Weight Loss

[Billy213]

I think I like the idea of watching those averages creep up after the end of a ride. It's okay getting real time information but I think it could be too distracting. Maybe my phone will stay out of sight then. Or mounted at least, just with the screen off. Map My Ride just happens to be the app I bought yesterday so I'll definitely be giving that a go.

And thanks, I've had nothing but support with regards to buying the bike in the first place and now help with the food aspect of things. This is also the first forum I've been active in, and it's great to see how many other people also post in it. A blog is a definite possibility. I've already started a spreadsheet to note down all weights and distances, as well as setting targets for individual rides and total distances.

I've just got to keep off the scales for at least a week or two. I'm expecting immediate results and I know that it doesn't work like that but it can be a problem if you're jumping on the scales every day and not seeing results.

 

[vickster]

Weigh yourself once a week at the same time, morning is best

 

[Billy213]

Okay so I've not met my intake of calories again today. 2000 at most. The quick calories are for the salad at lunch and some sauces at dinner. I even had extra rice and chili for dinner. I've not had a chance to buy nuts and seeds like suggested, but that's my mission for tomorrow. A whole cup of almonds would put me on my goal so maybe eating them gradually throughout the day will do the trick. The problem is I'm not hungry at any point during the day.

I only cycled three miles today, as soon as I got in from work. But upped the pace a bit and did it in 14 minutes. I'm already feeling the difference from the first cycle I did yesterday. A combination of adjusting to the bike and feeling more comfortable on it, plus being more confident in my self. The 12 hour shift at work was definitely a good work out, though. I've bought a pedometer as I'm really interested to see how many steps I roughly take during a day. I know it won't be 100% accurate but I've always wanted to know.

One of my biggest problems has always been to be seen as the 'fat bloke on a bike' and overcoming that was actually quite a big step for me. Even down to buying the bike from Decathlon I felt like a twat, skinny little bike with a big wide man on top. But after that first ride I've quickly realised how much I'm enjoying being on a bike again, and quickly forgot about how others are perceiving me.

Anyway, that's my bit for the day. Hopefully tomorrows working day wont be as ridiculous and I can put a few more miles in.

Thanks for the help so far everybody.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Okay so I've not met my intake of calories again today. 2000 at most. The quick calories are for the salad at lunch and some sauces at dinner. I even had extra rice and chili for dinner. I've not had a chance to buy nuts and seeds like suggested, but that's my mission for tomorrow. A whole cup of almonds would put me on my goal so maybe eating them gradually throughout the day will do the trick. The problem is I'm not hungry at any point during the day. View attachment 26753

I only cycled three miles today, as soon as I got in from work. But upped the pace a bit and did it in 14 minutes. I'm already feeling the difference from the first cycle I did yesterday. A combination of adjusting to the bike and feeling more comfortable on it, plus being more confident in my self. The 12 hour shift at work was definitely a good work out, though. I've bought a pedometer as I'm really interested to see how many steps I roughly take during a day. I know it won't be 100% accurate but I've always wanted to know.

One of my biggest problems has always been to be seen as the 'fat bloke on a bike' and overcoming that was actually quite a big step for me. Even down to buying the bike from Decathlon I felt like a twat, skinny little bike with a big wide man on top. But after that first ride I've quickly realised how much I'm enjoying being on a bike again, and quickly forgot about how others are perceiving me.

Anyway, that's my bit for the day. Hopefully tomorrows working day wont be as ridiculous and I can put a few more miles in.

Thanks for the help so far everybody.

Keep cycling, and keep increasing the distances and you soon won't be the fat bloke on a bike. There are loads of us on here who started out cycling to shift weight and have succeeded, there are a few of us with some way to go as well, so you will get plenty of support

 

[Hill Wimp]

Welcome Billy you are on the road and pointing in the right direction, keep pedalling and most of all enjoy your riding. It should never be a chore. If you get tired slow down. If you get stuck on a hill don't be afraid to get off, just note where on the hill you are and next time make sure you get at least past that point. Before you know it you will be climbing those hills and clocking up miles.

 

[Ladytrucker]

Hi Billy welcome to the forum, I see you are taking it slow, you will be amazed at how quickly you are able to build up the miles. I've been here a few months now and can't believe I can get up the hills in my area. Good luck with your weightloss journey.

 

[Billy213]

Building up the miles is what I want most. I'm going to find it difficult riding after work but as far as I'm concerned, 3 miles is 3 miles and that's 3 miles more than I've ever done in recent times. I'm looking forward to my first weigh-in which will be August 1st. I don't want to expect miracles, but a loss of any kind is better than nothing at all.

