Man, I finally hit the mark, that mark was my target weight (well at least my first goal). My first goal was to get under 200lbs. Yesterday, I weighed in at 198.8lbs, so that is a loss of nearly 62 pounds since Jan. 2008. I never actually set a date to reach this goal; the main reason for not setting a date is I know how hard it can be to actually get the body to respond and keep responding. I was actually plateaued at around 210-215 for quite a few months. I finally broke the plateau by doing a metabolic booster routine (glycogen depletion by way of the Cyclo-Club 7 day fat loss boot camp), this routine has set my metabolic fires and they are going like a Southern California brush fire driven by the Santa Anna winds. :)
I am presently planning my routine for the 2009 race season, and I going to do part of an off season training program then part of an in season training program with the goal of peaking or close to it by my first major race " The Battenkill Roubaix", I am going to try and get a race or two in before that as part of my cycle just as a marker of my progress. But, with a new baby coming in April that may not happen but we shall see. I am not going to be overly concerned with weight loss for the race season I will through in a fat loss routine (7days) here and there but I know that the pounds will come off anyhow by watching my nutrition and increases in my training intensity and volume the weight will still come off.
Man I just wish this snow and cold weather would go away!
Harvey
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Here we go....
Well, up till now (since August 24th crash), I have mainly been trying to lose weight and let my body heal. I should be getting my new bike the firs week of February, and then its time to start a performance phase of training. I've already registered for one (brutal early season race) race the Batten Kill Roubaix, and have a second event picked out for June, my goal this year is to do 15 or so events. To do this I will be doing two races in some events and some mid week training races. I am at a point that I have learned a lot about nutrition and fitness over the last few months and am ready to see how well I apply what I have learned.
In June I will be doing the Lake Auburn road race, in Auburn Maine. This is a chance to see my younger brother (not much younger:) ), whom I am grateful to for (even though it may not have been his intention) getting me involved in cycling, my nieces and nephews; as well as a gauge on how my fitness and cycling skills have evolved over a one year period. The Auburn race was actually my first race, it was a cat 4/5 35mile pretty challenging course. My brother finished 3rd, and out of 60 starters I finished 53 (only 54 of us finished the race) and to me that was my goal, " not to finish last or at least finish". This year I am setting my goal at finishing in the top 15, of course I want to win the race, I am very competitive and never go in with limitations. But, I have also learned there are many factors not in our control when it comes to racing.
At present I am setting up my goals for this race season, one of which is to up grade from a cat 5 to a cat 4, then I will be able to do more races due to the fact that I can be in the master events as well as the regular cat 4 and or 4/5 races even 3/4 if I really want to challenge myself, and I love a good challenge. My nutrition has improved ten fold,and my understanding of how my body (mine personally) reacts to certain fuel intake and what quantities, now I will learn those things in a performance based training platform. Since, I have joined the cyclo-club I have had much more structure in my training and been more consistent and this is whats its all about. Thanks again to all those that give me input and help me keep things in some sort of order, it is a daunting task to change ones lifestyle so drastically but for the best. I still wonder sometimes: we know that cigarette smoking causes cancer as well as just being bad for our health yet people will spend thousands of dollars a year on this habit. On the other side of the spectrum people know that eating health and staying in some sort of shape can lead to a longer better quality life, yet lots of people would never change the way they eat or their activity level for the good. Maybe, the Surgeon General should post that smoking leads to a long and fruitful life and eating well and exercise is terrible for you and leads to all kinds of ailments. Hm mm, maybe that would work.
Harvey
In June I will be doing the Lake Auburn road race, in Auburn Maine. This is a chance to see my younger brother (not much younger:) ), whom I am grateful to for (even though it may not have been his intention) getting me involved in cycling, my nieces and nephews; as well as a gauge on how my fitness and cycling skills have evolved over a one year period. The Auburn race was actually my first race, it was a cat 4/5 35mile pretty challenging course. My brother finished 3rd, and out of 60 starters I finished 53 (only 54 of us finished the race) and to me that was my goal, " not to finish last or at least finish". This year I am setting my goal at finishing in the top 15, of course I want to win the race, I am very competitive and never go in with limitations. But, I have also learned there are many factors not in our control when it comes to racing.
At present I am setting up my goals for this race season, one of which is to up grade from a cat 5 to a cat 4, then I will be able to do more races due to the fact that I can be in the master events as well as the regular cat 4 and or 4/5 races even 3/4 if I really want to challenge myself, and I love a good challenge. My nutrition has improved ten fold,and my understanding of how my body (mine personally) reacts to certain fuel intake and what quantities, now I will learn those things in a performance based training platform. Since, I have joined the cyclo-club I have had much more structure in my training and been more consistent and this is whats its all about. Thanks again to all those that give me input and help me keep things in some sort of order, it is a daunting task to change ones lifestyle so drastically but for the best. I still wonder sometimes: we know that cigarette smoking causes cancer as well as just being bad for our health yet people will spend thousands of dollars a year on this habit. On the other side of the spectrum people know that eating health and staying in some sort of shape can lead to a longer better quality life, yet lots of people would never change the way they eat or their activity level for the good. Maybe, the Surgeon General should post that smoking leads to a long and fruitful life and eating well and exercise is terrible for you and leads to all kinds of ailments. Hm mm, maybe that would work.
Harvey
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Making due
I have found that I can make due with with I have and do not need to go spending a ton of money to stick to my training. Eating better is definitely a bit more expensive but I noticed that because I eat portions instead of just eating till I am full the food last longer. I try and eat mostly organic now but found that I can make due with fresh fruits and veggies even if they are not labeled organic. I read every label now on what I buy (if I have never purchased an item before) and with what I have learned from cyclo fuel nutrition program and info gleaned from the Internet and some books I am reading, even if I don't buy organic I can discern what is more healthy from what is not and make due with what is available. This is a big step for me I typically would go shopping throw some stuff in my cart and check out. Now, I take my time and plan my purchases the best I can, and if in doubt I do with out.
