Yeah, I'm here

Howdy!
I figured I'd give you all an update since it's been over a month.

I've been trying to get back into a "normal life" the past few months. You could say I'm still not quite used to not being in a weight loss mode, even though I haven't been for some time.

Here's a few comments/thoughts:

-I still weigh myself every morning. What is that weight? Well today it was 203. It's been between 201 and 209 for almost two months now. I got sick for almost a week about 2 weeks ago and that was when it went down to almost 200. It's been hovering in the 203-205 range for about a week now. I'm happy with that weight. I think it's a good weight for me to maintain. 6'3", 204ish. Not bad at all.

-Exercise: I'm still doing it. I'm not running as much anymore, but I have replaced that with bicycle riding. By the end of this week I'll have ridden my bike about 75-90 miles between commuting to work, club rides after work, and running errands. I hope to keep that the norm.

I still do weight training, but only about two days a week. I'm not really trying to build muscle much anymore, but more-so just maintain what I have. I think once it's cold and crappy out again and I can't be on my bike I'll be back into lifting, but for now I prefer to spend my spare time outside.

I'm still swimming, maybe 1-2 times a week. I'm probably not going to do the triathlon though. I just really haven't gotten the breathing part down and I couldn't really imagine swimming non-stop for a half mile. I'm still working out it, but probably not at a level that I'll be able to do it for the triathlon.

Call it a cop-out, call it what you will, but I'm not going to do it. Instead I'm going to ride my bike more since that's what I enjoy.

Speaking of bicycling, another reason I'm riding so much is because I'm going to be going on another unsupported bike tour in just over a month. It will cover over a thousand miles and two weeks of time. Here's a rough map of where we'll be riding:



In addition to that trip in two weeks I'm going to be doing another quick tour around the Delaware bay, 180 miles in two days. That may sound crazy to some, but I can't wait.


-Eating
My eating is still good. I feel I'm doing pretty well at eating more like a normal person, albeit healthy. I eat smaller portions, I don't each many things with lots of fat or sugar. I do allow myself some things here and there, like cheese or maybe a beer. But I'm constantly aware of what my weight is and what I'm putting in my body. I'm still staying around 2500-3000 calories a day and that seems to be working out. I'm finding out that 205 is a good natural maintain weight for me to be.

I'm not really sure what else to report. All really is going well. I feel strong, I'm happy with how I look and how I perform. I'm trying to do my best to lead a healthy lifestyle, yet not be "that crazy health nut" guy. I think I'm doing ok so far. I'll try to check in now and again and hopefully comment on some of your blogs, but in case it's already not obvious, I plan to be outside enjoying life more than posting blogs. So I'm still here, just not as much...

I hope everyone else is doing well!

Stroke, Breath, Stroke, Drown

Weigh-In: 208.6 lbs

Yesterday I was finally able to join Liz in being a member of the Y. I've been wanting to join just to use the pool so I can start swimming laps in preparation for a triathlon I'm going to do in July.

I purchased my speedo, goggles, and ear plugs last week. This morning I put them to use at the pool.

When I say I put them to use, what I mean is that I wore them while I violently thrashed around the pool, attempting to swim, and breath at the same time. It was hard.

I know how to swim, I guess. But I haven't really done it for a long time. I know I took lessons as a kid, but I'm not sure that is helping me here.

My main problem is that I'm having trouble breathing without taking in water. So, it's really hard to swim a lap in the pool when you can't breath. In fact it's impossible.

I only managed 3 laps this morning before I gave up, deciding I need some more education before I proceed. I really don't want to have to be rescued by the 18 year old lifeguard.

So that's what I'm doing now. I research at Beginner Triathlete.com. I'm also going to get some direction from a professional at the Y next time I go.

So these are my next set of immediate challenges:

-Learn to swim correctly without drowning.

-From there, I need to be comfortable doing 17 laps as that's what I'll be doing in the triathlon.

I feel like I'm a long ways off from that, but we'll see.

There is a guy at work who also just started training for his first triathlon and has just crossed these same hurdles. Talking to him is motivation for me. If he can do it I know I can. In fact, he's a smoker...

Aside from that, things are going well. I'm still doing weight training 3 days a week, and I throw in some cardio 1-2 days on top of that. I still weigh myself daily just to monitor what is going on, but as I've said before I'm no longer trying to lose weight. I seem to fluctuate between 206 and 210 these days.

More updates in my triathlon training to come.

Runnin' Bikin' Workin'

Weigh-In: 209.5 lbs

My weigh-ins have been anywhere between 208 and 212 for about two weeks now. I guess that's good since I'm not really trying to lose weight. I'm still adjusting though to not losing weight. It's weird.

Anyway, I ran a 5k this morning for the first time in a week. I really pushed myself a got a new best time (I think): 23:36. Woohoo!

I still haven't signed up for the Philly triathlon yet, for a few reasons.

One, it's $120 and I'm kinda broke right now because of remodeling my kitchen and a few other things (It sure wouldn't hurt to have that $40 bucks from the DECEMBER weight loss challenge! Like that's going to happen. Anyway, I shall digress...)

