Help getting fit bike riding

[rojo]

Any of you guys lost a load of weight since you started riding again??

I used to ride everywhere about 10 years ago but haven't done much for a few years now . I have put on a fair bit now and want to get fitter again. Once I get my bike up and running I am going to get back out and ride again. My mate is getting a bike again aswell next week . So will have him to go out with aswell.

I want to enjoy it like I used to, what am I best doing, just do a few short rides first?? I was never a pro like you guys who go on 30 mile rides etc.

Basically I need to get fit as it is getting me down !

 

[legrandefromage]

stop eating crap - dont eat the WHOLE packet of gingernuts and work your way slowly from there.

You can be fit and fat but work out the eating bit first and the cycling gets easier.

 

[rojo]

Have started cutting out the the crap, just need to get out in the cold and start riding .

 

[beagle]

Have started cutting out the the crap, just need to get out in the cold and start riding .

You might find you lose it over the summer then put it all back on again in the winter, seems to be the case with me anyway...

 

[JeRkY]

Im still a chunky monkey, but have slimmed down a bit since my return to cycling. Fitness has improved alot more than my waistline has reduced though it has to be said!

 

[JeRkY]

Have started cutting out the the crap, just need to get out in the cold and start riding .

You might find you lose it over the summer then put it all back on again in the winter, seems to be the case with me anyway...

Agree with this too...I seem to have it in my genetics to go into preparation for hibernation when the chill winds blow.

 

[rojo]

If I get my fitness back I will be happy. I play Footie on Sunday sometimes, and I am so slow now, it's not funny . I am getting old 30 this year

 

[South Bound]

Fitness is all about goals and finding some that you can and want to achieve.

Firstly ask yourself why you want to be fit? Is it to fit into 32" jeans again or to manage that 30mile ride without oxygen? Does not matter what it is, just important to understand what it is.

What motivates you? Are you the sort of person that can train on their own, or do you need a partner to push you or a gym to feel in safe surroundings? It could just be you love riding your bike, many of us on here are the same.

What you going to do when you are fit? Enter a race, do a lap at mountain mayhem, look good on the beach?

How much time you got and how committed are you? Be realistic, don't set yourself up to do an hour every day if you are not going to be able to do it.

What facilities you got available (gym or just a bike)?

All of these are good questions when thinking about starting out. Lots of people swear by SMART goals - bit hackneyed now, but I prefer SMARTI goals:

Specific - Have a goal (or goals), know what it is and focus your training on it.
Measureable - Something you can measure might be waist size, ride times etc, but important so you can assess progress.
Achieveable - Think about who you are and what you could possibly achieve, no fantasies.
Realistic - For me, 32" waist and sub 20min for 10 miles by next Wednesday is not realistic, but it might be in 12 months time. Keep it real!
Timely - always have a timescale to achieve something by, otherwise you will put it off.
Inspiring - Wanting to have a 6-pack is all very well, but why? Wanting to have one because it will get you a part in a porn movie is slightly more inspiring (know someone that did this!) and you are more likely to do it. Similar bike goals might be getting a new bike when goals achieved or going on a biking holiday.

Go on, give us some more details!

 

[rojo]

Wow that is a hell of a post you did there.

My goal is to trim my waist down and just be more fit in sports again . I used to be fit running around the football pitch and cycling used to enjoy riding around the common near me. My friend is about to get a bike again aswell and he is on about on the weekends going up the common for rides again. I would like to get in the week aswell and go for a short ride along the seafront or something.

Just get fit again to enjoy that again. I will never be pro like you guys who do races extra, your in different league.

I am not huge, about 6ft2" and weigh somewhere in between 16 and 17 stone. I want to get into shape again, I have a thing in my head that I will die young and don't fancy that happening. Want to see kids grow up!

 

[legrandefromage]

30? Years? thats still young, your body will probably still be sprouting hair in surprising places (or was that just me?) for sometime yet.


Friends laughing at my beer gut and noticing I was choosing larger and larger t-shirts was what motivated me.

I can now fit in a pair of jeans I've kept since 1994, they arent comfortable yet but thats the goal....