Ebiker metabolism

[veloman]

I have a pretty high metabolism to begin with, but there's something I've noticed since I started ebiking consistently last year. Even though I don't pedal much, and not very hard, I still seem to get hungry almost as if I am doing normal cycling. Before ebiking I was a road cyclist (still do it sometimes), and already quite skinny. But I seem to be on this steady decline of weight.

Maybe I just pedal more than I think? Could be a good method for exercise since I barely notice it. Of course, on the other hand, ebiking does nothing to maintain my fitness that I would normally have if I was cycling normally on a regular basis.

[Sacman]

Really? So you pedaling less but losing more weight?
I got the opposite problem. As my ebike builds get better, I'm pedaling less which
makes it more difficult to keep the weight off. Hey man I'd swap problems with you
any day.

[Sacman]

I just thought about it again... maybe it's easier for you to pedal so you're riding farther and longer, hence you're actually getting more excercise?

Maybe I just pedal more than I think? Could be a good method for exercise since I barely notice it. Of course, on the other hand, ebiking does nothing to maintain my fitness that I would normally have if I was cycling normally on a regular basis.

[cal3thousand]

I just thought about it again... maybe it's easier for you to pedal so you're riding farther and longer, hence you're actually getting more excercise?

Maybe I just pedal more than I think? Could be a good method for exercise since I barely notice it. Of course, on the other hand, ebiking does nothing to maintain my fitness that I would normally have if I was cycling normally on a regular basis.

That's my theory.

Works for me since 14 miles of easy pedaling mixed with hard sprints (to make lights) is better than sitting in a leather chair moving only my arms and ankles.

[veloman]

I just thought about it again... maybe it's easier for you to pedal so you're riding farther and longer, hence you're actually getting more excercise?

Maybe I just pedal more than I think? Could be a good method for exercise since I barely notice it. Of course, on the other hand, ebiking does nothing to maintain my fitness that I would normally have if I was cycling normally on a regular basis.

I don't think so. I do a fair bit of ebiking, but physically it's not much compared to road biking. I think the weight loss is more due to diet though. I am just not motivated enough to cook this much all the time.

But my initial thought is that even just pedaling hard during an acceleration or short hill (and ghost pedaling or coasting all the other time) is enough to spike your metabolism.

[Kingfish]

My weight remained the same after returning to biking with the bulk of it shifting from my waist to my legs. The biggest change with ebiking is that my chest grew larger and I am pushing myself harder. I had already sensitized my palate from years of beer judging – so the brain had been wired for noticeably increased perception, and riding at greater speeds with my heart pumping like a stallion, well – that just amped up my awareness another notch.

The whole reason why I started biking was because in 2009 I had a physical, and afterwards the Doc told me he was going to put me on cholesterol-reducing medication. That put a burr under my butt; ain’t gonna take no medication no way no how! I jumped on the bike and started riding. A few months later I had the ebike up & running and was going farther faster better with each passing week.

About a year after the infamous physical I went in for a repeat, mainly to get my heart checked out before the first ride to California (2010)… you know, make sure I don’t blow a gasket! Doc looks at all the results and is astounded that I am in perfect health; couldn’t believe the reversal over the year before. I told him I was riding an electric bike every day and how far I was going. He told me that for a man of my age to not have anything wrong was very rare! (I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I missed getting laid three times a day… and actually – I’d be happy if it was just once, but I digress )

I too once had a hummingbird metabolism, though I’ve slowed down some. Ebiking helps me sleep at night, is better than a quad-shot latte first thing in the morning to bring about alertness, and definitely puts alight my footing. I can almost eat anything I want (lots of beer, nightly bowl of ice cream, lobster weekly… not so good, sorry no). I can fit into old trousers. And I feel good, generally. I haven’t had a cold – nothing more than a 24-hour bug since taking up the hobby oh… 2.5 years ago; that’s pretty rare.

Now if I could just meet that nice unattached ebiker gal the world would be peachy.
One foot in front of the other, KF

[iamsofunny]

If you're eating out instead of cooking you could be ingesting a lot of crap that causes weight loss.
When I ate dumplings with MSG and meat tenderizer I had to eat 4000 calories to maintain my weight as versus normally eating 2500 calories. I felt horrible and it took me a few days to figure out what was causing the problem.

