roybauer

I Exercise More Than Ever, But I’m Not Losing Weight

// August 11th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Cycling, society in general

Just the other day, Saturday to be exact, a friend and I had a discussion about exercising and weight loss. It went something like this:

Me: Dude, check this out. I’ve been riding this bike for a couple of years now but haven’t really lost any weight and I’m the same size as before.

Dude: Yeah, me too. I’ve got the same gut I’ve always had.

Me: It doesn’t make sense, but I think it’s because every time I ride, I eat like a horse afterwards. The more I exercise, the more I eat.

Dude: Makes sense to me. After we get done, you want Zesto’s fried chicken or Mexican?

Me: Probably both.

And now that I think about it, I actually did end up at a Mexican restaurant that night eating more food than any one person should be able to hold. And while I’m being honest here, I went to Sandy’s and got ice cream too –but just a little. I felt horrible after eating so much food, but I didn’t have any regrets because of the amount of exercise I just did.

Exercise

On average, from all the information I’ve read and been told, I will burn roughly 600-800 calories and hour by cycling. And that number goes up when it is hot outside, because your body has to work extra hard regulating your body heat. So, Saturday I rode for roughly 3 1/2 hours in 90 degree heat. If I do the math, I burnt roughly 2000-2800 calories, not taking into account the humidity and heat.

Eating

Saturday night, I went to Jalisco Mexican Restaurante. And, for the record, it was excelente. But, again, from what I’ve read and been told, the meal I inhaled had roughly 2000 calories in it.

Mexican Meal that contains Fajitas (1000 calories), Rice (200 calories), Beans & Cheese (250 calories) , Basket of Warm Tortilla Chips (450 calories) = 2000 calories total

My Findings

As you can see, from a nutritional, weight loss perspective, the day was a wash. I basically rode a bike just long enough to burnt off the meal I ate that night. This doesn’t take into account breakfast and lunch. My overall calorie intake was much higher than what I burnt off. Also, the next day I was still hungry. And if I ride a bike for 5 hours or more, I’ll be hungry for even longer.

It is simple, and I was right, the more I exercise the more I eat. The reason I haven’t been losing all that much weight –I have lost some— is because I’ve used my exercising as an excuse to indulge my appetite. I am getting healthier, from the standpoint of endurance and aerobic ability, but my waist size body mass hasn’t gone down much at all.

Now, again, this is my unscientific research that I’ve thrown together, but today I read an article that, unfortunately, backed up my unscientific research.

Read the article here.

Conclusion

I have to stop eating everything I find after I finish exercising. Also, when I do eat, it has to be something other than a 2000+ calorie Mexican meal. If you know my wife, as she is reading this, she is screaming at the top of her lungs, “THIS IS WHAT I’VE BEEN TELLING YOU FOR YEARS!”

But I know I’m not alone. I have friends and/or family members who will eat doughnuts after they finish running or walking on the track. It’s like a reward they give themselves for exercising. But of course, then they wonder why the weight isn’t just falling off.

I was under the impression that if you want to lose weight, or get healthy, just exercise. That was the magic. Unfortunately, for me at least, it isn’t. I have to learn to go against everything my body is telling me and not engorge myself on anything with sugar and transfats in it.

P.S.

While exercising, especially for anything lasting longer than an hour, you and I must make sure we are taking in carbs as we go. The body uses carbs to fuel itself as it goes. Whether you are eating gels or whatever, just be sure that you are refueling as you go or you will get sick and your body will shut down, because it is out of gas.

My rule of thumb when riding (A friend of mine, a bike shop owner and avid cyclist, taught me this) is to drink a bottle of water every hour and eat two-three gels an hour when the temperature is normal. When it is unbearably hot I’ll drink a bottle every 45 minutes and at least 3 gels an hour.

royb

royb

Cycling Devotion: It’s The Simple Things

// August 6th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // Cycling, Devotions, Relevant Faith

When I leave from the house, whether I do an hour ride or a 3 hour ride, I always have this annoying, horribly rough, 1 1/2 mile road that leads up to my house. This road shakes my bike and my body to pieces every time.

Well, today they re-paved that road and it is no longer the worst part of my ride. Now, when I turn onto Pine Street, I won’t cringe at the thought of climbing that little hill.

And that got me to thinking. It’s the little things sometimes that mean the most. It’s a tiny paved road or the correct height on the seat or having a friend ride with you that you haven’t seen in awhile.

