The Fat Club

emporio123

Hello
I climbed on the scales last week and they swung round to a groaning 16st. I'm 6', 53 yrs old and pretty unfit. Iv'e had a couple of mountain bikes over the years, namely Muddy Fox and Saracen. I swapped a fishing reel for the Saracen full susser in about 2000 and have used it on and off since.
I live near a little village in mid Wales where the roads feel like the Eiger on the Saracen so I popped down to Tredz in Swansea and bought a Specialized Rockhopper SL 2011. (Very helpful guys in Tredz by the way). Now, I managed to ride all the way to work today, OK it's only about 3 miles but the hills are killers. Didn't get off on the way,mostly downhill but a couple of uphill drags. Had to get off on the way back but got 2/3rds of the way up the North face instead of within the first 10yds on my old Saracen! Thought I'd stopped producing lactic acid at my age but boy did my thighs hurt. Part of my lungs saw oxygen for the first time in years.
Anyway the idea is to get out much more regularly and get the weight off. Any words of support, suggestions gratefully received.

downhill demp

can anyone help i am buying a new bike and it comes with the fox rp23 float rear shox my question is can this support my weight as i weigh 22st your advice will be appreciated

CraigXXL

downhill demp wrote:

can anyone help i am buying a new bike and it comes with the fox rp23 float rear shox my question is can this support my weight as i weigh 22st your advice will be appreciated

It will support you but back off the rebound as it will kick out at such high pressure regardless of your weight.

wriggley

I went from super fit to super fat when I left the army I weigh 19 stone I have a big frame so I don't really look as big as I am at my peak I was playing rugby 3 times a week mountain biking once a week swimming twice a week and running every day I weighed around 12 stone lots of muscle and running a mile n half in around 8 mins 30 I passed a fitness test to play rugby proffesionally but wasted the opertunity So its about time I got fit again just picked my new steed up tonight and start training tomorrow from past experience I know what it takes to get fit its not easy but extremley rewarding I can offer some advise from what I know allready and keen on learning new ways to get in shape

I'M JOINING THIS CLUB !!!!!!!!

D4V1D

Well my training is going well, I try to cycle at least twice a week to work (7 miles, 3 big climbs and a green lane). I've also made an effort to count my calorie intake and cut it back to 2000 caloriesl a day give or take.

gb155

downhill demp wrote:

can anyone help i am buying a new bike and it comes with the fox rp23 float rear shox my question is can this support my weight as i weigh 22st your advice will be appreciated

I was on a Ribble roadie at plus 24 stone, im sure it will be ok

charkvibl

Im trying my best to lose weight and it is slowly working. Only thing is i do not have alot of time to actually bike. What do you guys think. Is it better to workout in morning or night? I want your opinion.

t.m.h.n.e.t

charkvibl wrote:

Im trying my best to lose weight and it is slowly working. Only thing is i do not have alot of time to actually bike. What do you guys think. Is it better to workout in morning or night? I want your opinion.

Pick one,whatever works for your daily schedule. Nobody can decide this for you.

ukbigd

Ok If Its confession time so be it..........................
47 years of been on this earth I was never one for lifting my Bottom from the sofa (unless I was nagged to) So of course my weight reflected my active life style, As in getting to be a bit of a bloater at 5ft 8in and 197.2 ibs In fact my body weight is classed as obese BMI Of 30% Over,
Any way bought a Carrera Vulcan a year ago, Went out most evenings after work, And was on my way to been fit, And the weight was disappering In fact I was fit enough to do the Brecon To Cardiff taffs trail which is an 50 mile bike ride over some very beautiful rugged country.... But alas it was a case of to little to late, And I had an heart attack last November at 47 it was a shock believe me, After weeks and weeks of nursing myself back to where I could walk a short distance without getting out of breath, I have now managed to get back on my bike, Which is important to me because I need to get my weight down and fitnese level back up, Its been hard, But the fact I wanted if not needed to get back on the bike as kept me going......