[Joseph C.]

That's odd, Veloman. I'd recommend a visit to the GP just to be save.

[Kingfish]

If you're eating out instead of cooking you could be ingesting a lot of crap that causes weight loss.
When I ate dumplings with MSG and meat tenderizer I had to eat 4000 calories to maintain my weight as versus normally eating 2500 calories. I felt horrible and it took me a few days to figure out what was causing the problem.

Yes, exactly! Very good point: When I started riding I changed my diet, began cooking more at home cos I was fricken hungry all the time and it was healthier for me! And I cut out the starchy fatty BS at company Cantina, eating more self-made salads and such. Am I the only one that likes having a bowl of cold chicken, pork chop, or lamb in the fridge for easy snacking between meals? My favorite evening desert is now apples with peanut butter or cheese.

Kinda silly, but it works for me
Off to the market to craft a special dinner 2nite, KF

[spinningmagnets]

Ebiking helps me sleep at night

Not only will any type of regular biking help you get the DEEP satisfying sleep that actually helps...biking and E-biking is good for mental health and a reduction in stress. I suppose any exercise would provide the major benefit of this, but...going to a stationary gym three days a week can get boring, since the scenery never changes. Mentally, its like you are in a minimum security prison...and you're just another hamster running in a wheel to nowhere.



Jogging is good, but bad for my old weak knees...swimming is awesome, but sometimes inconvenient and frequently boring after a few months of putting in some swim-exercise (instead of pool-socializing which is fun, but not really exercise).

Pedal cyclists often refer to cars as "cages' in a derogatory way, perhaps with some justification. I used to commute an hour each way to work and home...very slowly crawling through a traffic jam with all of the other Jetsons "living the dream" that TV told me I should want. After a few years of listening to John & Ken on the radio, I realized I spent more time with them than my wife and kids.

cloggedFreeway.jpg (118.97 KiB) Viewed 305 times

[dogman]

Exactly how old are you Velo? Maybe just reaching your phyisical peak? In my prime, I used to simply sweat off 10 pounds every summer. It would come back about thanksgiving, and be gone again by may.

If you are 30-35, and started losing weight for no reason, then you should see a doc. That's about when you should be gaining that belly if you weren't biking so much. If you lost 10 pounds and don't continue losing, It's likely just the weather and spinning is a good metabolisim increaser.

[John in CR]

Look at all that extra space for an ebike. Riding there would be an absolute blast, passing cars by the thousand every mile.

cloggedFreeway.jpg

[hydro-one]

Kingfish wrote:

and afterwards the Doc told me he was going to put me on cholesterol-reducing medication. That put a burr under my butt; ain’t gonna take no medication no way no how!

This decision is probably saving your life.

[Kingfish]

Kingfish wrote:

and afterwards the Doc told me he was going to put me on cholesterol-reducing medication. That put a burr under my butt; ain’t gonna take no medication no way no how!

This decision is probably saving your life.

I interpret this to mean that electing to ride a bike/ebike (instigate good exercise) was better than pharmaceuticals, yes?

I am over 50 and have developed random joint aches and pains mainly caused by my youthful carelessness, and some from working on the farm. Scar tissue does not fade; it hides until your skin loses its’ resiliency, then rears its’ surly head, and that’s just on the outside. Internally, your body works to replace itself constantly. The cells in the eyes, mouth, liver, and lungs work overtime to replicate when compared to muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

As we age, we slow down, or eat the wrong things, or both. My problem was that I was eating too much of the cantina food, sitting at the computer working long hours, and then drinking beer with greasy pub food at night. I know my body, I know that with light effort it will respond in kind, and I know it enjoys physical activity once I convince the brain to accept it. Riding a bike has less impact on the joints and not too bad for the back… that’s if I’m not racing downhill on a dirt track and taking spills.

Riding: It took me a while to train my mind and body to act in concert; actually the body began to dominate the internal conversation by indicating what it wanted in the way of food – and it was all rather basic needs. I cut back on butter and fried things, and ate a lot more vegetables. I ended up pooping a lot more as a result which is very good for the GI; means that the body is passing toxins more frequently rather than allowing accumulation and having the potential to create unhealthy manifestations.