Next time you’re having a rough ride just take a minute and enjoy some of the little things that have happened along the way.

As for the spiritual aspect of this devotion, I’ll let you decide how that affects your relationship with Christ. Leave a comment if you think of something good. I’d love for others to see it.

royb

Cycling Devotion: When You See a Fellow Rider, Enjoy It

// July 28th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // Cycling, Devotions, Relevant Faith

When you ride a bike in the mountains, or any long, out-of-the-way road, the only people you see are other riders.

A couple of weeks ago, I rode from Tryon, NC up to Saluda, NC.  I left from a parking lot near Tryon and rode a few hours up to Saluda and then took the express down –a seven mile fast descent. And, from the time I left the parking lot heading up the mountain, it was at least an hour and half before I saw another person, and it was a fellow cyclist going the other direction. I didn’t know this guy and will never see him again, but for a brief moment, we had something in common: a love of pushing ourselves to exertion and throwing up (I mean, cycling).

More often than not, when you ride somewhere out of the ordinary, you will see very few people; and the ones that you do see, you will feel a strange connection with. During another ride recently, the Tour de Cure here in Columbia, I somehow ended up between groups of riders. I spent nearly two hours riding by myself, which is somewhat daunting on a ride like that because the route usually is unfamiliar to you. But, I remember how relieved I was when I finally came up on some riders at a rest stop.

If you ride at a park or in a busy downtown area where everyone goes, you will more than likely see many, many people along the way. That’s because it is probably an easy, flat ride that is good for every type of rider. When you step out and do something different or harder, like a century or mountain ride, then the number of people you see will be considerably less, and at times, nonexistent.

Our walk with God is much the same way. As we try to follow Him and lead a holy life, we will only occasionally run into someone going the same way. Unfortunately, most people sitting on the pew beside you, or singing in the choir, are living in a comfortable little world that they’ve built, and they try very hard to keep it from getting disturbed. And if that is you, then so be it. But, if you feel like God is calling you to more. To reach more. To say more. To do more. To see more. To be more. Then, as you travel that road, use the people that God sends you as a time of refreshing, an oasis.

It can get lonely on that road sometimes, just remember to keep going. Just over the next hill could be someone to ride with you and be your friend along the way.

royb

Cycling Devotion: Are You Complacent?

// May 14th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Cycling, Relevant Faith

When we ride with a group, generally there are different levels of riders, riding. The faster ones will obviously be up front, and the slower ones will be towards the back. The rest of us will fall somewhere in between. But I’ve noticed something peculiar in the two years I’ve been riding: some people don’t ever get any faster or stronger or in better shape. Seriously. There are a couple of people that I know ride every week and still have a big ‘ol pot-belly and are still averaging the same speed they were two years ago. How is that possible?

Let me give you my opinion on how this happens and then explain what that has to do with the kingdom of God.

When we ride a bike, our bodies build up a comfort level. For instance, right now, I can hop on a bike and ride roughly 50 miles in three hours and not over extend myself. That is my current fitness level. My body has gotten comfortable at that level. If I do 75 miles or try to speed up and do 50 miles in 2 1/2 hours, then I’ll be stretching myself. What happens to riders, and this isn’t an indictment, is that we find a comfort level and then we ride at that level for years. We eat what we want and, as long as we can maintain the same level of energy, we don’t change our behavior.

So, what happens is that you see a new rider get started, lose weight and gain energy and then they just level off for the next few years, never getting any faster or healthier. They are comfortable. That is the reason I see a rider who, today, looks the same and rides the same speed as he did two years ago.

But on the other end of the spectrum, I’ve seen some riders who are in infinitely better shape and much faster today than they were two years ago. What’s the difference? These riders aren’t comfortable just being the same. They push themselves to be faster and stronger. But not only do they push themselves on the bike, they also watch what they eat. Their goal is to be the best rider they can be. They may not become Lance Armstrong, but they want to continually get better, not settling for “complacency”.

What does this have to do with the kingdom of God? I’m glad you asked. In Revelation 3:15-16, John wrote to the church at Laodicea:

¹⁵I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

We, as Christians, tend to get complacent, comfortable. We get into a comfort zone with life and we never really get any better at handling situations or money or relationships. My guess is, you know Christians who aren’t in any better shape –financially, spiritually, socially, emotionally- today than they were five years ago.

