Help me utilise my time
Discussion
About 5 years ago I was fat. I weighed around 17st, and was in 38 inch waist trousers.
I took up cycling, in a big way, getting to the point of racing road races and going on club runs each week. Typically I would do 10/12hrs a week including 2 or 3hrs before work several times a week. At my lowest I saw 12st3, but normally hovered around 12st10 - 13st4. Just this time last year I was around that weight and 34inch trousers had some space.
Around this time last year I also got a new 9-5 job which meant I couldn't cycle like I used to. I started to ride in and out of work (half hour each way) and club runs, but gradually over the last year my cycling has dwindled and I have gained weight. I must be doing about 6/7hrs a week but where those once were longer runs, now there are half hour trips and one or two slightly longer ones.
This morning I was 14st13 which has shocked me. Most of my once baggy jeans have again got tight. I have just got some 36inch jeans and they are not loose.
Basically I'm getting fat again and I feel sick about it. I need to start to drop it again, but I don't have the time like I used to. I also have a baby due late Dec and I know I'm just going to get bigger if I don't do something.
I need to start training smart.
I know why there is an issue. When I was cycling like I used to I could eat what I liked. The problem is I still am now. I'm also drinking too many fizzy drinks. I need to get a grip on the eating side of things, I need to start being sensible again, which nobody but me can resolve.
But I need help to do something about this with my limited time. Any advice, encouragement, received will be appreciated. I know I can do it, I have done it in the past, but I want results.
I need a plan.
From tomorrow I stop with fizzy drinks. I stop with chocolate and start eating properly. I will post a daily food diary so you can all tell me how bad what I'm eating is.
I also need to start utilizing my cycling time. Any suggestions how I can make my half hour ride more useful will be appreciated.
I took up cycling, in a big way, getting to the point of racing road races and going on club runs each week. Typically I would do 10/12hrs a week including 2 or 3hrs before work several times a week. At my lowest I saw 12st3, but normally hovered around 12st10 - 13st4. Just this time last year I was around that weight and 34inch trousers had some space.
Around this time last year I also got a new 9-5 job which meant I couldn't cycle like I used to. I started to ride in and out of work (half hour each way) and club runs, but gradually over the last year my cycling has dwindled and I have gained weight. I must be doing about 6/7hrs a week but where those once were longer runs, now there are half hour trips and one or two slightly longer ones.
This morning I was 14st13 which has shocked me. Most of my once baggy jeans have again got tight. I have just got some 36inch jeans and they are not loose.
Basically I'm getting fat again and I feel sick about it. I need to start to drop it again, but I don't have the time like I used to. I also have a baby due late Dec and I know I'm just going to get bigger if I don't do something.
I need to start training smart.
I know why there is an issue. When I was cycling like I used to I could eat what I liked. The problem is I still am now. I'm also drinking too many fizzy drinks. I need to get a grip on the eating side of things, I need to start being sensible again, which nobody but me can resolve.
But I need help to do something about this with my limited time. Any advice, encouragement, received will be appreciated. I know I can do it, I have done it in the past, but I want results.
I need a plan.
From tomorrow I stop with fizzy drinks. I stop with chocolate and start eating properly. I will post a daily food diary so you can all tell me how bad what I'm eating is.
I also need to start utilizing my cycling time. Any suggestions how I can make my half hour ride more useful will be appreciated.
Edited by S10GTA on Thursday 13th September 21:43
Edited by S10GTA on Monday 17th September 07:55
Assuming you dropped cycling to and from work, whats stopping you from starting again? If you can't ride to work, how about getting up half an hour earlier and going for a shorter, faster paced ride before going to work. Are there any opportunities for you to replace driving with cycling?
Frijj said:
Assuming you dropped cycling to and from work, whats stopping you from starting again? If you can't ride to work, how about getting up half an hour earlier and going for a shorter, faster paced ride before going to work. Are there any opportunities for you to replace driving with cycling?
I do cycle to and from work 4 days a week currently. Its half an hour each way, 7.5 miles.I should be moving in 2 weeks a further 15 mins away making my ride 45mins.
If I stopped cycling to and from work I'd be huge!
Do you ride at a leisurely pace or do you push yourself? I ride 11.5 km to work 5 days a week most weeks, not only am I always trying to beat my best time i also 'race' against other cyclists that appear ahead of me, just to make myself work harder. Can you alter your route to take in a hill or two, make your half hour ride that little bit harder with a bit of climbing. What about lunchtime, can you get another 20 mins out on the bike then?
Frijj said:
Do you ride at a leisurely pace or do you push yourself? I ride 11.5 km to work 5 days a week most weeks, not only am I always trying to beat my best time i also 'race' against other cyclists that appear ahead of me, just to make myself work harder. Can you alter your route to take in a hill or two, make your half hour ride that little bit harder with a bit of climbing. What about lunchtime, can you get another 20 mins out on the bike then?
If I'm honest I don't push myself as there is no shower at work and the route is into town via lights and cycle paths. I don't have a lunch time 
Use some ankle weights during the day, adds a bit more resistance to burn calories, also use them on your ride home. Find a nice, longer, hillier route for the return. When you get home do as many push ups and crunches as you can, write the number down and aim to beat it each day. Have a square of dark choc, don't deprive yourself of pleasure.
I was chatting to a friend who doubles up as a coach last night and he gave me a better understanding of where I'm going wrong. Today I set my self the target of spinning to work in a very low gear, meaning fast leg speed making me work harder. I did this followed by a weetabix for breakfast 
S10GTA said:
.......
I know why there is an issue. When I was cycling like I used to I could eat what I liked. The problem is I still am now. I'm also drinking too many fizzy drinks. I need to get a grip on the eating side of things, I need to start being sensible again, which nobody but me can resolve.........
You've answered your own question really.I know why there is an issue. When I was cycling like I used to I could eat what I liked. The problem is I still am now. I'm also drinking too many fizzy drinks. I need to get a grip on the eating side of things, I need to start being sensible again, which nobody but me can resolve.........
Edited by S10GTA on Thursday 13th September 21:43
Any reason you can't go running? Tends to burn more calories over a given time than cycling.
A good, fast 5km run (at <8min mile pace) will probably burn more calories than a 10mile bike ride but take half the time.............that is a complete guess BTW!!!
The run will burn plenty of calories, but the bike ride could burn more if you have some climbs and used the hard gears to go up them. Resistance and effort are the key to weight loss and fitness. If you want a real workout on the bike get a fixed gear rear wheel, your will have no choice but to pedal
S10GTA said:
From tomorrow I stop with fizzy drinks. I stop with chocolate and start eating properly. I will post a daily food diary so you can all tell me how bad what I'm eating is.
I also need to start utilizing my cycling time. Any suggestions how I can make my half hour ride more useful will be appreciated.
If you want longevity with your new lifestyle, then don't cut out; cut down. Every time you feel ready, knock off 10%. I used to eat massive amounts of crisps but now I hardly touch the stuff. (Apart from this week because I saw a new type from Walkers so thought I'd buy a 6 pack.) I've gone for 2+ months without crisps which is amazing if you had seen me before.I also need to start utilizing my cycling time. Any suggestions how I can make my half hour ride more useful will be appreciated.
Edited by S10GTA on Thursday 13th September 21:43
As for cycling, as someone above said, use the harder gears as the tougher it is, the more you burn.
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