Cycling's Body Weight Obsession - How Light Is Right For You?

In this video, we’ll set out how you find your optimum cycling weight, AND how to maintain it. But in answering that question, we’ve also landed on one of cycling’s biggest issues, one that’s rarely talked about. You’ll hear from an expert on this subject who will advise on how to arrive at the right weight, and we’ll hear from a rider who pushed it too far but has, fortunately, come out the other side.
Subscribe to GCN: gcn.eu/SubscribeToGCN
Register your interest in the GCN Club: gcn.eu/-Z
GCN Christmas Gift Guide: gcn.eu/--
A huge thanks to Renee McGregor and Ben King for making this video possible.
If you'd like more information on the topics covered in this video, please check out the following links:
health4performance.co.uk
trainbrave.org/
www.runninginsilence.com/
www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/
As cyclists, we want to be light. On a bike, Light is generally fast, that much is basic physics and it’s because of this that cycling has become obsessed with weight. Both in technology, and also our bodies.
Seemingly every cyclist you speak to will say that they feel that they can lose weight. That feeling will partly be based on dreams of improved performance, but probably also about looks.
There’s nowhere to hide in lycra and so it’s not surprising that we might feel the need to look a certain way.
And so starts the obsession. Train more, eat less. Perhaps even skipping meals altogether, or riding longer and harder, specifically to burn off calories.
If you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍
If you'd like to contribute captions and video info in your language, here's the link - gcn.eu/-Y
Watch more on GCN...
📹 Men's Sexual Health in Cycling gcn.eu/SexualHealth
Music: Epidemic Sound
Dismantle - Peter Sandberg
V1RGO - Patrik Almkvisth
Chasma - Silver Maple
Steps To Mindfulness - Calm Shores
Forever Shifting - They Dream By Day
Photos: © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Bettiniphoto / www.bettiniphoto.net/
About GCN:
The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic climbs of Alpe D’Huez and Mont Ventoux to the cobbles of Flanders, everywhere there is road or pavé, world-class racing and pro riders, we will be there bringing you action, analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year. We show you how to be a better cyclist with our bike maintenance videos, tips for improving your cycling, cycling top tens, and not forgetting the weekly GCN Show. Join us on KZbin’s biggest and best cycling channel to get closer to the action and improve your riding!
Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside cycling
Thanks to our sponsors:
Alta Badia: gcn.eu/AltaBadia- // Maratona Dles Dolomites: gcn.eu/MaratonaDlesDolomites-
Assos of Switzerland: gcn.eu/Assos
KASK helmets: gcn.eu/KASK
fi’zi:k shoes and saddles: gcn.eu/fizikshoes and gcn.eu/fiziksaddles
Wiggle: gcn.eu/wiggle
Topeak tools: gcn.eu/Topeak
Canyon bikes: gcn.eu/-Canyon
Quarq: gcn.eu/Quarq
Orbea bikes: gcn.eu/Orbea
Trek Bicycles: gcn.eu/-Trek
Vision wheels: gcn.eu/Vision
Zipp wheels: gcn.eu/Zipp
power2max: gcn.eu/power2max
Wahoo Fitness: gcn.eu/Wahoo-Fitness
Park Tool: gcn.eu/-parktool
Continental tyres: gcn.eu/continental-
Camelbak: gcn.eu/camelbak-
Suscribirse a GCN en Español: gcn.eu/Suscribirse
The GCN Club - gcn.eu/club
KZbin Channel - gcn.eu/gcnYT
Facebook - gcn.eu/gcnFb
Instagram - gcn.eu/GCNInsta
Google+ - gcn.eu/gcnGPlus
Twitter - gcn.eu/gcnTW
GMBN Tech - gmbn.tech/subscribe
GCN Tech - gcntech.co/subscribe
EMBN - embn.me/subscribe
Leave us a comment below!

[@gcn]

Have you been affected by the issues in this video?

[@localbikehero]

yes. recently i have thrown out my weighing scales in an attempt to help myself. take care of yourselves, everyone.

[@TheTubaEmporer]

Yes, I recently lost 35lbs and am now walking the road of healthy eating and healthy living. I am consciously aware how fast tracking your macros and counting calories can become an eating disorder and to combat this I plan in foods I like or find healthier alternatives that I still enjoy, and also planning "cheat days" is crucial to help avoid binge eating.

[@jochem1986]

I'm close to my heaviest ever, at 96 kilos for 1.74m. But quite a lot of that is muscle mass. But I am fat still, yeah. I'm changing my diet and going to the gym though. I need to stop overthinking it and stop throwing barriers between me and achieving that.

[@galenkehler]

I started to go down this path when I was a young racer, but I was lucky in the sense that I recognized some of the warning signs, thanks in large part to increasing public awareness of the issue. So a huge thanks to GCN for keeping this conversation going, hopefully many more athletes, coaches, and parents can avoid the danger as I did.

[@NatPage]

My fear of cycling is losing weight. I don't want to look that skinny and I bike to work every day and goto a gym and I lose about 1000-1500 calories a day so what I do to not lose weight is making a 1500+ calories mass gainer protein shake. I really like cycling but I don't want to look like a stick >

[@brianmessemer2973]

This is not just a GCN video. This is Simon's essay on an important topic in cycling which extends beyond just cycling into overall health. Well done.

[@gcn]

Thanks Brian

It's the best CGN video I've ever watched, in terms of relevance to the many casual riders out there who are dealing with body image issues as well.

