Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Day 154: Giveaway Tuesday

Good morning everyone. Today is Giveaway Tuesday. Each Tuesday we giveaway something that will help you with your weight loss and biking goals. We are going to do a repeat of last week and give away 6 more Clif Bars.

All members of my blog are eligible for the drawing which will take place tomorrow morning. All you have to do is leave a comment on today's blog entry before 12 midnight tonight. If you're not a member, hurray and sign up and you can be eligible too!

This morning, I got up and was trying to talk myself into going back to bed. I was tired, my heel was hurting, and I was not motivated. I literally was walking back to my bedroom when I made a conscious decision..."Go climb the hill!"

I had been thinking the night before about doing a good hill climb this morning. It's straight east from my house. So, I forced myself out the door and went and did it. That forst hill averages about 2-3%, easy for most people, but a challenge for me. I did it and then rode along 2300 East down to about 4800 South. Later there is a 7-8% grade hill that is short and sweet. I think I just found a good hill climbing route. It was a nice downhill return.

Also, coming up soon, I am going to be interviewing Swim Bike Mom (swimbikemom.com), who is an attorney, mother, and half triathlon athlete. She's really making some things happen in her life and is an inspiring individual to us that are working towards some big goals. Stay tuned to hear her story and advice! If you have a question you want me to ask her, send it my way.

Well, have a wonderful day!

Don


Saturday, July 28, 2012

Day 151-Weigh-in Day: 324.6lbs


WEEK 21
Start Weight: 365.4
Last Week's Weight: 320.6
Current Weight: 324.6
This Week’s Weight Loss: +4lbs
Total Weight Loss: 40.8lbs
Miles Biked this Week: 56.48
Total Miles Biked: 1280.93
Miles to Go: 6219.07

GEOGRAPHY (Where I'd be on the map having started at my house in Salt Lake City, Utah, heading for Tokyo):
Pacific Ocean (576 miles off the west coast. I am heading for the Hawaiian Islands)

WEEK’S MILEAGE
Monday: 13.69
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 27.20
Friday: 3.13
Saturday: 12.46

ATTENTION: I read a cool article about Track Racing, an amazing Olympic event that features some of the best athletes in the world. Keep an eye out for that competition during the Olympics.

TODAY:
Well, I am not happy with my lack of progress this week. I didn’t bike as many miles, but I have been getting some good workouts in, especially a 27-mile ride on Thursday with a little hill climbing. This was vacation week for me and my family and I haven’t been as focused on eating smart as I wanted to be. So, I guess I get to take a good look at the results and stand by them, no matter how embarrassing it is. I get to be accountable to all of you!

I must do better. I am basically back where I was a month ago, and this is not good. I’ve had steady progress for 5 months now, but have slid backwards over the past few weeks. I will reevaluate, and refocus.

I have wanted to go off and do more interesting rides, I think I am getting bored with my usual routes. I’ve got to explore other places to go to give myself a new challenge and stimulate my mind too.

LEARNED:
As I realize that time is ticking down to Mount Fuji, that I have been feeling a little more anxious about wanting to lose the weight. I had to catch myself and again remind myself that my focus right now is to keep riding, build muscle and endurance, and get the weight off. I don’t need to climb Fuji tomorrow, next week, or even 6 months from now. Stay focused Don…Stay focused…stay focused!!

EATING:
I will say that this would be my worst week on eating. I did not eat 4lbs worth of fat gain though. I think there is some water in there. I’ve watched my weight jump up and down this week. However, I have not really eaten a lot of veggies, and I ate a whoppin’ 1 apple! Of well, again, this has been vacation week for my family and I, so I won’t beat myself up too much.

It’s back into the routine of things.

FILM:
Stand by...

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Day 149: 27 Mile Ride This Morning

I went on a bike ride this morning with a friend of mine. He needed to be home by 7am. After riding him back home I kept going for another 90 minutes and got to the 27 mile mark. I should have kept going to hit 30.

Everytime I ride some hills, I'm excited that I'm doing it, but a little discouraged because it's not easy yet. But maybe I need to face the fact that it will never be easy. There will always be some pain. Thanks goodness that what goes up must come down. There's always the reward waiting on the other side :)

Heading to the pool now.

Have a wonderful day! Do something fun!!

Don!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Day 148: Giveaway Tuesday Winner

The winner of Giveaway Tuesday this week is Erika. I will contact you Erika so we can get you your 6 Clif Bars! Thanks for entering the drawing everyone. We'll have another drawing next Tuesday so stay tuned.

Yesterday was a state holiday in Utah and we held a big family get-together. I was up early not riding my bike, but moving a dunking booth into our back yard. The day continued busily until midnight. Sorry bike, I'll catch up to you. We have some riding to do!

Have a great day everyone!

Don

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Day 147: Giveaway Tuesday!

Hi Everyone,

Once again it's Giveaway Tuesday here at 210 Again! This week's sponsor is Digital Storybook, a local video production company. Digital Storybook is giving away 6 Clif Bars. I think most of you know what Clif Energy Bars are. They are great for when you need a boost after a bike ride, or a good workout. Each bar packs about 250 calories.

