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Counting calories and cycling really does work...

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Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) Looking to lose that spare tire? Ideal weight 200+? Frustrated being a large cyclist in a sport geared for the ultra-light? Learn about the bikes and parts that can take the abuse of a heavier cyclist, how to keep your body going while losing the weight, and get support from others who've been successful.

Counting calories and cycling really does work...

Old 07-16-19, 01:15 PM
  #1  
Synack42
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Counting calories and cycling really does work...

Just need to share... Around April last year I weighed just over 330 lbs. Started to notice diabetic symptoms and the doctor confirmed I was type 2. Ended up with three different prescriptions between blood sugar, pressure and cholesterol. My mom was type 1 and had all of the horrible side effects of letting it run unchecked, complete with foot ulcers that led to amputations. It was pretty horrible seeing that myself as a kid and I really didn't want my own kids to see me go down that path... Started counting calories like crazy, no strict diet rules, just using an app on the phone to keep track of it daily. Also started biking daily, outside whenever I could or on the exercise bike in the basement. I've logged every ride since the beginning and it's crazy watching how you can progress. I could only do a few laps around the subdivision in a half hour before being exhausted. Now I can maintain a 15+ mph average for ~2 hours no problem.

I'm down to 198 lbs today and still losing, the doctor thinks another 10 to 15 lbs and it should be a good place to level off. At this point all my bloodwork is normal and I currently don't need any medication.

...Also just joined a cycling team at work, going to participate in my first group ride next month (been solo this whole time). I was shocked to find out I can even fit in an XL jersey now. (Used to be a 3XL t-shirt size before...)

*Just hoping this helps someone else get motivated and start riding.

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Old 07-16-19, 01:25 PM
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Congrats, and you look a lot younger
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Old 07-16-19, 01:38 PM
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Congratulations!

That’s fantastic and inspirational, really awesome that you’ve been able to get to where you are at.

I agree that counting calories does work. My weight loss wasn’t quite as dramatic, but I got my weight down 3 years ago and have been successful maintaining at 155 since.

In my case I track with MyFitnessPal, but it made a huge difference in my ability to take control of my life.
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Old 07-16-19, 02:32 PM
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Well done!
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Old 07-17-19, 02:14 PM
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Congrats ! I hoping for similar results .
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Old 07-17-19, 09:48 PM
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Great job!
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Old 07-18-19, 03:20 AM
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Hi OP, congratulations. As others have said you look younger.
What is your weekly calorie intake at the moment vs your exercise regime?
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Old 07-18-19, 05:34 AM
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Amazing! Super job! You look great.
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Old 07-18-19, 09:00 AM
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Thanks everyone!
Originally Posted by WOT
Hi OP, congratulations. As others have said you look younger.
What is your weekly calorie intake at the moment vs your exercise regime?
At the moment I'm trying to stay around 1600 calories daily with one hour minimum on the bike/15 miles. I usually burn ~800 calories during the ride but I honestly try to avoid dipping into that in regards to the budget.

As for logging, I've been pretty happy with Lose It! (just using the free version). MyFitnessPal looked good as well, I went with the former because it seemed really simple stupid ;-). It was also pretty good with easing me down from where I was intake-wise. (It didn't slam me down to 1600 calories, but a very gradual transition.)
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Old 07-20-19, 02:28 AM
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Excellent, I’ve never tried using any of those apps previously but am now using Lose it. I’ve gone for a 45Kg reduction over 12 months which isn’t aggressive.

Can I clarify your approach? You have a budget of 1600 calories and burn ~800. Is your total typical intake then 1600 or 2400 calories?
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Old 07-20-19, 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by WOT
Excellent, I’ve never tried using any of those apps previously but am now using Lose it. I’ve gone for a 45Kg reduction over 12 months which isn’t aggressive.

Can I clarify your approach? You have a budget of 1600 calories and burn ~800. Is your total typical intake then 1600 or 2400 calories?
Sorry, huge screenshot from the phone... Actual intake is ~1600. The app by default will take whatever you burn and put it back into the budget. (I really try to avoid dipping into that additional credit, but let's say bagels or pizza show up at the office... ;-)

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Old 07-20-19, 10:28 PM
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Got it, that’s really interesting, thank you!
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Old 07-21-19, 06:51 AM
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Great job! I started back in May this year and between short 2-4 mile runs few days a week and no less the 65 miles per week the progress is awesome!
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Old 07-22-19, 05:56 AM
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Chapeau!


Amazing! Good job!
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Old 07-22-19, 06:02 AM
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My own personal journey started May 1st when the doctor gave me 6 months to lose weight and cut sugars or go on Metformin. I was 230#. I now weigh 201.5# but have been stuck between 201.5 and 202.5 for two weeks despite a pretty decent calorie deficit. My body is fighting back.

Anyway, I raced as a Cat 2 in the 1980s at 145# but exploded in the 1990s and have been fighting it ever since despite averaging over 6,000 miles per year of riding.

