Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Time to try again

Its been a good couple years of not being here or getting on the bike consistently. For that matter its been two years of life struggles, tough choices, and issues that contribute to a lack of will power and self care.

Most of the tough stuff isn't going away, and I don't really have the discipline and will to stay on this well. But I'm 39 and I don't want to be 40 and fat. For those of you who don't remember me here is a short description (pun intended).

I'm slightly more than 5' 9" (license say 5' 10"), 224.2 pd (this morning after eating), and outdoor oriented. I work in affordable housing, am married and have a 7 yr old. I should be a good bit lighter (more on that later).

I spend 10 Sunday's a summer helping to run a whitewater paddling program for kids, coach U8 soccer for 14 weeks a year (spring and fall seasons), whitewater kayak another 10-15 days a year, work 40-60 hrs a week, and have accumulated only 500 miles on my bike in the last 30 months after hitting 1400 in 6 month of 2007 or 08 (can't recall).

So here I am back here to try and have a little accountability and help be motivated above the base level of daily stress (I teared up watching the half-time show last night because I enjoyed it).

Anyway, enough with the baring of the soul and on with what I hope is the good part. I'm trying to put some balance back into life and how that biking goes back to being part of it. Each year I focus on taking care of my self for about 3 months and then it falls apart, and usually by then end of that 3 month period I'm down to right around 210 plus or minus 3lbs. The 2 times I've manage to string together 2 - three month sections in a year I got down to 204. but that's no longer good enough.

This year I've already failed twice at on attempt to change things. I tried to have a go at a 60 minutes for 60 days challenge. each time I lasted 4 days before missing a few days in a row. The first time was due to my wife ending up in the hospital, the second time was simple because I was too tired to drag the trainer out at 10 PM. On the plus side, I've been more physically active since mid- December than at any time in the last 3 years. I've been X-country skiing 12 times since Christmas weekend, and I've done 4 separate 60 minute trainer rides as well. But I'm not even close to where I want to be, and yet I can't seem to do what it takes.

So my final attempt to get a fresh start is as follows: One week before my 30th b-day I decided to try a small wins approach to all this effort at sustained change and success. I am scared that if I'm not at or close to my ideal weight by the time I'm 40 its never going to happen for me. So for the 52 weeks between my 39th and 40th B-day I want to lose 52 lbs, week at a time. This would get me to a goal weight of 173.8 in 1 year.

Since putting this out publicly on my twitter page (same name as I use here for those who are interested), its followed my typical pattern - I gained weight. By last Thursday night I was at 227.8. To which I said "what the F&%$! and decided I needed to get serious and also start weighing myself in the AM to get better results (self-serving I know). So according to my 52 in 52 plan I should be working toward 222.8 by this coming Sunday night. It doesn't look good.

So I'm back, hoping that a little bit of public disclosure of my goals and struggles plus a bit of this groups normal mix of encouragement and accountability may help me fight the battle of wills I have going with my self and my desires (both good and bad).

Anyway, its good to be back and I'm looking forward to returning to the group going forward. Oh yeah and getting back to biking regularly>

Welcome back!

Your story is strikingly similar to my own. Looks like you have the accountablity aspect taken care of on your Twitter account, but you can also join in on the Biggest Loser thread here.

natbal:

It appears to me that you have all the pieces to put a program together. 52 lbs in 52 weeks is reasonable. The big difference I did this time is not pushing myself. I went for habit forming over constantly increasing my goals. If I showed up at the Y I was a success. It's fairly easy to make big gains when you first start out.The trouble I had in the past was expecting to continue to be faster, stronger at the same rate as when I began. Now I take more of of do whatever I feel like attitude. So what If I don't workout as hard today as I did yesterday. I did workout. I didn't quit. Maybe when I achieve my target weight and can eat at a maintence level the fitness goals will be achieved. Then again maybe not. I'm still very fit now.That was all I was wanting when I began.

Good luck.

Its difficult to break habits. You have a goal, but what is your plan for achieving that goal? Will you be able to follow that plan? Will you be flexible enough to change the plan when required? Don't get my wrong, i'm not trying to discourage you. But for me the hardest part for me was finding a plan I was willing to do and not become disappointed when things didn't work out as planned.

