be healthier

I have decided to participate in a triathlon next summer. As I have “been healthier” I have started feeling better and losing weight. That has led me to want to be outside more often and bicycling/running/swimming are great activities in FL.

The new bicycle is really nice and I am finding it easier to get out and ride more often. I have been just jotting down my distances and times (really need to get something better than the back of a flyer for lawn maintenance) and noticed that my times have improved over the last month. In early July I did a 27 mile ride in 2 hours 15 minutes and in early August that same ride was 1 hour 53 minutes, on the same bike. I know that is not setting any records but it was rather impressive to me.

I had started riding my old college mountain bike several weeks ago. I just LOVE bicycling. It is the most fun I have ever had exercising. Anyway, my old bike began to show the effect of years of neglect as the chain snapped, the rear freewheel (cogs) needed to be replaced, the rear wheel was cheaper to replace than fix the bent axle and new tubes and tires. I decided that instead of fixing that one right now (I still plan to fix it up) I would just get a new bike. I went a bit overboard but it is only 6 months membership to the gym so I think I will get my money’s worth. Now the wait until my size/color/model arrives next week!

I always make all these grand plans about how I’m going to get in shape and lose weight and be fabulous and nothing ever manifests. I need to start with small stuff.

• walk to work
• stop visiting the coffee cart in my building
• related to the above, have oatmeal and fruit for breakfast instead of a scone and latte
• pack a lunch instead of eating out

My last trip to the dentist cost me an extra $70 due to my lack of flossing. I have always brushed faithfully but until I found the little “floss on a stick” stuff I have not had a good flossing habit. 3 weeks now and not a single skipped flossing.

I have managed to lose about 20 lbs and 2” from my waist in 2.5 months by diet changes but was fluctuating around a plateau. I decided to add some exercise to the equation. Breaking out my old college bicycle has been a fun experience. I started riding well but the last 2 weekends have shown that old bike’s lack of maintenance. Last week the chain broke about 10 miles from home. Today the rear tire blew out about 5 miles from home.

Hopefully I will have all my replacement parts in this week so I can be back on the road next weekend.

Anyway, bicycling has been the most fun exercise I have ever done!

I managed to catch the bug going around recently and lost 10 lbs while sick (just didn’t eat much for a week). I then decided to see if I could keep it off. My boss has lost 60 lbs so far and is an inspiration to me. Just making better choices at each meal, not eating after 8pm and I am down over 15 lbs. I would love to get to 220 or 230 but that is SOOOOOO far away that I will need to set some intermediate goals. Right now it is just diet. I will need to add exercise to really speed this up.

I was on vacation last week and made daily 2 mile walks in the woods to see the eagle nest. This is the first time in (25 or 40 years depending upon who you talk to) that bald eagles have nested on the island.

I felt so good & creative afterwards. I wish I could start every day like that.

V had read a book called “fit for life” and wants me to follow that program. I think it is helpful mainly to keep from overeating at meals (if you have a starch you can not eat a meat. that sort of thing). I lost 5 lbs the first 2 weeks. Thanksgiving did not help as I went WAY off the program.

While I was on vacation my pool was so green my lawn was jealous. Several days later and I think I have all the chemicals back into balance and the cleaners all sanatized from the old alge.

Now back to morning swims before the temperature gets too cold.