Not sure if I should post this here or the weight loss forum but I think it's more relevant here. I'm very overweight, 300lbs at 6'2'', and I was wondering if there is a health concern to biking 12-15 miles a day, at a steady pace. I would probably use a bike machine for at least part of that so I can control my "environment" and not go down hills for most of it. It might sound ridiculous but I'm not sure if I could damage my heart doing that much? Everyone says "ease into it" but I did a 17 mile bike the other day on a local trail and I felt great, I like all or nothing.
Cycling question
- Thread starter JasonMA
- Start date
What g8r said, but don't take your doctor too seriously. Odds are he's more concerned with playing it safe than getting **** done.
If you feel fine, and continue to do so, and are able to do what you're doing now consistently (because that's the key - long term feasibility), then keep doing it as long as you are enjoying it and/or getting results.
Also, rock on, buddy, yeah.
P.S. Lift heavy weights, too.
If you feel fine, and continue to do so, and are able to do what you're doing now consistently (because that's the key - long term feasibility), then keep doing it as long as you are enjoying it and/or getting results.
Also, rock on, buddy, yeah.
P.S. Lift heavy weights, too.
Thanks for the replies everyone. I had a physical 5 months ago and a follow-up last week. They ran just about every blood test in the book. My blood pressure is great, no problems with any of the above. The only issue I have is "fat liver" and of course the method of treatment is losing weight so I guess I'm cleared, haha. I talked with somebody else from the forum and they recommended I pick up a heart rate monitor so I'm going to do that before I bike hard again.
Get a heart rate monitor, keep your heart rate between 70% and 85% of your max. heart rate and you'll be golden. You can estimate your max. heart rate by subtracting your age from 220. So, if you are 20 years old, your max heart rate would be 220-20=200 and 70% of that is 140 and 85% is 170.
Assuming your doctor ok'd you for exercise... read on.
I'm assuming you don't have a long lost love for cycling and you're trying to lose weight instead. If that's the case then don't overdose on cycling. Hop on the bike 3-4 times a week for an hour and cycle easy. @ 300 lbs you'll burn 475 (US) calories per hour. Now here's something to consider... you'll burn more calories walking for an hour... about 680 calories if you walk about 4 MPH. So maybe a combination of both just don't overdose on it to the point where you quit altogether.
And as far as your "ease into it" comment. Yes, you should. As you build up muscle and endurance and drop weight, you will be more likely to continue doing it. If you do it boot-camp style, you're going to dread your workouts.