When it comes to making due in my training I do what I have to in order to get some sort of work out in with my busy life. Yesterday I was able to do a 2 hour work out today it will be only some stretching and push ups because I have a contractor at the house doing some work and the kids need to be attended to not to get in the way. I also do not have a bike, should have it in a week or so, I have had to make due with my elliptical. I have developed some very challenging workouts. I do speed intervals, steady state intervals, target HR, as well as light spinning to name a few things. And though it may not translate to exactly the work out I would get on the bike I am seeing some awesome results.
My kids that is another story, I have developed some ways of occupying my children when I work out. While I am on the elliptical they either watch TV in front of me, or they get there little chairs and line them up and watch saying " go daddy go" when I am pushing it hard. Hitting the floor it can be a bit of a distraction they like to get on the floor with me and my littlest one likes to climb on my back or go under me like a bridge while doing yoga posses like down dog. Actually it doesn't bother me at all I hope them seeing this will inspire them to follow in my life of being fit. Well, this is just some of the ways that I make due to stay on track, I have really learned that flexibility is the key and being able to think on your feet. That's why its so important I feel to have a fit way of life as a habit so when you grab for snack its a healthy snack or the healthiest choice available.
Harvey
gunnadropya
When it comes to making due in my training I do what I have to in order to get some sort of work out in with my busy life. Yesterday I was able to do a 2 hour work out today it will be only some stretching and push ups because I have a contractor at the house doing some work and the kids need to be attended to not to get in the way. I also do not have a bike, should have it in a week or so, I have had to make due with my elliptical. I have developed some very challenging workouts. I do speed intervals, steady state intervals, target HR, as well as light spinning to name a few things. And though it may not translate to exactly the work out I would get on the bike I am seeing some awesome results.
My kids that is another story, I have developed some ways of occupying my children when I work out. While I am on the elliptical they either watch TV in front of me, or they get there little chairs and line them up and watch saying " go daddy go" when I am pushing it hard. Hitting the floor it can be a bit of a distraction they like to get on the floor with me and my littlest one likes to climb on my back or go under me like a bridge while doing yoga posses like down dog. Actually it doesn't bother me at all I hope them seeing this will inspire them to follow in my life of being fit. Well, this is just some of the ways that I make due to stay on track, I have really learned that flexibility is the key and being able to think on your feet. That's why its so important I feel to have a fit way of life as a habit so when you grab for snack its a healthy snack or the healthiest choice available.
Harvey
gunnadropya
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Getting Fit
I started my journey to better health and fitness just about one year ago (Jan 31st). I have lost nearly 60 pounds, and am close to my first weight loss goal of being under 200lbs. Not only have I lost weight I have gained a whole new fitness level and mental aquity. I am able to push myself past my limits and have a whole new confidence level. I by no means have reached where I want to be weight wise but, the way I view my weight loss has changed. I now look at that as a secondary issue that as I change the way I eat, and my activity level will continue to go down to a certain level.
I started out just riding my bike as often as I could and that was alot, in 5 months I had over 2200 miles in and untill my crash in August it was going good. I am still recovering from some of my injuries and was at a sticking point. So, I took a chance and joined a cycling club. (http://www.cyclo-club.com/public/main.cfm) I joined cyclo-club and since have increased my fitness level with the workouts and lost another 16 pounds in a short period of time just about a month. This is not a fad diet I did the Fat Loss Boot Camp ( http://www.cyclo-club.com/members/department108.cfm) and that spiked my metabolism. I have also increased my core work outs and push it hard, but also know when to take a day off.
I lead a very busy life, I work 12 hour nights (alot of overtime) just came off of 14 days straight. I go to school full time to get my Marketing and Managment degree, and have 3 young children and one more on the way (have two others over 18 that are still a hand full).
My biggest source of motivation outside of my family and what is inside of me has been knowing that there are others out there doing the same thing suffering through the same workouts, and dealing with the same nutritional issues. And this is what its all about, SUPPORT. I am starting this blog first to help myself follow my progress, as well as to put out there so if someone else can get some help and not feel alone in their venture to get into better shape, that would be great. This is my first post and their will be more to come.
Gunnadropya
I started out just riding my bike as often as I could and that was alot, in 5 months I had over 2200 miles in and untill my crash in August it was going good. I am still recovering from some of my injuries and was at a sticking point. So, I took a chance and joined a cycling club. (http://www.cyclo-club.com/public/main.cfm) I joined cyclo-club and since have increased my fitness level with the workouts and lost another 16 pounds in a short period of time just about a month. This is not a fad diet I did the Fat Loss Boot Camp ( http://www.cyclo-club.com/members/department108.cfm) and that spiked my metabolism. I have also increased my core work outs and push it hard, but also know when to take a day off.
I lead a very busy life, I work 12 hour nights (alot of overtime) just came off of 14 days straight. I go to school full time to get my Marketing and Managment degree, and have 3 young children and one more on the way (have two others over 18 that are still a hand full).
My biggest source of motivation outside of my family and what is inside of me has been knowing that there are others out there doing the same thing suffering through the same workouts, and dealing with the same nutritional issues. And this is what its all about, SUPPORT. I am starting this blog first to help myself follow my progress, as well as to put out there so if someone else can get some help and not feel alone in their venture to get into better shape, that would be great. This is my first post and their will be more to come.
Gunnadropya
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