The other reason I haven't signed up is because I'm not sure if I really would like to swim in the Skukyll river, right next to downtown Philly. Apparently every year before the triathlon they test the water for contamination. A few years they didnt have the race because it failed the test...that sounds...kinda scary. Maybe there is another triathlon I can sign up for where I don't have to risk infection.

Everything else is going well. Still weight training 3 days week and doing cardio 2-3 days. Still eating well. I started commuting to work on the bicycle, but now the weather has turned bad and it's just too cold. In fact, here's a pic from Monday:




Hmm, kinda looks like I have a gut, but it's actually just because that shirt is tucked in. Ignore that please!

Well, that's all I really have to say today. Hopefully everyone is doing well!

Day 200 something

Weigh-In: 209.00 lbs

First Bicycle Commute of the year.

Weigh-In: 210.5 lbs

Nothing new weight loss or fitness related, so I'm going to cross post this story of my morning that I posted on a bicycle forum I frequent.


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First Commute of the Season

All weekend I had been thinking about riding a bicycle to work on Monday. The winter saw a lot of changes for me. For one, I've lost almost 90 pounds since July 24th of last year, much of that since the last time I'd been on a bicycle. I've been really itching to see what I'd be able to do on the bike with the lighter weight.

I've also recently been setting up an old vintage Raleigh Grand Prix as a commuter. In the past I'd commuted on a LWB USS Vision recumbent, but I don't really like to ride it to work because it's a pain in the ass in traffic and in a few tight spots I have to get through.

So this morning came and I looked out the window to see foggyness and light rain. Crap, I guess I wouldn't be riding today.

When I went outside to let the dog out I couldn't help but notice that even though it looked crappy out, it felt like it was about 60 degrees! I'd been in the 30's here in Philly for a while. I had to ride.

So I loaded up my laptop and a change of clothes in my messenger bag and jumped on my Raleigh, ready to make the 8 mile commute.

Two blocks from my house, after going down a steep hill which is actually an elevated bridge I hear a loud bang! Holy crap! Hey wait, the front end is very squirely. The front tire had blown its bead, making a sound equal to gunfire and scaring the crap out of me and several pedestrians.

OK, I guess I'm not riding today. I pushed the bike back up the hill, two blocks, back home.

Then I remembered that someone just gave me an early 80's Nikishi Sport ten speed that I'd just cleaned up last night getting ready to sell. May as well test er out...

The seat on the 'ishi is less comfortable and riding on a brick, so I started to move the seat over from the Raleigh. Crap, different seat post sizes, have to unbolt the seat from the post.

5-10 minutes later.

Ok the seat is all sorted out.

Time to change the spd pedals over so I can click into the 'ishi. No big deal.

One pedal off the nikishi, one pedal on the 'ishi.

The next pedal, which had probably been threaded onto the crank arm on the 'ishi since 1981 did not want to move. Wouldnt budge! After a few minutes of beating the crap out of it and bending a wrench on it I yelled "F@#$ You!!".

Apparently my neighbor heard me in his yard, wondering why I was alone in my garage yelling at something, and offered his help. A little embarassed I said "no, I'm just pissed at this bike".

Then I got an idea....both bikes have 27" wheels, just put the 'ishi wheel on the Raleigh and be on your way! Duh!

OK, switch front wheels. Put seat back on Raleigh. Put pedals back on Raleigh...adjust seat.

I don't know what time it is anymore, but it's probably pretty late. Whatever, it's so nice out and now I'm commited, I HAVE TO RIDE TODAY.

Finally everything is all sorted out, I jump on the Raleigh and head through my town, towards the bike path that is my commute.

Forgot my pump, oops.

Hope I don't need that.

In the middle of the wooded bike trail after shiftng, my chain suddenly stops. Won't move at all.

Seems it got stuck between the smallest rear chain and the bolt from the fenders I just installed last week.

Damn.

After few minutes and very dirty hands I'm on my way again.

A few minutes later I shift the front derailler and it throws the chain into the crank arm.

Great, thanks.

Fix that, on my way.

Well, I'm already late, lets stop and take a pic. After all, I'm going to enjoy this nice warm morning! I'd like to snap a pic and post it on BF.

Memory full.

What? Oops, forgot the memory card for the camera...

And you know what? Carrying my laptop in this messenger bag really sucks. I really need to install that rear rack and start using a pannier bag.

@#$^!!!

I ended up getting to work 45 minutes late.

Hmm. Well, it sure was nice out this morning. I wonder if my bike will break in half on the way home, throwing me down an embankment into a river. Time will only tell.

The Bench

Weigh-In: 211.3 lbs

I just thought I would share with you guys the numbers for the first 6 weeks of lifting. These are just for the bench press. I think the numbers show that I'm improving every week. They also show what I already knew, that my upper body strength kinda sucks. Dan(my lifting partner) has already met his goal of benching his body weight. I think he weights around 220-225.

All of these numbers were basically "maxing out".

Anyway, here they are:

Day 200

Weigh-in: 209.6 lbs

The 200th day of the new lifestyle has arrived. With it ironically comes a new low weigh-in that puts me below my current goal of 210. This is good news!

Here's a new side compare pic. I didn't realize it had been 51 days since I'd posted one last...



I can't even believe day 1 when I look at it anymore. Seems like a different person.