If you read the Bible, those who came in contact with Jesus were never the same. I truly believe it is impossible to spend time with the Son of God and not have your life altered for the better. But, we let ourselves get into a comfortable routine and never realize our fullest potential.

Most of us will never be a famous preacher or evangelist, but that is no excuse for letting ourselves become complacent in our walk with God. We need to keep pushing ourselves to become the best “believer” we can be. It is through this “pushing” that we become a better father, mother, wife, husband, teacher, mechanic, roofing salesman, etc.. As we study and meditate on the word of God He transforms us and molds us into the person we were meant to be.

Wherever you are, spiritually, is not where you were meant to stay. God has an entirely new level for you, but it will take being uncomfortable with the current one.

The next time you ride with a group, look around. Have you maxed out your riding energy level? If not, then maybe you need to push it a little bit. Who knows, in a year, you may be up front pulling the rest of the group behind you.

royb

Cycling Devotion: Replenish

// May 11th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Cycling, Relevant Faith

Our Physical Life

Let me set the conditions for you and you tell me what you need for the ride. We are going on a rolling, 63 mile ride. The temperature is going be 80 at the start and near 90 at the finish. This is an unsupported ride except for a convenient store stop (where you can refill the bottles and buy food if you have to) around the 30 mile mark.

Alright, so based on those conditions what would you take with you? How many bottles, and of what? How many gels or bananas or fig-newtons (like a friend of mine carries) would you bring?

What I’ve been taught during my short (nearly 2 years) time as a recreational cyclist, is that I need to eat a gel-pack (usually GU) about every 30 minutes and drink a bottle (I put HEED in mine) every hour. That should replenish the electrolytes and salt and everything else I burn during a ride like this. Your needs or philosophy on how much to eat and drink may vary, but the fact that you have to replenish the energy you expend, doesn’t. When you ride, you burn energy. If you don’t replace the energy, you’ll bonk (hit-the-wall, crash, etc..)

What would happen if you drank one bottle of Gatorade and then did this ride without drinking or eating anything else?

Exactly, you’d cramp, or worse, have some kind of heat stroke or sickness.

Our Spiritual Life

Our spiritual life is the same way. Romans 15:4 says:

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Psalms 112:7-8 says, in regards to those who finds delight in God’s Word:

7 He will have no fear of bad news;

his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

8 His heart is secure, he will have no fear;

in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.

We have to refuel

As we go through life, it will be hard at times, rolling. We will expend energy every day. Maybe it will be dealing with a difficult co-worker or an abusive spouse or parent. Maybe times are tough financially and you spend a lot of time worrying and fretting over the future and your family. Whatever the circumstances are, energy is spent, and has to be replenished or it will drain you dry.

The way we, as Christians, avoid spiritual cramps or heat strokes is by replenishing our energy supply, and that is done through spending time with God. As we pray and read His word, our perspectives are realigned, our spirits are lifted and our minds are renewed. We refuel. We reenergize.

If we don’t refuel, we will eventually run out of gas and crash.

Conclusion

The ride described above, I’ve made numerous times. Probably, most of you have done similar rides and some of you have done rides much, much longer and hillier. When you leave on a long ride, you have to prepare, you have to be able to replace the energy that is spent. Remember, that as you go through everyday life, be sure to replenish your spirit –your soul– as well. It will make the journey a whole lot more enjoyable, and at the end, you won’t be worn out.

Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Let Him reenergize you, and you will be able to ride for a long, long, long time.

Roy Bauer

Cycling Devotion Part 3 One For All And All For One

// January 13th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Cycling, Devotions, Relevant Faith

If you have ever watched the Tour de France or the Giro d’Italia or even the Tour of California, you’ll notice quickly that professional cycling revolves exclusively around team work. Lance Armstrong, as good as he is, could never have competed by himself. Why? Because each team member plays an important role, that without them, the team has no chance.

In a professional race every rider is there for a reason. Some will lead a breakout, some will pull up a mountain, some will win a sprint. Everyone has a role to play. But the guy who I admire most is the one who pulls with all that he has, gives every thing he’s got –to the point of utter exhaustion– just so the leader can jump out on a 200 yard sprint to the end and win.

Next time a race is on TV watch the final mile and you’ll see rider after rider pull with everything in them and then move aside so another rider can do it, then another, then another. But if you watch these riders after they pull aside, they are done, there is nothing left in the tank. Why? Because they understand a very important principal in cycling as well as life: The team is more important than the individual.

