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Post by ChrisD on Jul 17, 2014 14:57:31 GMT
I also took up cycling for fitness and weightloss. My heaviest weight was 19.5 stone about 2 years ago, and I was worried about health and especially Type II diabetes risk. I still had my old Dawes tourer from my post student days, but the effort to get on it and ride put me off big time. I joined the local gym up the road and also joined a diet tracking plan. Initially I was doing stationary bike classes (RPM) in the gym a couple of times a week. combined with some free weights classes, but after gaining more confidence indoors on a bike in the dark, I got back on the touring bike and set myself the goal of a 5 day bike tour somewhere I would never forget. When I'd lost just over 2 stone I nearly killed myself doing the BHF round the Wight ride so realised I had a way to go. By last Easter I had managed to shed just under 5 stone and more than coped with the 5 day tour which was epic. The challenge now is maintaining the weight and not letting things creep up too much again, but for the foreseeable future I think cycling will always be a part of that.
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Post by baz on Jul 17, 2014 19:28:32 GMT
Stopped smoking on 11/02/2013 which meant i was going to put a lot of weight on , bought a hybrid then a T3a purely to keep the weight off, seems to be working as i eat every thing in sight but have not put the Lbs on Also about to reach the 50 mark (that sounds old lol ) and wanting to get a bit of fitness about me, im out whenever i can, Met sodafarl via this forum and in turn the rest of the lads we cycle with every week, have not looked back since , love it, enjoy it
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ade
Peloton Rider
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Post by ade on Jul 17, 2014 20:47:13 GMT
I also took up cycling for fitness and weightloss. My heaviest weight was 19.5 stone about 2 years ago, and I was worried about health and especially Type II diabetes risk. I still had my old Dawes tourer from my post student days, but the effort to get on it and ride put me off big time. I joined the local gym up the road and also joined a diet tracking plan. Initially I was doing stationary bike classes (RPM) in the gym a couple of times a week. combined with some free weights classes, but after gaining more confidence indoors on a bike in the dark, I got back on the touring bike and set myself the goal of a 5 day bike tour somewhere I would never forget. When I'd lost just over 2 stone I nearly killed myself doing the BHF round the Wight ride so realised I had a way to go. By last Easter I had managed to shed just under 5 stone and more than coped with the 5 day tour which was epic. The challenge now is maintaining the weight and not letting things creep up too much again, but for the foreseeable future I think cycling will always be a part of that. Geez Chris 5 stone that is some going. I know what you mean about maintaing the weight loss. It is not easy. For me cycling is the best way to loose weight if you compare it to gym memberships and just dieting. I am still very much a beginner but at the ment enjoying every minute of it. Even in the winter.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2014 23:39:02 GMT
Another fitness and weight control person here. I was sat watching yet another series on the couch with the mrs filling my face and just got the urge to get fit again. Went and bought myself a 500se and signed up for a 100mile ride with a mate. So thats my short term aim. Gave myself 3months to train for it so id have to push myself hard to make sure im ready after not riding for over 13years and not doing much other exercise anymore at all. Strava has really helped with the little challenges and trying to beat my times on some of the routes and for planning my longer routes. Also this forum has been great for advice and the kick up the backside after a bad run!
Long term is to keep the fitness up so that when my little one is older I can keep up with him&get him out on the bike to see some of the places and things you would never see other wise. &plan a big ride over a few days when im feeling brave enough.
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Post by fit4fifty on Jul 18, 2014 6:17:44 GMT
I started to get, as my name suggests, fit for fifty. I started in May 2013 and by the time I had got to January 27th this year I was back into size 30 waist jeans, heart rate down to 54 at rest and best of all feeling good.
Cycling gives me that ability to lose myself for 2 or 3 hours and not think about anything and enjoy the place I live.
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Post by sodafarl on Jul 18, 2014 7:23:37 GMT
Stopped smoking on 11/02/2013 which meant i was going to put a lot of weight on , bought a hybrid then a T3a purely to keep the weight off, seems to be working as i eat every thing in sight but have not put the Lbs on Also about to reach the 50 mark (that sounds old lol ) and wanting to get a bit of fitness about me, im out whenever i can, Met sodafarl via this forum and in turn the rest of the lads we cycle with every week, have not looked back since , love it, enjoy it baz you have surpassed any goals that would have been set absolutely flying nothing seems to fizz on you. Our cycle group is a bunch of lunatics and brilliant people. Missing it already ffs.
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Post by sodafarl on Jul 18, 2014 8:20:23 GMT
Never thought of it as a goal. In 2012 the only exercise I was getting was triathlons and that was just taking photos no exercise at all. At one of them a lady was 57 that day an doing her first triathlon. She came in a very good last with a huge smile on her face. At that point I felt a right lazy fat basterd. I started walking which I enjoyed, along with eating correctly was I was feeling the best I had in years. Then I seen the cycle to work scheme on which I decide to buy a "cheap" bike and thankfully picked a T3 and have really enjoyed the last 18 or so months. Now for the new challenge to get the shoulder sorted out and to get back on the bike how long it will take I don't know but ot starts now.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2014 9:08:25 GMT
Thanks ade for starting this thread and all who have shared. It's given me a few moments of reflection on how it was a few years back to where i am now. There have been many changes!
