will I stop being quite so sweaty?

[aclivity]

I've recently taken to cycling to the station each morning to get my train, it's 2.5 miles each way and I am usually running late; I'm also something of a weeble shape (less "powerfully built" more "pie eater build").

As a result of the above, by the time I get to the station I tend to be a bit, well, sweaty and smelly.

Couple of weeks worth of the cycling has started to have an effect, and I'm burning fat off my legs to start with, and hopefully continuing with the exercise twice a day will start to burn off my lard waistcoat.

As I get fitter, will I sweat less for the same amount of effort expended on the ride? I'm only thinking of my poor train companions really, when I get to work I change into my working clothes, when I get home I can get changed and have a shower.

[maxxy5]

I doubt you will notice any difference.

[otolith]

I think you need to cycle further.

[XitUp]

Fit people sometimes sweat more.

Clean sweat shouldn't be too stinky. Can you have a shower at work?
I'd try setting off a bit earlier so you're not rushing.

[Digger]

Taking a shower before you set off to the station will make a big difference, and take a can of anti perspirant and/or body spray. The materials of your clothes can also affect the smell produced. Strange but true in my case.

[nammynake]

It depends - do you sweat a lot naturally? If not then you should notice an improvement as you get fitter. However some people are just naturally sweaty (myself included) and even with a decent level of fitness I sweat easily even at moderate effort.

[cheddar]

You're sweating because you're a knacker and now you're working your lardy body hard.

Imagine a skinny bod strapping 20 1kg bags of sugar to them selves and cycling along, they'd be soaking too.

Lose weight, get fit, cycle at the same speed and sweat no more.

I sweat on the golf course.

In Winter.

Good on you for doing something about it.

[Gizmo!]

nammynake said:

It depends - do you sweat a lot naturally? If not then you should notice an improvement as you get fitter. However some people are just naturally sweaty (myself included) and even with a decent level of fitness I sweat easily even at moderate effort.

Same here. It's quite annoying; I can start beading out at a light stroll, even without getting out of breath.

[Tiger Tim]

And here.. I can shower in the morning, apply anti-persp and sweat, go to the gym and sweat more, have a shower after the gym and re-apply anti-persp and start sweating again.

I can only wear cotton as I'll stink in minutes in wool.

Just the way it is..

[Digger]

I find the whiff from black/navy tops whether cotton or poly/cotton to be way more unpleasant than say whites. Anyone else find this so? Or is it just my weird chemistry?!

[dubbs]

The smell is produced by bacteria (iirc) so...

1. shower/wash before setting off so you're not smelling "out of bed fresh", the heat generated by your body and evaporating perspiration will just send that malodorous cloud round the train compartment double-time

2. Get an Anti-perp like Nivea's with the silver-ions in as this really helps

3. Don't worry as you get fitter you'll not work as hard on the bike which means you'll use muscles less, not get as hot and therefore the body won't trigger your perspiration to kick off as much

Personally I find it's the humidity that'll start me off and I can find some days even walking at a reasonable pace does it - other times a 10 mile run I can complete wihtout too much sweat just due to my body temp being kept down by the weather conditions and a decent breeze.

Keep it up, well done for cracking on with getting the weight down, I started the same way in '05.

[Matt London]

I am a sweaty runner and cyclist too.
After taking a month off of both, post IMUK, and putting a good few pounds on (beer and food) I have noticed a marked increase in sweat rate. No surprise really because that layer of fat is like a layer of thermal clothing.

Btw I sweat a lot when lean anyway.

[exgtt]

Digger said:

Taking a shower before you set off to the station will make a big difference, and take a can of anti perspirant and/or body spray. The materials of your clothes can also affect the smell produced. Strange but true in my case.

This, showering in the morning before seting off is ESSENTIAL to avoid any odours. Obviously freshly washed clothes to change into also essential. If your looking to reduce the flab you should be pushing yourself on every ride to get to the station quicker everytime so sweat cannot be avoided i'm afraid but taking the above steps should reduce any BO smells. I've told close collegues at work to alert me to any smells and so far so good.

[otolith]

I think if you start cycling after work and get to the point where ten miles is nothing (which won't take long, from my experience), 2.5 miles to the station will be no sweat (literally).

[s1962a]

Shower in the morning before setting off and take a small towel with you to the station. Pat yourself dry when you get there and put some deodorant on, and you should be ok for the journey to work. That seems to work for me, but everyones different.

[snowdude2910]

Take some baby wipes some deodorant and a spare t-shirtnto the station and then just change your top in then disabled toilet although I find you need to have stopped sweating first so maybe allow 5minutes to cool off after arriving

[Buffalo]

I used to watch a guy cycle to work with his work shirt on a hanger taped to the outside of his backpack... But, the principle might help - cycle in a breathable t-shirt, get on the train, change to work shirt. Google how to fold a shirt without creases and lay it loosely on top of pack. Carry on!

[warp9]

Shower when you get up, baby wipe at work (if you haven't got a shower) and deo! I've been doing a daily 6 mile each way for the last 4 months. I'm fitter, my legs are sturdier, but I still sweat and rather disapointingly, I haven't lost any weight!!

If you want to loose weight, I think you'll need to change your diet and do more exercise. You'll probably sweat a bit less, but if you're gonna sweat, then your gonna sweat!

[SteveS Cup]

I sweat straight from the shower whilst doing my shoe laces!

I never smell though...

I always find that having 10 minutes to let my body temperature adjust to my surroundings helps.

So in other words, get up earlier!

[aclivity]

Thanks for all the replies ...

Over the last couple of days I left a matter of 5 or so minutes earlier and the difference was immense - less panic on the ride to get there on time, and less "fragrant" on the train.

I just need to get into the habit of going to bed at a reasonable time now!