Jumped on the scale this morning after not being on it for 2 weeks, -- and the result -- 330. (Up from 325)

I've had some great rides and a couple of sessions on my rowing machine in that 2 weeks - i truly expected a downward trend

In my distant past, i was a very good track sprinter, and dabbled in bmx- i weighed between 205-215 lbs in peak condition and at 5'9, i am/was- built more like a small bodybuilder than a cyclist (ITs not uncommon for sprint trackies to be even bigger than that)

----- after starting my current career 13 years ago, i dove headfirst into work and packed on 100 pounds in 7 or 8 years -- it seemed gradual at first . But i went years without seriously riding my bike - i haven't pinned on a number since 2001

So here i am at 44 years old, and i regularly go on what i would consider to be "fun" rides - hour long MTB rides at a high RPE (rate of perceived effort) , plus occasional sessions at the BMX track, coupled with 30 minute rowing sessions.

My food intake per a Calorie Counter app is between 2300 and 2800 calories per day, -- but i'm also a beer hound. I can easilly add 7-800 calories a day in beer. And beer is my favorite post MTB ride refresher

I dug out my old training logs, and i never really had a week where i did not drink beer, - however i also ate between 4500-5500 calories per day most days and spent 25-30 hours a week training between the track and the gym

I like riding my road bike, but i dont love it, --- i'd much rather do something a little higher in intensity and be done with it than do a 3 hour long ride, ---
Even at my weight, i do far more than most of my peers and i am shocked that i am not making any progress whatseoever

So its clear to me that i need to

1) ditch my beer habit

2) work on a more systematic approach to making progress, rather than just going out and having fun when the weather presents a great day



I dont know how i ever managed to live with myself , nor how i let the weight creep up, --- but i was starting a new career, and it was exciting --- It was also a refreshing change not to be constantly thinking about my next workout, or next meal

I have had a recent health screening - curiously enough, my blood numbers are all good and i'm not diabetic -- the doc stated that i am the picture of good health with the exception of the scale reading

Even in Oklahoma, winter time is approaching -- winds were 50+ mph yesterday, and it gets dark early, -- so the bulk of my training may very well have to be indoors-- but i have a lot less inclination to go pound 6 brews after a 1/2 hour rowing or spin bike session than i do after getting in a nice ride outdoors




Writing this and expressing myself in words is my way of "coming clean" a little bit -- but when i saw the scale up 5 pounds this morning, it crossed my mind that if i dont fix this soon, at my age --- it'll just got harder


Long rant --- anybody who managed to hang in till the end, thanks for reading