinJ]

I ahd a similar question... Is 10 miles a day going to do much? I don't really imagine the 5 miles to work and 5 back being that much exercise?

A friend of mine lost a lot of weight riding less than 2 miles each way to work. He swore blind that he didn't change his diet at all, and when he got moved to a new site beyond cycling range and had to use his van again, he put all the weight back on.

I think that supports the idea that a couple of bursts of exercise a day really boosts the metabolism because (as you wrote above) a few miles isn't really a lot and you would not expect much benefit from it. Only a sustained faster metabolism would account for the difference.

CycleChat member Bokonon only does a very short commute into and out of Leeds but he is one of the fittest of over 80 CycleChat members that I've met. He said that is all the cycling he does except for a decent ride at the weekend if he can squeeze one in.

 

[stephen.rooke]

i was 16.5 stone when i weighed my self in november, didnt start cycling untill march and now in june im 13stone 13lbs so in my opinion its brilliant for weight loss. its something i enjoy doing so i stick with it. if i signed up for a gym i would probably just get bored and give up :d people in work think im crazy when i tell them my idea of a good day off is a 65 mile bike ride that includes 3 different countys . make sure you combine riding the bike and healthy eating fr best results

 

[stephen.rooke]

i wouldnt bother counting calories. make steps to generally eat better and ride alot, if you count calories all the time youll eventually stop and start slipping into bad habbits

 

[JDM]

Thanks for so many respones. And yeah im trying to make healthier choices

 

[gb155]

I ahd a similar question... Is 10 miles a day going to do much? I don't really imagine the 5 miles to work and 5 back being that much exercise?

10MIles a day sent me from 39stone to 16stone, I'm sure it would have gotten me to where I am now but I love cycling so much I've upped the moles,not for weight loss but to get fitter and because it's fun

 

[mark1974]

gb 155 thats some story fella !!!

 

[gb155]

gb 155 thats some story fella !!!

Tar very much

 

[Sittingduck]

More than anything itll make you feel a lot more energetic, lighter, fitter, stronger which in a lot of ways is better and more satisfying than just losing bodyfat. Itll help you lose weight, but how much you eat is still way more important. I cycle or run about 5 times a week for fitness but because im not strict with my diet at the moment i havent lost any weight in the past 6 months. I lost 6 stone in about 18 months when i was stricter with my diet Im 6'2 and something like 260 pounds at the moment so bigger than you , but used to be >300 and struggle to ride 3 miles or run 100metres

IMHO you need to lose weight by diet and supplement/boost it with exercise.

Edit: ex-39stone gaz is truely inspirational too

This bit sums it up nicely.

I was cycling 10 miles a day and more at weekend, for 3 years or so and had only lost a minimal amount of weight. The reason being that I was over-eating and eating the wrong stuff. Don't think that because you're doing half an hour or so on the bike a few times a week that you can eat and drink what you like. It doesn't work that way

I would advise that you log your calories and see how much you are consuming. This will be a good starting point to help you learn what you need to do, for the results you are after. Only when I started logging calories and adding additional exercise into a regime, did I get proper results. I realise this approach is not for some and there will be plenty who will say that you don't need to do that and it's just common sense etc, etc. try a few different things and see what works for you!

Top tips:
1. If you drink alcohol, regularly - try to cut it out or cut it down a lot
2. Record intake accurately and honestly (buy kitchen scales)
3. Don't just do the same exercise every day, at the same intensity. Throw in different activities and switch up the intensity and length of the rides/workouts

Good luck

 

[david k]

i was told weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise, it sounds about right to me