I wanted to post something to let folks know I still exist, kind of like the way I breathe onto the bathroom mirror in the mornings to prove to myself I'm still here. There's less of me here though - 21 lbs less, since I started serious food monitoring with help from my friends at Spark People about 6 weeks ago.
I'm about 1/2 way to my goal of 200 lbs, which is about my ideal weight for my height, according to various sources. Right now I wish I was about 6 inches taller, then I'd be at my ideal weight already.
Anyway, I made it through two Thanksgiving dinners, and actually lost 2 lbs last week, mainly by eating much smaller portions than I would have otherwise. The thing I like about the diet is that I'm not starving myself - I keep track of the amount of carbs, fats, and proteins using the Nutrition Page on Spark People. I'm consistently eating 2,000 calories per day, which coupled with regular exercise is erasing pounds. I've found that I get cranky (that's what my wife says anyway) if I don't eat on time. And the menu I follow is loaded with fresh fruits and veggies, which I like anyway.
I'm trying to not sound holier-than-thou, and I'm trying not to brag. I'm simply amazed that I've been able to lose this much weight after years of exercising until I can't move anymore, or going for days without eating much, only to give up and eat three Big Macs at once. But it's not about intensive, pain-inducing exertion or starving myself. I just didn't know how to eat.
I realize that in order to keep this weight off, I'll need to continue watching what I eat. Probably forever. But I feel better about this idea since I know more now about eating smaller meals at regular times. And I don't get uncomfortably hungry.
On a side note, I've been feeling better than I have in a long time. I'm playing the best disc golf I've ever played, and I even got a hole-in-one two weeks ago. I have loads of energy, even at the end of a long day of disc golf.
Still biking only 2 - 3 times per week, and not that exciting, with cold temps and wind and grey skies. I am enjoying reading all your bike blogs out there (even if I don't leave a comment) - keep up the good work!
Happy riding!
10 comments:
21 pounds?! Awesome. I need to follow your sensible plan.
Oh yeah, I didn't know you are a disc golfer! I did an awful lot of that in years past, and would love to get back into it. Still got a bag o' discs 'round here somewhere...
I tried spark people but was too lazy to keep it up. Then I did what my "know it all" wife suggested and started writing everything I ate down. After two years and eight months I am solidly down 30 pounds by trying to keep the calories under 2000. I seem to be running around 1850 now.
The best part is my body not longer thinks I'm starving to death and has adjusted to this level of intake. I eat what I want but exercise portion control rigidly. Learning to eat one cookie, a half sandwich or a half of anything was hard. Now that I've adjust to it I wonder how I ever crammed all that food in at one sitting.
Being married to the worlds best southern fried cook who weighs 105 pounds, eats all the time and never gains an ounce makes it difficult.
Wow! Congrats on the weight loss. Sounds like that's going very well for you. I think this time of year is very difficult especially for losing weight, so I'm doubly impressed.
Personally, I find grey-skied, chilly, windy rides *more* exciting than their fair-weather counterparts.
Actually, due to your suggestion I signed up on Sparks, but haven't had time to actually start it. I know my issue is portion size, I just have to practise what I know. I also bought a new bike last Aug/Sept so that I could ride longer distances and push myself. My urban city-type bike Sally was just allowing me to be slow and lazy. I'm out on "Robbie" as much as I can, however now that winter is somewhat here, I find I'm back on Sally more often of late.
Great job on the weight loss! I'm joining with legions of Fat Cyclist readers to try to lose 10 lbs. by Christmas.
Pondero - the chains await!
Oldfool - I ate about 1/3 of what I normally would have at Thanksgiving and felt full!
Apertome - Thanks! The darkness and the grey skies are taking some time this year for me to get used to.
PaddyAnne - good luck as you begin spark people. I think the main thing is to keep active, whether you're riding Robbie or Sally.
Jeff - Thanks, and good luck to you!
Golly, now I'm feeling either guilty or remotivated.
Thanks for the heads up on Spark People. I joined, let's see what comes of it. According to my GP I need to lose "about" 30#. I suspect if I didn't love microbrews and spent so much time behind a windshield I would be better off.
Aaron
Aaron, good luck. The first couple weeks were the toughest. I was afraid of eating too much, but if you follow the menus, you will lose weight, and not be very hungry. I do a little traveling for work, and I realized I ate a lot when I drove. I don't eat so much now, maybe take an apple or banana along with plenty water.
Bravo, Bill!
I have never been good at following diets, but I have lost close to 10 pounds in the last 21 days.
My diet consists of no rice, no bread, no dairy and only vegetables, tree nuts and salads, plus 14 minutes on the treadmill every day (7 reps of 2 minutes each, with a 30 second high speed run in each rep).
I am very happy for you and I wish you the best with your weight loss goals.
Peace :)
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