[@11-inch]

A thesis material

[@magicalzidane]

Quality video Si! All the best with the thesis 👍🏽

[@ankitkbd]

This documentary style video is fire

[@gcn]

Cheers Ankit

[@brianalmaraz5438]

Fire meaning?

[@jirihutecka9020]

Like it's fucking good..

[@The1mars1]

All what is takes is a good music mixed correctly with everything else ( dialogue, some SFX) etc. Good job GCN editors.

[@TheSteinbitt]

Fire is a noun, not an adjective, if you're not a native speaker. But it was very good, I agree:)

[@nstrug]

Thanks for this. I had a 90 minute turbo session lined up this evening. Was knackered after a solid block of training this week and then coaching juniors this afternoon. Decided to mix myself a martini and listen to records that have not been out of their sleeves since I bought them as I simply haven’t had time. I don’t feel so guilty anymore.

[@gcn]

Do what makes you happy, and you'll enjoy riding more

[@miguelsaez340]

Making this videos means caring. From all those who need to hear it. Thank you GCN

[@gcn]

You're welcome Miguel. We hope this helps

[@Serdzalas]

This is the most useful video GCN ever made! Amateurs killing themselves with training forgetting that they do not have professional support as pros do so that thay can reach highest performance without becoming ill. I pushed over limit, once by being my own coach, and second time by following other coach program session, until I realised that key to my optimum, not ultimate, just optimum success lays between being healthy and happy, because that is after all why I do cycling and putting myself on the road at risk few hours per day away from my family. How good cyclist I am does not really matter in the real life at all.

[@CarlosPF94]

Senad Redza what if I want to do everything to be the best?

[@graphics_dev5918]

@AG Coarseman Will you ever know if you never try?

[@graphics_dev5918]

@AG Coarseman That is true, but a failed attempt to reach whatever level of athletics you aspire to may just be because you went about it the wrong way. You must be careful that you don't give excuses to those who can succeed if they truly tried.

[@andyhaochizhang]

There’s nothing wrong with going hard either even if we are not pros, if that makes one happy. But I think what’s really important for us enthusiasts without professional support is being rational and learn about how our body works. Too be able to do that properly can take a lot of work, maybe even more than the work needed to become a fairly competent athlete, but the ability to think about our biology scientifically and look for credible information can benefit us greatly in many ways. This is actually what GCN does pretty well, they’ve been making videos that promote scientific thinking in nutrition and training for a while.

[@jasonahlstrom769]

That video certainly didn't go the direction I thought it would. I've lost nearly 100lbs over the last two years. Diet was a big part of that, but I owe an equal part to cycling and realizing just how much I love this sport. But just last month my wife had to sit me down and ask me if I was ever going to stop "moving the goalposts." Every time I got close to a goal I'd think, "Sure, this is great, but another fifteen pounds and I'll be there..." After being an obese man for my entire adult life I found it nearly impossible to look in the mirror and think, "Okay. I'm there. My weight is in the 'normal' range for a man my height, I like the way I look, and my doctor is ecstatic. Let's just focus on maintaining." Accepting that I can be done with weight loss has been a strangely difficult thing to get my head around. I can see how one could fall into the trap of never being satisfied with what the scale says, or what they see in a mirror. Thanks for covering this issue from both a physical and psychological perspective. Good stuff.

[@alexk3806]

Double congratulations. Firstly for getting healthier, and secondly for knowing when to stop. Both difficult and brave decisions.

[@erikgiggey4783]

awesome job. i to am going down this road. for whatever reason when i went to the doctors once and i weighed exactly 409lbs then and there was the trigger. i have dropped 100 lbs so far but have been stuck there for quite some time but i just keep going. when i started i had a resting heart rate of 92 now its 48 my first walk was only 1/4 mile out and 1/4 mile back and it whooped me. 4 years later i can backpack all day and recently with the addition of zwift to my tools im starting to be able to hang with other riders for a while before i cant keep the high effort to keep up. my goal is only to get to 270ish maybe a bit lower if it comes but being 6'5" i know i can never get super light. again awesome job to you and your wife for being a voice of reason and support for you

[@jasonahlstrom769]

@@erikgiggey4783 - That's awesome! I actually got over 400lbs myself in my early 20s (I'm 46 now), and that was definitely a wake-up call. I spend most of my 20s and 30s weighing between 250-300. My original goal was just to get down to 240, where I knew I looked and felt better. But once I got there I decided to shoot for 220, then it was 200, and then it was 185... it was at that point I realized I had to think about some things. I'd gotten really good at losing weight over two years - I was successful at it! It's hard to let go of something that's become that big a part of your life. So keep an eye on it as you continue to get fitter, but enjoy the success as well as you get stronger and healthier!

[@julen2380]

Thank you for sharing, Jason! I think this part was missed a bit in the video which focused more on somebody already fit getting obsessed with reaching the 'perfect'. Your journey might actually be more familiar for many here. And so your warning is an important addition to the video, I feel. :)

[@jeffpedals]

