203 - In-N-Out Burger Obsession

I got back from a 5-day trip to Reno/Sparks, NV to see the family since I didn't get time with them for Christmas. The one thing I was really looking forward to was In-N-Out Burger time, since we still don't have one in Boise. To make a long story short, 4 transactions in 5 days. Plus, my mom's awesome cooking, some birthday cake and ice cream, etc. So, I'm back for a little more flushing, riding, and workouts. I can probably get below 200 by next week which would be nice. Riding might be a possibility today, although I have a lot of RE work to catch up on and time with the kiddos. We had a great time last night playing Guitar Hero and DanceDanceRevolution on the PS2 - and that dancing game is quite the cardio session oh man.

200.5 - wahoo!

So this is (almost) a milestone for me. I haven't seen 200.x in at least 5 years, maybe more. I think I could've actually gone sub-200 if it weren't for the 15 meatballs (the little guys from Costco, out of a bag - high sodium)last night! I rode solo double squish up and down Hulls right after work. The trails were a little soft in a lot of spots, wet in others, and frozen in the shade everywhere else. Almost ate it a few times but superior bike skills (ha) saved my bacon.

Today will be focus and treadmill time. Veggies and all the usual suspects. I am going to only consume protein from my whey powder and eggs, giving my body a little meat break.

Rock on Friday, here I come.

201 - Veggie Tales

Veggies, fiber, cranwater, flaxseed oil, whey protein powder, lean meat, and exercise. Hit the treadmill for 30 minutes yesterday after work yesterday, had some steamed veggies for dinner. I didn't wake up during the middle of the night hungry (as customary) which is great news. I think this is because the less consumption I do, the less my body thinks it needs to replace. Looking in the mirror is even more satisfying than stepping on the scale because I have definitely lost size around my midsection. I am bummed I never took measurements but oh well I'm not entering a beauty paegant.

I even woke up early this morning, I think due to the excitement thinking about my pending ride this afternoon. Hack - I forgot my camera, which means no pics dude. Sorry!

202 - Outback Style

So we had a gift card for Outback Steakhouse, and we've never been there before. So we decided to cart the whole fam out for an early dinner down under (in Boise of course).

I had the Golden Hearts Chicken (breast with artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes and a light alfredo sauce) with veggies (broccoli, peas, carrots (didn't eat those - yuck)). I drank water with lemon and snuck two small pieces of the brown bread (it was awesome) and butter. No dessert for me (I had to watch the rest of the fam eat a sundae).

First impressions of Outback? Our server was very slow, he was personality zero, and not really on the ball. The food was OK. I bet this is another story of where a restaurant becomes really successful with a unique offering and good service, and them some conglomerate comes and buys them and it's downhill from there. I told my wife if I were still in the restaurant business I would make a lot of money - I know what kind of service it takes to make it happen. Anyway...I'm down .5 lbs and need to make a bigger dent today.

202.5 - oops

So I had a little relapse or "mad day" yesterday. I didn't bike, didn't walk, didn't do anything physical. I ate a few tortilla chips, a cookie, some salsa, refried beans, and I'm back up a little which doesn't concern me. I think the fact that I didn't totally lose it and go wild is the point of encouragement. This week I will go below 200 this week for the first time in 5 years which is exciting. And, when I do, I will reward myself with a nice In-N-Out Burger Double-Double ("Protein style" (no bun) of course) when I fly to Reno on Friday. Will do some riding this week and take pics so Hack won't be thoroughly disappointed with my blogging.

201

Just got back from a sweet little solo ride in the Boise Foothills. I climbed from Camelsback Park up Hulls and back down. I was pretty fired up to finally try what I thought was a difficult rock drop or roll coming down Hulls. It was nothing, man I was embarrased that it's psyched me out so long. Just proves how our minds create tougher situations than they really are! The neat thing is that it was snowing like mad on the way down hulls. I always leave my goggles in the car on the rides that I need them and take them with me when I don't! Funny....

That being said, I weighed in after my ride at 9:30 - 201. YAY!

202.5

202.5 this morning. I always try to weigh myself right after I wake up and do the "evacuations" necessary, you know what I mean. I went to bed last night, not feeling as good as I have been feeling right before bed. I suspect for two reasons: 1)Dinner was talapia (white fish, which was fine), grilled mushrooms and onions, and a small romaine lettuce salad. Normally I've been eating more greens with dinner. 2)I only walked for 20 minutes yesterday since I had to run off to the dentist for a cleaning. I think another 10-15 minutes would've helped. I'm glad I am at least down another half-pound and feeling good this morning. I aim to take the family out in the foothills after work and run the dog around. Derby has been dying to get out and blow out the carbons I think. Tommorow morning will be another freezeride, hopefully a nice calorie deficit. I find that I use a lot of energy sucking in the cold air and my lungs having to heat that air does the work.

Happy Friday and an awesome weekend to whoever reads this.

203 - That's the way, uh-huh uh-huh...

...you know the rest of the song..

