Hulley

Cycling is a great (maybe the best) way to get in/stay in shape. How many of you got into cycling to lose weight, how much you lost, how long and did cycling turn into a way of life for you? My wife and I are getting back into cycling and was just wondering what cycling has done for you.

JoelS

I've always been a cyclist, though I did have this stretch of about 10 years off the bike. That led to massive weight gain. When I started back up again, over the next 9 months of cycling and big change to the diet, I went from 210 (that's a lot at just under 5'7") to 142. I'm up to 146 now and am happy at this weight. Been settled at this weight for close on 2 years now.

MacCruiskeen

About 20 pounds so far this year. No big change of diet except to try to cut back on junk food. I have an insatiable sweet tooth and it's a problem. But "junk food" means processed food. If I make it myself then it's okay. More miles on bike.

Forza

Just about the exact same for me...Used to ride Elite Norba XC-MTB and tried to make a go at it for full ride/salary...got burnt out, took ten years off, started corporate gig...The weight gain started..went from 158 (I'm 5'10) to 225+.

I am back down to 168 as of right now, over the course of the last year and a half. I've done it through a combination of running to start, and now road cycling and nutrition training/discipline. I'm making a serious attempt to make it back down to the 160 or less realm with the goal of road racing next year. Before getting totally burnt out doing the XC thing I was living in Boulder and made a half-hearted transition to DH/Slalom and put on some extra muscle up top...I'm trying like heck to elongate/lean it out.

bkaapcke

60 lbs. over three years. bk

Hulley

Thats Awesome guys! I'm looking to lose about 20lbs, that and I just love being on 2 wheels.

Spudd

I started riding in mid-late June of this year. So far, about 10 pounds gone, with no attempt to watch what I eat.

Joemess

40 pounds so far in the last year. I am 6'2" and went from 224-180. However, I must add that the riding (and I do a lot of it) is not the key. Eating smart is key. You have to be careful that you do not "reward" that long ride and undo what you have done with overeating.


Good Luck!

Machka 

I did not get into cycling to lose weight. I got into cycling because I wanted it to be a way of life for me. I've been cycling for 37 years, and avidly for the past 20 years.

But during that time I've lost well over 100 lbs ... probably well over 200 lbs. I lose 5-20 lbs in the summer ... gain 5-20 lbs in the winter ... lose 5-20 lbs in the summer .......

travelmama

My weight loss came from running and weight lifting. Cycling has helped maintain the weight loss but has added some unwanted thickness in the thigh department. Overall cycling is not a bad thing for anyone and should be viewed more importantly as a part of ones lifestyle, not solely as a weight loss tool.

doctor j

6' 2" 225 lbs to 160 lbs. I watch what I eat, and I ride.

johnnywhale 

6'2" also 310 to 220 3 yrs ago, 2 years ago life issues back up to 260, got my life happy again, now at 205 for 6 months, and hope to stay that way.

Hulley

I want cycling to be a way of life for me. I raced BMX when I was younger and rode MTB until my early 20s. I miss it and I want back on two wheels. In a day of computers and video games, I think people are missing alot from not being outside. Being outside on a bike is a great way to spend the day!

tligman

I'm 6'5" and knocked 15 off (224 to 209) riding this year while increasing what I eat a little bit... which is to say that i haven't cut out the junk but i have added a bit more salad and veggies/fruit... haven't weighed myself in almost a month, so I might have lost another couple... too bad my pants are all too loose now

bengreen79

42 lbs since Mid May. 237 --> 195. 5'11". I am hoping to get to 180-185 before I hang up the bike for the winter at the end of October.

FunkyStickman

I rode a lot last year, but never lost any weight. I'm 6' and weighed about 210. This summer, I started eating better, and with smaller portions. In 2 months I've lost 25 pounds and will probably keep going until I hit 165.

av8torjim

After about 25 years off (I'm 51), I started riding again on May 31, 2009 when I was 6' tall and 223 pounds. I've been around 188 for the past 3 months or so, so I lost about 35 pounds in a year. I rode 4,000 miles the first year of riding and currently am at a little over 5,600 miles since I started again. I sort of watch what I eat, but I drink beer and wine almost every day. Burning 10,000 plus calories a week on the bike make watching what you eat less of an issue. I ride with a fairly fast "B" group and average 18+ on rolling rides of 30+ miles with 2,000 feet of climbing per ride. Good luck!

StephenH

I've lost about 60 lbs in the last 3-4 years, and enjoying it more than ever.

Steely Dan

when i started my daily bike commuting gig 3 years ago, i went from 245 down to 170. since then, i started doing some weight training and have put some upper body bulk on my frame, so i'm around 180 these days. according to BMI, 180 pounds is still overweight for me (i'm only 5'-9"), but i've decided to stop obsessing about BMI. i will simply never be some 4% body fat string bean, my body is full-blown endomorphic, so as long as i can stay really strong and somewhat muscle bound, that's about as good as i can realistically get, without going into OCD territory.

and most significantly, i feel absolutely fantastic and strong and energetic, and that's really millions of times more important than any statistics in my opinion.

dcrowell

I lost about 100 lbs since Fall 2007. I've since gained about 15 lbs. For me, diet is important, no matter how much I ride. I need to get the diet back under control.

Although I started cycling to assist in the weight loss, it has become a thing of it's own. Even if I never cared about my weight again, I would continue riding. I moved into town to shorten my bicycle commute to something more manageable, and won't even consider living in an area where I can't bike easily.

Hulley

Thats great guys/gals. We just picked up a Giant Defy Advance carbon3 for my wife, got a great deal and she cant wait to start riding!

Big_e

When I started bicycling I weighed 200. I rode around the park by the house just going in circles and lost 20 pounds in 4 weeks. I now weigh 185 and I haven't weighed that since high school back in '84.
I began commuting and haven't looked back since. I'm just getting into long distance randoneering and did 2 metrics so far.
Ernest

tligman

BMI was never intended as a tool for evaluating individuals, rather as a tool for evaluating populations. Athletes would do much better to have an actual body fat percentage measurement than to go by BMI -- if you're fairly muscular, you're supposed to have a higher body mass, since muscle weighs more than fat per volume.

HandsomeRyan

I'm down to 215 from about 260 (for reference I'm about 6'3"). I hope to get down to the 190's. This pic was taken last Saturday before a lawn care presentation I was giving.

kgriffioen

I've lost about 40 or so lbs. Went from a high of 225 to yo-yo ing between 180 and 185 now. Biking keeps my weight in check, but dieting got the lbs off in the first place.