Best of luck to you.

Good luck.

Its difficult to break habits. You have a goal, but what is your plan for achieving that goal? Will you be able to follow that plan? Will you be flexible enough to change the plan when required? Don't get my wrong, i'm not trying to discourage you. But for me the hardest part for me was finding a plan I was willing to do and not become disappointed when things didn't work out as planned.

Best of luck to you.

The changing habits is the hardest part of this of course. I think I'm going to focus on simple ones firs, like drinking omre water and not stopping to buy breakfast on the way to work. I still need to pick a simple one for exercise too.

Welcome back! I've thought of you every time I find myself in Western Maryland.

Well, its been a few days of up and down. I got on the trainer last night for a whopping 15 minutes at 11:15 PM. I was just too tired to do more than break a sweat so I got off and finished watching Conan and Lopez tonight before heading off to bed. I need to find a way to go from being a late night person to a early morning person. I just don't know how to do it successfully. I think if I can swing it so that I'm early to bed by 10 PM and up and active at 5 AM or 5:30 AM I'll be able to meet my exercise goals better since my household is made up of later risers.

On the plus size, my weight is starting down again. Of course I gave into the "call of the Martin's Italian hogie" for lunch today so the weight may flex upward again tonight.

I did get on the bike last night so maybe if I can pull it off it will be longer tonight (30 minutes) plus a longer dog walk in the single digit temps tonight.

I know that selling a bike in messages is not allowed. So I'll simply mention I'm selling a bike for a buddy who rides a 58 size frame. Here's the link to marketplace (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/712491-Used-2003-Trek-5500-w-2009-Force-group-1200?p=12200851#post12200851) for those who are interested. He gave me a couple Carmichal DVDs that I think I'll try out and a great 12 week training plan he purchased. Its good to have supportive friends like that.

I've started saving for a carbon no-name frame I want to buy. I realize the risks in buying this type offrame. But I'm up for it and having that out there as a possibility helps motivate me. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to trying to get out on my Iron Horse bike in the next 7 day at least 1 time and put 2 hrs in on the trainer during the same period (small wins).

Historian - I'd wondered how often you'd headed out this way in the last 2 years. I still have the same email but not the same cell so next time you're out this way hit me with an email and we can have lunch again.

Natbla: Last night was a success. 15 minutes > 0 minutes. Sure I have "goals" in mind but if I don't hit them so what? My program is to show up. Several times I've went to the Y and did a few minutes and decided I just didn't feel like it. The other regulars have said "What's wrong?" I've replied " I'm just not into it today." They reply "Some days are like that for me too." I'll repeat my refrain.... It's the habit that's important. Not what you do.

Natbla: Last night was a success. 15 minutes > 0 minutes. Sure I have "goals" in mind but if I don't hit them so what? My program is to show up. Several times I've went to the Y and did a few minutes and decided I just didn't feel like it. The other regulars have said "What's wrong?" I've replied " I'm just not into it today." They reply "Some days are like that for me too." I'll repeat my refrain.... It's the habit that's important. Not what you do.

I appreciate this perspective. I hadn't thought of it like that. Now to keep that in view going forward.

One good day, followed by a tough one, leads to today and the battle moves on.

I was able to get in 30 minutes on the trainer Wednesday night, and even managed my evening meal content well. The result - 2+ lbs down from Mon. night.
Thursday was always going to be a holding pattern day just because of the schedule that included 3 hrs of kid activities starting right after getting off work, and that worked out on the weight side. But, I gave into the pizza monster at lunch and a tough day in the office meant when I ran to McD's for the wife @ 9:30 PM I could resist the call of an egg nog shake (I'm pretty sure there's no milk in one). But I was pleasantly surprised at the end of the night when the weight didn't tick up from the day before, and the morning weigh in this morning was down too. So, hopefully today will be a good day on all counts.

Might I suggest a food diary? You might be more hesitant to eat the wrong foods if you know exactly what the caloric/fat content is. I've gone from 226lbs in December to 193 today.