Mentally though, I think I’m just as twisted. More clear in thought perhaps, but still devilishly hatching some scheme or another. The body aches are still there; I hardly take meds – though Ibuprofen and Vitamin-D (cos I live in Seattle) are always within reach if required. Coffee daily: ½ pot is all I need. And an accessional trip to the pub is most therapeutic. Warm smiles from ladies and a cuddle are even better.

Heal thyself, KF

[spinningmagnets]

I am over 50 and have developed random joint aches and pains

My wife and I are over 50, and we have felt a meausrable improvement by using Chondroitin/Glucosamine and also fish-oil. I don't have a brand preference to sell anyone on, but it is a cheap and easy experiment to see if it might benefit you.

[cal3thousand]

I am over 50 and have developed random joint aches and pains

I'm only 30ish and I agree that a random joint helps with the aches and pains

[veloman]

Well this is closely related so I though I'd add it here.

I just got back on my road bike last night for a spirited fun ride with some friends. Nothing too intense, but certainly more than a casual stroll. I was off the road bike for 5 weeks, during which I was sick and had lost 8lbs (gained about half back now). I was ebiking for the past 3 weeks or so though. Ebiking as in ghost pedaling, coasting, with some occasional real efforts on hills/starts. Apparantly I didn't lose much fitness, as I felt pretty good on the road bike. It doesn't make sense to me. I shouldn't have any fitness right now.

Maybe I just pedal more than I think on the ebike..... I do ride it 70 miles a week or so.

I can't complain!

[number1cruncher]

Cholesterol medicine is very, very bad for certain people, such as myself. May be good for some, I don't know. For me, after a week of taking it, my muscles felt like they were constantly sore. And my cholesterol levels went no where.

I've taken to eating better ( McDonald's burgers just don't taste as good without the pink slime.) In the spring we grow our own lettuce, radishes and sweet peas, which I eat gobs of all the time. Then in the summer we grow green beans(the thin kind, yum), squash, matos and a few expermintals. I've also been grilling/smoking a lot of my own wild caught salmon recently. Almost tastes like bacon after sitting in the smoker for a few hours. Trick is to include a bowl of water to keep the fish from turning into jerky, which is also good.

As for fake-cycling, I often wonder if it is doing me any good. I've been thin since the beginning of my time here on Earth, except for the tube around the gut that grows in the fall and wanes by mid-spring. I figure it isn't hurting.

Veloman,

Maybe that 10 lbs is mostly water weight? If you continue to lose much more weight, I'd go see a doctor.

Kingfish wrote:

and afterwards the Doc told me he was going to put me on cholesterol-reducing medication. That put a burr under my butt; ain’t gonna take no medication no way no how!

This decision is probably saving your life.

I interpret this to mean that electing to ride a bike/ebike (instigate good exercise) was better than pharmaceuticals, yes?

I am over 50 and have developed random joint aches and pains mainly caused by my youthful carelessness, and some from working on the farm. Scar tissue does not fade; it hides until your skin loses its’ resiliency, then rears its’ surly head, and that’s just on the outside. Internally, your body works to replace itself constantly. The cells in the eyes, mouth, liver, and lungs work overtime to replicate when compared to muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

As we age, we slow down, or eat the wrong things, or both. My problem was that I was eating too much of the cantina food, sitting at the computer working long hours, and then drinking beer with greasy pub food at night. I know my body, I know that with light effort it will respond in kind, and I know it enjoys physical activity once I convince the brain to accept it. Riding a bike has less impact on the joints and not too bad for the back… that’s if I’m not racing downhill on a dirt track and taking spills.

Riding: It took me a while to train my mind and body to act in concert; actually the body began to dominate the internal conversation by indicating what it wanted in the way of food – and it was all rather basic needs. I cut back on butter and fried things, and ate a lot more vegetables. I ended up pooping a lot more as a result which is very good for the GI; means that the body is passing toxins more frequently rather than allowing accumulation and having the potential to create unhealthy manifestations.

Mentally though, I think I’m just as twisted. More clear in thought perhaps, but still devilishly hatching some scheme or another. The body aches are still there; I hardly take meds – though Ibuprofen and Vitamin-D (cos I live in Seattle) are always within reach if required. Coffee daily: ½ pot is all I need. And an accessional trip to the pub is most therapeutic. Warm smiles from ladies and a cuddle are even better.

Heal thyself, KF