Thanks for reading, And sorry for the long story I just hope did not keep you awake

matisko

Hi, if anybody is near farnborough and up for a bit of gentle persuasion, I would be happy to go out for regular rides and push you a bit harder than you might on your own.
Been riding for 30 yrs and found it a great way to keep the pounds off. plus im a trained pti, so i have some knowledge of diet and exercise.

just for fun but hopefully with results.

comicbookguy

The Fat Club sounds like a good place for me to start. at 36, 6'2" and 23 of your english stones I need to shift it sooner rather than later, just moved out of the city to a nice little town surrounded by countryside, so with that in mind been to and bought myself a Carrera Subway from Halfords, and am going to see what I can do to shift the weight.
I'll try to keep this updated with how I do.

Spighty

I may as well join in to.

My name is Garry Im 29 knocking on 30

I spent all of my teens playing skater hockey to british championship level was a defender and quite big b uilt aound 18 stone of muscle had a knee injury and stopped playing altogether.

That was nearly 8 years ago spent the remaining time inbetween drinking getting unfit and getting married now I have hardly any muscle left and am surrounded by fat. not huge just a layer of padding all over

I have just brought my first bike and hope to lose some weight with the help of you guys.

I weigh 118kg at the moment and would like to shed my fat im not obessed with weight but a bit lighter would be nice

marc_mcq

Hi guys, just thought I would share how mountain biking has helped me out... In january 2011 I weighed in at 20 stone 7lbs at 5.11" and 21 years old.

Decided that if I didn't want to die young and all that other scary stuff I should do something about it.

Bought a mtb and started off doing a nice easy 5 mile route each night. I've gradually built it up and I'm now doing the UK coast to coast in 4 weeks time.

The training has payed off as I am now 14 stone 7lbs and possibly the fittest cyclist doing the ride!

andyonwight

Andy and now 44.
Always been a big chap but decided that I need to change. I am 6ft and weigh 129kg (smidge over 20st) on my birthday last week.
Intention is to get to around 100kg (15st ish) by my 45th Birthday next year which I think is do able at the rate of about 2lbs a week.

Exercise is currently
Week 1 of the NHS Couch 2 5k (9 week course). Will be doing this 3 times a week following the podcast on my MP3 player. Week 1 is 5 minute brisk walk followed by 60seconds jogging then 90 seconds of brisk walk repeated until the the jogging has been done 8 times then a 5 minute brisk walk to cool down.
Only jogging every other 1 minute this week as so not to risk pulling anything. Will be doing week 1 properly next week.

The other days are doing 10-12 miles on a cycle track which has gentle inclines. Recording all my exercise and food on my fitness pal website (free). Will update this bit at the bottom at the end of July and then the end of every month after that.

- - - - - - - - - - -
2012 June 18th - 129kg

jakjtb

names Jack - 23 and currently 15 and half stone. i am 6"5.
just started on my hopeful plan to shed some weight and get down to 14 stone but would settle for 15 if i turn my beer belly into muscle ha.
current exercise
12 miles a day (6 miles each way work and back) then at weekend get about 10 miles in which i want to increase and then have a rest on sunday.
am getting used to changing my diet, eating a lot of poached eggs and brown bread etc etc then have a nice treat every sunday with the fiance but i dont get too lairy.

going joining the gym tomorrow for spin classes and body attack for something to do at night as im finding the 12 miles a day is getting me out of breathe but not enough so that im slayed for the rest of the night and so am still looking to up my exercise as i shouldnt be this massively unfit at 23 HOWEVER i do have arthritis of the knees and so cant be going too mad at the spin classes.

JKD

Definitely need to be in here

My name's Kenny, 32 and currently about 17st & 6ft. Carrying a lot of excess weight and had been down to 15st when I used to go to the gym.

Got my first bike again probably a couple of months ago but (without various long stories) only just went out for my first ride. The lack of fitness shocked me. Barely done 3/4 mile partly on tarmac and partly on very soft peaty ground and I was destroyed. Didn't feel comfortable or stable on the bike at all so really think I'll have to look at a professional fitting. Needless to say, mightily tender arse as well given that it's only seen office chairs and car seats the last 10 years.