Historian - I'd wondered how often you'd headed out this way in the last 2 years. I still have the same email but not the same cell so next time you're out this way hit me with an email and we can have lunch again.

I'd like that.

Perhaps I can repay the favor you paid me. Having gotten into Cumberland without crashing in August 2008, I decided I didn't need to go to DC after all. I was going to spend some time in Cumberland before driving home. I told myself my trip was done.

You asked me "Neil, are you going to be satisfied with that a month or year from now?"

I said "Yes." But I thought about it later. And that afternoon I thought I'd take a little trip on the C & O, just to see what it was like this time. I just planned to ride a few miles, and maybe camp at the first hiker/biker site, and head back to Cumberland.

Three miles into my ride I knew I wasn't headed back to Cumberland. Four days later I was at Union Station in DC with a very dirty bike.

So if it weren't for this meeting:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3268/2796710686_3ff3e84687_b.jpg

I'd never have had this meeting:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2795605057_bcea8fcbe3_b.jpg

Thank you, natbla.

Might I suggest a food diary? You might be more hesitant to eat the wrong foods if you know exactly what the caloric/fat content is. I've gone from 226lbs in December to 193 today.

Good idea! I keep almost doing a food diary. But my hesitation is that I'll get frustrated by the impact of meals that are prepared by someone other than me (not the eating out kind). That said, if I try and focus more on those things I can actually impact in life, instead of those things I wish i could impact, there may be an added bonus for me on my stress levels and mental health. I must ponder this, while refocusing on my path to success - small steps and small wins add up to large successes that last.

Good idea! I keep almost doing a food diary. But my hesitation is that I'll get frustrated by the impact of meals that are prepared by someone other than me (not the eating out kind). That said, if I try and focus more on those things I can actually impact in life, instead of those things I wish i could impact, there may be an added bonus for me on my stress levels and mental health. I must ponder this, while refocusing on my path to success - small steps and small wins add up to large successes that last.

They are all small steps, natbla. Don't sweat them. Do them.

..... That said, if I try and focus more on those things I can actually impact in life, instead of those things I wish i could impact, there may be an added bonus for me on my stress levels and mental health. I must ponder this, while refocusing on my path to success - small steps and small wins add up to large successes that last.

This has been my approach. I told myself when I began "I'll give myself 2 years to achieve my goal. If I don't make it then I'll try another two years." I achieved my original goal of losing 200 lbs in 19 months. In some ways having so many pounds to lose (and so much to gain) it may be better for me as I've established some good habits. My value system of how I want to spend my time is forever changed now.

Its the third day since I said, "In the next 7 days I want to get my Iron Horse Bike outside and get 2 hrs in on the trainer." So here is a quick update - Today's high is 31 w/ gust to 30 mph and light snow so no out side ride today. BUt there is hope as 3 of the next 4 days are over 40 here in Frostburg, and may hit 50 in Cumberland. So I don't have any real excuse for not getting the ride in. I"ve been on the trainer twice for a total of 46 minutes. If I can get in 30-45 minutes today, I'll be on track for my 2 hrs.

Nutritionally, its been a mixed bag. I'll check my weight tomorrow night as part of my 52/52 goal. But I've had too much pizza on one hand, but my total junk food intake is down over all and I'm drinking more water overall.

Hey you did something. The weather is out of your control. 46 minutes on the trainer is more than I did the first week of my journey. Your junk food intake is down. Many sucesses. It's time I pulled out a quote that means alot :


The notion that this is not a diet, but a lifestyle change is one that we all give lip service to, but seldom internalize to the extent it informs every one of our decisions each and every day, which is what it must do, IMO. I thought I had internalized it - I proclaimed it constantly to anyone who would listen. But then one day I found myself getting impatient over my WW progress. I stopped to analyze why I was feeling that way. The only possible reason to feel impatient is if time is part of the equation. And the only reason time would ever be part of the equation is if, in the back of my mind, I still believed this change in eating had a logical "end point," after which I could resume my old habits. Coming to that realization startled me. On some level, I was obviously still viewing it as a temporary situation. Once I realized I was still deluding myself on that point, I was able to make some attitude adjustments. It became clear that time was no longer part of the equation, that I had already made the change the moment I decided to hold myself accountable for my eating habits. That was the big change, the Really Big Deal, and not my daily struggle to stay on the sustainable-eating path. I know some days I'll be more successful than others. But the point that needed to be drummed into my head was that I'm already on that path. The moment of change is behind me. From here on out, it's just my body catching up.

