Day 444-Weigh-in Day: 281lbs

WEEK 62

Start Weight: 365.4

2 Weeks Ago Weight: 284

Current Weight: 281

This Week’s Weight Loss: 3lbs

Total Weight Loss: 84.4lbs

To Go: 70.6lbs

Miles Biked this Week: 53.48

Total Miles Biked: 2370.11

Miles to Go: 5129.89

GEOGRAPHY (Where I'd be on the map having started at my house in Salt Lake City, Utah, heading for Tokyo):

Pacific Ocean (1649 miles off the west coast. I am heading for the Hawaiian Islands which is 2650 miles from San Diego)

Weekly Bike/Workout Totals

Last Week: 8.6 miles (bike)

Monday: 11.93 miles (bike)

Tuesday: 8.90 miles (bike)

Wednesday: 3.98 miles (bike)

Thursday: 5.73 miles (bike)

Friday: 14.34 miles (bike)

Saturday: Rest

TODAY:

You can read yesterday’s blog entry if you want to know where I’ve been over the past few weeks. All is well, I’m still here hummin’ along. Life at work got chaotic again resulting in 1-2am late nights with bad survival eating. But, this week was pretty much perfect. I will admit I ate a small cookie, had a dime size sample of Cold Stone ice cream, and a big handful of popcorn yesterday. I am sure it all added up to less than 100 calories. I was pretty perfect this week with eating, and I was able to ride to work, doing a longer route, each day.

Yesterday, I did some good hill climbing, including the monster hill I tried to conquer a few times last year. Guess what? I still can’t climb that darn hill. It gets to be about a 17% grade and I just can only move myself so far at that grade. When you think about it, 17% grade is 17 feet of elevation increase for every 100 feet of road. That is steep! I rode some other hills this morning that were about 8% that were fairly do-able. I got to the top and a fellow in a car rolled his window down and congratulated me on my hard work. That was surely nice.

I can’t tell you how I love my bike. I never knew how awesome it would be to move from a mountain bike on the road, to a road bike. Every day I catch myself peddling along with a smile on my face. The first day I rode it a few weeks back, my wife and her friend were driving down the street approaching me without my knowledge. They said that I was smiling while I was peddling. Really, is it that obvious? The bike is a 30-speed and hums along without any noise. It shifts so smoothly, and I’m getting used to how it all works.

I can’t remember if I told you, but we ended up purchasing our tickets to Japan from United Airlines. I bought at the cheapest time I’ve seen over the past 3 months. I feel good about it. It is going to cost $400 to check my bike in under the plane, round trip, so I am going to send United a letter asking them if they will waive the fee. I of course will give them a nice mention and plug in my film. I also found our hotel that we’ll be staying at by Mount Fuji. I approached the hotel and they will give me a little discount too for my film. I am learning that if you just ask, many times you’ll get what you’re wanting. I will be plugging the hotel too. It’s a pretty cool little place, with gorgeous views of Fuji.

I did something kind of scary today…

I signed myself up for a 52-mile bike race in 2 weeks. I don’t know what I’m doing, but I thought it would give me some good experience doing a longer ride. It has a 1500-foot climb in elevation during the race, and is out in the boonies of the desert, west of the Salt Lake Valley. It starts in Stockton, heads south to Rush Valley, heads west to the mountains, heads north to Grantsville, and then heads back south to Tooele. It’s like a big loop. It won’t be easy for me, but I think it is do-able…especially on my bike. It is a race, but I am not doing this to try and win, I just want to finish :) This will be my first bike event. I’m scared, but I’m also kind of excited.

Well, I’m going to leave you on a fun note…

Tonight, my little girl won 1^st place out of 22 Pinewood Derby cars that were racing at a Girl Scout Powder Puff race. As a little congratulations outing, we took her to get some ice cream at Cold Stone. Talk about delectable looking ice cream! Well, I let my wife and daughter have what they wanted, but for me, I simply had a dime-sized sample taste of the poison. ;) I have included some pictures of what I resisted this evening. I am proud of myself.

Well, I hope this upcoming week will be a good one for you. I have 14 more weeks to go, and still have a lot of weight to get off of my frame. The less weight I have on Fuji, the easier it will be to bike. I don’t know about you, but I want to be 210 Again!

Happy hill climbing!

