Fri, Sep-24-10, 09:39
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Senior Member
Posts: 207
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Plan: Modified Atkins
Stats: 297/251.8/150
BF:
Progress: 31%
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Hi there! Congrats on thinking about taking up cycling; I've been doing it religiously for almost 2 years now. It definitely has helped my weight loss, in fact I started cycling when I was about 300 lbs and dropped 30 lbs in a little over a month just by riding. I kinda stalled in the weight loss that's when I started Atkins.
My first bike was a Walmart Next brand cruiser type bike, bought it for $100. At 300 lbs I was concerned about being too heavy for it, but that bike was a work horse! Durable, reliable and comfortable, an excellent starter bike.
When I first started riding, I couldn't do the whole 6 mile round trip commute to and from school. The slightest incline made me want to get off and push the bike cause it was easier!
Now, 2 years later and 115 lbs lighter, I ride a road bike with an ultra-light frame, skinnier than hell tires etc. I still do my daily 6 mile commute. I'm in Phoenix, so over the summer I find it impossible to do distance rides, but before summer set in I was doing a weekly 20 mile ride and mixing things up once a month or so with a 40 or 50 mile ride.
I'm still really heavy, and have been dealing with mental health issues related to my weight loss, so I'm determined to just maintain right now. But knowing that through exercise I am increasing my fitness is good enough for now.
Have you gotten your bike yet? Keep me posted on how you like it.
I really encourage people to start out with the Walmart cheapy bikes, they're like clydesdales, built to handle heavyweights. And it's a lot easier on the wallet if you decide cycling isn't for you and sell $100 bike on Craigs List for $50 than to sell a $500 bike for $250.
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