So, trying not to be disheartened and going out again later. Hopefully there's some rapid improvement in terms of comfort to make gaining fitness easier

julesreece17

My dad is 53, and at xmas he was 15st 10lbs 5ft 8, and was pretty much all belly, and diabetic, and always telling me that its impossible to lose weight.

I bought him a year old spesh hardrock, v-brakes, nothing to fancy, and now he is 12st 9lbs, has next to no belly, and is now diabetes free! he's cycling about 20miles every other day, and has cut out all buscuits, and late night snacks.

He's entered a library for the first time in his life, picked up a book about cycling, watched every minute of Le Tour de France, and is now talking about buying a road bike!

In short, if you put the effort in, and i mean really put the effort in, you can do anything!

tc3nitro

Hi

Just the club for me !

My name is Mark and at present I am 18st 4lb and 178cm's.
I spent a lot of my youth swimming, cycling and generally been active. Then i got a job, some money and discovered beer, women and kebabs !
I now have various medical problems including type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure......
I have been this way for a few years and finally decided to get my arse in gear and do something about it before I die too young !

Just ordered a Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp that should be here on Wednesday, I have a few mates that are ultra fit and ride so hopefully I'll have someone to drive me on. I'll post up my results when they happen.

junglist_matty

gb155 wrote:

downhill demp wrote:

can anyone help i am buying a new bike and it comes with the fox rp23 float rear shox my question is can this support my weight as i weigh 22st your advice will be appreciated

I was on a Ribble roadie at plus 24 stone, im sure it will be ok

I just glanced over your blog and photos, incredible, you're a different man altogether; no offence intended, in the before photos I saw a depressed fat lazy slob and in the after photos I saw a happy fit guy getting out there and having fun..... It's so good to see you turned yourself around and it's such a terrible shame that you let yourself get that far along in the first place. Great work buddy, keep it up!

You're Inspirational to all, love stories like yours!

rg001800

Hi guys "my names Rich and I'm fat"...

Way about 150 kgs (23 stone). looking at getting a bike so that I can sort my life out (especially as i live really close to a national park), but really worried about what will be able to take my weight.

Not got much of a budget at really £150-£200 and would really appreciate some help. Not sure what to look for, what I might need to compramise on or what to do for the best really. Living so close to the park, I'll be in there most of the time so may get a git rough and rugged.

Please, please help gents - would love your recomendations.

Cheers

Rich

junglist_matty

rg001800 wrote:

Hi guys "my names Rich and I'm fat"...

Way about 150 kgs (23 stone). looking at getting a bike so that I can sort my life out (especially as i live really close to a national park), but really worried about what will be able to take my weight.

Not got much of a budget at really £150-£200 and would really appreciate some help. Not sure what to look for, what I might need to compramise on or what to do for the best really. Living so close to the park, I'll be in there most of the time so may get a git rough and rugged.

Please, please help gents - would love your recomendations.

Cheers

Rich

Brand new you won't get much, the best sort of thing for that budget would be along the lines of this...

How tall are you?


Something like this is going to be all you'll get for your budget....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DIAMONDBACK-O ... 153wt_1195


Strong enough, would be a good bike to use for loosing weight, you're not looking for a whippet, go out, do some time on the bike, don't worry about speed or distance.... Just go out and ride, count you're rides in number of hours, start with an aim to do something like 5 hours a week.
Don't get a cycle computer; just use a watch, ride for 30minutes in one direction then turn around and ride back. That's honestly the best solution to loosing weight.... Put the hours in and you'll burn off calories fast. Keep at it, I bet if you ride for 5 hours a week you'll loose in excess of 4lbs a week.


Food
DON'T eat any sweets, chocolate, cakes or crisps.... Avoid foods with saturated fats (i.e. anything fried).