 

[Billy213]

Riiiiiiight so I feel I've completely neglected this since I started it, so a quick update is in order.. July didn't exactly end how I'd hoped. Pretty much did no bike riding due to a ridiculous work load. It turns out working a 12 hour night shift and then coming home and riding a bike wasn't as easy as I'd thought.. On the plus side, 1st of August weigh in, 4lb lost. I've stuck to the diet side of things very well. I've balanced out calorie intake with the right foods.

Now for the last four days I've been on the bike. 5 miles 3rd. 9.9 miles 4th. 8.5 miles 5th. 11.8 6th.

Tonights ride was after a 12 hour day shift, too. I've sussed out that saving some fruit for just before the end of work helps me for when I get home and gives me the extra kick in the arse I need.

So far so good. And again, I wouldn't of been lost without all your help so thank you!

 

[RWright]

Nice job hanging in there with it. Keep doing the rides consistently if possible, you are doing great with it. The exercise is good for you. Winter will probably test your resolve more, hang in there. Good job on counting the calories and eating healthier.

 

[Billy213]

Thanks. Did another 9 miles after work yesterday. Weighed my self this morning. Another 3lb lost, taking me to half a stone in 2 weeks. Very happy indeed.

 

[bozmandb9]

I would say forget about counting calories. A calorie is NOT a calorie, by which I mean, try staying at a 500 calorie deficit, but getting it all from McDonalds, see how much weight you lose! Now try eating a raw food diet of 3,000 calories per day. Which now will work better?

Ok extreme examples, but I'm sure you get the point, its not about the number of calories, its about whats in the calories.

Creating a calorie deficit has been shown to slow your metabolism, and can have other health implications too.

I should mention, I was over 16 stone 6 years ago, and now I'm 12.5, and a competitive athlete. At 42 I'm also fitter faster and stronger than at any point in my life (100 press ups, 30 pull ups, 58.3 seconds 400m sprint). 6 years ago I couldn't do a pull up, or sprint 400 m, so I have a little experience.

I also wrote a book about weight loss, I wouldn't recommend it though.

But I would recommend one by Dr John Briffa, for anybody who's calorie counting and doesn't mind challenging their thinking, check out 'Escape the diet trap' its probably the best book you'll ever read on weight loss.

Just wish I'd found it six years ago!

 

[DooDah]

Nice one billy. IMO the more you do, the better you feel, the more motivated you become, and then you want to do even more. Its a win/win. Keep up the good work.

 

[Booyaa]

I also wrote a book about weight loss, I wouldn't recommend it though.

Go on mate, whats the title?

 

[RussellZero]

Billy, just to share my experience and what worked for me - I'm 6'4 and now 42, when I was 39 I was about 18 and a half stones. During the year I turned 40 I signed up for a sprint triathlon, (9 months before it was on), got bought a garmin watch, hrm and foot pod, and started using an app/site called myfitnesspal.com

The tri gave me something to aim for, I'd never done any competitive athletic thing like that before, my only saving grace has been I'm fairly outdoorsy and enjoy racquet sports so play a bit of squash and tennis etc.

The garmin reintroduced me to my competitive side, and using garmin connect to see my pace and distance improving, weight coming down, body fat percent dropping etc was very motivating, and from the start I was competing with myself pretty aggressively, as I still do most times I take the bike out on a weekend ride.

Myfitnesspal though was the biggest help - logging everything either with the barcode scanner or a quick lookup for it to tell you how much sugar, carbs, protein, calories etc youre in taking or burning through the day and graphing it really made me aware of what I was eating and how bad some of the foods I shoved in were. That's stayed with me so I don't have a problem keeping the weight off now, its just a bit of education really. I lost over 4.5 stone before the tri, competed and did reasonably well (I remember how worried I was about not being able to complete the swim or being last, but all was good), and loved every minute of it. Must admit I enjoy the training more, and it got me back into cycling, so I still do a lot of that, and keep my fitness up with a bit of jogging, squash, cycling etc whenever I can.

Anyway, that's my experience, like I say I find it easy to keep the weight off, but I do keep it in check with some decent scales with a memory and body scan just as an indicator.

Good luck!

 

[Primal Scream]

Hi Billy

I tried numerous calorie controlled diets and all eventually failed then two years ago i tried a low carb diet and lost 44lbs in 5 months and have kept it off. Low c diets work without hunger pangs.