Biomass upgrade

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 1:22 am

Although I still have not "outgrown" my Buddy 50, I do have to admit that I have... "grown" a bit since I bought it three years ago. I didn't ride the bicycle as much afterward, so my weight went up. And stayed up. At 225lbs to be precise.

Since the actuarial tables say that's not sufficiently healthy for a person of my height, starting at the beginning of this year my health insurance required me to enroll in a weight-loss program, or receive lesser benefits. I opted for a program which involves carrying a pedometer and recording an average of at least 5000 steps per day. As much as I despise this in principle, I have to acknowledge that it's working. I've been going to the gym almost every day (usually on my lunch break), and 100 days into it, my scooter is now carrying 10lbs less than it did.

I don't have the means to measure the impact that has had on my scooter's acceleration, ability to maintain speed going uphill, etc. But it's gotta be better. And I'm not finished. At this rate, I should be able to manage nearly another 10lbs before my road trip up north, which should make it more enjoyable in at least a couple ways.

So... anyone else working on a "biomass upgrade" for their scooter? How's it going?

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 3:01 am

It's not a must for me, but since I quit teaching martial arts in October, I have lost a bit of tone, etc.

so we've been hitting the gym. I haven't lost weight, but have gained muscle!

Keep up the good work!

Edwub · Post by **Edwub** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 3:35 am

Starting July, I'll be on the same track as you. I can't realistically do it before then due to work-related deadlines, but I hope to see a difference with my Blur - specifically gas mileage, as I'm always in stop/go roads. Hoping a lighter load will help with the constant '0 to 45' accelerations.

Good luck! Scooter support group? Heh.

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 6:50 am

One morning a couple years ago I looked in personal speedometer and finally said, WTF? So a year or so ago I started a scooter performance improvement project of my own; the results, though minor, are discernible and continuing to improve at the same relatively slow rate they declined.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 11:20 am

Slowly and steadily is definitely the best way to lose weight. I'm pushing it a bit because I need the positive feedback. I didn't have any specific pace in mind as a goal when I started exercising, but losing a pound every 10 days seems to be manageable for me so far.

Mousenut · Post by **Mousenut** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 1:05 pm

I have had a hurt foot for quite some time and it's just starting to get better now that I'm getting more active. Hurt foot + slouching = Muffin top while riding. Working on the new villa for our scoot has put me in the spring "get healthy" mode and I'm sure that will recycle some bio-mass.

Is there a low-cal margarita?

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 6:35 pm

Don't forget to do the following before the next weigh-in:

- Get a haircut
- Trim fingernails and toenails.
- Trim eyebrows and mustache (if so equipped).
- Scrub self vigorously with a Scotch-Brite pad.
- Floss

That should buy you a few more ounces. If you're in my age category, trimming ear and nose hairs could conceivably add another pound or two to the loss column.

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 8:59 pm

And eat plenty of oatmeal. Oatmeal is the Mr Plumber of the digestive track.

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:07 pm

I wish it were as easy as diet and exercise for me now.. since just two.5 years ago I dropped about 30lbs in two months on a diet with my ex bf (who ended up losing nothing, because when I wasn't around he would make frequent Taco Bell and Burger King trips... gross.) Unfortunately I'm going to have to start actual medical treatments for other problems before my body will even let me lose weight, which sucks because I have major anxiety problems when it comes to going to a doctor's office. It's going to be a long summer, but hopefully I'll be back down to my healthy 110-120 range by Christmas. Of course by then it will be winter, and I probably won't be able to see the difference in my scoot's performance until next year's riding season-- we shall see.
Thankfully I've kept all of my "skinny" clothes so I won't have to buy/make a whole new wardrobe again, I'm just hoping they're still in style by the time I get to wear them again!

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:14 pm

bah! style is what you make it!

Or, in my case, don't. I am never going to be one of the cool kids, and I'm fine with that

.

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:47 pm

lol.. I'm not the most stylish person either. If it fits right, looks good, and I don't look like a hobo or a Hilton/Kardashian (aka skankapotamus), then I'm good.
Most of the stuff I saved is basic jeans, shorts, tees and tanks, maybe a couple sweaters, I doubt any of it will be "like, so five minutes ago" by the time I can wear it again.

theflash784 · Post by **theflash784** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 11:06 pm

Since the weather began to get nice in March, I have been trying to increase my scooter's performance by reducing some of my biomass. I have managed to loss a few pounds- got several more to go. It also makes it easier to get the type of gear you want too. I was looking for a jacket over the winter and was bummed when the jackets I really wanted didn't come in my size.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 12:34 am

One pleasant surprise I had a few weeks ago was when I put on the summer jacket, and instead of hugging my gut like it was doing last Fall, there was actually a little bit of breathing room in it.

I've never been concerned about fashion (except to actively defy it, years ago), but I am conscious enough of it that I didn't save my 1970s short-shorts after I outgrew the waistbands. Even if I get back down to a 30-inch waist, by the time 1/2-inch inseams come back into fashion again, I'm sure they won't be considered age-appropriate for me.