​@@jasonahlstrom769 We are the same age & I was once 425 in 2007, I got down to 202 by 2009. From that point it crept back on slowly no matter my diet or biking ventures staying the same (1500 calories per day..big miles on the bike) to where at one point I became so frustrated that I was gaining weight I just slacked off with the calorie crunch in 2012-13 because it was no longer working & was going the wrong way. I got slower on the bike as my weight crept up each year which really really sucks. In 2017 I had reached 350 again & that was the point where I began to get super serious again with the calorie counting & started to get it going down once again but not nearly as quickly as I had the first time around. So I got angry enough to go see a dietitian in January 2018 at around 320. With seeing the dietitian she has had me keeping a food journal online that she can check when I visit every 2 months so it keeps me I suppose more honest. She has me trying to stay around 1800 calories. I weight train hard twice per week do core exercises 3-4 times a week & pedal most other days. But I am currently stuck at 262-265 for the past 4-5 months & the dietitian really don't have any other tricks to share with me at this point. Last time she said it looked like I was eating a bit to many carbs. I told her but I'm a cyclist & I weight train & I need some carbs to perform. It's super frustrating because I know I will always be slow-ish on the bike unless I can get back down nearer to what I was in 2009. I'm having major doubts that I will even see 250 again at this point...And I'm not sure there's much more I can do about it. I'm beginning to think maybe my body is saying it's content where it's at & 202 pounds is not realistic & if I did get there again by starving myself & beating myself to death, like I know I did between 2007-2009.. it's just not sustainable for my bodies genetic makeup? It sucks big time if that's the case cause damnit I want to be faster on my bike, but anywho keep the faith man.

[@nicolemitsi]

Such an important video. I actually suffered from disordered eating when I was an elite Taekwondo athlete. Having to 'weigh in' before competitions left me starving and dehydrating myself before tournaments and in some cases over exercising. I eventually burnt out at the peak of my career and had a complete mental breakdown. I had to quit a sport I had dedicated my life to for 10 years. On a positive note, quitting Taekwondo led me to take up cycling which I'm completely in love with now. I also find I have a completely different mentality with cycling because I don't have to weigh in before racing, I just eat to fuel myself and feel so my better! :)

[@gcn]

Glad to hear that you were able to recognise what was happening and start your recovery. Thanks for sharing Nicole & happy riding!

[@sethfrankel3542]

Great post. Kudos to you.

[@stevecochrane5376]

Good one You Nicole. Wow , that's a tough road into cycling. Long live Your love for your new sport. Stay well. Chapeau to you for sharing . That's a big one alright.

[@ivancajka732]

How about fighting in your own weight category then. Lol at using dirty tricks. Fighters should step on the scales 5min before a fight not days before

[@dvajn]

taekwondo weigh-in happens usually on the morning of the fight(s). :P

[@lisapet160]

Ride for yourself, not for Strava or Instagram. Glad to see people sharing similar concept.

[@izylldus]

Now THIS is QUALITY content. Keep up the good work GCN!

[@MattMeskill]

One of your best videos.

[@blackpete]

and one of the most important. (i know, the video is older :P )

[@sureshchinnappa2290]

Thank you Si. I am 58 yo and exercise every day. I some times wish I looked like a professional but the vlog has shown me to accept for what I am. I am not lazy, I workout, I love my body, and I love cycling. That’s all that matters. Thanks again.

[@robertgrass3704]

Thank you Ben for being so open, and discussing your training history in public, big step, hopefully very helpful for many!

[@luisgallo5518]

This video hit me just in time, i've always thought lighter would be better, but now i understand that healthier is the best option. Thanks GCN

[@handgunshooter2978]

145 kg just riding and small changes in diet I have lost 15 kg

[@gcn]

Cycling is a great sport for weightloss

[@danielbum912]

Awesome!

[@neil_down_south]

Check out LCHF diet. Books by Sarah flowers for recipes. Life changing and eye opening. Prevents (and reverses!) T2D diabetes. Tyson fury and Chris froome both use it.

[@hardleesoft5919]

@Neil partridge With what mechanism does it reverse diabetes? Is it the adherence to caloric restriction or the low carb part? Because you realize you can just periodize carbs around training. High carb/high fiber diets can improve insulin sensitivity and there are plenty of high carbohydrate foods that have compounds that help reverse diabetes found in dates,sweet potato etc.

[@da14a49]

Ngl I though you meant pounds

[@jonburnell532]

Skinny men in society is seen as as bad as overweight ladies. A lot of my life I was bullied, mocked and laughed at for being skinny. Once I was in my mid twenties I started to put weight on, but I had body dysmorphia and I couldn't see it. I spent around twenty years desperately unhappy with my physique no matter how I looked. Now I'm in my late 30's I'm starting to accept more who I am, but it hasn't been easy.

[@erikgiggey4783]

people are cruel sadly. i was/am on the opposite side of the weight and dealt/am dealing with many of the same issues. what i have found being an overweight backpacker/cyclist is that hikers in general will cheer on anyone out trying. cycling tends to be less inclusive of people trying to improve themselves. cheers to you and i hope you are able to keep on a good path for you

[@jonburnell532]

@@erikgiggey4783 Thank you 😊 My wife and I are walkers too, and you're right, it is more inclusive than cycling can be. Not always, but there are some cliques that can be elitist.

[@neil7769]

I think (like many cyclists I suspect) I've developed a sort of perverse pride in being skinny. Society tells men they should be bulky but society is wrong, f** society. Just like some women are "fat and proud". The difference is that we are actually right - it's healthier to be slim (up to a point - but that point is way beyond what society considers to be "skinny"). Being slim (if you are fit as well) also makes you better physically at almost everthing, apart from lifting and fighting. I have stick arms but I can still do multiple pull-ups. But I suspect that the advantage of extra weight in a fight (especially if it is upper body muscle) is the reason why it's percieved by society as attractive in men. Throughout much of human history the ability to physically fight other men has been a majpr determinant of survival.

[@cammoscott]

@@neil7769 This is not entirely true. Muscle (and bone) mass is really important for health as you get older. Probably does not make you faster but weight training is great for improving lifespan and health span.