DO:
Breakfast
- Healthy cereals; a bowl of cornflakes, branflakes, wheatabix, shredded wheat etc... Use raisins (not too many) instead of sugar.
- Eat Greek yoghurt mixed with fruit and oats in place of cereal
- Eat 2 slices of toast with a small bit of butter and jam (avoid low-fat spreads, they are rubbish - butter is natural just don't use too much)
- Drink Tea/Coffee with NO sugar / one glass of 100% fruit juice / water

Morning Snack:
- Fruit snacks; cut out ALL rubbish snack foods described above; snack on a banana or apple.
- Tea/Coffee with NO sugar

Water - Drink water throughout the day - helps your digestive system and helps from getting the hungry feeling.

Lunch
- Eat healthy, have a sandwich filled with chicken or Tuna, add lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber etc. to make it taste less boring (If you have to, use a very small amount of mayo or butter).
- Eat a yoghurt
- Eat more fruit
- Drink more water (sugar free fruit squash if you're fed up with water)

Afternoon snack:
same as morning snack, NO rubbish!!!

Drink more water

Dinner
Eat healthy, homemade food, it's not hard.... Stick to simple recipes like potatos, veg & meat/fish (NO sauces), Pasta with mince-meat, onions, tinned tomatoes & garlic.... Use you're head, you should know what is healthy and what isn't (ready meals are not healthy, use raw ingredients, cook yourself). Use oven chips (they are healthy if you don't plaster them with sauce) rather than fried chips.

Desert:
Fruit, nothing else.


Evening exercise:
Go do an hour on the bike


If you follow this sort of healthy living, you'll shed 50kgs in no time at all.... You won't miss the chocolates and rubbish foods once you stop eating them.... If you love things like fish & chips, indian takeaway etc... treat yourself every couple of weeks, it's not bad to eat it once in a while, it's bad to eat it all the time.

rg001800

Thanks Matty.
Took the advice and bought the Diomondback - Been out 3 times now. First time my legs felt they were on fire, full of acid!!! Bit dissapointed on the first run as had to get off and have a breather, but carried on. Doing about 3 miles each time and trying to get out 3 times a week (also playing badminton once a week).
Really appreciate the advice on the grub too and going to sit down and work that out also. At the moment just trying to focus on getting some regular exercise and trying to enjoy myself - Cheers.

junglist_matty

rg001800 wrote:

Thanks Matty.
Took the advice and bought the Diomondback - Been out 3 times now. First time my legs felt they were on fire, full of acid!!! Bit dissapointed on the first run as had to get off and have a breather, but carried on. Doing about 3 miles each time and trying to get out 3 times a week (also playing badminton once a week).
Really appreciate the advice on the grub too and going to sit down and work that out also. At the moment just trying to focus on getting some regular exercise and trying to enjoy myself - Cheers.

Good for you mate.... Now you just gotta keep it up.

Have you got a phone with GPS (android / iPhone)? If so, get yourself the Strava application and GPS track your rides uploading them to Strava so you can keep track of your time on the bike (don't worry about speed or distance for now, it's all about time on the bike).
It will give you stats about your historical riding and it will help you to keep motivated when it's easy to think "I can't be arsed with the bike today" because you will get lots of those days.

Fantastic Mr Fox

I'm 12 stone 9lbs and 6 foot tall. I need to loose about a stone and 3lbs I reckon for a London2Paris24 bike ride I'm doing (its 280 miles in 24 hours, pretty much non stop apart from quick food breaks every 35 miles and the ferry crossing) I'm in no hurry to loose weight as its not until July next year. But I figure that as its not possible to loose weight and gain muscle (or so I'm told) that I'd be better off shedding the weight early on and then being able to focus on building up muscle. I know I'm not exactly overweight, infact I'm in the correct BMI range its just I don't want to have to waste energy carrying excess weight.

I'm currently using a spreadsheet to count all my calories, aiming for about 2000 calories a day and drinking 2 protein shakes (before and after my daily bike ride) to minimize muscle loss. Obviously I'm eating very healthily with the odd off day (usually once a weak I'll have a meal out and some desert/chocolate).

I'm riding to a plan I have seen on t'interwebs. Which is:

Monday - Big ride (I'm working my way up and currently on a mountain bike, today's was 30 miles).
Tuesday - Small ride (meant to be 25% of the previous days, so I'll do probably 7-10 miles at the moment at lower pace)
Wednesday - Normal ride (probably around 15 miles).
Thursday - Interval training (about 7 miles, 3 minutes V02 max up a hill, 5 minutes 65%, repeat).
Friday - Normal ride (15 miles).
Weekend - Rest.

