Jul 28 2009
Back in the groove?
Yes, it’s been a long time since this thing was updated. Motivation has been hard to come by. Too much heat? Too much work? Too much humidity? Too much weight? Too much junk food? Too many excuses? Probably. The dream is still alive though. Seeing it may be a little difficult, but it makes appearances from time to time. I find that getting external sources of inspiration and motivation are much more necessary sometimes than others.
Anyway, I’ve been working on that motivation thing. Hitting some group rides to find company on the road. Remembering that sometimes a nice social ride is just the ticket. Racing around isn’t always necessary. Getting some good music to help push you along is also good….just gotta be safe with the earbuds and the traffic! Also, varying the training routine AND (big news) getting back to eating properly for energy during training, recovery from training, and to begin to shake some of this weight.
Just for the record, when I started cycling 3 years ago (and some 9000 miles), I tipped the scales at a svelte 282 lbs (128 k or 21 stone). Got that down to 229 lbs. and was in pretty good shape – BMI etc – until The Wreck. Long story short. The Wreck took me out for long enough that 25 lbs jumped right back on. Even though I got back into fair riding condition, the weight didn’t come off (poor eating, anyone?) and for good measure I went ahead and added 10 more pounds. So, now my friendly scales insist on showing me around 264 or so. Say it ain’t so!
Suffice to say that everything is out of whack at 260 lbs. Low motivation. Ill-fitting clothes. Loss of confidence, hair, teeth, nails. (Just kidding.) Seriously, though with that much weight all sense of focus on training and the pain that goes with it are right out the door. When someone talks about a downward spiral in their behavior, I know exactly what they mean.
It is with a renewed sense of mission that I am taking charge again. Making a training plan. Sticking to it. Making an eating plan. Sticking to it. Taking one step at a time (is this anything like a 12 step program?) on the road to putting together a serious attempt at this triathlon goal. I figure that for the tri to be achievable, that I must be much, much lighter. Must have a different body composition. I don’t think being below 200 lbs is truly practical. Afterall, that is college track scholarship territory for me. There was a time in my early 30’s when I did weigh about 205-207, depending on how much ice cream I ate in a week. I’m thinking that 205-210 is a good place to be, even though it still places me in the clydesdale category.
As of today, I am on Day 2 of a better eating regimen. More fruits, veggies, lean protein etc. No choco chips, Oreos, powdered doughnuts, Famous Amos, etc. More water. Less coffee. Fewer bagels. More oatmeal. Fewer chips. More red peppers. Fewer Cokes. Ouch! And the amazing thing? I swam a half yesterday, cycled for 1.5 hours (with 4 big climbs), and ran for 30 minutes and today I feel great! I ate correctly yesterday (especially post-workout); importantly, I have eaten correctly today. Now, I am ready to do some spinning just to loosen up and shake out my legs a little bit.
I’m back!




