2016 motivation for getting lighter and faster

[eccc whippet]

i hope this thread inspires others...the most difficult part is that first step...once you take it...just keep at it...no matter how long it takes...the time frame is not important it is doing it that matters...most people get fat over a long period of time...it doesnt happen over night.

 

i look forward to seeing Myles with before and after pics (no pressure;))  

 

now to get rid of what is left of the hanging gut...not going to focus on a weight but rather what is left of the gut...i will be happy when i fit into a size 36 without a gut.

 

there is no secret formula or magic diet...just cut out the "junk" and eat to fuel...more when training hard and less when not...throw in an exercise routine to firm up as you loose.

[NotSoBigBen]

Obviously photoshop 

 

You've done some serious miles since those days NSBB 

You got any idea on the exact numbers?

 

Thing is just that I have always ridden 'lots', I just seriously enjoy riding but my problem was without doubt that I was a pig when it came to food    - made the decision last year March to improve my health, comfort and as a bonus also my cycling. I have even been on 'diets' and stuff before and lost quite a bit of weight but somehow always ended up slowly putting it back on. My realisation this time is that once you get to some kind of 'goal' weight or when you seem naturally not to be losing more it doesn't help to think you can change your diet and slowly introduce other treats and snacks ever again. Many disagree but for me this is the lifestyle I have chosen and WILL (not TRY) stick to it period 

 

[Andrew Steer]

Thing is just that I have always ridden 'lots', I just seriously enjoy riding but my problem was without doubt that I was a pig when it came to food    - made the decision last year March to improve my health, comfort and as a bonus also my cycling. I have even been on 'diets' and stuff before and lost quite a bit of weight but somehow always ended up slowly putting it back on. My realisation this time is that once you get to some kind of 'goal' weight or when you seem naturally not to be losing more it doesn't help to think you can change your diet and slowly introduce other treats and snacks ever again. Many disagree but for me this is the lifestyle I have chosen and WILL (not TRY) stick to it period 

 

riding_Stats.JPGriding_Stats.JPG

 

That's awesome stuff... I had just assumed (incorrectly) that you had upped your mileage too, but those are pretty impressive numbers 

 

Some guys can eat what they like when they ride that much, but I've found like you, my diet controls my weight. Training just helps a bit, but what I eat is 80% of the job. And it does need to be long term, lifestyle choices if you want to stick with it.

 

Very little sugar and low carbs for me... and my treats are biltong and 90% dark chocolate. No more cooldrinks, crisps and chocolates... it's really not that hard 

[NotSoBigBen]

That's awesome stuff... I had just assumed (incorrectly) that you had upped your mileage too, but those are pretty impressive numbers 

 

Some guys can eat what they like when they ride that much, but I've found like you, my diet controls my weight. Training just helps a bit, but what I eat is 80% of the job. And it does need to be long term, lifestyle choices if you want to stick with it.

 

Very little sugar and low carbs for me... and my treats are biltong and 90% dark chocolate. No more cooldrinks, crisps and chocolates... it's really not that hard 

 

Exactly mate! Too many people trying to exercise themselves out of a bad diet ....

[Nayr]

Congrats on the massive weight loss guys, its hard work and dedication...I know all too well. This thread is really inspiring. I'm 8 kgs down with 8 to go, with the end of year in mind...

[pe3nguin]

 

 

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Strong calf envy in the background.

[eccc whippet]

A question...has anyone tried taking a disprin or two the night before a race or long ride to thin your blood or ease the pain...combined with energade to boost the sugar levels to the muscles?

 

if so...did you see an improved performance?

 

what about disprin in the energade...you dont want to fall and cut yourself...you gona bleed.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

And I hit 105 dead yesterday. Result. 

 

Last 2 weeks of my Ultimate You challenge, and I have 5kg to go to hit my goal. 4.2 so far, with a major wobble in the middle. 

 

Early mornings are the only way. Bah. 

[fabs]

I was unfortunate enough to have to spend 4 days in bed with the latest tough flu that got dished out to so many of us this year.

Result is I lost 4,5 Kg whilst in bed. Nauseous and did not want to eat.

So I did one big jump in power to weight ratio.

Now i'm working on the faster......

[nonky]

And I hit 105 dead yesterday. Result. 

 

Last 2 weeks of my Ultimate You challenge, and I have 5kg to go to hit my goal. 4.2 so far, with a major wobble in the middle. 

 

Early mornings are the only way. Bah. 

 

good job.  keep it up.

[eccc whippet]

i have some bad news...took a break since the shova...got back on the bike and the scale today...eeeeeeiiish 

 

back up to 104 point something today and it felt like i havent ridden a bike in months...legs felt like they were still asleep at 5 am this morning even after 20 km

 

i am just gona ease back into the riding from today...lunch box is packed and no more junk from today. 

 

notsobigben has the right idea...because it is easier and faster to pile on the weight than it is to loose 

[Cois]

Since the last time that I stepped on a scale things have gone very very bad.

 

I can feel my work sheet starting to stretch over my tummy.  And that sucks.  I am starting growing a pair of man boobs, and even thought of stealing a bra from the wife to keep it all under wraps.

 

I am not getting on the bike anymore. Have had constant headaches due to stress at work for the past 3 weeks.  I walk less than 4 km per day, and falling into depression helps nothing (this is not a pitty party)

 

But I know shyte must change and it is all going to start with me.