Don

Day 443-A Little Set Back

Well,

You're probably wondering where I've been over the past couple of weeks. Well last week, my body not only needed a "free day" but a "free week!"

I was up until 1 and 2am a few times cause I was working hard to get a project at work done. My eating a sleeping was a bit chaotic.

Again, this time of year at work is another challenge for me. I didn't go crazy with eating, I just had to eat outside of my regular trough of food. To be honest, I didn't feel any guilt, although I knew I'd pay for it with a 2 week set back. It usually takes 2 weeks for my body to catch back up where it was.

This week has been a good one, and I'm eating and riding in the groove. I loooove my bike! This morning I did some hills that I remember last year practically gave me a heart attack, but with a lot less weight, and the right bike, I got up the hills a lot easier! It wasn't easy, but there is a big difference.

I'm almost to 40 miles this week, and still have a little time to beat my last weigh-in's mileage.

One little note, I am not doing a free day this week. I am testing my body to see how it does with free days every two weeks. And then, I may simply just do a free meal each week. We'll see.

Have a safe ride today!

Don

Day 430-Weigh-in Day: 284lbs

WEEK 61

Start Weight: 365.4

Last Week’s Weight: 284

Current Weight: 284

This Week’s Weight Loss: 0lbs

Total Weight Loss: 81.4lbs

To Go: 73.6lbs

Miles Biked this Week: 61.8

Total Miles Biked: 2316.63

Miles to Go: 5183.37

GEOGRAPHY (Where I'd be on the map having started at my house in Salt Lake City, Utah, heading for Tokyo):

Pacific Ocean (1596 miles off the west coast. I am heading for the Hawaiian Islands which is 2650 miles from San Diego)

Weekly Bike/Workout Totals

Monday: 21.23 miles (bike)

Tuesday: 10.51 miles (bike)

Wednesday: 5.78 miles (bike)

Thursday: 5.17 miles (bike)

Friday: 13.31 miles (bike)

Saturday: 5.87 miles (bike)

TODAY:

“May the 4^th” be with you! I heard that from a 9-year old yesterday…Hahaha!

This has been an exciting week. It’s the first time since the week of January 12^th that I got in more than 50 miles. I’m finally ramping things up. I do need to get back to the gym and do my weights and intervals. This week will be a good week to introduce that back into my schedule.

The highlight of the week though was getting fitted for, and purchasing my new bike! I got a new Jamis Bosanova from Highlander Bike here in Salt Lake City. Doug, the owner, helped get me measured up correctly for the bike. I had a camera guy there who caught everything on video so I’ll have to put some stuff up for you to view. Doug did a great job explaining why Jamis is a great brand of bike, and why the Bosanova is perfect for my needs.

I cannot believe how amazingly smooth this bike is. There is no comparison with my mountain bike The mountain bike has been a good trainer over the past year, but now that I’m on this new bike, it really takes you to an entirely new level.

Usually on a MPH sign out in a neighborhood, I’d see me hit 12, maybe 13mph tops, but today on a quick little spin I saw 17mph! What a difference. It shifts so smooth, and purrs along the road. No squeaking on this bike. It has both front and rear disc brakes which make braking nice.

As far as my weigh-in, I think I was on my eating game, plus I got in 50 miles plus, but somehow I stayed the same weight. I think with all the riding getting going again, my body is retaining a little water. Anytime I put myself through some pretty rigorous activity, my body inflames a bit. I kind of feel that. My clothes even feel a tad tight. It will be gone soon.

Anyway, I plan on riding my bike to work every day from now on, and Saturday mornings need to be reserved for long rides.

I’ll be watching airfares this Tuesday morning…there’s a good chance I’ll be purchasing. Gee, with bike in hand and plane tickets, there’s no turning back!

That’s it for today…I’ll keep you on the up and up.

In case you want to follow all my workouts, you can follow me on twitter at: @210AgainDon

Every time I do a workout of some sorts I post.

You can also see pictures, video, and the latest goings on at 210 Again

Happy purring-down the road!

Don

Day 428: A New Bike!

Yesterday I spent the morning at Highlander Bike getting fitted for my new bike. They happened to have a Jamis Bosanova in stock and in the size I need! So they made some adjustments, and I came and picked it up today! Talk about an absolutely awesome ride. It can't even compare with my old mountain bike! It's such a nice ride that now I can see what cyclists rave about! My mountain bike was a good training bike, giving resistance unintentionally. On this new bike, the only thing that can hold it back is me.

