Time to try and get fit again

[Systreg]

I've been piling the weight on over the last 2 years, not through choice or being lazy, I started getting some bad breathing problems 2 years ago out of nowhere (it's still not right now), so I had to stop cycling at that point after collapsing off the bike one night unable to breath properly and my arm/chest going numb and tingling, ambulance called etc, I though I was having a heart attack, as I also have heart problems, anyway, with my breathing not being right, I haven't done much except sit at the computer all day since then, getting fatter by the day.

3 years ago I weighed 14 stone 2lbs, I was unfit and a heavy chain smoker, I decided to buy a cheap mountain bike (it weighed 38lbs), and started riding again after not riding for many years, it nearly killed me lol. I cut down on the smoking, got my weight down to 11 stone 12lbs over a period of 9 months having ridden nearly 3000 miles during that period, I was a hell of a lot fitter, but since then with not being able to ride, I'm currently back up to around 15 stone 7lbs.

My breathing still isn't as it should be, but if I don't do something soon, it's just going to get worse, so I've been looking at bikes for the last few days, had my eye on a couple of nice carbon mountain bikes that I have drooled over for a while, proper bike porn , but I can't justify buying them, as they wont get the use they were intended for (at the moment), so I had to change my mind about them for something more suitable to my needs.

A road bike would be nice and light, but I haven't ridden one of those since 1985, I had a Bianchi Sprint then, I don't think I would feel comfortable with road bike bars these days on these dodgy Irish country lanes. In the end, I decided I couldn't be bothered with an all singing and dancing mountain bike, having to service suspension forks, and messing about with hydraulic disk brakes etc, so I went a bit old school, just a few minutes ago I ordered a 2010 hardtail mountain bike with a rigid carbon fork and v brakes, meaning less maintenance and less weight on the bike, bought this:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=45901

With 2012 bikes now on the market, this bike is nicely discounted, I also like SRAM derailleurs/shifters it has, very smooth gearing set up with those, I ordered a few other cheap bits and pieces for it:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=12665 (2 x bottles)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...x?ModelID=8286 (2 x bottle cages)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=26726 (2 x tubes)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=18822 (2 x tyres)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=15541 (1 x rear light)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=25816 (1 x track pump)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=42178 (1 x mini pump)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=73904 (1 x front light)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...px?ModelID=563 (1 x pedals)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=26194 (1 x computer)

Looking forward to delivery and getting riding again , just hope the lungs hold out so I can carry on and get back in to a riding daily routine, it should help that the new bike only weighs 22.9lbs, compared with the previous 38lbs monster, mind you, the old bike was good for getting fit pushing all that weight along.

[foz]

Demonstrates exercise is essential.

Any change to diet during the up-down-up period?

[aZooZa]

Get yourself a Suzuki Hayabusa and ride those Irish twisties mate. You need a lot of arm, upper body and leg strength to do that - big heavy motorbikes don't automatically lean into corners, or right themselves afterwards However, motorbikes don't do much for cardio-vascular improvement, other than the adrenalin factor.

Seriously, my advice would be to go to your GP and get a good check-up, and see what transpires.

I know I'm old, but my motorbike workouts would leave me breathless and completely knackered. Now I'm in China, I miss it all. You have to have balls of molybdenum to ride a pushbike here

[Whibs]

As a cardio work out the rowing machine is the very best all over work out you can get and can be easily staggered to ensure better results.

I trained as a BWLA coach in 2002, as far as weight loss and fitness are concerned the rower is far superior to any other single exercise.

A bike tones the lower body and gives average cardio work out, a rower gives every muscle in the body a work out and maximum cardio potential.

At the beginning never train for more than 30 minutes, 4 weeks later you can increase the intensity.

Need any training tips let me know, happy to point out tips and tricks for maximum value

[BREWSTERS]

Good call Whibs!

A few years ago I bought a Concept2 rower - fantastic.

[mojoco]

Originally Posted by BREWSTERS

Good call Whibs!

A few years ago I bought a Concept2 rower - fantastic.

I have got a Concept2 rower as well. It makes a lovely clothes horse.

[afx]

Originally Posted by mojoco

I have got a Concept2 rower as well. It makes a lovely clothes horse.

Haha

Notice too there's never a queue to get on the concept 2 at the gym -- too much effort for most people and is for sure the least used bit of equipment.

[Whibs]

Most rowing machines are ignored as it considered hard work. But you will see the difference if you are serious about losing weight, far quicker than a bike

In 2003

Originally Posted by afx

Haha

Notice too there's never a queue to get on the concept 2 at the gym -- too much effort for most people and is for sure the least used bit of equipment.

[deliajen]

how strange i always thought the rower is a easy option at the Gym ,i can literally row for hours but when you put me on the cross-trainer my lungs feel like they are close to exploding and my calf muscles pull like mad all within 5 mins...

[TinkyWinky]

As a cardio work out the rowing machine is the very best all over work out you can get and can be easily staggered to ensure better results

AFAIK the average person will burn calories at a very similar rate swimming - but that's not very practical on the lanes in Ireland :P!

Just note that to maximise calorie burn on a rower you have to be consistently powerful with leg work and arm work at the end of the stroke - which not many people are if you watch their technique! Be careful of your back too as if you do it wrong - it's easy to pick up back niggles!

I've always found swimming better provided you actually keep a minimum 2-4 beat kick and tumble turn at the end of each length. It's even better if you have the luxury of a 50m pool!!

Some of the reason may be because it's easier to do a 20min+ workout - unlike a rower where a lot of people are bored to tears after 5!!!

Both are great for low impact workouts though - far far better than running and all the issues with knee injuries and the such!

Good luck
Cheers
TW