Hey you did something. The weather is out of your control. 46 minutes on the trainer is more than I did the first week of my journey. Your junk food intake is down. Many sucesses. It's time I pulled out a quote that means alot :

Great quote! I'll try and keep it in mind going forward. I did get in another 30 minutes on the trainer last night and was hoping for a ride today as the temps are up over 40 for the first time since early January. But I have a number of projects due this week so its writing time today. I'll pack the bike in the car tomorrow to see if I can ride after work. I'm looking forward to tonight's weigh-in. Today won't be without any exercise as I'll be in a pool with a kayak tonight for an hour or so. I'd like to get in some trainer time today as well. But only if one of these applications done first.

Still need to do my ride. BUt I'm up to 1:15 of the 2:00 hrs on the trainer.

Natbla -

Welcome back to the herd. Sometimes progress means taking baby steps, but it is still progress, is it not?

Best wishes for your success. We'll have to get together when the weather breaks and I get past PT.

Judy

Natbla, I have many of the same issues. I was very sedentary and kept gaining and losing the same 10 lbs for a few years. What got me going is my daughter, she's 2 now and I don't want to be fat when she's older. Getting out with her has helped, and as everyone else says, small steps and lifestyle changes. This winter in New England has been very tough on me since outdoor activity has been quite a bit of my exercise. Livestrong and a couple of other calorie counters that have phone apps helped me with the food diary. Including my family motivates me to get out there, my daughter bugs me to go out on her bike seat. There's no refusing "zoom zoom papa."

Welcome back Natbla, we're happy to have you with us. I think you are one of the Clydes I'll have to ride with this year. Maybe we (jagraham, The Historian, myself, and ???) will have to get together and ride. My son and I had a great time last year out there. Let's make it happen. Oh, don't worry about the amount of time spent in the saddle at any one time. The frequency is what really works over the long haul.

Well, I did my 3rd week Sunday night weigh in. On the plus side it was 226 down from 127.4 last Sunday. On the down side, I was hoping to be at lest a pound lower. But, I blew my dinner/evening eating badly. I wan't home for dinner time as I was at the pool in my kayak, so I ended up nibbling all night including McD's. So, all things considered,a small win for getting the weight heading in the right direction. Now hopefully, ths grant application won't keep me from an outside ride even with a late night of working ahead of me.

Well, I did my 3rd week Sunday night weigh in. On the plus side it was 226 down from 127.4 last Sunday

You weighed in at -98.6lbs?

Just joking with you, great work!

You weighed in at -98.6lbs?

Just joking with you, great work!


Hmm, that would be 227.4, I guess the typing skills still need some work. ;-)

WB natbla. Seeing the likes of you and Ben back on the board is having a positive effect on me.

Accountability time

7 days ago, I sent a 1 week goal of 1 outside ride and 2 hrs on the trainer. So here's how that worked out:

I just came back from my first outside ride since early last fall. In the last 48 hrs my computer battery went deal so I'm not sure of the exact stats, but I think I did ~ 45 minutes of riding (not counting dealing with a flat) and between 6-7 miles of distance. I did this ride as part of my lunch time at 2 PM (Board meeting day). I could have gone longer but I needed to get back to the office to work some more. If all goes well, I'll sneak away for a 10 miler either tomorrow or Friday while the weather allows it.

I only got in 1:15 of my 2:00 hours on the trainer. I guess I could try and bang out 45 minutes tonight. But I already was on the bike today and trainer time and outside rides aren't supposed to happen on the same day. I'll take this another small step toward better living and lower stress at age 40 (now only 49 wks away).