I've almost got 50 miles in this week, and have been tired. I decided to rest today, but this evening when picking it up, I HAD to ride it home! It was sweet. Thank you Doug for getting me into this great bike. My life is about to "shift gears" and take on the next level!

Day 423-Weigh-in Day: 284lbs

WEEK 60

Start Weight: 365.4

Last Week’s Weight: 286.6

Current Weight: 284

This Week’s Weight Loss: 2.6lbs

Total Weight Loss: 81.4lbs

To Go: 73.6lbs

Miles Biked this Week: 25.3

Total Miles Biked: 2254.76

Miles to Go: 5245.24

GEOGRAPHY (Where I'd be on the map having started at my house in Salt Lake City, Utah, heading for Tokyo):

Pacific Ocean (1535 miles off the west coast. I am heading for the Hawaiian Islands which is 2650 miles from San Diego)

This Week’s Workout

Monday: 1.08 miles Bike

Tuesday: 10.38 Bike

Wednesday: 13.88 Bike

Thursday: 4 miles walked

Friday: 5 miles walked

Saturday: 0

TODAY:

Lots to share…

I got my cast off on Monday! Check out my blog for more details and pix from last Monday. I couldn’t wait to get on my bike. I actually rode for a few days getting in about 25 miles, but towards the end of the second day, I could tell that my wrist did not like the ride. Even after getting the cast off, my wrist was swollen, but biking didn’t help it. It was barking at me like a Chihuahua. I felt that I need to give it a few days to rest. So I will see how it feels come Monday.

I will be going to Highlander Bike this coming week to order my new Jamis Bosanova! Let me just take a moment and thank Jamis right now…they know why. I’ll be featuring them in my film! I’m excited to enter a new dimension of cycling with a road bike. I’ll have my camera guy there to capture the fun when I go order, and get fit for the bike.

Also, my wife ordered some cycling clothes, but of course, they were all too small. Gee those cyclists are skinny. We’ve never bought cycling clothing before so I haven’t a clue what my size is. We’ll be actually going to the store to try stuff on this time.

Each day I monitor the airfares to Japan, and they are going up! This just really irks me! I’ve been following the airfare history app on KAYAK, and it says prices should go down in the next 7 days. We’ll see. Anyone out there want to share some of their Skymiles with me? J I remember 25 years ago, I could find fares for $500. Those were the good ole days, huh? Right now their getting close to 3x’s that!!

I found a company called Rome Bike Bags. They make bike covers, and travel bags for bicycles and motorcycles. I want to make sure that my bike arrives in one piece when we fly, and their travel bag will provide some nice padding. With bike inside, you can carry the bag over your shoulder. So when transporting our luggage from the airport to my family’s house via the train, I can carry it with me onto the train.

I’ve got a friend that is a big fitness guru/coach up in Park City, Utah. I have struck up a conversation with him about how I can have the best chance at achieving my goal of losing 75 more pounds in 4 months. He was heading out of town this weekend, but when he returns I want to sit down and pick his brain, and have him give me some pointers. I’d actually like him to do this while being filmed for the documentary.

I also, need to head over to Big Cottonwood Canyon, and do a test attempt up the canyon on film. Really, what it’s coming down to is, “what’s going to happen in the next 4 months?!” The first 12 months I feel like I got a good groove going, but learned some things I wish I had known before I started. Now, it’s putting it all to work with massive momentum to push to the finish line. I think the last 4 months of this experience is when all the fun really begins! I have a lot to push through.

In all of my initial videos I put out, and on my website, I had June 1^st, 2013 as my deadline for hitting 210lbs, with the ride to Fuji in August. I have decided to simply have the ride day, August 26, 2013 be the deadline. Did I move my target? A little. But the ride to Fuji has always been the pinnacle and inspiration for my goal. So it feels right.

In closing, I wanted to share with you what my weight loss graph looks like. It’s pretty apparent when I finally honed in on my diet after my plateau!

May this coming week be one in which you do something good for your health…that you’ve never done before. Let me know what you end up doing.

Don

Day 421: 4 months from today!

Four months from today, is the big ride! There's a lot of riding that needs to be done this summer. Gee, the pressure is on, but at the same time I'm really looking forward to it. It's going to be a blast.

