|   Weight Loss | MikeyT
Mar 9, 2002 11:13 PM | | Hey Guys,
I just bought a new mountain bike and i want to use it primarily for weight loss as well as having some fun while doing it. I bought a Peugeot GreyStone hard tail, are these bikes any good? I got it for $150 less then asking price because it is a 2001 model. It has "Liquid 450" shocks, are these any good? I cant find any information on them on this site or any others for that matter. It's a 24 speed aluminum frame bike. Anyways, i was wondering what the best way at losing weight is. Should i try and ride everyday? every second day, etc. I am a student and work as a tutor part time, which means i sit on my ass all day and then come home study, watch tv and go to bed, not surprisingly i have gained about 60lbs over two years. I want to try and get it all back off. Is it better to do road riding or is trail riding the best way as far as burning the most calories. How far should I try and go each day? What Avg Speed? I am 6'2 and 250lbs, thanks for any help
Mike |
| re: Weight Loss | Enduro in AZ
Mar 10, 2002 3:07 PM | | Hey Mike, I don't think anyone should set that goal for you. You need to go out and see what you can do initially within a comfort zone. Keep a log of what you have accomplished, time and distance and as you go out each time, see where you are making improvements. The best type of riding for you initial gain will be ones that help with stamina. Once you have your stamina you will be able to go into more of a strength training ride. The weight will come off if you watch the time at which you eat in the evening and watch what you eat. The bike will not do it by itself. But it certainly will help you change your attitude towards your self appearance and what gains you will make carry over into a lifestyle change. This is all what I have gained in my experience of having lost alot myself and having quit smoking 2 years ago. I am 38 and am in probably the best health I have seen in the last 15 years. And it is getting better. So go out and ride. HAVE FUN...It will all fall in place from there. |
| Just do what's comfortable for you... | Chip
Mar 10, 2002 8:14 PM | | The main thing is to get out and ride. Don't be a slave to a plan. Just have fun and get your body conditioned to riding a little bit... increase slowly, or as fast as you feel you can progress.
Main thing is to not start out too fast, you'll burn out. Just go out and have fun! |
| I agree | mtnbkaz
Mar 11, 2002 8:51 AM | | I started by just riding casually. A 7-mile ride was a long workout (especially when you count the rest time at the top of every hill). Now that same distance is a good warm-up.
Just go out and ride. When you get tired, stop. As you get more fit, try to go longer without stopping to rest. Then increase the distance of your rides.
It takes awhile to get into good shape. Don't expect to be keeping up with the XC racers in a few months. Most trainers (Friel, etc.) recommend not using a training plan for the first 2 years of competition (and this is assuming that a person is already in decent shape). Just go ride and let your body adjust to the effort. Have fun, ride safe, come back in a year and report on your progress. |
| Ride the bike at least 4 days a week... | DCepp
Mar 11, 2002 12:23 PM | | for the rest of 2002. Don't worry about speed. Ride the road one day the trails the next, or whatever you feel like. Your not going to drop 60 lbs in 2 months or even 8 months. Come January 2003, when your 225 or 220, come back to this website and find out how to dial in your training. For now get out and ride!
As far as the Peugeot goes, its not listed on this site because, no offense, its an extremely entry level (store-brand) bike. But use it this year to see if you like mtn biking and/or road riding. My first bike was a Cignal non-suspended bike I road for a year and got beat up. I finally upgrded when I finally had enough. But it was well worth the experience on a non-suspended bike.
Good Luck
-Dave |
| Ride the bike at least 4 days a week... | MikeyT
Mar 11, 2002 5:31 PM | | Hey Guys,
Thanks for all of the input! I was told by the salesman at the bike shop that the bike is mid level, there where a lot of cheaper ones there. I was either going to get this one, or the Trek 820, but this one had better shocks, it was an all aluminum frame and it had better components on it. The retail price on it is $599 cdn and i got it for $500 including tax and they upgraded my rims and pedals for that price as well. I was talking to a buddy of mine who used to work in a bike shop and he told me the same thing, use it for a couple years, dont do any upgrades to it, then when i get more skill to buy a better bike. Do you guys think i would be better off with the Trek 820? the weather has been bad so i could probably still return it, but it weights a lot more and the components are not as good, this one is a 24 speed with Shimano Acera Derailers, and a ritchey fuzzy logic headset, he said those where the two areas it was better then the trek, plus it was cheaper because it was last years model. Also my buddy told me bike shorts where a must, so i bought a pair of those today, along with some gloves and i have a helmet from before, is there anything else i should get? I cant wait for the weather to warm up so i can go riding
Mike |
| Don't worry about it | mtnbkaz
Mar 11, 2002 7:15 PM | | Don't second-guess yourself. Sounds like your buddy can give you some good advice. The bike should be fine for you right now. |
| Just go out and ride... | DCepp
Mar 12, 2002 4:27 AM | | Keep up to date on riding techniques and training here at MTBR and become addicted. There's nothing better than a good ride!