My new 7 day challenge for me is to do 2 days of riding and 2 hrs of trainer time. If I do this right that could translate to 6 days on the bike in 7. That might be too much to ask at this point. But we'll see how it goes. Now if only the weather will cooperate beyond the next 2 days (not likely).

What a beautiful afternoon to ride! The wind made it a bit interesting as I had to lean into the wind a number of times to stay straight. But I went a little more than 15 miles in just under an hour. I replaced my battery in my computer so I now know how long, fast, and at what cadence I'm doing it. This leads me to revise my estimated distance and time for the two rides I did yesterday and the day before to 30 minutes and 38 minutes each day and 6 and 9 miles each. Anyway, that means I've done 30 miles in 3 days. Now all I need is to get in my 2 hrs on the trainer over the next 5 days and I've met my weekly goal.

If anyone is riding in the Cumberland, MD area, the ride out and back to Lake Gorden is one of the nicest rides even if it has that 22% wall to climb to the top of the dam.

To OP, very reasonable and doable, I wish you good luck. Keep us posted on your journey

Week 4 weigh-in showed the impact of my weekly goals. After 4 wks of my 52 pounds in 52 weeks, I'm finally on the right side of 225.2.

Start weight 225.2
week 4 weight 222.4
weight loss to date 2.8 lbs (5.4 if you include the 2.8 lbs I gained in the first 2 wks)

So what made the difference?

In the last week I have ridden 34 miles outside, put in 2.25 hrs on the trainer, and been focusing on minimizing eating out at work. I'm also trying to eat only until I'm full. The unseasonably warm weather helped make a lot of this poissible.

Great progress. How do you feel?

Great progress. How do you feel?

I feel good but am concerned that this success will follow the weather trends. I've never had a problem getting started, its the finishing that has been an issue. I'm hopping this overlapping weekly goals of weight and exercise keeps me on task and making the changes needed.

I feel good but am concerned that this success will follow the weather trends. I've never had a problem getting started, its the finishing that has been an issue. I'm hopping this overlapping weekly goals of weight and exercise keeps me on task and making the changes needed.

Your concern is well founded. May I suggest you come up with a plan on how to deal with the weather ahead of time? That way you'll feel in control and not a victim.

Your concern is well founded. May I suggest you come up with a plan on how to deal with the weather ahead of time? That way you'll feel in control and not a victim.

The plan is pretty simple - ride the trainer when possible and then watch my intake closer if I can't get out.

Implementation does take some forethought. For example today's a trainer day. But it will have to be a 10 PM or later time frame due to wife having wisdom tooth out today and parental obligations. The next 2 days are out for riding the trainer as I have a grant application due and lots of writing to do. I'll be at work 30+ hrs between the 2 days. Hopefully, my self control will work for me and I won't eat my way out of the losses of the last 7 days (I do have control of that). If we "luck out" and get enough snow, I'll replace riding this weekend with X-country skiing.

Well 7 more days have passed and I've had a good week. I set the goal of 2 rides outside and 2 hrs on the trainer. The weather helped a lot in my success. Yes, success.

I road outside 3 times. Twice on the road and once with my daughter. I also got in two trainer rides for a total of 1:50 minutes. Just short of 2 hrs on the trainer. But with the extra outside ride I'll give myself an unequivocal success.

So the weather has returned to winter so this week's goal is more of the same with a goal of 2 outside and 2hrs inside over the next 7 days.

Good idea! I keep almost doing a food diary. But my hesitation is that I'll get frustrated by the impact of meals that are prepared by someone other than me (not the eating out kind). That said, if I try and focus more on those things I can actually impact in life, instead of those things I wish i could impact, there may be an added bonus for me on my stress levels and mental health. I must ponder this, while refocusing on my path to success - small steps and small wins add up to large successes that last.

