I'M ADDICTED!!!!!
I've found out that I'm an addict. Addicted to cycling that is...could be a worse addiction I suppose. I never knew about endorphins before but it must be those little critters that make me want to keep hopping on my bike at 3:30 in the morning. In addition to my goal of commuting to work at least 3 days a week I set a goal of riding 1000 miles summer. The odometer on my bike just turned over 600 miles and that's only been since the middle of April! Looks like I'm going to have to bump up my goal to 1200 miles.
I've found a way to combat crazy gas prices and get fit at the same time...commute to work by bicycle. My goal is to ride my bike at at least three days a week, more if the weather cooperates. They way I figure it I'll be saving $45 dollars a week and burning an extra 3000 calories!
Why don't you try it with me? Here's a way you can give it a try. There is another Bike to Work Week coming up August 1-5. Get tips on how to commute to work and sign-up for the Muskegon ride at their website here. Commit to 1 day or all 5. It's up to you.
Whatever you choose just get up and get movin!!!
Here's what worked for me:
I've had people ask me how I'm doing it. Well it's actually pretty simple. The hardest part was finally deciding that I've had enough and wanted to take control of my life. Next I went online and found a calorie calculator to determine how many calories I need to take in to maintain my current weight. From that I deducted 500 calories. That was my calorie limit for the day. At that rate you will lose 1 pound per week, which the experts say is realistic and won't throw your body into starvation mode, where it will hang onto calories as a defense mechanism. Just like with your families financial budget you need to know how to budget your food. I still keep a log of everything I eat. I wasn't fanatical about it. Just kept track of the calories. I didn't even watch what I ate...just how much. If I deprived myself of my favorite foods there would be no way I could keep this up for serveral months. Keep track...it really isn't that hard. I mean if I can do it, anybody can. Next, I stepped up my activity level. If I happen to go over my calorie limit for the day I just add some more exercise to compensate for it. Since last spring when I started training for my 100 mile bike ride, I've been riding whenever I can fit it into my schedule. Evidently it's been working because since last April I have dropped 51lbs. Last, but certainly not least, I've been taking my Ultra 90 as I'm supposed too. It has really helped with building lean muscle and avoiding muscle pain.
To get started and to calculate your caloric needs click here.
Let's keep each other motivated. Feel free to contact me with any questions, keeping in mind I'm no expert. I've just been in your shoes and will be fighting my weight for the rest of my life. You have to make a lifestyle change and be willing to stick with it. There are no overnight miracles, regardless of what anybody says. The miracle is inside you. Good luck to you with your weight struggles. I know you can do it!!!!
If you need a little inspiration and motivation, check out these sites:
http://www.RideOnMuskegon.com
http://www.nbc.com/the-biggest-loser/
http://www.biggestloser.com/
http://www.thebiggestloserclub.com/
This week on "The Biggest Loser."
Jay had a big 9 pound loss while Austin came in last only losing 1 pound. Consequently Austin was sent home. |
FRIENDS DON'T LIKE WHEN FRIENDS DIET
If you're trying to lose weight, the thing that is most likely to derail your best diet plan is your family and close friends. Don't believe it? Test it. Go on a diet. Lose a few pounds. Brag a little. And then see what happens. Chances are you'll find you're the recipient of fattening food gifts. Your spouse may buy you a candy bar at the movies or your co-worker will offer you cookies when the afternoon munchies hit.
You can fight the sabotage by understanding why it happens. Colleen Pierre, a registered dietician and associate professor of aging, nutrition, and fitness at Johns HopkinsUniversity in Baltimore, Maryland, offers these reasons ...
1. They feel guilty. You're successfully losing weight. They're not. Giving you food is one way to get you back to "normal."
2. They don't understand. This is most common with people who have never had a weight problem and just don't realize that you can't go back to eating anything you want just because you lost a few pounds.
3. They miss the old you. And they miss the cookies you baked, the after-work "happy hours" spent with co-workers, or the restaurant dinners out with the spouse.
The sad truth is that some friends want you to do well in life, just not better than them. Remember that true friends have your best interests at heart,
Just Asking ... Has anyone close to you tried to sabotage your diet? Did it work?
© 2012
