pepperbelly

I rode today after a sorta layoff of a few months.
I am 65 and overweight. I found all kinds of reasons to not ride- mainly because it just easn’t fun.
Since February 1st I have lost 75 pounds. I was 305 and am now 227. I plan to lose at least another 30-40.
Today while riding I noticed my bike was easier to pedal and I wasn’t worn out after 5 miles like I was. I am going to have to get it in my head that my body has changed.
I even rode in the drops a little. I couldn’t before due to my gut being in the way.
I may have to readjust my bike to how I am now.
Just wanted to brag a little. I felt really good after only 5 miles. I will do more tomorrow.
I just realized that my hands didn’t go numb either.

LarrySellerz

Good stuff man

rollagain

Good on ya!

frdfandc

Good stuff. Yes, it's easier to ride a bike when you're 75lbs lighter. I did the same thing. Lost 65 lbs.

pepperbelly

I noticed I was faster in the drops. I have no idea why.

frdfandc

Probably because you can get in the drops more comfortably now.

pepperbelly

Is riding in the drops faster?

David_Harris

Can be. Depends on what you are doing, but you are more aerodynamic when in the drops, so if you are going downhill, or are hitting it on a flat, the drops are faster.

I usually go into the drops when I intend to go faster primarily because it is more stable at higher speeds. Being in the drops being more stable makes going faster feel better, feel faster, and cuts the wind better, so… there are a lot of reasons.

CookieCycler19

Good job mate! Keep going!

ACHiPo 

great work!

blacknbluebikes 

Your bike will help you keep it off. Job is never done.

indyfabz

I can relate. Many moons ago, while in college, I lost 90 in 9 months thanks to diet change (not dieting) and riding.

pepperbelly

What I am doing is also more diet change. I cut out any processed sugar, bread, pasta, potatoes, etc. basically I eliminated as many carbs as possible.
i found a keto friendly bread. Sola has 1 net card and has the taste and texture of regular wheat bread.
I’m not suffering or craving any of the crap I gave up. I will cheat now and then- Texas Roadhouse rolls are really good. I ate one 3 weeks ago and felt guilty after but dang it was good. That was the first regular bread since January.
This will be easy to maintain after I hit my goal weight.

grumpus

It reduces your frontal area and thus aerodynamic drag, so it's useful if you're riding into a headwind, riding fast on the flat or coasting downhill. It also allows you to brake harder, as it lowers your centre of mass so you're less likely to go over the handlebar.

XxHaimBondxX

I'd probably die first before I give up my wife's home fried potatoes. Everything else is fine.

pepperbelly

I first noticed it on an indoor bike at the gym. The only thing I changed was my hand position from a mostly upright position to almost laying on the aero pads. After a few seconds to settle in I saw my speed was up.

pepperbelly

No potatoes. Nothing breaded and fried. Flour has carbs, potatoes have a lot of carbs.
I eat Mission carb balance tortillas that are 4 net carbs each. I even bake my own chips from them.
I bought an air fryer and use it for chicken breast and nuggets.
I really don’t miss what I used to eat.

frdfandc

I went low carb. No sugar other than carbs. No alcohol. Everything in moderation with smaller meal sizes with lots of physical activity at work and at home. Dropped 85 lbs down from 232. I plateaued at 200. Went to intermittent fasting. Lost the remaining weight. Then I put on another 15 lbs in weight between muscle and some fat. I was too skinny at 155. Feel 10000000% better at 170-175 lbs now.

pepperbelly

I try to keep under 20 carbs. I also do intermittent fasting.
I am 65 now. I was an athlete in high school. Graduated with very little body fat. Then started drinking beer like they were going to stop brewing it and eating everything I saw. I was 205 at 18. By 20 I was 265. I dropped down to around 235 working in public works. I retired after 20 years with the city in 2020. By January of this year I was up to 305 and was thoroughly disgusted with myself so I started low carb. I got down to 230 a month ago and have been around 227-228 for a few weeks. My first goal is 200. My ultimate goal is 165-175.
My body just doesn’t respond like it used to. In the mid ‘80s I was 275 and decided to lose it. In a month and a half I was at 210 by eating once per day-a salad from a salad bar. Sometimes I got busy and didn’t eat. I just can’t lose it like that now.

Pratt

Good for you!
What you did was priceless. No amount of money could buy you a bike 75 lbs. lighter than what you are riding, no wonder it feels easier.

grumpus

When you lean forward and brace against the handlebar you can probably put more force into the pedals - sitting upright you're mostly just relying on gravity to push them down.

Mtracer

Wife and I use those same low carb torts. But we haven't tried making chips with them. Have to give that a try.

We are also big fans of the Ole Xtreme Wellness Spinach & Herbs Tortilla Wraps. We're not low carb or keto dieters. Just doing Weight Watchers and the less processed the better. And that generally results in much lower carbs. I'm not even sure how low carb these Ole wraps are, but my mega keto diet son-in-law eats them. So, they must be relatively low carb.

To the OP. Good job on the weight loss and diet adjustment. And of course the bike riding. I agree, once you stop eating all the junk, you just don't want or at least crave it anymore.

As for speed. as mentioned smaller is more aero. But also your rolling resistance is directly proportional to your total weight (you and the bike). You could easily be using 50 to 100 W of power on rolling resistance depending on your tires and of course speed. Good road tires can bring that down to a 3rd that. Your weight loss may have dropped it about 25% or so. So, there are reasons you would need less power and effort to go the same speed. And I'm sure you're getting fitter on the bike as well.

Looks like you have the exercise and diet headed in the right direction. Keep up the good work!

pepperbelly

I take 5 Mission Carb Balance tortillas and cut them into triangles on a cutting board with a pizza cutter. I put parchment paper on a couple of cookie sheets while my gas oven preheats to 350*. I spray tje triangles with an avocado oil spray and sprinkle kosher salt on them. A lot of that won’t stick. I put them in the oven and bake at 350 for 16 minutes.
Add salsa or rotel queso or guacamole and it’scall good and still healthy- if you can believe that.

Mtracer

Great! Thanks for the recipe.

pepperbelly

They are actually pretty good. They aren’t Tostitos but they are good.