Congrats on your desire to get back on track... You have the motivation, just stick with it. I've lost 63 pounds and counting the past 6 months. Keeping a food diary is essential for me to stick to my 1500 calories a day menu. If it's not on my menu, I don't eat it. I use http://myfitnesspal.com. It's a fantastic free website (with a free companion iPhone app) which makes it a snap to enter what you eat (or plan to eat) and track your exercise. It has a huge food database which makes it easy to add the food items you eat to your menu. You can also custom build and save favorite meals or foods which can easily be popped into your daily menu with a click or two. This website has literally saved my life. You'll be surprised when you record everything you eat. The website also tracks all the nutritional information. I'm a bit more obsessive about my diet, so I even plan my meals a week or two in advance. Of course, I always have the option to easily update or change what I eat. My Fitness Pal - it's a silly name but it's the best website/app of it's kind. I've tried all of them including Calorie Counter and Livestrong. They just don't compare. Anyway, good luck. We're all rooting for you.

Bob

Week 5 of the 52 week weight loss effort. I'm making really good progress now. Tonight's weigh in was 218.8 down 6.4 lbs so far in 5 weeks. More importantly, I was able to go to a kid b-day party w/ pizza and only have 2 small squares of pizza, and then went out to dinner and had a grilled chicken breast sandwich served with potato chips and even managed to give away half of the chips. I think I can do this.

Looks like I won't get in the 2 outdoor rides due to weather and family responsibilities. However, I'm on track to kit between 3- 4 hours on the trainer instead. So, overall I'm happy.

On a biking note, I'm looking at a set of carbon/aluminum 42 mm deep rims to pick up. I'm tempted to pull the trigger on 100% carbon clinchers, but I'm not willing to risk not having my rims last given all the descending around here and the related problem of overheating the braking surface. Anyone have any comments on using the aluminum brake surface carbon rims? It looks like it won't be heavier than my current Reynolds solitude 30 mm aluminum rims and I can reuse the hubs when I have the wheels built up.

Well its Thursday again, and over the last 7 days, my goal was to ride outside twice and hit the trainer for 2 hours. Due to work and family scheduling issues, I was only able to get outside for a brief, but hard 35 minute ride. Hover, I was on the trainer five straight days/nights (Friday-Mon.) for a total of 3.25 hours with the shortest time being 45 minutes and the longest being 55 minutes. With a ride on Tuesday, I went 6 days in a row of riding so I'm going to take it as another small win for the lifetime of changes I'm working on here.

I had some food issues on Tues-Wednesday, I suffered a failed attempt to ward off the pizza and junk food monster. But you can't win them all, and if I can stay on top of it over the next 3 days, I should be in shape to at least hold my current weight if not keep the small weight loss wins gong. I may be about to have completed my first full week under 220 since September of last year.

SO again my 7 day goal (today-next Wednesday) is to ride twice outside and get in 2:15 of trainer time. I think once I get past the time change in two weeks I'm going to switch my outside riding goal to a time based goal. My only concern is with the possibility that the measurement will become too large a target and end up with me not feeling like I can succeed. What do you all think?

... My only concern is with the possibility that the measurement will become too large a target and end up with me not feeling like I can succeed. What do you all think?

I don't understand the question.

Well its Thursday again, and over the last 7 days, my goal was to ride outside twice and hit the trainer for 2 hours. Due to work and family scheduling issues, I was only able to get outside for a brief, but hard 35 minute ride. Hover, I was on the trainer five straight days/nights (Friday-Mon.) for a total of 3.25 hours with the shortest time being 45 minutes and the longest being 55 minutes. With a ride on Tuesday, I went 6 days in a row of riding so I'm going to take it as another small win for the lifetime of changes I'm working on here.

I had some food issues on Tues-Wednesday, I suffered a failed attempt to ward off the pizza and junk food monster. But you can't win them all, and if I can stay on top of it over the next 3 days, I should be in shape to at least hold my current weight if not keep the small weight loss wins gong. I may be about to have completed my first full week under 220 since September of last year.

SO again my 7 day goal (today-next Wednesday) is to ride twice outside and get in 2:15 of trainer time. I think once I get past the time change in two weeks I'm going to switch my outside riding goal to a time based goal. My only concern is with the possibility that the measurement will become too large a target and end up with me not feeling like I can succeed. What do you all think?