 

I am somewhat proud of one thing...  I only had two slices of pizza for dinner last night and not the usual 4 slices.

[Frosty]

i have some bad news...took a break since the shova...got back on the bike and the scale today...eeeeeeiiish

 

back up to 104 point something today and it felt like i havent ridden a bike in months...legs felt like they were still asleep at 5 am this morning even after 20 km

 

i am just gona ease back into the riding from today...lunch box is packed and no more junk from today.

 

notsobigben has the right idea...because it is easier and faster to pile on the weight than it is to loose

I can't imagine the struggle you are having as I have never been heavier than 93kg, so hats off for doing something about it - keep persevering.

 

W.r.t. laying off after a big ride, the best is to go for short, easy rides at least every second day - even if the legs feel heavy. Active Recovery does more good than no activity.

 

I can see it with my mates that didn't ride for a week after cycling to Durban from Joburg - they are struggling to keep up on an easy ride, compared to the guys that kept active (recovery) during last week.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Since the last time that I stepped on a scale things have gone very very bad.

 

I can feel my work sheet starting to stretch over my tummy.  And that sucks.  I am starting growing a pair of man boobs, and even thought of stealing a bra from the wife to keep it all under wraps.

 

I am not getting on the bike anymore. Have had constant headaches due to stress at work for the past 3 weeks.  I walk less than 4 km per day, and falling into depression helps nothing (this is not a pitty party)

 

But I know shyte must change and it is all going to start with me.

 

I am somewhat proud of one thing...  I only had two slices of pizza for dinner last night and not the usual 4 slices.

Stress, bro. It fecks with everything. 

[Veebee]

i have some bad news...took a break since the shova...got back on the bike and the scale today...eeeeeeiiish 

 

back up to 104 point something today and it felt like i havent ridden a bike in months...legs felt like they were still asleep at 5 am this morning even after 20 km

 

i am just gona ease back into the riding from today...lunch box is packed and no more junk from today. 

 

notsobigben has the right idea...because it is easier and faster to pile on the weight than it is to loose 

 

went too big at the after party ? Your going to see that fluctuations, just keep working at it.

 

I also put on about 1kg, but my riding is going well so I am not too stressed about it. Although now every kg lost will help with the 947 around the corner. 

[eccc whippet]

and so 2016 draws to an end...very happy with my progress...goals reached for the year.

 

thanks for the positive and negative responses...you can only learn from mistakes.

 

the effort put in this year has certainly paid off...riding a 100 km is no longer...breakfast...lunch and an afternoon nap...and way less painful.

 

i made lots of mistakes in the beginning...and learnt a lot.

 

as a beginner...(what i have learnt)

 

it doesnt matter what bike you ride...ally or carbon...light or heavy...dura ace or sora...what is important is you just get out and ride whatever you can get your hands on within your budget.

 

if you are a fat person...you dont need a carbon bike to loose weight...you need to eat less junk and ride more often.

 

cheap bib or expensive bib...they all do the same job...just the more expensive ones seem to last longer...no hairy butt for the poor fellas behind you...what i have learnt is the slower you ride the more it burns from chaffing...it seems you sit heavier on the saddle.

 

chamois cream...i cant comment on other brands because i havent tried any others...i am happy with assos...apply a small scoop...a hand full is not required...yes i do believe it helps.

 

it takes time to develop the muscles in your legs...years not months...so if you think coming from a couch potatoe to a 3 month cadence class or 3 months solid in the saddle is gona make you super strong and fast...well i have some news for you...2 years and 10 000 km later my legs are just starting to form little bumps above the knee etc.

 

can you do a (100 km) gran fondo in the first month...hell yes...just make sure you pick a flat route...have lots of cream...food and water...and ride at a slow comfortable pace and make sure you do it on a saturday so you can rest on sunday

 

if you want to get faster...ride with faster groups and and just keep at it...you will notice at some stage you will be able lead the group...move to the faster group and hang on as long as you can.

 

take a break once you have achieved your goals and enjoy your riding until you are ready for the next set of goals...just dont get too comfortable and lazy.

 

bike gearing is as important as a bike fit...if you gona spend time in the hills...understand the difference between a compact and standard crank...why you would use an 11-28 or 11-32 cassette...if riding a mtb... not that important because they are normally geared for steep climbs...

 

join a club...you get to enjoy the good company and learn from the more experienced riders...i spent a lot of time riding alone...and enjoyed it...but if you want to improve and learn hand signals...how to ride in a bunch...how to pace yourself...get faster...get to explore places you wouldnt normally ride alone...etc...it is worth the small annual fee. 

 

cycling shoes...i am still riding with mtb shoes...what i enjoy about them is you can walk around in them...yes i do believe riding in cleats is better...i started out in takkies...wasnt going to change to cleats...but happy i did...will it make me faster...maybe...do i need to change to carbon sole road bike shoes...i dont think so...i might change at some stage and try them just because.

 

it never gets easier you just get faster...dont believe everything you read...once it gets easier it becomes more enjoyable.

 

strava works great to guage improvement... helps keep records of mileage for services and chain replacements etc...just be careful of getting hooked.

 

i have a few ideas for next year but for now i am having fun... riding with mates i started riding with in the beginning and going to spend a bit more time trying to encourage my daughter to ride her bike.