[@MyDadWasALifeguard]

Jon Burnell I have had a similar experience to yours

[@horsiesarepretty]

I realise this video was posted over a year ago so it is likely that no one will pay attention to this comment, but I think it is so wonderful that you guys at GCN addressed this topic. I feel like men's mental health issues in general are rarely discussed and eating disorders/ disordered eating are only talked about in the context of women's health. These are problems that we are all susceptible to and I am so glad that Si and everyone else behind GCN have made this video. Thank you.

[@raphaeltiziani7476]

You reached extreme quality levels with your videos.

[@NielsHeldens]

I just want to thank you guys for addressing this hard topic. I’ve been skinny all my life, which in every walk of life was seen as something bad or non desirable. But in cycling I was seen as ‘extremely lucky’ by some. I even fell in the trap of trying to lose weight even though I was already extremely skinny. The fact that I’ve been plagued with bowel issues since puberty didn’t help either. Luckily my family and friends helped me out of that. But I still struggle with it at times. Again, thank you guys for addressing this.

[@gcn]

Thanks Niels, we always value your support. All the best.

[@NielsHeldens]

Global Cycling Network thanks, wish you lot all the best as well

[@markrskinner]

I'm 6ft and have been just under 11st during cancer treatment. Looked and felt like death. Ballooned to 17st 5lbs a few years later. Couldn't walk up a hill, let alone ride up a hill. Now just under 13st, mainly achieved by cycling and running. Aged 54 I can now ride like I did as a teenager. Almost.

[@da14a49]

I am not even 9st - too damn skinny (5'10)

[@MrMaseratiboy]

Bruh I am 6’0 too and all my life I’ve been 135lbs

[@codypate9045]

That was one of the best videos GCN has made. Awesome work.

[@willhart1880]

I'm so glad that you've covered the issue around weight in cycling, I've suffered from weight issues and ended up developing anorexia which consumed my entire life for around three years, made even more difficult by being male with a so-called "female-illness'. Despite how great our sport is we need to focus less on looking like our idols in the world tour past or present. Cycling is great, and I love it, I'm pleased to say that I've been in recovery for just over a year now and I've learnt to stop striving for perfection.

[@gcn]

Hi Will thanks for sharing your story with us. Great to hear that you're now recovering and can still enjoy cycling. Eating disorders can be a very difficult thing to talk about.

[@markuscg1]

Thanks for sharing Will. I suffer from disordered eating. When younger I was fat, but lost a lot of weight due to a reaction to the anthrax vaccine when I was in the military. Even though I know I’m underweight (138 pounds at 5’11”), I still feel like when I gain even a pound or two, I’m getting fatter.

[@Malesoun]

Brilliant effort, deserving of some serious recognition (even if it is just a mineral water). Massive respect for Ben having the courage to discuss his experience and equally to Renee for sharing her expertise. (And Si, but we already knew he was awesome. 😎)

[@davidbotts9382]

As much as I enjoy all the things presented by GCN, these health related videos are incredible. To those of us who ride for pleasure, all the training and tech don’t mean a thing if we’re destroying ourselves. Bravo to you for these videos. Hope to view more.

[@gcn]

Thanks David, more on the way.

[@bmxracer117]

Great video. Great to see problems talked about that are independent of gear, sponsors, and training. This one hits a far more important note of cycling and I’m glad GCN is talking about it with professionals. This is not to say the sponsored videos aren’t great- it’s just nice to have the diversity.

[@gcn]

Thanks bud, glad you liked it.

[@road5ter86]

this is one of the best and most important video from gcn

[@9034833838]

I do train in this manner. Eating less, going faster and further. I treat myself that I am not working hard enough if I am not blacking out by dinnertime. This video has really given me some points to think about Also, its a beautiful video essay

[@markroe4952]

Well done Simon. One of GCNs best videos. This is a subject that needs more attention

[@scottishjohn]

Really got to say a big thank you to GCN for doing this. I think that when you guys do the more in depth style videos where your looking at one issue and give it a bit more time to look at things, it is really well done and usually makes for a really good watch. I would say that this would be one of those videos. A really big well done to Ben King for sharing his story about how he had struggled with his weight and the pressure that he felt when he was a junior. I think that this sadly all to common for riders at a young age where your really trying everything to reach your goal and it does make a huge impact on you when things don't always go well. Also really helpful to hear from a Nutritionist and have some sound medical advise given of just looking at what would be correct for yourself and not to be comparing yourself with others. Making the most of your natural talents but not at the expense of your own health. I think that its also good to be reminded that Pro Cyclist are freaks of nature and by that its not always a healthy standard to measure yourself against. A really good and interesting watch. Thank you Si for presenting in such a measured way and I hope to see more like this in the future.

[@gcn]

Thanks for the support John. It can be all too easy to focus on aspects of the sport as an unhealthy way to try and get better.

[@roquefortaddict]

Great to see GCN covering the real issues that can affect us all. I'm not a skinny bloke and it's people like the guys at Fat Lad At The Back ought to be lauded. It doesn't matter how old, young, fat or thin you are, it's just about getting on the bike and enjoying it......end of. Leave the power meter at home and just go out and enjoy the scenery as opposed to obsesiing over the figures just above your stem. However far you ride it's further than the guy on the couch so there's health benefits regardless. Apologies for the essay!

[@jim3420]

I'm relatively new to cycling however am a senior mental health nurse, with years of experience working with eating disorders. This is a compassionate and sensitive view on a much overlooked problem. Just.. thank-you.