Hate to say it but Friday - Monday is 4 days, add Tuesday for 5, there are a couple of issues, though, trainer time and outdoor time are wildly different, trainer time isn't less, I find it actually a harder workout, you have more control over it, which means you can easily hammer-fest or set the resistance high, pick a low gear and grind away, simulating a TdF mountain stage. I find time based workouts can work well enough on the trainer, but don't work well on the road, unless you do out and back type rides, for example ride down Elm street for 25 minutes (easy around here, Elm Street crosses 3 municipal boundaries), then turn around and ride back, but that usually doesn't result in a 50 minute ride, I've seen where I go for a nice and easy out and back, get to the turn around point, and find that the reason it was so easy is the 45km/h wind that I now need to fight home, and that turns a 50 minute ride into an hour and 50 minute ride:giver::cry::twitchy:

Outdoors I like distance, but then I usually use distance on the trainer as well, rides are marked as trainer or road, so I know which is which.... Remember that you can safely add up to 10% per week, but that doesn't mean you need to add 10% per week, on the trainer I try to do 110km a week, which is split over 3 25km (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday) sessions and 1 35km session (Saturday), by having 3 off days, you don't skip workouts, because if you can't do Tuesdays on Tuesday, you can shift it to Monday or Wednesday. I spent one summer trying to do 6 per week, and it didn't work, because if you miss a workout, it's forever lost and then you get behind your goals and before you know it, you wanted to do 1,000 miles in a 4 month period and 3 months have gone by and your not even half there, then you get to the point of going *&@# it, and giving up.

As the other's have said. your story is very similiar to mine. I have gotten back on my stationary bike here of late and will get back out on my bike as soon as next week hopefully.

Good luck.

I don't understand the question.

I think our Frostburg friend means he doesn't want to set a goal so big he feels it's beyond him.

I think our Frostburg friend means he doesn't want to set a goal so big he feels it's beyond him.

Exactly what I was trying to say. Now time to go ride 20 miles before the weekend rains come.

Another weigh -in last night. After falling off the wagon a bit on food for a couple days, and giving in to my tired legs and taking an unscheduled day off from riding, I wasn't sure I'd make this week's 1 lb loss goal. But I tighten's the food belt on Saturday and Sunday, upped the trainer riding on Sunday to 1.25 hrs instead of 45 minutes. AS a result, I was thrilled to see a good number last night. As of last night I was 216.8 down 2 lbs for the week. That takes me to 8.40 lbs lost in 7 weeks.

I'm concerned that I may be bordering on over training. As my legs are feeling tired and a little weak every day now. It takes a good 30 minutes to get up going when I ride (trainer or on the road). But with a load of indoor and outdoor riding 5 days a week equal to about 70-90 miles a week. I don't think I'm going to hard.

I could also just be feeling the toll of a good hard training regiment. If that is the case and I push through tiredness and weakness (no pain) for the next 2 weeks, I think I might see a major jump in conditioning April. But I'm just not sure which type of tiredness I'm actually feeling. Anyone have any thoughts?

Also not sure how the reduced calorie intake is impacting all this too.

Some of the experts say to train hard for 7 weeks then either rest or "active recovery" for a week. I'm still having a hard time figuring what active recovery is. My version is 30 minutes every other day at no more that 100 beats per minute. Congrats on the loss. Pretty soon it will become a habit.

Some of the experts say to train hard for 7 weeks then either rest or "active recovery" for a week. I'm still having a hard time figuring what active recovery is. My version is 30 minutes every other day at no more that 100 beats per minute. Congrats on the loss. Pretty soon it will become a habit.

Upon further review, I think I'm fighting a head cold. I feel like a low grade fever is trying to set in. Instead of the typical low calorie cereal bar lunch, I splurged for a 1000 calorie lunch to see if that helped (puts me at 1500 for the day). Lunch was a Sheetz grilled chicken breast sandwich w/ pesto, swiss cheese, banana peppers, green peppers, and onions on a wheat roll. That plus a small bag of chips and my required Diet Mtn Dew and I felt better. I just need to keep it to one serving of tonights dinner and I'll be fine for today's intake.