203 on the ole scale-e-o this morning. This is getting fun. I will be excited to see 200 for the first time in probably 5 years. Plus my mid-section really is tightening up. All that water-logged mass is coming off quickly, hence the rapid weight loss. I know there's a plateau coming in the near future, when things will slow down. In the meanwhile I continue to push forward.

I have to think my 1.5 hour ride last night had to help also. I really pushed myself on the climbs, through the singletrack, trying to carry decent speed. even rode some of the frozen techie rock features which most people are careful to walk over. God's good, thank you Lord for this wonderful body and abilities to do the things I do. I never want to take this for granted.

205 - slowly but surely

205 this morning (.5 lbs less); riding at 3:30 in the freeze which should give me a calorie deficit for the day. I think I am getting obsessive. Sorry to say Hack, coffee/caffeine is not part of this phase I flush (unless it's herbal coffee which I cannot find very easily). See me in phase 3.

205.5 - Flushing never felt so good

205.5 this morning - I look and feel better too. More energy. No coffee cravings.

Boise Sat Freezeride

("Clown Ride style)


(This is freaking steep and with snow it's twice as tough)

So a lot of the folks in town complain about it being "too cold" to ride their bike in he lower temps, that's cool. As Gary, SaraJo, Bret and I ventured out into the cold I wondered how it would feel riding at about 11 degrees with a bit of snow on the ground. I donned a few more articles of clothing than normally:'

-1984 Protec Skate lid (red in color)with skull cap and neck warmer headband
-Riding pants with a thin microfiber running pant over that and board shorts over that
-Hawaiian shirt over the normal jacket and wicking layer underneath (red in color as well)

We climbed up trail 4 (deathgrinder in my opinion) through the snow, up to 5, down Sidewinder and then Crestline to Kestrel and back to Gary's house. Almost 3 hours of riding, I must've blown out a lot of calories. It was great fun and I didn't freeze at all.

Activity

I am determined to shed this weight. Yesterday I:

-Ate fairly lightly
-Walked then ran on the treadmill for 30 minutes
-Full-body weights session
-5 laps around the pump track

I am almost down to my challenge starting weight now. It's 7 degrees here in Boise this morning, which means the trails have got to be really nice, maybe a little slick because of some wet (now frozen) spots. I am going to ride tomorrow and hope not to freeze the boys off.

Not much progress at present..

I have been back on the bike, riding for about 1-2 hours each session, so I got that going for me. Which is nice.

CBro, flip and I rode up 8th street (nicely graded but steep) and dropped down into Hulls Gulch which was in pretty good shape. Temps are dropping (especially today-we got a sdecent snowfall last night) and trails are firming up, hurray! Tested out my new Pearl Izumi Amfib Lobster gloves yesterday and those were nice and toasty. Getting used to always having to two-finger it but no worries. I rode the Yakuza hardtail again and really was pushing myself on the climbs and the descending. Thinking about eventually slapping the Pike on the Yakuza and putting a 150-160mm single crown on the Coiler somoeday. Or not. Who cares - they are great bikes as-is!

Weight update: I am actually down to about .5-1lb above my starting weight. Blech. Who's idea was this anyway?

Feels so good to be back

Loaded up on Sat morning with CBro (Chris) and Justin (new friend who moved from Seattle last year) to take on the frozen Boise Footies with flip (Gary) and RocknRoll Barbie (SaraJo) at 8:30am. Gotta be quick since I've only got 2 hours to ride. Up and over into Military Reserve via the secret chute, up Shanes and down Bucktail and back over in 2 hours. Had to be one of my favorite rides since moving to B-Town. Why? Firm trails only got more firm as the snow began to fall about halfway through the ride! Packed and fast, the Yakuza rocked it on rails. I hate to say this but I am enjoying riding this hardtail more and more in the footies. I love the Coiler but it's a little sluggish for climbing and zooming the trails unless I lighten her up and swap some tires out.

208 - Fat Flush Game (back) On

OK so Doug in SD is kicking my and Keith's butt in this Biggest Loser challenge. I am stoked for him! I weighed in at about 208 today and am not too concerned. I've been eating better, working out, and started riding again. My goal is still 190 by April. I intend to hit this by February though. Keith's getting nancied and I for sure am going to beat him at this. Doug seems to be my only competition.

Don't call it a comeback...

...I've been here for years. My first real ride back last Saturday was great. 3 hours of pedaling, puffing, and cramping. Bring it on 07! Took the hardtail Iron Horse Yakuza Bakuto out with the trail riding setup. Gary and SaraJo and I had some coffee at their Northend house, I got a tour of the "bike shop" (wow) and we were off. Climbing over into Military Reserve from a new route, up the newer switchbacks and then Shane's clockwise was good to get the blood pumping. Slowly but surely I made it. Down Shane's and then an icy Bucktail (yikes). Over the river and through the bloodthirsty connector back to the Freeway. I had to dismount and walk up the steeps on that connector too, dangit. Cramping, little steps, finally I made it. Down Hulls was icy and fun, but I didn't hit the drops that I've been eyeing...nope. Not on that hardtail and not after being off the bike so long. Nope.

I was greatly pleased to not piss any blood either post-ride. Good times and lookout 07, here I come.