Does that sound good? Obviously I'm gradually stepping it up and I'm going to join a cycling club next summer for some chain gang rides to get used to formation cycling as I have no experience. I figure the winter will give me a good way of getting upto fitness whilst other club members will probably ease off a bit over winter.

So yeah, any tips or thoughts?

Fantastic Mr Fox

rg001800 wrote:

Thanks Matty.
Took the advice and bought the Diomondback - Been out 3 times now. First time my legs felt they were on fire, full of acid!!! Bit dissapointed on the first run as had to get off and have a breather, but carried on. Doing about 3 miles each time and trying to get out 3 times a week (also playing badminton once a week).
Really appreciate the advice on the grub too and going to sit down and work that out also. At the moment just trying to focus on getting some regular exercise and trying to enjoy myself - Cheers.

Hello.

I used to weight 15 stone 3lbs, I lost a couple of stone using a calorie counting spreadsheet and it was really effective as it became a bit of a game and I was really aware of what I was eating. Obviously different things work for different people, but its perhaps worth considering. Also, keep doing the exercise as its important and does help with esteem and encourages you to keep up with the diet. But its far more effective to diet well, probably 80% diet to 20% exercise. I'd recommend swimming as its low impact and you'll burn lots of calories doing it. Get into a routine with it as well, don't just do it as and when as its tough to stick to and easier to make excuses.

This is one of my old spreadsheets, I can send you a blank one if you're interested.

wheeledwidewebb

12/02/2010 was a good day

Puggy73

Saw this thread and thought it might be worth me posting my recent weight loss.

I bought a bike last August time with all the good intentions of using it to lose weight as a friend of my dads used that method, however when the bad weather came i basically wimped out riding to work (approx. 3 miles). However after being big pretty much my whole life trying fad diets like the Dr Atkins one (did work just didn't teach me how to eat properly) i got serious this January.

I started at 23 stone on Jan 3rd, I'm currently just below 14 Stone. Now i didn't use the bike as my sole exercise but as an occasional break from going to the gym. The main thing i did to lose weight however was through what and when i put into my mouth. Doing things such as having breakfast within the first 30 minutes of waking, snacking on fruits at set intervals in between meals so i wasn't eating all day, not eating too late at night and trying to restrict carbs at night and understanding a good balance between proteins and carbs and good fats to eat is a really awesome tool for burning fat.

Never felt better, and better yet I now don't feel like "the fat guy" of the group. Stick at it!

Fantastic Mr Fox

That's some mega weight loss! Nice one. Now the tough challenge will be to adjust to a more sustainable diet long term and then to keep it off. Good luck!

Puggy73

Yeah, well I'll be keeping to the same principles of structuring when I eat and keeping exercise as hobbies (hence the MTB'ing) to help keep it off, once i knew I could get down this far I've always considered the biggest challenge is keeping it off, I can't just go back to how i was before with careless eating habits. I'm also becoming one of those strange people who enjoys going to the gym so i may as well focus on that too for a while.

junglist_matty

Fantastic Mr Fox wrote:

I'm 12 stone 9lbs and 6 foot tall. I need to loose about a stone and 3lbs I reckon for a London2Paris24 bike ride I'm doing (its 280 miles in 24 hours, pretty much non stop apart from quick food breaks every 35 miles and the ferry crossing

You're 177lbs and 6ft tall.... That's not fat; in fact, it's even considered "NORMAL" weight on BMI (24).

On the other hand, I'm 6ft 2" and weigh in at 215lbs; according to BMI I'm "OVERWEIGHT" with a BMI of 27.6

London to Paris in 24 hours? Easily do-able; you'd only need an average speed of 15mph including rest and ferry crossing.... That's a recovery pace for any decent road rider, all you need to do is get out on your bike and ride, start training now, ensure you're doing at least 100miles a week for a good couple of months before the event and you'll do it without any problem.