Weight again

[Standoff]

Just joined the forum hello. Lost two stone over the last six months (been slow and hard) and fairly happy with my weight. But.....could probably lose another two to get down to my ideal weight. I know it's a 'piece of string' question but how much better will I climb? Will it be worth staying on the diet for? 5ft 8 and currently 14 stone!
Many thanks

 

[Nebulous]

I lost 5 stone in 14 months. At over 5'9" I'm just about bang on 13 stone. I've made huge progress in my cycling, but climbing is the weakest part, and has let me down several times. I've improved it substantially, but its still my worst area and I'm still some way off the people I want to compete with. I'm gradually, albeit reluctantly coming to the realisation that I'm still at least a stone and a half over where I need to be.

Climbing is all about watts per kilo, and the good climbers are all pretty thin by what are seen as todays standards. Part of that is that being fat has become the norm. Look at photos from the 50's and 60's to see how much body shape has changed and how that has altered our perceptions.

Sorry if that is not what you want to hear. A year ago when I stopped losing weight I certanly wouldn't have wanted to hear it. At that point I was still very proud of what I had achieved, and my friends and family were making noises that I had gone far enough. The bike took over as an incentive rather than losing weight and my weight has been stable for over a year now. I have gradually come to the conclusion though that to achieve my goals in cycling I will need to lose more.

 

[Pauluk]

Will it be worth staying on the diet for

Its always worth loosing weight if you are well over weight. I'm 5' 7.5" and now weigh 11 stone 4 (from 14st 4, 7 months ago). The weight is still coming off but a lot more gradually.

I didn't go on a diet to do it, I changed my outlook towards food and changed what I was eating. I now eat much better quality meals/food and eat less (and need less now).

I don't think its helped my cycling that much (but has helped my hill walking) although I do feel fitter and more importantly enjoy it more.

If you're younger than me, you may find you can build your strength and stamina a bit more quickly. I believe Nebulous
makes a good point about physique. Even when I was young, my speed over distances (cycling or running) was never that good even though I was quite fit at the time. If you look at long distance runners and cycle racers they tend to be slim and have very efficient muscle/respiratory systems.

 

[Standoff]

Pauluk...so you say it hasn't helped your cycling much! Can't you tell much difference climbing? That's my weakness. I see people spending a fortune to save a few ounces.

I have just finished mowing the lawn and out of interest weighed the 3/4 full petrol can I struggled to carry.....just over two stone! Never realised how heavy two stone actually is!

 

[Pauluk]

Obviously less weight you carry, in person or on the bike, the better you will ride (speed and climbing wise). I probably have experienced some improvement but I don't think its been substantial. I ride an alloy hybrid and carry a few tools with a pannier rack etc. I'm not out for speed, if I were I would buy a very light road bike. Even then I would have limitations and be a lot slower than a club rider.

It is worth saying that the more hills you climb the better you will get and the fitter and stronger you will become.

Some people on here have generally said, hills - its practice practice practice.

 

[david thomas]

hi ive been cycling 2 years kept off 2 stone doesnt matter how many miles i do or what i eat i cant lose anymore weight any ideas?

 

[Pauluk]

Generally speaking: If calories in = calories used then weight stays the same

 

[david thomas]

may be its an age thing im 45 510 14stone did a 50 mile ride saturday just cant shift this last bit lol

 

[Standoff]

I can probably shift it...45 as well but trying to get a grip on how much it will hep me climb!

 

[david thomas]

any ideas ?

 

[Pauluk]

did a 50 mile ride saturday just cant shift this last bit lol

Ar, the dreaded last bit

Exercise doesn't always burn as much fat or use as many calories as you think. Also, I think most people put on weight as they get older as their metabolism slows down and muscle become less.

If you are finding exercise isn't doing it for you, I'm not in the least surprised, you will have to take in less calories

Mind you, this can always be done without too much sacrifice.

 

[david thomas]

il give it a go mate think less calories it is

 

[Pauluk]

It can be done david, you just need to look at/treat food and drink a bit differently. If you change the way/what you eat (without "going on a diet") it becomes a way of life, without too many sacrifices.

 

[MrJamie]

At about 6'2 I went from about 22 stone to 16 and back upto 18.5 and my bikes gained ~7kg since new. I know a hill averaging >9% gradient over half a mile that i cant always climb now and i could a year ago 2 stone lighter but not easily, partly because ive got stronger. If you compare a 10 stone guy and a 20 stone guy going up a hill, they might use similar power rates, but the light guy will get up there so much quicker that he also has to pace himself less. So not only does being lighter mean that you might make your 5 minute hill in 3 minutes, but because of that youll be able to push harder because of the new shorter duration.

Im planning to lose about 20kg (3 stone) and then reward myself with a bike upgrade from my 22kg tank of a hybrid to a ~10kg leaner bike. Im fairly convinced ill notice a difference uphill at least!

 

[david thomas]

just 1 more stone and ill be happy