That’s it. You see, when Lance Armstrong won it wasn’t just him, it was the entire Discovery Team that won. Last year, when Carlos Sastre won, the entire team won.

In our churches, if we could grasp that concept, imagine the possibilities. Imagine a church where everyone understood they played a role. Imagine a church where the janitor realized he was as vital as the worship leader. Imagine a church where the pastor and elder and Sunday school teacher all knew that without the other, something is missing. In cycling, the team comes first. In a local church congregation, we have to get out of the “me” mentality and realize that the church body comes before the individual.

So whatever role you play, be it worship leader or greeter or the one who pours the communion juice into those little cups, you are vital to the expansion of the Kingdom of God.

Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”

Jesus is the head of the church. He is the one who is magnified and He is the one we lift up and celebrate, but as a congregation, if we could lift up His name as ONE BODY, the possibilities are endless.

royb

Things I’ve Done

// September 9th, 2008 // 4 Comments » // Cycling, Devotions, Health and Nutrition, Relevant Faith, society in general

If you listen to the Democrats, we are all broke and the country in going to hell in a handbasket. If you listen to the Republicans, the Democrats will make the country broke and bankrupt us morally. It looks like either way, if you listen to them, we are screwed.

So I started thinking today about whether my life is really as bad as everyone tells me it is. I have job security, a loving wife and two beautiful little kids. A mortgage that isn’t going to default, a belief in God that isn’t going to fail and a marriage that isn’t on the rocks.

But then I started to think, I spent a lot of time in the car today, about all of things I have been able to do in my 35 years. We all have a list of things we want to do before we die. But when was the last time you made a list of things you were able to do if you died tomorrow.

So, here is some of my list:

I’ve watched the sun set in Key West and the sun rise in Paris

I’ve prayed at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem and been to the Sea of Galilee when a storm was brewing

I’ve been to Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida in the same week

I’ve been scuba diving on a Dutch Freighter at night in Aruba and in a cavern in Florida

I’ve been to the top of the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Canyon

I’ve been to Chicago, L.A., Miami, New York, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Boston, St Louis, Dallas, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, D.C., San Diego, Baltimore, Las Vegas and hundreds of other smaller cities.

I’ve led worship in the Dominican Republic, Panama, Belize and Israel

I’ve spoken to groups in 4 countries

I was there when both of my boys were born

I’ve driven a bus in the Dominican, a Jeep in Aruba, and a tiny little car through the desert in Israel

I’ve ridden horses on the beach and through the woods

I’ve taken a canal boat tour through Amsterdam and Paris

I’ve been to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Louvre in Paris

I’ve flown a plane solo (Cessna 172)

I’ve volunteered after a hurricane and served food at a homeless shelter

I’ve ridden a hundred miles on a bicycle in 6 hours

I’ve seen a big manta ray come up out of the sand, a 125 ft down in the Atlantic

I’ve caught a billfish, a wahoo, a tarpon, a cobia, a shark, and a dolphin in the Fla keys

I’ve been lobster diving

I saw an alligator jump out of the water and eat a baby deer

I’ve been hunting in the Everglades

I shot a 300 lb boar and had it mounted

I’ve been on the beach at dusk with my wife and little guys

I’ve been on a 16 hour car ride with an infant

I’ve been out of the country 14 times

I’ve been to Baseball Games at Yankee Stadium and in Baltimore, St Louis, Anaheim, Cleveland and Atlanta

I went to a professional wrestling match

I’ve spent a week in Vegas, twice, and only lost $5.50

I’ve been in an elevator with Drew Bledsoe and watched Mark Harmon film a T.V. episode

I’ve been the dumb hick who was lost their first time in New York

I’ve been the first to walk through the sheep field at Central Park after a hard snow (Heidi was there too)

I’ve jumped off a small cliff into the Pacific Ocean to save my wife and a student (God ended up saving them, I didn’t)

I’ve been to the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame

I’ve sailed in a boat race in February

I met Mickey Mantle and got his autograph (1987)

I stood outside and watched, from Naples, Florida, as the Challenger exploded in ‘86

I and my wife have taken our 3 year old to Peru

I survived a 5 hour layover in Peru with my wife and 3 year old

I’ve played guitar in front of 800 people and for an audience of One

I’ve had the joy of doing a lot of these things with the love of my life

I’ve been used by God to minister to people through words and music

I’ve been humbled after seeing God use me to minister to people through words and music

I’ve made lots of friends and very few enemies

I’ve been given a wonderful family, both immediate and in-laws

I’ve seen a friend become a Missionary to the World

I am currently watching my 2 year play with our dog

I am looking forward to the next 35 years.