[@EvidenceofaFabulousLife]

On a par with the cancer/ prostrate/ erectile dysfunction video this one. Great stuff. I often have the GCN videos on in the background whilst I'm doing other things (sorry about that) but I'm going back for a full concentration view of this one again, and maybe again. I don't personally feel I have a problem with my weight as I seem to have settled at a weight that is fairly constant with the level of training and racing that I maintain. However, I could easily become obsessive over this issue, as with any other (like the grease in my bearings)! Thank you for the information, I think it is very interesting on many levels. Ride on! Tim

[@gcn]

Thanks Tim, we're happy that you're enjoying them and finding them informative. Don't obsess too much about weight (only for grease)

[@sima1997able]

Thank you GCN for targeting this topic! i am 21 years old and have an eating disorder myself. it started, how it is told in the video, that i got faster up the mountains by getting thinner, so i wanted to loose more and more weight. after some time all i eat was some salad without any sauce. counting calories was my daily thing. my performance on the bike got worse and i felt horrible on the bike and not only there. it got to the point where i was scared to go on the bike because of that feeling. after going to a sport psychologist and a doctor, i am now not allowed to do any sport anymore since august. but with their help it gets slowly better and i am looking forward to get back on the bike soon. it is really hard to brake through this obsession, but it will get better and better once the fear of eating is defeated. for all those, never had any such problems, i hope that it will stay like this, and for all those who are fighting with this disorder... keep fighting! don't let this disorder win! you can do it! Best wishes Simon ps. sorry for my bad english

[@method1224]

Thank you Simon 😊

[@Rafael-vu2xn]

Hope you are doing well

[@ralphblundell106]

Great work ... and like the men’s health video I appreciate that gcn makes considered and informative content. Good tech, good training, good health, good laughs. Bravo.

[@charlierudder2696]

Taking a guy that just rode around London in briefs and putting him in such a serious video... Well, something about that dichotomy made me sit down and listen. I'm on the bigger side of the cycling spectrum, 6'4" and I promise I've got some extra weight. I will never be a professional. Would I like to lose some weight? Sure, but I like the after ride pizza more. It tastes better when you're tired. Plus, I like to bake. Most importantly, I think it's great that GCN is bringing attention to this. Social media and advertising is hell on body image and I hope people can start to realize none of it is "all that."

[@gcn]

Thanks for the support Charlie, we'll let Si know that he's a serious presenter again.....

[@johndoiron9615]

Clydesdales unite!

[@benmagee1751]

A great video on a tough subject, handled sensitively but directly, Chapeau!

[@ThatRoadCyclistUHate]

As someone who has lost 50-60kg through my cycling this hits close to home. I can say for sure that i am addicted to losing weight if i dont work out every day i feel like i have failed that day and constantly feer puting it back on. Now that ive reached a target weight that is still within healthy i have to work hard to maintain it and stay healthy. Cheers guys this will for sure help me.

[@gcn]

Thanks for sharing Pat, we hope you can have a healthy balanced life including cycling and maintaining a healthy weight that works for you, without sacrificing too much enjoyment from life.

[@ronbell7920]

Postman Pat, Bravo, for your weight loss! Keep it in perspective and give yourself tremendous cudos! I put people like you up there with Dr. Pooley, consistant training, focus and desire, an unbeatable combination. Keep on staying healthy have fun and inspire others, you can do it!!!

[@da14a49]

You lost my weight through cycling alone I am too skinny

[@grandpalouis818]

I’m 13 and want to be a pro cyclist maybe at some point, this really helped...

[@galenkehler]

Thanks for tackling this issue, and thanks to Ben King for speaking so candidly about his experiences.

[@danyp127]

Wow. I'm really enjoying these more serious videos you guys are putting out. Although don't lose the goofy side of GCN

[@gcn]

We promise to always try and stay goofy. So long as you let us keep making videos like this

[@Heavywall70]

Perspective is the key Long ago I realized I would not be a professional cyclist But I still wanted to ride So I had to accept that I would not look like other cyclists in Lycra, and not be offended by people saying , “you ride hard for a big guy.” I ride for fitness now, I also weight train with heavy weights so I’m “big” on a bike To which I say “Sure you can draft”

[@AlFrash84]

x2. I'm not a professional rider so nobody is paying me to cycle. As a result, I want to be stronger and more useful in my wider life, so I do strength training. This means I'm heavier, and therefore not as fast on a bike, but it's a compromise I'm happy to make. Riding is riding.

[@Heavywall70]

Alex Exactly, that freedom of no obligation should allow cyclists to enjoy cycling to the fullest of our desires and ultimately should have no ill health effects whatsoever.

[@guillermo7298]

Hey indurain was a big guy even for non cyclist sports and is one of the best

[@martijnsmits9144]

Very good video!! Amazing to see videos which are not just focussing on riding your bike but also the things between the rides. Big fan of the chanel!

[@heatheranderson2184]

100% one of the most impactful videos I've seen from GCN. Thank you for getting into this subject.

[@glenbergman9040]

One of GCN's best videos! Thanks Ben King!

[@Bokuma01]

Powerful video, Ben has a lot of courage to share this with us all. Huge thank you to him and GCN for raising awareness of this issue.

[@enonbusiness8156]

Welldone GCN! This video will open eyes of your viewers and has to mine too. As Healthcare professional, this knowledge is very important. Now I can share it others.❤️

[@ifnahmad]

This is why I like watching Simon's video. Everything are just well explained, theoretically and practically. Love for GCN!

[@jonnelsonjdn]

Wow, I wasn't expecting this to be so deep. Thank you for covering such an important topic so well. Thanks to Ben for being so candid.