I have 45 minutes on the trainer and my crunch/core routine on the schedule for tonight (while watching TV). Tomorrow is supposed to be an outdoor ride after work. But that may change based on how successful a writer I am today/tonight (deadline is Thursday). I think I'll push through this week's schedule of activities and then see how I feel later in the week. I need to make hay on the fitness side while I can. Little kid soccer kick in in 3 -4 weeks and that will take up 2 evenings and a Saturday morning each week through mid June.

Well its official, I'm sick. So I'm shutting down the workout workload for a few days to recover and will get back at it this weekend. Unfortunately, my work schedule is such that I'll be putting in 30+ hrs over the next 2.5 days. But that's just the nature of my job.

Wednesday accountability, one day late. Well, I missed my biking goals over the last 7 days. My goals were 2 hrs of trainer riding and 2 outside rides. Actual activity was 2:15 of trainer time, but only 1 outside ride.

So why did I miss my goal?

1) I'm very tired and a little sick since Monday. As a result I decide to not ride, and try and recover/get better. Because of a heavy workload (38 hrs in 4 days), I'm still feeling pretty rough today. I may still try and get on the trainer tonight. But more likely I won't

2) I worked 32 hrs in 3 days
3) I'm on kid duty due to my wife's schedule and the kid is feeling sickish too

Anyway, I think this week is going to be a throw away week. And in addition to not a ton of riding, I'll probably gain a pound or so back too just trying to get better. Hopefully, I'm wrong.

ON a more positive note, I've picked out my reward frame set, and drive train so here are some pics from the web:

Microshift Arsis - cheap and different, and if it doesn't work I'll swap in my Ultegra
http://boutivelo.com/images_produits/MINI_GROUPE_MICROSHIFT_12274369260.jpg

Frameset
http://i.ebayimg.com/12/!CDwLuogEWk~$(KGrHqYOKo0E0fjsyVbEBNPrFbhmcw~~0_12.JPG

Week 7 ended in a not so good way. Having taken 6 days off completely and not really cared about what I was eating, Sunday nights weigh in was a bump up of 3.6 pounds. I was at 220.4.

On the plus side it kicked me into gear and I road some on the trainer yesterday (2 sessions of 30 minutes), and tonight did a commercial break interval workout for an hour while watching Chuck. Which by the way has some of the most frequent and long commercial breaks of any show I watch. But I digress.

After worrying I wouldn't get back to the eating right and riding, I'm looking forward to tomorrow and the evening trainer. I'm also confident I can keep the eating to a moderate level again. Plus, my new H plus Son 42mm rim should arrive tomorrow and I need to get my weight back down to the level I used to ok the purchase or I can't mount it (or have the shop build it for me).

Its been a great 4 days of exercise, though I won't make it outside until later today. After a week off to recover my health, motivation, and leg capacity I've been at it again. I have 4 hrs and 20 min of trainer time including 2 interval sessions, and a steady (almost) recovery trainer ride last night. If today goes well at work I should get in 20+ miles today and maybe 30 tomorrow. I'm on track to pull 8-9 straight days before I take a day off next week.

Well, week 8 has come to a close and my weigh-in last night was 216.4 down from 220. something last week and down just slightly from 216.8 the week prior. After a week off from riding and minding my Ps and Qs on eating. I went hard this past week. I road every day from Sunday-Saturday, mostly on a trainner, but it did include a 26+ mile ride last friday and 15.8 mph. The ride is an out and back ride that is slightly up hill going out and and slightly downhill coming back. IT does include a short climb about 10 minutes into the ride and the quarter-mile wall that goes up the dam at about 8 miles into the ride. But otherwise is easier ride that I can jump on after work pretty quickly, and due to its nature ride to time based on my family's schedule.

So I did 5.5 hrs on the trainer, and 1.75 on the road, and was even able to get out and kayak on Sautrday afternoon too. A buddy and I were able to run the Top Yough section of the Yough river (a description can be found here (http://americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/754/#tab-rapids)) which was a nice time too. I took yesterday off after my legs were just tired all day and I think I've found that 6 days is my max continuous duration for riding.

I'm heading out to dodge the rain after work today as the rest of the week will be indoors again otherwise.