There's been a lot of cool stuff occurring. I'll give you more details tomorrow, so stay tuned. I'm hoping that I lost something this week. I will say that yesterday I felt really run down, and also, my wrist has been swelling. I know from past experience that when I'm feeling a little sick, my body retains water. I've been drinking a good amount today, and have felt a little better, but we'll see how things go tomorrow morning on the weigh-in.

Anyway, have a good evening. If you're out on a date with your significant other tonight, be sure to stay away from dessert! ;)





Don

Day 420: Wrist Swelling

Well, with the cast off, I've jumped on my bike and have logged 25 miles so far this week. There's only one problem...my wrist has started to hurt and swell. Maybe I should take it easy for a day or two. I thought this wrist thing would be a minor bump in the road. But it looks like it could take a little more time to get out of the woods completely.

Tomorrow I am going to walk to work and let the wrist relax a bit.

'night!

Don

Day 418: Cast has come off!

Well, I went into the Orthopedist's office this afternoon and got my cast cut off! Finally!! It wasn't as pain-free as I thought it would be. The arm has atrophied, the muscle is weak, and there is pain as I squeeze and rotate my hand. They told me that much of this is due to the cast. They x-rayed my wrist and said the bone is healing nicely.

Things will be stiff for a while, and they want me to be easy on things for another 3 weeks or so.  I'll go back for another check up in 3 weeks.

The doc said I could get on the bike if I wanted, but if anything would slow me down it will be the pain. I am planning on the pain...that's okay.

My wife videotaped the doctor visit. My little girl was there and she didn't know that the electric saw they use would not cut me. She freaked a little when the doc just started cutting the cast off. Ha ha.

When we got home, my daughter and I immediately ran to the back patio, grabbed out bikes, and went on a test ride to see if I could even get on and stand riding the bike. It's a little painful jumping on and taking the first pedal, but once on, I can actually ride with very minimal pain! This is good news. However when getting off the bike the hand is stiff and so I am sure I need to keep moving and stretching my hand as I ride.

I think I am going to start riding to work beginning tomorrow! There is no time to rest.

Anyway, I just wanted to give you a little update.

Talk with you soon!

Don

The only cast signing took place 1 minute before it was cut off.

Cutting off the cast.

"Ouch, that's a bit sore!"

Immediately on the bike!

Nice to be on a road bike again!

Day 416-Weigh-in Day: 286.6lbs

WEEK 59

Start Weight: 365.4

Last Week’s Weight: 290.6

Current Weight: 286.6

This Week’s Weight Loss: 4lbs

Total Weight Loss: 78.8lbs

To Go: 76.6lbs

Miles Biked this Week: 14.6

Total Miles Biked: 2229.46

Miles to Go: 5270.54

GEOGRAPHY (Where I'd be on the map having started at my house in Salt Lake City, Utah, heading for Tokyo):

Pacific Ocean (1509 miles off the west coast. I am heading for the Hawaiian Islands which is 2650 miles from San Diego)

This Week’s Workout

Monday: 10.47 miles Stationary Bike

Tuesday: 0

Wednesday: 0

Thursday: 4.15 miles Stationary Bike

Friday: 0

Saturday: 0

TODAY:

I just got back in town…again. There’s nothing like being on the road again. It’s been a busy couple of weeks but I’ve managed to keep positive results rolling in. I did get on a stationary bike a couple of times this week…once at the gym, and then again when I was in Minneapolis. I really wanted to get in exercise each day, but again, it was 12-hour work days, and then more working at night until 2am or so. I did my best, and sometimes that is enough.

The thing that helped me lose was the continued “good” eating. Even though I didn’t get my regular helping of beans each meal while living in a hotel, I did choose the black bean soup when it happened to be the soup of the day. One night, the only thing on the menu that was semi legal was a chop salad. The salad has cranberries, strawberries, blue cheese and nuts on top of it. I told them to make the salad without fruit , pushed the blue cheese chunks to the side, and enjoyed a “legal” salad. For lunches, all the hotel had was sandwiches. I would order a turkey sandwich and not eat the bread. I felt like I was throwing half the sandwich away by doing this, but again, I wanted to eat legal.

I am sure you’ve been to a conference before. Before during and after the sessions it seems like they always have tons of fruit, soda, cookies, and other things with chocolate piled on them. Again…I did not partake.

