How Many Pounds This Winter?

[funky-funky-chicken]

So, here we are. February. Headed into Valentine's Day without nearly the pressure of the summer "swimsuit" season. How are we measuring up so far in the off-season? Packed on an extra layer of insulation, or pared down to a new prime pre-season fitness weight?

[Trevize1138]

I was up by 10 at one point a month ago, but thanks to training for the Loppet (*sniff* *sniff* RIP) I'm back down to only 5 lbs over the weight I'd achieved last summer.

I'm actually hoping to be an additional 5 lbs lighter this spring! If I can get to 180 or less I might actually be able to run again without worry of shin splits! :banana:

[nigel]

I have not gained nor lost weight in the last 11 years!

[jitterjepp]

I put on a few extra pounds just because I tend to eat more when I'm working outside in the winter (otherwise you get cold easily) but I'm getting sick and tired of this in between winter and summer crap. Give me one or the other. I cant go ice climbing because its all melting or melted. I cant go riding on the trails because they are going to be muddy. I go through this every spring. I'm done with winter.

I'm ready to ride.

[waitabit]

I'm ready for spring, the older I get the harder it get's to keep the weight off, and I just don't like anything below 50 degree's.

[Fiveohhh]

I manage about 1-2 hrs on the trainer a week, started the winter 3-4 hrs, but I'm loosing it:P

[SprocketHead]

I've been doing pretty good this winter. Been riding about once a week on average,, That is until recently when we got these goofy warm-ups... I'm gona winter in Alaska from now on.

[bigwheel]

I was 8 lbs when I was born, and have been puting on weight ever since.

[Lil' Punk]

:crazy2: Total wieght loss for this winter = 15lb n' counting

[syntaxjunkie]

I weigh less than I did in high school. Would that this were saying more...

[flombe]

I am down 13 LBS. since the Fat 40 (weighing 182 at 5'-9") at which I decided I was tired of carrying extra fat on the trail! I decided the coming darkness of fall would not stop me from riding and so bought a light. Then I decided winter would not stop me from riding and so bought studded tires. I combined more exercise with eating less and better with going to about half light beer consumption (thank God for Amstel) and it seems to be a very liveable combination. We also adopted a rescued a Siberian Husky who lives for walks at about the time the weather decided to screw with trail conditions and this has added a new dimension to my routine. I might even take up trail running with the hound until the MTB trails dry out!

[Aaroneous]

Looks like I'm in the majority - I gained almost 10lbs...

But (here come the excuses) biking is really my summer hobby. As soon as it gets nasty, I switch to my winter hobby: music. I guess practicing the trombone doesn't burn as many calories as I thought. :confused:

I'm in the process of building up a road bike (maybe a fixie) so I can start riding earlier this season - I'm planning on doing my first XC race this year...

Later

[iceskier]

I am with you Aaron.. I am up about 10lbs, but have slowly started to workout again. I am hoping that building up a new SS will allow me to ride to work more and get ready for the season.

[Thewavebb]

I am down 15 pound since December. I cut processed food, fast food, soda and beer out of my diet. Combine that with 4-6 miles of running 4-5 days a week and voila, I'm leaner then I was last august. I feel so much better, but my lungs and body are looking forward to working out in weather above freezing.

[manual63]

I gain usually 5 -10 pounds every winter and then lose it in the Spring. But this winter I have gained less than 5 pounds.....which is gonna be nice come Spring!!!

The key is to really watch what you eat. I have been a little more active this Winter, but I think it's my awareness about what I am eating that has done me a ton of good.

[TML]

At one point I was up 12 but I'm now down to within 8 of last fall. That being said, I've still got 13 or so to go, before getting to where I'd like to be for this summer.

[waitabit]

I am down 15 pound since December. I cut processed food, fast food, soda and beer out of my diet. Combine that with 4-6 miles of running 4-5 days a week and voila, I'm leaner then I was last august. I feel so much better, but my lungs and body are looking forward to working out in weather above freezing.Cut BEER out of your diet?!!??!!:shocked:

[Tex]

I also usually add about ten pounds in the off season. However this winter has been a little tougher on me and I'm up almost twenty. But I have an excuse, my wife and I just had a baby in late September. Let me tell ya, you just can't get anything done when you're taking care of an infant. I swear I've watched more TV in the last four monthes than I've watched in the last seven years - no lie.
Normally I would ride to work at least two or three days a week, winter and summer. Now I have to drop the little guy off at day-care, or pick him up afterwords. When the weather was particularlly bad, I'd hit the rollers. Now I have to make a choice between getting that extra hour of sleep or riding the rollers. Not a tough choice after you've been woke up twice in the middle of the night.:zzz:

[Ish]

Cut BEER out of your diet?!!??!!:shocked:

Agree - That's just wrong "looks over at avatar"

[funky-funky-chicken]

I stated this post with the intention of adding a bit of levity to what can be a sensitive subject for many. (The suggestion for the need for an updated POLL was also made elsewhere.) My own experience is that it had become difficult to maintain any level of fitness in riding once I got married and had kids. Though I have never really stopped riding, an increased amount of my time became filled with the joys of spending time with my wife, raising the kids, remodeling the house, etc. Winters for a while became way too sedentary for my liking. During my wife’s last pregnancy (over 5 years ago now) it seemed like I gained a lot of “sympathy weight.” At one point, I was almost 25 pounds over what I am now.<O:p</O:p

Things in the last couple of years have improved substantially over the years. I have been doing much better mentally too. Some of it is due to the fact that the kids are growing up and we can actually do stuff. This year I have made it a point to get out and ride every week. Granted, it's only been mostly only once a week, but it is still a carrot at the end or the stick that helps me get through these winter weeks. It can be difficult to maintain enthusiasm for bicycle riding in our winter months. It's much easy in the summer when being active allows a person to eat and drink virtually anything.


It helps to have people here on the board organizing group rides and to offer advice and general moral support. Thanks to those of you participating in the group winter rides, offering trail condition updates, advice for cold weather riding, etc.<O:p</O:p

[Buck]

I am down 15 pound since December. I cut processed food, fast food, soda and beer out of my diet. Combine that with 4-6 miles of running 4-5 days a week and voila, I'm leaner then I was last august. I feel so much better, but my lungs and body are looking forward to working out in weather above freezing.
Yep you found the key...Biking is to effecient to lose weight. To really cut the pounds and get some lungs you need to run!!!
L8R
Buck

[transplant]

I stated this post with the intention of adding a bit of levity to what can be a sensitive subject for many. (The suggestion for the need for an updated POLL was also made elsewhere.) My own experience is that it had become difficult to maintain any level of fitness in riding once I got married and had kids. Though I have never really stopped riding, an increased amount of my time became filled with the joys of spending time with my wife, raising the kids, remodeling the house, etc. Winters for a while became way too sedentary for my liking. During my wife’s last pregnancy (over 5 years ago now) it seemed like I gained a lot of “sympathy weight.” At one point, I was almost 25 pounds over what I am now.<O:p</O:p

Things in the last couple of years have improved substantially over the years. I have been doing much better mentally too. Some of it is due to the fact that the kids are growing up and we can actually do stuff. This year I have made it a point to get out and ride every week. Granted, it's only been mostly only once a week, but it is still a carrot at the end or the stick that helps me get through these winter weeks. It can be difficult to maintain enthusiasm for bicycle riding in our winter months. It's much easy in the summer when being active allows a person to eat and drink virtually anything.


It helps to have people here on the board organizing group rides and to offer advice and general moral support. Thanks to those of you participating in the group winter rides, offering trail condition updates, advice for cold weather riding, etc.<O:p</O:p


Amen, Brother. I couldn't have said it better myself. It's amazing how having a family can totally re-wire a way of thinking, but in a great, fantastic way.

[gopherhockey]

I gained about 10 by Christmas, but have almost removed it. Maybe 3-4 to go to get back to where I was last fall.

Question is, how about body fat % vs. weight? You can lose weight, but gain fat.... I always watch this too. I think I won't be quite at the same % as I was in fall at the same weight, which means I have more work to do...

<TABLE borderColor=#cccccc cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=9 align=center border=1><TBODY><TR><TH align=left width="33%" bgColor=#ececff>Classification</TH><TH align=middle width="33%" bgColor=#ececff>Women (% fat)</TH><TH align=middle width="34%" bgColor=#ececff>Men (% fat)</TH></TR><TR><TH align=left width="33%" bgColor=#ececff>Essential Fat</TH><TD align=middle width="33%">10-12%</TD><TD align=middle width="34%">2-4%</TD></TR><TR><TH align=left width="33%" bgColor=#ececff>Athletes</TH><TD align=middle width="33%">14-20%</TD><TD align=middle width="34%">6-13%</TD></TR><TR><TH align=left width="33%" bgColor=#ececff>Fitness</TH><TD align=middle width="33%">21-24%</TD><TD align=middle width="34%">14-17%</TD></TR><TR><TH align=left width="33%" bgColor=#ececff>Acceptable</TH><TD align=middle width="33%">25-31%</TD><TD align=middle width="34%">18-25%</TD></TR><TR><TH align=left width="33%" bgColor=#ececff>Obese</TH><TD align=middle width="33%">32% plus</TD><TD align=middle width="34%">25% plus</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[SPR]

I was also reading that a combination of xc sking and rowing are the new fad of exercise to strengthen and enlarge the heart.