vesteroid

I have done the yo-yo weight thing as well as seen my cardio go way up in capacity and go way down over the last 10 years. Even though I got as far as running a half marathon, and riding centuries, I was always exhausted at the end of either.

The one thing I noticed (as I keep records of all my workouts and lay that over a weight graph) was that each time I leaned down I had a higher fat percentage than last time, and especially when I gained again, I was always fatter (by percentage).

I also began to notice mobility issues when doing yard work etc.

My wife decided we were going to thru hike the Tahoe rim trail this september and knowing I was in TERRIBLE shape again, I decided I had to get back on the wagon. THis time rather than just getting on the bike, I really wanted to build muscle and see that fat percentage go back into the healthy range. In addition when I lost all the weight, my arms looked like sticks and my back always hurt a great deal at the end of long rides.

I wanted to get my core built up, and do upper body work in addition to cardio.

I researched several different kinds of gyms and finally landed on a cross fit for fat people gym (this is not what they call it, but after being there 6 weeks, thats absolutely what it is. The program they offer puts you on a very low fat, very low carb diet and forces you to work out 5 days a week minimum.

I went at it with every thing I had. I stopped drinking even (and for the few of you who actually know me, thats saying something). I have now lived off chicken breast, rice, brocolli, and egg whites for 6 weeks.

I have to be honest the first three weeks were so bad I almost quit 30 times....the 4th week I actually missed a thursday workout, because I felt SO BAD, but went and made it up on saturday. Oddly enough on the 5th week I was feeling better and not coming home and wanting to die. At one point I was easily sleeping 10 hours a night just to try and drag my but out of bed the next morning. I do admit on that 5th week I added in more rice and slacked off the protein just a bit, so I am not sure if it (me feeling better) was going to happen anyway or happened because of my small diet change. I entered my diet into my fitness pal several times and i was eating somewhere around 1500 calories per day.

Now in my 6th week, I can get through the classes and walk out with a spring in my step actually. I am actually looking forward to going each day.

I know a couple of things. I lost inches off my waist beyond a shadow of a doubt. My 42 jeans were hurting me to the point I would unbutton them at my desk as I would get headaches. They are loose now and I am just waiting to buy new jeans.

I am MUCH stronger than i was. The first week I could not do the reps, nor use any weight. Now on almost all exercises I complete all my reps and use heavier and heavier weights each week. I actually went out and ran a mile after a workout (monday) just to see if I could do it non stop. I have to admit I was really winded but had enough stamina to go on, and did a better than average time for that mile than I was doing when training for the half marathon.

At the end of this week I am transferring to a real crossfit gym, as the one I am currently at cycles back to the start every 6 weeks. I want to go somewhere I can push forward each week and keep making gains.

All this is anecdotal, but I thought it may resonate with some. I am going to drop back to 3 days a week on crossfit and add in 3 days of either hiking or biking. I am just 7 lbs away from the max weight limit on my rims, so after i get below that, i am going to get back on the bike. I have no idea how the strength will translate to the bike, but I know my core is going to thank me and my legs are MUCH stronger than when I started. I actually have muscles in my shoulders now, vs the mushy lumps I use to have. Even when I was biking a lot, i had mushy shoulders.

Anyway, its been fun and tiring, and sore, but worth it all. I figured there was no way I was ever going to be anything competitive in the riding arena, so having strength and cardio was the answer for me.

I am sure when I hit the big boy crossfit gym I will want to quit again 30 different times, but hopefully I don't.

jimmie65

Good for you!
I lift weights in addition to bike riding. Can't say either one has made me skinny (I'm back around 240, from a high of 330 and a low of 210 last year) but my goal has never been to be thin. I'm 50 years old now and healthier than when I was in my 20s and 30s.

jsigone

Killer job getting through the first 3weeks than completing the program. You'll be back on the bike in no time

asindc

Stay the course, vesteroid. You will be glad you did.

TrojanHorse

Welcome back skinny.

I tried regular cross fit the other month and it about killed me. They warmed up doing jumping jacks to AC/DC's "Thunder" and ever time you heard the word thunder it was burpee time. I now twitch whenever I hear that song on the radio and I fear it will never go away. Anyway, my knee can't take that kind of abuse anymore so it's back to boring ol' riding for me.

DMC707

Vinyasa style yoga has been a game changer for me -- i love it ( Vinyasa is a style that is vigorous but not "hard" -- plus the classes are always pre-faced by the instructor letting you know to just lay-up if you can't do something

TrojanHorse

I'm not sure I want to sign up for something where I'll be the dude in the room wheezing that I can't do it while all the soccer moms in their size 2 lululemons crack up.

NYSteve

I purchased DDP Yoga.. I wanted to try it in the winter, but the winter really got away from me. I was so busy, sitting on the couch, watching tv and eating.

I lost weight and kept blood sugar control, but I lost any and all benefits I gained last year.

DMC707

In my experience, the gals are pretty good at keeping it to themselves --- as a cycling enthusiast who wears lycra, i've had to suck up a lot of humble pie just to hit the trails doing that too
But i understand the trepidation on the group settings

LOL -- funniest thing i have read all day ! i know the feeling at times too