I have been blessed beyond anything I deserve. I encourage anyone who reads this list to make one of their own. Look back and count the blessings.

Click Here to post your list of things and read the list of things my blog readers have done.

Cycling Devotions Part 2

// August 10th, 2008 // No Comments » // Cycling, Devotions, Relevant Faith

Pulling

In a group of riders (normal recreational ones), those up front pull, block the wind, and look out for obstacles in the road. The less experienced riders ride in the back protected from the wind so they can exert less energy as they learn to ride. As they get stronger they move up to the front where they can take turns pulling. The one thing that is hated as much as anything is a Wheelsucker, someone who rides behind someone all the time and never takes a turn pulling. It is selfish and will put you on people’s bad side quickly.

The guy who got me into cycling is a very strong rider, one of the best around. It was pure luck (if you believe in it) that we hooked up. He owns a bike shop and invited me to go with them one night. The most I had ridden at that time was about 13 miles, and when this ride was over we had gone 33. I hurt so bad, seriously, that I couldn’t sleep. But from that ride I learned a lot about myself, mainly that my butt was never meant to sit on a bicycle for more than an hour, at least not without proper cushioning. But what has meant the most to me is his instruction while we ride. He taught me the best way to draft, to pass, to pull and even how to eat and drink while I ride.

He didn’t have to, but he wanted to see me get stronger because he knew the more knowledge I had, the stronger I would get. And the stronger I got the better the chance I would keep riding.

Isn’t it the same way in God’s Kingdom? Isn’t that what we are called to do? Paul, the guy who taught me to ride, could easily have just ridden and not said a word. We, as believers, have two choices: either we walk out our faith in silence, watching people struggle for no reason, or we help those God puts in our path so that they will have a better chance at keeping the faith. (I’m never sure when to use a : colon)

When we first become believers we ride in the back while learning. We have more mature believers, hopefully, protecting us and teaching us. Then, as we mature, we move up front where we can teach and help new believers come along.

But don’t you know people who never give back? The ones who for years sit there Sunday after Sunday and never take any interest in helping other people. Wheelsuckers.

Don’t be a Wheelsucker. Don’t let the gifts and talents God has given you go to waste. Share the love, man. Help others be and do all that they can. Because somewhere along the way someone helped you, didn’t they?

Multiple Sclerosis Bike Ride

// August 8th, 2008 // No Comments » // Cycling, Fitness and Nutrition

I have the privilege of riding in the MS150 Bike Ride this September. We’ll be riding from Rock Hill, SC to Greenville, SC (about 150 miles total). This year I have joined the Tri-City Cyclers here in Columbia, who I ride with each week, and we will join thousands of other riders to promote a cure for M.S.

Every rider is raising $200 in order to help fund a cure for a horrible disease. Won’t you please help support us as we ride?

Here is a link to the MS website where you can donate online and read information about MS itself.

If you can donate to the cause that is awesome but whether you can donate money or not please lift up the MS Society and anyone who has MS in your prayers.

Thank You,

Roy Bauer

Cycling Devotions Part 1

// August 7th, 2008 // No Comments » // Cycling, Devotions

Find Your Own Riding Style

As I ride I can’t help but relate the experience with my walk with Christ. I’ve been writing devotions based on cycling for over a year now and I’ve had them stored in my Blackberry. I’m going to start posting them here, beginning with the original three. As I write more I’ll post them as well, but I’m not sure how often. We’ll see. Whether you are into cycling or not I believe you can relate.

When I first started riding I had to follow and learn from some of the more experienced riders. I started riding like them; their cadence, positioning, everything. Soon I realized that the way they sat on the bike, or the speed they pedaled wasn’t right for me. I began to get uncomfortable and at times it hurt, more than just being tired. Now that I had the basics I had to start finding my own riding style.

Our walk with God is the same way. To my knowledge He never used two people the same way. Moses, Paul, David. Each one was unique and was used in a way that fit the way God made them. Your cadence and positioning will be different than mine, but the basics will be the same. God will take the experiences you’ve been through and use them to reach people in ways that I can’t, and vice-versa.

I encourage you to find your niche. What are the talents that you have? What are the trials you’ve fought through? Use them to help and build up others.

Find Your Own Riding Style.