[@jamesporter5630]

Thank you GCN, Si and Ben. A great episode. No doubt the information presented, Ben’s personal experience and Si’s insightful questions (Insightful in that speedo wearing, mullet sporting kind of way.), will encourage training/diet evaluations. Hopefully GCN’s honest nonjudgmental approach will inspire honest self appraisal.

[@andrewwilliams762]

GCN just took on new depth. Well done!

[@winstoncat6785]

Wow. This is powerful stuff treating an issue that goes way beyond just cycling. Quite phenomenal production. Thank you so much Simon and the team.

[@perrymckenna2261]

Not only is this video amazing, but the quality of Simon's questions were also very strong and insightful.

[@gabrielcevallos3536]

Wow amazing he described exactly the mentality I have now...so much feedback! Thanks Ben! Not everybody shares such things

[@AndrewBlucher]

Well done for recognizing it.

[@lexiendicott3694]

Such an important discussion! Thank you for utilizing a registered dietitian as your nutrition resource - it improves the reputation of the dietetic profession and allows someone with legitimate training and experience to shed light on these difficult topics. Thanks for bringing more awareness to this issue.

[@sloopjohnbable]

this might be the best video GCN has ever made. Thank you all.

[@Xyrium]

This channel is just crushing it from every angle. Obviously this one is an emotional topic where you left the cheekiness behind and simply displayed how professional you guys are. Just superb.

[@ondrastehlikll.1948]

Finally! Been waiting for this very long time, thx

[@gcn]

You're welcome Ondra, hope you enjoy it

[@richardbrabbs8283]

I watch gcn videos because there funny and entertaining but this video has a serious message well done guys

[@GrahamRHowell]

See this is the kind of content I've been wishing GCN would do more of. Properly touching, in-depth and super informative. Well done Si, thanks.

[@jshepard5840]

I really enjoy all of your videos, but this one is especially good. Good on you for broaching such an important topic.

[@luckysi2710]

Hi there Si and the GCN show,, a few years ago i trained to be better in climbing and i try to lose weight from 150lbs to 135lbs, height of 5"7 but since then long rides in the hills consumes more time for me as a father of 5 kids, then i decided to just train nearby on rolling roads. I got hooked into riders who rides on crits and i notice that i get dropped most of the time due to less power because of my weight then i found comfortable on 145 lbs adding a little muscle to train intervals and sprints. It was better for me and i enjoy healthy meals rather than starving myself.🚴‍♂️😎💪cheers!!!

[@itcantbebargainedwith597]

We love you Ben

[@tim6991]

Excellent video Simon and very well done. You tackled the "when is enough enough" question and the comments from your guest when she stressed that we are all different and to work with our strengths is spot on! Worth another watch.

[@jamievaughn-sharp3314]

Outstanding video and a wonderfully balanced piece. Not just a great addition to the GCN Channel but a damn fine piece of journalism. Top marks.

[@ebrown112]

wow, this is immensely powerfu.l hitting home for a lot of people out there, i'm certain. thanks, gcn.

[@gcn]

Thanks for the support Eriq, weight is never an easy conversation to have

[@markavogler]

A Really interesting and well done video. Thanks Si. As a triathlete I'd be interested In something similar from GTN as the issues of weight loss and overtraining are common there too and there may be viewers of that channel that would benefit from this

[@bryguenther]

I agree, GTN could use a video like this. I'd love to know the differences between the approach to weight for cycling only and Tri with the three disciplines. What's the ideal weight for an Ironman?

[@oscarpolanco3067]

Very happy to see that some light is being shed on this topic. Well done GCN.

[@stephencowman3142]

Fantastic upload Si, thanks for giving time to this subject.I feel really sorry for young people these days they're under so much pressure.Just ride your bike for yourself and be as happy as you can be.

[@TheWaxChainFanClub]

Outstanding, Si. Outstanding.

[@OutdoorsJustin]

I'd like to lose a few pounds but I like pizza and beer more.

[@gcn]

Pizza and beer are a part of a balanced life 💪

[@hotdog9025]

One of the 10 commandments

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

And FWIW, I think it's really hard to actively lose weight while also keeping/increasing fitness. I tried to lose about 10lb of fat during my Ironman build this last year. I did it, but it was really hard on the training in that time. It's very difficult to properly build fitness while eating at a caloric deficit.

[@Swampster70]

@@gcn Don't add good BBQ to the mix, then you have the unholy trifecta and don't ask me how I know, it's not like I went from being a 143lb cyclist to a 250lb lard arse. Oh wait... ... or is that weight?

[@TheSteinbitt]

@@JustinDoesTriathlon The best way to go is loosing the weight in the off season and then caloric balance again when training hard.

[@ryanscott9149]

This has been quite an eye opener for the realities that cycling athletes face. Thank you for exploring this part of cycling, as it really brings things into perspective for a lot of people. Ride on!

[@MarkPhilp1970]

That was brilliant. The best video yet. Well done GCN.

[@mattnugy]

Ben King ... is seriously the best.

[@brianschiff2934]

The only podium I'm ever going to stand on top of is my front pouch. I'm 190 lbs, 5'10" and I'm 58 years old & bald. I could care less what some troll thinks about how I look in Lycra. I have given up trying to look like Superman back in the mid 90's. I eat healthy, get the rest I need and I'm good with taking time off the bike to recover. My reward; I can also ride my bike a 100k in four hours, a 100 miles in 5 1/2. View from my pouch is looking pretty good.

