Weight Loss Success Stories: Biking  

Finding a good workout buddy can be harder than lifting the weights themselves. So we at MensHealth.com wanted to help by bringing together our virtual workout buddies in our online forums to focus on one goal -- getting leaner by Labor Day.

This was never about who fared the best. There were to be no winners nor losers. The goal was for readers to share their experiences and know they could rely on others to deliver a swift kick in the rear if they slacked off.

So on July 14 we kicked off the Leaner by Labor Day Club, using the Men's Health e-mail newsletter to encourage guys to come on board. Readers who needed workout and nutrition motivation signed up and tracked their progress in a thread in our Belly-Off forum.

Throughout the seven weeks, four men -- coined "Team Lean" -- stood out from the rest in their consistent willingness to help each other and check in on a daily basis. Again, these aren't the winners. They're examples of success, stories we can all learn from.

Team Lean features Pick E. Guy (Vincent Caster), Pedalin' Dad (David C.), MiddleAgeDad (Tod Adkins), and Kevnik (Kevin Brandon). These men built a fitness community by cheering each other on and recognizing accomplishments. They've even decided to keep their informal group together through Thanksgiving. You still have time to join what's now called Thinner Through Thanksgiving, where these men will continue to be a presence, encouraging you to reach your goals. Look below to read about Pedalin' Dad, and return to our site tommorrow for MiddleAgeDad's story.

 

Pedalin' Dad's Success Story

Name: David C.*

Forum Name: Pedalin' Dad

Profession: Software

Hometown: Watertown, MA

Starting Body Fat Percentage: 29%

Ending BF: 26%

Age: 31

Goal: Lose 10 pounds or lower body fat percentage

 

While the most exercise people get traveling to work is tuning in to a radio station,  David C. bikes 11 miles each way. He uses leg power to commute at least four days a week because it's an easy way to get cardio in -- 80 minutes of it each day. Even before he hops on his bike, David will wake at 5:45 a.m. to do a total-body strength workout three days a week.

"I have to fit in my workouts in the mornings. If I don't, it won't happen, because it's baby duty at night," says the father of a five-month-old daughter.

David used the Leaner by Labor Day forum to find workout buddies, since he didn't have any locally. He teamed up with Team Lean because it gave him a sense of accountability. "If you get lazy, these guys will gang up on you. I started feeling like I didn't want to disappoint," he says.

The Leaner by Labor Day Club also inspired David to fix his diet and lower his body fat percentage. He built muscle through his regimen of total-body workouts and by increasing his protein intake (eating more tuna, drinking protein shakes) and laying off high-carbohydrate foods.

David's long-term goal is to stay in good shape so that when his daughter gets older he can keep up with her.

 

*David asked Men's Health not to use his last name in this article

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