Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike P
I'm down 75 pounds since February of 2010, when my doctor gave me the "good news" that I was a diabetic. Without starving myself. I changed my entire attitude towards foods. More whole grains, more veggies, less red meat, no processed carbs (white flour/white sugar products), more fiber. I started walking 1-3 miles a day. Bumped that up to 4-5 miles. Starting serious biking this summer, and now I try to ride at least 20 miles every day, throw in 30-35 miles once or twice a week, time permitting, and try for one long ride (40-50) miles on the weekend.
Exercise is VERY important, to lose weight, control blood sugar and blood pressure, and lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides. I'm off all Rx meds, except that I take half of the lowest dose lisinopril for BP. I don't really need to, but it's my security blanket, since 3 people in my immediate family have suffered strokes---my aunt and mother died from theirs, and my 54 year old sister is recovering from one.
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The above had a big effect on my body as well and are almost the exact same changes I made starting this past winter right down to the mileage on the bike, plus free weights in the winter.
Didn't have any pressing medical concerns other then being in my low 30's, right on the edge of pre-hypertension, and wanting to get back in shape. Wasn't overweight, just not what I wanted/used to be and wanted to get back on the road bike.
3900 miles since April later my recent check up resulted in resting heart rate of 52, BP a healthy low number, and I shaved 10 pounds off. Feel like I did when I was in my late teens and weigh less (although I was in the gym regularly then with different goals). Don't know what my body fat % is but I'm probably near where I was in my teens which was very low.
Cycling works a lot of big muscles so as long as you're cranking along at a good pace you're usually burning some serious calories. The speed and effort naturally have a big effect too. Casually rolling at 12 mph is a world apart from sustained higher speeds.
Slightly different goals for me then some in the thread, I just know the above works dramatically (for me). I only slightly lowered my calorie intake, brought it up even as I got faster on the bike, but did change what I was eating. I could easily have eaten less calories and shaved weight faster if I needed to but that isn't/wasn't really a goal at this point.
I'm always up for an s-b bike squad. I'm a roadie though, I don't have a mountain bike. I spin laps on Ocean Drive 5 to 6 days a week for anyone interested. No, there isn't a surf rod strapped to the bike.