[@cbeckist]

Kudos to you. Everyone should be so lucky

[@jjk6949]

@pete smyth He's a kangaroo.

[@shezpluscats]

Thank you for doing this video. This is a huge issue and definitely one that is not discussed enough.

[@AussieInJapan]

One of the best GCN videos yet. You kept it real and as a heavier rider I’m always thinking about my health and weight when I see how skinny my fellow riders are. As a cyclist that has gone from 118kg down to 101kg, with need to drop another 5-8kg I know the benefits and how much easier hills are. Thanks for putting everything in perspective in this video. Well done Simon.

[@keriezy]

At 5'11" my lowest healthy weight is ~64.5Kg/142lb. Anything lower and I look sick and feel weak. I'm currently 76Kg/165lb after a nasty bout of pneumonia where all I wanted to do was heal so I ate and slept for the last 9 weeks.

[@gcn]

Hopw you make a quick recovery K!

[@DamenSpikeGamesHQ]

Time to get lean af! Get off your ass boi!

[@silence-humility-calmness]

keriezy I am hoping to get back in the saddle I want to weigh 150,,but would be super happy at 165 ,,,i am between 214 and 220 at 5 7 i am not quite a whale, but I do got some blubber,,but if i stand next to you,a whale is what i would feel like!

[@liambarber9036]

I'd say 142 is to light for 5'11". In order to put out power, you need muscle, which adds weight.

[@LGBhull]

@@liambarber9036 did you not just watch the video? Everyones different, I'm sure @keriezy has done some trial and error with his weight and as mentioned that is the only way to determine his ideal race weight.

[@YoussefMohamed-fy3vb]

I love You GCN ❤💙

[@gcn]

Thanks for the support Youssef

[@loussharman3969]

This is such an informative and positive video. So proud of GCN for addressing this issue in a respectful and helpful way. Good on you guys!

[@ishmattar8464]

I have watched GCN from it’s inception and I am proud of how it has matured from being a platform for cycling nerds to a channel that reaches out to all aspects of cycling. A truly inclusive experience. Keep up the good work!

[@gregdoucette]

Maintain it but buying my cookbook

[@JamesBrown-ef4nc]

Trust him guys he's a doctor

[@barlosorlando8601]

Lmao wtf are you doing here

[@juanmartin3680]

Only.... if u come over and cook it too....

[@juanmartin3680]

but then... I wouldn't require your book.....

[@danieldillon268]

I was thinking this when watching the video😂😂

[@alexk3806]

Cycling culture is full of in jokes and sayings that put pressure on us to be lean. "Cycling kit shrinks if you don't use it enough" etc. As a sport cycling needs to recognise that not everyone needs to be a Nibali or a G: I see it with the bikes now sold in more realistic geometries for less flexible spines, and with the sizing of some brands, but I don't see it in the adverts which generally feature lean athletes with the kind of physique most of us would consider "aspirational".

[@benbenbendunlop]

Thanks GCN! As a keen amateur cyclist and runner who was diagnosed with anorexia when I was 18 it is fantastic to see this topic getting more coverage. There is still a culture within cycling and running clubs that thinner is generally better and coaches/competitors need to be well informed about the dangers of eating disorders/over-training and body dysmorphia. Even if the temporary performance benefits from reducing body weight make you feel good, its a slippery slope. The suffering and hard work required to recover from an eating disorder for friends and family is immense (making any sporting achievement pale into insignificance). We need to talk about it more and educate people into the dangers of calorie restriction in endurance sports.

[@jamieritch3668]

Amazing to talk about this guys, well done for starting a conversation about this.

[@ritchierichh]

I'm glad this was brought to attention as it was the elephant in the room, but it will remain a problem as long as quantity (how much faster, less weight, etc) over quality (healthy eating, right body mass index etc) are valued in the modern cycling world. No offense to the hosts, but some of you even look the part. There are few top cyclists, with many wanting to aspire to be like them. The way these cycling celebrities treat themselves and how their Strava training sessions reflect their success will only trickle down to the rest of us wanting to be like them; it leads us to developing a mentality for "if we want to be like them, we must train like them too". So, unfortunately, not much will change unless you guys do.

[@Danlolwtfbbq]

I think you kinda miss the point of the video.

[@johnnyloco11]

This was good but it would've helped to argue the case for BMI as there are a lot of good studies out there as to why it's not very helpful for athletes (but is good for studying groups of people). My guess would be that almost everyone pro tour rider is close to or under their BMI throughout there racing season.

[@gcn]

BMI is a good way to evaluate weight, but in the case of some sportspeople with extra-normal physiques it can be misleading. But that doesn't mean that it isn't a useful gauge to use and that it shouldn't be ignored

[@xmeatlessx]

This is the most important video you've done and you did a very good job at it.

[@wackery_zeimer]

Best video I have seen on GCN. Thanks for the great content and excellent production.

[@mohammedkhan4088]

At 5ft.10 inches i weighed just 58kg last year 18.3 bmi felt very weak and noticed bigger guys were climbing faster then me i knew something was wrong now i am 61kg 19.2 bmi and i can climb much faster now.

[@gcn]

Thanks for sharing, hope you're enjoying riding more now.

[@Barefeet200]

I weighed 130 lbs when I was 24 years old. I am also 5'10. Started riding this July and dropped 9 lbs to get from 202 to 193 and holding. Can not imagine ever getting lighter than maybe 185, but that's my goal. I am 68 years old.

