Blah! Pshaw!!! Being middle aged is just not good....

[Nigeyy]

So I've been "half" commuting into work quite a few times a week -normally do between 60-100 miles a week on the bike.

Had to go to a physical last week and was promptly told that I was overweight (well, hey, what's new, though alas I am officially classified as obese using BMI which doesn't make me feel good at all -and you young 'uns out there, be careful once you enter your 30's, just look at a Mars bar and you'll gain half a stone) and I have higher blood pressure than when I last went for physical -when I wasn't cycling half as much!!!

All in all, I feel like I'm falling apart -I'm currently dieting (in a sensible way I might add) which makes me grumpy as all hell and usually gives me more migraines in an effort to lose weight. I'm also increasing my exercise and trying to get back into running (well, actually slow jogging if I'm more accurate). I'm also aware that recently I've been very lazy in my commuting -in the sense that I just spin away, sit back, enjoy the view and do "junk" miles. I know I need to push myself harder now and again on the commute.

Moral of the story: even if you are a regular bike commuter, make sure you get yourself checked up yearly and eat well. Don't put if off.

God, I could eat a slice of pizza the size of a dustbin lid right now.

 

[magnatom]

Take some solace in the fact that BMI is a very crude indicator of your fat status. If you have a lot of muscle you can have a high BMI whilst still being perfectly healthy. (I know this as my wife is a dietician).

So, as long as you have bulging muscles, then you are ok. That's the case, isn't it....?

 

[Bollo]

Virtual pipe and slippers to you N.

I thought doctors were stepping back from using BMI on its own as a measure? I know I've had the odd medical in the past year or two where the doc has looked at the 17st on the scales, looked at me and been surprised that I've topped 14st, especially given all the cycling and footy. I guess I'm just dense . I am also looking down the barrel of 40, and it does become harder, especially if you're inclined to chunkiness.

 

[Bollo]

Take some solace in the fact that BMI is a very crude indicator of your fat status. If you have a lot of muscle you can have a high BMI whilst still being perfectly healthy. (I know this as my wife is a dietician).

So, as long as you have bulging muscles, then you are ok. That's the case, isn't it....?

Yeah!

 

[Nigeyy]

Oh absolutely. My muscles are just bulging, particularly the humungously large floppy midriff one. Biggest "muscle" on my body

No, I accept I'm overweight -just got to do something about it, that's all. I'm solely responsible. And of course, as you get older you realize you only have one body -and you should look after it. I also think this realization hits you more when you have young kids and you want to be around for when they get older!

Got to say living in the States doesn't help -portion sizes are often 2-4 times of what you really need.

Take some solace in the fact that BMI is a very crude indicator of your fat status. If you have a lot of muscle you can have a high BMI whilst still being perfectly healthy. (I know this as my wife is a dietician).

So, as long as you have bulging muscles, then you are ok. That's the case, isn't it....?

 

[Landslide]

Got to say living in the States doesn't help -portion sizes are often 2-4 times of what you really need.

Eat 2-4 times less often?

 

[Nigeyy]

Yeah god, this is why I love this board.

I'm coming to accept myself as a chunky highly muscular individual who sits down in a chintz armchair with a pipe and tartan slippers reading the Telegraph. Those Doctors don't know nuffin'! I reckon I've got to the stage of self-actualizing.

I swear I'm feeling better already,

cheers (flexing large virtual muscles from body with 50lbs less virtual weight eating a virtual pizza the size of, well, a virtual dustbin lid)

Nige

Virtual pipe and slippers to you N.
.
.
....especially if you're inclined to chunkiness.

 

[liquidindian]

Is there such a thing as 'junk miles'? Surely it's all good, even a gentle pace gets your heartbeat up and is of some use?

 

[HelenD123]

Is there such a thing as 'junk miles'? Surely it's all good, even a gentle pace gets your heartbeat up and is of some use?

I thought for weight loss it was actually better to keep your heart rate lower rather than go flat out. There's some sort of optimal zone for the heart rate, but I'm no expert...

 

[fossyant]

Keeping in the 'fat burning' zone is supposed to work - but you won't get that fit and it will take many miles to get your weight down.

Commute as quickly as you can and push it - it led to me dropping over 2 stone of excess within 3 months last year, and it has stayed off, and I can eat what I like (although don't - not too healthy). I do like my beer, and it means that these empty cals don't sit there too.

You'll also get fit and soon be passing everyone !

I'm 38 and the weight did start from early 30's, although now down to my 'race' weight when in my early 20's.

 

[Bollo]

Is there such a thing as 'junk miles'? Surely it's all good, even a gentle pace gets your heartbeat up and is of some use?

By riding junk kilometres, I lose more weight - measured in kgs of course.

 

[John-XTC]

30's middle aged? you must have led one hard life if you feel middle aged in your 30's!!

 

[Nigeyy]

I consider "junk" miles to be when you just spin -not that it doesn't work off calories, but I'm sure it isn't taxing to the heart much. I'm sure it's better to do that than nothing, however, and I'm guessing your week would be best taken up with a variety of riding -a hard fast as you can commute, a medium maintaining pace commute and a doddle along "junk" mile commute, probably with more emphasis on a fast or moderate commute to tax your heart. Course, I'm far from a training expert and this is purely a guess!

p.s. I'm 42, that's probably middle aged!

 

[hackbike 6]

I had a medical last week and was told im a stone overweight,i thought it was two.The only thing was the silly cow asked me how far the commute in was and i said ten miles.That isnt far the overweight doctor told me.Try it at 4am pal in all weathers and when you aren't at your best.(posted via mobile phone):-S

 

[swee'pea99]

Metabolism's a funny thing. I was stable at about 11 stone for years - I'm 6ft, but skinny - arms like twiglets, you get the idea - but last year did the swim of the London triathlon, which involved a couple of months of swimming miles of front crawl two or three times a week. I dropped to nigh on 10 and a half.

In the year since, I've put on a stone, and gained a noticeable midriff, tho' I'm eating and driking exactly as I always have and exercising just as much (and as energetically) as I have for years. I now seem to have stabilised again - but at half a stone more than I've been for fifteen years.

Doesn't worry me bigtime, but it does seem a bit odd.