time to assess.

[gavroche]

Since I re-started cycling in June 2011, after a 30 year gap, I have now covered about 2200 miles.
I must admit my average speed has only gone up by no more than 2 miles an hour and my weight is down by about half a stone.
I don't cover great distances, 40 miles in one go is my longest ride but usually it is between 20 and 30 miles.
My point is: I feel fitter alright but my speed and weight have not changed much. I put it down to getting older ( 62 next month) so less stamina and physical strenght I assume. I am happy the way it is but can't help to wonder how some of you claim to have lost so much weight an increased your average speed by quite a bit as well?
I don't diet but don't over eat either. I just enjoy my cycling nevertheless.

 

[Pauluk]

Exercise alone rarely results in weight loss, it can happen and does happen but not in many people and you have to do some real effective workouts on a regular basis. If you want to lose weight (and it sounds like you don't particularly) you have to take in less calories so therefore eat less.

I believe as you get older, building muscle gets more difficult to do and physical strength declines. If your average speed has gone up by 2 mph that's pretty good in my estimation as it's quite hard to attain even small increases in average speed.

It sounds to me that you're doing ok for some one over 60, frequent 20 to 30 miles is a good exercise and you should take comfort from the fact that its giving you some real benefits health wise. I know a lot of people in their late 50s that do nothing and I feel they are storing up trouble for themselves.

So just keep up the good work, eat sensibly and enjoy what you are doing.