I had kind of a break-through this week. I actually didn’t want to eat carbs. I didn’t want to drink carbs. When I don’t eat that stuff, and I eat my legal food (meat, veggies, and beans) I feel great! I think that it has become a lot easier to resist, and it’s almost feeling natural. Even today on my free day I drank water all day, indulged in some fruit, ate a blueberry muffin and a small bag of sweet potato chips for the first few meals. Then this evening we went out to a Chinese buffet where I let it hang out a little more…but not as much as I thought. Today, I felt like I was eating the way a “normal” person might. I ate when and what I wanted.

Well, Monday I go in to see the Orthopedist! I am anticipating getting my cast off. I can tell that this past week my wrist and arm have been feeling fairly solid, and not so sensitive to each movement. I tell you, if I can get this cast off, it won’t be more than an hour before I will be on my bike! I CANNOT WAIT!

I’ve been watching airfares from SLC (Salt Lake City) to NRT (Tokyo Narita Airport). They are hovering around the $1200 range. I am hoping they will go down a bit by next month, because I need to purchase them pretty soon.

I am also ready to go buy my bike! I am looking at the Jamis Bosanova.

I am going to get it from Doug at Highlander Bike here in Salt Lake City, Utah. He’s going to help me get the right size bike and get the right fit for me.

Here is a list of rides I want to do over the next 4 months:

City Creek Canyon

Big Cottonwood Canyon

Emigration Canyon

Alpine

Provo

Springville

Spanish Fork

45^th South to Wasatch Blvd climb

8^th South to Emigration Canyon climb

But first, let’s see if I can put in 50-100 miles this week!

Have fun this week! I can’t believe that I've almost lost 80lbs!!

Don

Day 409-Weigh-in Day: 290.6lbs

WEEK 58

Start Weight: 365.4

Last Week’s Weight: 290.4

Current Weight: 290.6

This Week’s Weight Loss: +.2lbs

Total Weight Loss: 74.8lbs

Miles Biked this Week: 4

Total Miles Biked: 2212.86

Miles to Go: 5287.14

GEOGRAPHY (Where I'd be on the map having started at my house in Salt Lake City, Utah, heading for Tokyo):

Pacific Ocean (1495 miles off the west coast. I am heading for the Hawaiian Islands which is 2650 miles from San Diego)

This Week’s Workout

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday: Rest

Friday: 4 miles stationary bike

Saturday: Rest

TODAY:

Okay, I pretty much “maintained” this week and there is reason for it…I was out of town all week on business. I rode a stationary bike one time and ate well most of the time, but did have a few free-meals during the week. It’s just the way it worked out.

It’s all good! I was proud of myself for going the extra mile to find beans to eat and not go overboard. One day I spent the day on planes with a very short layover, and only had time to grab a small bag of mixed nuts. I was so hungry I ate the whole thing…all 600 calories…but it did the job.

While I was in the air this week, I had time to really assess what it will take to get to my goal. I am not going to hit the June 1^st goal, but if I got for it like I never have over the next 5 months, losing 4 pounds each week, I can hit 210 by August. Hmmmm…can I do it? I believe I can. All though, this week put me behind already. However, I think this week getting back to my regular routine will make a difference.

With all the weird stuff with North Korea threatening a strike on Japan, it has made me a little sad that that could affect our trip. It’s interesting how one person’s bullying can affect so many lives. I think Kim Jong-un needs to learn to ride a road bike and blow off a little internal stress. Gee what’s his problem?

We’re moving forward though with plans to Japan and will be buying our tickets soon. Tickets to Tokyo are about $1200 a piece. That adds up quick for a small family. And, to haul a bike with you, it costs $150 each way.

On a side note, I was in Houston, Texas this past week and went to a little hole in the wall diner by a bayou for lunch. It was our “cultural” experience eating authentic Cajun. I had some crayfish pistolettes, deep fried shrimp. onion rings and gumbo. It was soooo good. I noticed while looking at the menu, that they also serve frog legs. Outside the back door of the diner was a porch that allowed anyone who lost their footing to fall right into the water…alligator infested water! The waitress was telling us about “George” their alligator who hangs around that area. So, this was a pretty authentic “Southern Experience!”

Well, I’ll check in with you soon!

Happy riding in the bike lane!

Don

Peggy's on the bayou