I've been AWOL from this thread for most of the year. At the end of June, an old high school friend came to town. Last time I saw her several years ago, she was struggling with her weight too. This time she looked like a fashion model 20 years younger! I asked what she had done...she had gone to a nutritionist and a personal trainer. She had been following the eating plan for a couple of years now and was running less than 9 minute miles now.

Well, she gave me the outline of the diet she follows (I can't afford a nutritionist) and I've been doing that since the beginning of July. Here's my progress so far...

July 11 215.5
July 20 211.5
July 27 211.0
Aug 3 208.0
Aug 10 206.0
Aug 17 204.0
Aug 23 205.5
Today 199.0

I'm perfectly happy with the way I'm eating now. I shoot for 1200-1500 calories a day. I make sure I get enough protein first and foremost. My carbs are usually lower than 'recommended' but still not anywhere near extreme. I get carbs from veggies, salads and fruit mostly. A couple of times a week I'll have good ole beans and rice

The only 'extreme' measure of the way I'm eating is that so far I have avoided sweets like the plague unless I am ON THE BIKE! That is why I think my appetite has adjusted so well to eating this way. I am no longer saddled with an appetite that would keep a football player at weight and I no longer get carb cravings!

I had been trying to do long rides on the weekend but around the time I started this eating plan the heat index started reaching 110 most days. What I have been trying to do, is have my 'red beans and rice' meal soon after a long ride to make sure I get the glycogen back on board. When I'm on the bike, I eat what I want at the convenience store etc. That usually means Cliff bars, Gatorade, chips, gels or even sugar coated donuts. Those days, my total calories usually end up being about 2100 or so for the day.

I didn't mean to write a book but I was so excited to be below 200 this morning that I thought I'd catch up on this thread!