-Dave |
| My Weight Loss Experience. | eric2324
Mar 12, 2002 6:26 AM | | I'm 34, two kids, job, 6' tall. In 99' I was 238, 00' - 225, 01' - 205. This year I am on track to be 185 and 8% body fat by May (1st race of the year). I have lost most of the weight over the winter months losing generally 1.5 lbs per week. The rest of the year I just make sure to maintain it.
I can throw out alot of generalized terms that sound good but, are hard to get the hang of. After losing 43 lbs so far, I really understand what these terms really mean and how to implement them.
1) Exercise more & Eat less. Pretty simple huh? You have to be totally commited to not putting any crap food in your mouth. Lean proteins, avoid too any carbs (garlic bread is killer calories), more fruits, vegetables, salads. I have'nt had a potato chip in a year. No McDonalds or crap like that either. Why work out 8+ hours a week if your going to blow it with bad food. Those 8 hours are hard enough.
2) Consistency. Try and do something 6 days a week (Mondays are my rest day). This was a problem for me up until this year. I have'nt missed a workout all year despite colds, two kids, 40 hour job, and crummy weather. Even if I'm feeling poorly I'll workout and usually end up feeling better after.
3) Cross train. Vary your routine - it also gives flexibility. Your body adapts quickly to one exercise and than the benefits go down. Lift weights consistently (do they have a student gym on campus?) - adding muscle burns fat. Riding your bike alot is a great start but, weather may prohibit you. We have crummy snowy weather here during the winter so, not only do I road bike I; lift weights, xc ski, run (indoor and out), stairmaster at gym, etc. Having other options helps with consistency. If I have to watch the kids I'll do my indoor bike trainer. You need to be fexible.
4) Other tips. Keep a log of excercise hours and weight. It motivates you to see your weight drop and helps to chart progress. Have a goal. I set up goals to weigh X amount by X date. Mine are also mtb races. Sending in a $25 check for a race four months away is a great motivator. Set a reward. I know if I lose X lbs I can go buy a new (smaller) pair of jeans, etc.
Hope these help. Once you start dropping the weight you feel so much better and than can exercise even more with more consistency. Good luck!! |
| Totally Agree | MikeO
Mar 13, 2002 2:02 PM | | 30lbs this year alone following most of Eric's "rules". One other one: keep a log of your food--it is amazing how quickly calories creep up on you. I use a software program called dietpower (www.dietpower.com I think). It was free for the 1st 2 weeks. You enter your weight/goal weight & date & then religously enter all food & exercise info. It is a pain: it can take 1/2-1 hour each day, however it really keeps you focused (plus there is a graph showing your weight loss which helps). I bought it & use it occasionally--I still have 30-40lbs more to go.
One other: don't eat before bed. 2-3 hours before bed stop eating.
Drink tons of water (I do 3L a day + what I drink with brkfst, dinner & working out (yes, I piss about every 45 min) but it really flushes you out. Good luck. |
| My Weight Loss Experience. | MikeyT
Mar 13, 2002 6:50 PM | | Thanks for the long reply! I really appreciate that. I went out for my ride today and boy am i ever out of shape, the trail was mud and after 10 minutes of fighting through the mud i was just about whipped haha. Luckily my friends bike broke after another 10 minutes so i got to take my time as he had to walk back.
1) Well i kept track today and managed to keep my calories down to 1400, but i only rode for about 20 minutes. I expect if i am riding more i will be wanting to eat more.
2) So 6 is a good number? should i go one long day, one short day? or try and go as far as i can every day? is it better to go at a faster pace for a short distance or a slow pace over along distance?
3) We have a gym on campus, but I would like to stay out of the gyms until i get into better shape. I would like to bike all summer, and pick up a labour intensive job, instead of a computer one and then join the gym after the summer, maybe in November.
4) The log sounds like a good idea, how much is that program to buy? My girlfriend has setup a few rewards that should be excellant motivators for me :)
Thanks for all the help guys, i really appreciate it. And thanks for not bashing my bike because its not top of the line, that sort of thing happens on car forums all of the time >:)
Mike |
| My Weight Loss Experience. | willapaj
Mar 15, 2002 11:09 AM | | Wanna know a QUICK way to lose weight? Not necessarily going to keep it off though... Thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. All day exertion for at least 3 months, eating very little. I wasn't even fat and I lost 30 pounds in the first month, and 65 by the time I was done. Probably not too healthy to be 6'5" and weigh 170... It's a good time though. And the best part? you can eat ANYTHING and still lost weight. I lived off Little Debbie snacks, frosting, and Ramen. This is meant to be humorous, but I really did do this. |
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