[@mohammedkhan4088]

@@Barefeet200 I was sucked in to the idea that the lighter you can get the faster you will cycle. I was wrong i had no energy or power in my legs i felt so weak guys that weighed 20kg more then me would drop me on climbs i was doing something very wrong i started to eat more and i became much stronger.

[@MilesCobbett]

My best weight at 5 10 was 137 the other riders watched me climb the hilly roads of Santa Cruz Ca and nicknamed me The Masochist. PS I was never sick and kicked the butt of every climb I rode. 400 miles each week was my year round average btw.

[@xLegendaryPictures]

Can relate. My lowest was 62.7kg at 189cm and while I did put out significant power I felt like I didn't recover efficiently and always was dragging around the soreness from the rides before. I did much better at 66 kg though that still isn't where I would like to be. I trying to hit 70kg for this summer. Which will be very hard for me, but I know it will be worth it.

[@basicbiketrialtutorials5993]

Obsessed Roadie: I donated my kidney so that I can be lighter!

[@DrNPCabd]

Great video, definitely the best health related so far, you touched a very difficult subject, please keep educating people.

[@juanmanuelquinonero7063]

Health and Cycling on GCN section is probably the best video list you have ever created! Congratulations. We need more of that.

[@KeithFlint350]

In fact 99% of GCN followers will never have any problems with overtraining and going with the weight too low

[@AndrewBlucher]

Fact? Have you weighed them?

[@airwilliam24]

I've been in the emergency room twice due to overtraining. The first time I was powerlifting 5 hours a day 5 times a week. The second time I was riding my bike 150 miles a week and powerlifting 6 times a week about 2 hours per day. You're right though; overtraining is not very common unless you are pushing the boundaries of performance.

[@errolmclaughlin1482]

Morgan Blue what’s your point of posting this?

[@1039736]

@@airwilliam24 all that cycling must kinda eat trough your gains no? Do you ever try to bulk up for powerlifting ?

[@recoveringmedia]

Robert forstemann's BMI says he's severely obese. Have you seen the guy, there's no fat on him - and she says BMI is scientifically accurate

[@gcn]

BMI is a good way to evaluate weight, but in the case of some sportspeople with extra-normal physiques it can be misleading. But that doesn't mean that it isn't a useful gauge to use.

[@lebowskii98_9]

No she said it is useful for flagging up issues. In the case of RF the alarm bells would be ringing very loud!!!! Not at all natural or healthy for anyone to be built like that.

[@galenkehler]

BMI is a statistical tool. Any application of BMI to determine somthing about an individual is bunk. And she actually says this, immediately after talking about how great BMI is, she talks at length about how she looks at the individual's metrics, even blood tests.

[@galenkehler]

Wikipedia: "Keys explicitly judged BMI as appropriate for population studies and inappropriate for individual evaluation." Ancel Keys was the guy who came up with the idea of using BMI for population studies.

[@peglor]

BMI is quick and uses values that are easy to measure without specialist equipment. Since most people aren't outliers in build terms it's not a bad first step, certainly you'll look pretty different to the average person if you have an overweight BMI but low body fat. Body fat % is better, though from what I can gather how low you can safely go, and how lean you look, varies dramatically from person to person. On measuring body fat, one surprise I had was that two different weighing scales I tried that measure body fat were less than 1% off the results I got from a Dexa scan, so it is possible to get a reasonable starting point for your fat level for about €20... From what I can gather for men about 15% fat is a pretty safe figure to be at regardless of build - some people even look pretty ripped at that level depending on where their bodies tend to store fat. Below 10% is pretty dangerous as far as I can gather, though supposedly some people can be in decent health at these levels, but I suspect to get through a cold wet winter and still ride your bike, some spare fat is a handy safety net.

[@tim6991]

Hi Simon, just watched this again and I can identify with much of what was said. This was very well done and speaks to most of us I'm sure. I am 58 and for the first time I did 5 months of bike specific training with a great coach, lost some kgs and made some solid gains in power. And my Coach prescribed hard work but more importantly recovery as well as enjoy the bike and feel good about being a happy, competent cyclist. Awesome work Simon! Love what GCN does. Carry on Mate!

[@stevepayne3076]

It still amazes me the quality you guys produce in your videos. They're either extremely informative & useful (like this one) or they make me laugh like hell ("Top 10 Cycling Excuses - For Climbing" will go down as my favorite and still makes me laugh). You guys do it right, and you're a constant source of inspiration/information -- thanks GCN!

[@shanegannon1689]

Not a fan of the sympathy background music. Let people determine their own thoughts on the issue rather than prompt them.

[@mikicastan]

Shane Gannon Exactly my toughts

[@chris_noswe]

Yup. A bit too much.

[@errolmclaughlin1482]

Wow. You watched this video and that’s all you got out of it?

[@shanegannon1689]

@@errolmclaughlin1482 When someone tries to manipulate me (even for good reasons) that's where my focus goes. I think that's a normal reaction.

[@shanegannon1689]

@@StopTheRot I believe adding music to the video was a journalistic mistake. It's distracting and inadvertently weakens the story. I'm highlighting it in the hope that GCN finds merit in my point. Equally I find the argument "you better feel/believe this or you're an X" to also be manipulative - hence dismissible. That's the downside of intentional manipulation and what I'm trying to highlight to GCN.

[@franciscocuni919]

One ot the best videos I've seen in GCN....congratulations fm Spain!!

[@Lilmain98842]

Kudos to GCN for this video. A big deviation from their normal content but definitely valued added for all viewers.

[@edmarkey4057]

Well done, GCN. Special kudos to Si for his smart and balanced handling of this issue. This is one of the most important pieces I've seen on the channel.