The good news is that my weekly "stick" is averaging 100 which is way better than the 135-140 when I started.
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Old 07-22-19, 08:18 AM
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Goo job man, bravo, I hope you get better.
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Old 07-23-19, 07:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Trsnrtr
My own personal journey started May 1st when the doctor gave me 6 months to lose weight and cut sugars or go on Metformin. I was 230#. I now weigh 201.5# but have been stuck between 201.5 and 202.5 for two weeks despite a pretty decent calorie deficit. My body is fighting back.

Anyway, I raced as a Cat 2 in the 1980s at 145# but exploded in the 1990s and have been fighting it ever since despite averaging over 6,000 miles per year of riding.

The good news is that my weekly "stick" is averaging 100 which is way better than the 135-140 when I started.
Congrats on your weight loss; Yes, the plateaus are extremely frustrating. Honestly I ran into quite a few along the way. I never really dug too deep into it, I'm assuming it could be chalked up to recomp (as in the balancing of burning fat with increased muscle mass)? Seems like as long as you stick to the plan they'll eventually pass after a couple weeks.
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Old 07-23-19, 07:39 AM
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Nice job! Well done!
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Old 07-23-19, 03:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Synack42
Congrats on your weight loss; Yes, the plateaus are extremely frustrating. Honestly I ran into quite a few along the way. I never really dug too deep into it, I'm assuming it could be chalked up to recomp (as in the balancing of burning fat with increased muscle mass)? Seems like as long as you stick to the plan they'll eventually pass after a couple weeks.
It's getting frustrating. My formulas derived from several months of logging was right on last month but I haven't dropped a single pound the last few weeks despite a 500 minimum deficit and usually a 1000 every day. I've been here before, so I know my body will give in sooner or later and start shedding pounds again. Just got to hang in there.
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Old 07-23-19, 03:46 PM
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Originally Posted by winston63
In my case I track with MyFitnessPal, but it made a huge difference in my ability to take control of my life.
Likewise. Trying to do it slowly and steadily. Began in late March at 232#, initial goal was 215# to try it out. I've made that and now going for 210#. I'm 6'2.5" per my doc. I'll wait and see if I ever achieve 210. I'd have to break below 200# to shed my "over weight" label.

I will say, just tracking my intake and awareness has been huge help. MyFitnessPal has great search capability with a great data base, and flexibility. I couldn't handle an app that required weighing ingredients. If I'm in doubt I estimate high and treat exercise calories as a bonus
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Old 07-23-19, 04:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Trsnrtr
It's getting frustrating. My formulas derived from several months of logging was right on last month but I haven't dropped a single pound the last few weeks despite a 500 minimum deficit and usually a 1000 every day. I've been here before, so I know my body will give in sooner or later and start shedding pounds again. Just got to hang in there.
In my weight loss journey I have found the process frustratingly non-linear, but ultimately if you stick with it you’ll get there.

There were plenty of times when my weight loss would plateau or even increase when it made no sense at all - but eventually, the loss would continue, sometimes faster than I thought it should. And eventually I hit my targets and I’ve been able to maintain, though even that has some minor ups and downs.

Someone on the MyFitnessPal forum summed it up thusly: We are doing algebra when we count calories, but our bodies are doing calculus when it comes to shedding the weight. Not exact by any means, but reflects some of my experience.
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Old 07-23-19, 09:09 PM
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Congratulations to all for your hard work at losing weight. 282lbs on March 7th with uncontrolled blood pressure. Lots of pills now and down to 254lbs. I too use Myfitnesspal. The plateaus are murder but I stop using the calories gained from exercise and if the weight still won't go I start cutting an arbitrary amount of calories out of the daily budget. I set Myfitnesspal up for a 2lb a week reduction and find it gives me about a pound a week reduction. I'm 66 and it could be my metabolism is slower and uses less energy. This is my second time losing weight and I'm thinking I probably can never give up the calorie counting because I will just balloon up again. The first time I lost weight down to 220lbs which was still out of a good BMI range for my height, 6ft5in. I now realize that I might end up at 200lbs or less and be quite skinny before hitting a healthy BMI. Someone earlier commented they wanted to hit 80 in reasonably good health and I join that sentiment. I don't recall seeing any heavy 80 yr old men. So off comes the weight.
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Old 07-24-19, 06:05 AM
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Wow, amazing transformation, you even look younger now. I am working my way down as well. Was 280lbs, now down to 255 and dropping. My goal is 180-200 area.
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Old 07-24-19, 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Synack42
just using an app on the phone
thanks for sharing! good job! btw way I need to do the same kind of thing. looking at my iPhone 5S "health" icon I see some apps. may I ask what app you used & if you recommend the same one? oh, & can you enter activities into the same app? cuz that would be wicked easy for me to do

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Old 07-24-19, 04:31 PM
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Originally Posted by rumrunn6
thanks for sharing! good job! btw way I need to do the same kind of thing. looking at my iPhone 5S "health" icon I see some apps. may I ask what app you used & if you recommend the same one? oh, & can you enter activities into the same app? cuz that would be wicked easy for me to do
check out my fitness pal it also has the bonus of connecting to say a Garmin wrist base HR monitor watch.
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