In my 30's i was involved with a local running club marathon running was the big thing back then. Did the second London and got hooked loved it, got my PB down to 2-45. Approaching 40 things began to get a wee bit stale, injuries were creeping in and i hung up my trainers.
With the gift of hindsight it would have been grand back then to have filled the void with cycling. Sadly than never happened, my life went down another road and i entered the dark world of alcohol abuse. I did through necessity get on my old bike to cycle to work having had my driving privileges removed for a second time.
Due to ill health i took early retirement some 17 yrs ago aged 49. By 56 i reached my gutter and sought help via the front of the phone book. Slowly but surely my health improved. Then aged 60 one Monday morning near fatal heart attack. One more cross road stopped smoking!
Shortly after doctor advised a little exercise. Dusted down my two old bikes thinking it would be easy, ha ha! Little by little i managed to go that wee bit longer. The sense of well being crept under my skin, life had taken one more turn, this time for the better.
Now here i am 6 years later 56,000 miles along the road of recover and discovery, 5 bikes in the stable Red T3 my favourite (smile!), free from the bondage of booze (10yrs+) and cigarettes (6yrs+). Resting heart rate just tested at last medical was 45 and 10/1/2 stone.
Long may the wheels keep a-turning odaat.
Thanks for listening...
gratefully enjoying the journey
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2014 12:16:09 GMT
Thanks ade for starting this thread and all who have shared. It's given me a few moments of reflection on how it was a few years back to where i am now. There have been many changes! In my 30's i was involved with a local running club marathon running was the big thing back then. Did the second London and got hooked loved it, got my PB down to 2-45. Approaching 40 things began to get a wee bit stale, injuries were creeping in and i hung up my trainers. With the gift of hindsight it would have been grand back then to have filled the void with cycling. Sadly than never happened, my life went down another road and i entered the dark world of alcohol abuse. I did through necessity get on my old bike to cycle to work having had my driving privileges removed for a second time. Due to ill health i took early retirement some 17 yrs ago aged 49. By 56 i reached my gutter and sought help via the front of the phone book. Slowly but surely my health improved. Then aged 60 one Monday morning near fatal heart attack. One more cross road stopped smoking! Shortly after doctor advised a little exercise. Dusted down my two old bikes thinking it would be easy, ha ha! Little by little i managed to go that wee bit longer. The sense of well being crept under my skin, life had taken one more turn, this time for the better. Now here i am 6 years later 56,000 miles along the road of recover and discovery, 5 bikes in the stable Red T3 my favourite (smile!), free from the bondage of booze (10yrs+) and cigarettes (6yrs+). Resting heart rate just tested at last medical was 45 and 10/1/2 stone. Long may the wheels keep a-turning odaat. Thanks for listening... gratefully enjoying the journey A great turn around in life, Robert. Every credit, mate. Cycling has such a good and positive effect on people prepared to put the effort in.
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Post by baz on Jul 18, 2014 12:57:35 GMT
Never thought of it as a goal. In 2012 the only exercise I was getting was triathlons and that was just taking photos no exercise at all. At one of them a lady was 57 that day an doing her first triathlon. She came in a very good last with a huge smile on her face. At that point I felt a right lazy fat basterd. I started walking which I enjoyed, along with eating correctly was I was feeling the best I had in years. Then I seen the cycle to work scheme on which I decide to buy a "cheap" bike and thankfully picked a T3 and have really enjoyed the last 18 or so months. Now for the new challenge to get the shoulder sorted out and to get back on the bike how long it will take I don't know but ot starts now. Great to hear, keep the head up m8, do the walking again to keep you busy and fit, im sure i can vouch for the rest of the St Enda's lads that you will be missed while making your recovery, hopefully it will be shorter than we think, see ya soon
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Post by baz on Jul 18, 2014 12:59:49 GMT
Great story @robert well done to you !
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ade
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Post by ade on Jul 20, 2014 19:33:05 GMT
Some really inspiring replies to this thread. Makes my humble efforts pale a little but also gives me the inspiration and confidence to push on. Sometimes it feels a little silly telling workmates and family that I am going out on my bike today. Reading some of this is giving me that push thinking I'm not the only daft one. ?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2014 22:43:56 GMT
Some really inspiring replies to this thread. Makes my humble efforts pale a little but also gives me the inspiration and confidence to push on. Sometimes it feels a little silly telling workmates and family that I am going out on my bike today. Reading some of this is giving me that push thinking I'm not the only daft one. ? I was the same, although every time I got out on my bike couldn't care what people thought as I enjoy it far to much. Also after telling more people at work etc I soon found out that most of them ride a fair bit to, not all road bikes but they still get out. In fact I have even talked one of the lads I work with into buying a 500se to give road bikes a try. Motivation wise & to give me more of a push I have found Strava and this forum a great help. Always someone to chat to about whatever you need on here & Strava you can track your progress and try the challenges etc.
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