All official members to the "210 Again" blog are eligible to win these bars, you just need to do 2 things:

1. Leave a comment on today's blog entry by midnight MST on Giveaway Tuesday, and
2. Leave your blogger user name at the end of the comment so I know who you are.

I will take all names, enter them into the drawing, and draw the winner Wednesday morning. That same morning I will announce the winner on my blog.

If you're not a member of my blog, hurry and subscribe so you can be eligible to win the FREE giveaways each week!

Currently I have 43 members. I would like to change that to 100,000. So we have a ways to go ;) BTW, I gave away an advance copy of "210 Again: The Documentary" to the first 50 subscribers. As you can see there are 7 more slots available. So again, become a member, and the next 7 people to join will get a free DVD, once the challenge is over and the video has been produced.


Have a great day! And a great Pioneer Day, a Utah State Holiday if you live in Utah!!


Clif Bars for giveaway may or may not be the same flavors in this picture.
Don

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Day 144-Weigh-in Day: 320.6lbs I've Been Doing This 5 Months!!


WEEK 20
Start Weight: 365.4
Last Week's Weight: 318.6
Current Weight: 320.6
This Week’s Weight Loss: +2lbs
Total Weight Loss: 44.8lbs
Miles Biked this Week: 88.62
Total Miles Biked: 1224.45
Miles to Go: 6275.55

GEOGRAPHY (Where I'd be on the map having started at my house in Salt Lake City, Utah, heading for Tokyo):
Pacific Ocean (520 miles off the west coast. I am heading for the Hawaiian Islands)

WEEK’S MILEAGE
Monday: 20.37
Tuesday: 20.11
Wednesday: 24.45
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 23.72

ATTENTION!
I’m at the 5-month mark of my challenge. I think I am going to hit the 50-lbs lost mark this coming week…I'm going to work hard to get there...let’s see what happens.

TODAY:
I just got back from an almost 24 mile bike ride. This was no ordinary ride. It was a constant ascent up to the base of the Wasatch Mountains of about 750 feet in elevation gain. The ride is about 40 blocks of eastward climbing. The steepest part of the ride is a 7% grade. If you look at the hill while climbing it it’s mentally defeating. I literally had to get into 1st gear and just ride the best I could. I had to stop and take 3, 60 second rests. It’s steep! The route is part of the Utah Marathon Bike Tour that I signed up for this October. If I can get that far today, with some practice, I think I can do it without stopping. We did about half of the route, but it’s the hardest part of the route with a lot of hill climbing.

I went with a friend who is an ox on his bike and it was good to see that he even had to take a breather on the monster hill at 2300 East 4500 South, heading East. He can sit and talk and talk while taking the climbing, while I’m pedaling and huffing and puffing.

LEARNED:
This week I kind of got burned out physically and mentally. I took a couple of days off from riding and it did the trick! So I learned that along with a lot of hard work, it’s good to take a break and forget about what it was that drove you to take the break. My dilemma is that I have to get 7500 miles in in just over a year, and riding 100 miles a week isn’t going to get me there. I figure that I will be slowly but surely riding longer and longer distances.

Back to my ride this morning…
I cannot believe I was doing and going where I went. If someone told me 5 months ago that I’d be climbing hills of this size, I’d have given up immediately. All of these baby steps are leading somewhere. I did 750 feet of elevation climb today, but getting to Mount Fuji from Tokyo, if I recall correctly is about 4000 feet of elevation climb! So, I’ve just scratched the surface!! Oh my gosh. But we’re going to do it.

EATING:
This week was my birthday, and despite that, I ate pretty healthy. I will say that I ate:
-A chocolate dipped ice cream cone
-Veal parmesan and spaghetti
-A piece of pizza
-A cookie
-A bowl of mac and cheese
-A sliver of cheese cake

Some of these items were centered around my birthday, but they really aren’t something for me to worry about…as I have learned. What’s funny is that I used to eat 3 times as bad as this during a regular week before I started my challenge. Being conscious about what goes into our mouths is important. Every one of those items above I thought about before eating. I simply gave myself permission this week. I will say too that I also ate:

-Lots of spinach
-Apples
-Bananas
-Chicken Breast
-Oatmeal
-Chicken Breast
-Salad
-Chicken Breast

And, did I mention Chicken Breast?

FILM:
Surprise coming soon.


Me and a biking buddy, "The Ox" with Mount Olympus behind us.

Standing on Wasatch Blvd, looking back at the Salt Lake Valley. The hill we just came up is a 7% grade!

Today's t-shirt of choice. 

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Day 143: Is It Possible to Be Sick of Biking Today?

Today, I didn't ride my bike!

Yesterday before I rode home from work, I just had the most put-out feeling about riding. I rode home anyway. But today when I got up, I knew I wasn't going to ride. When I went to Subway today, I didn't order the 9-grain wheat bun, and all the veggies, I ate what I felt like eating...and I even had a raspberry cheesecake cookie to go with it!

I think there comes a point where you have to listen to your body, and my body absolutely didn't want to ride today. My legs, and my body have just been tired. I've had a little stomach pain over the past few days and that hasn't helped either. I've just had a quiet rumbling inside that I need to stop for a day or so, and not push it. So I listened, and have had a great day...it feels good to not have sore legs.

And what's this sore leg thing? I thought once you've been riding for a while, that the soreness goes away. I don't understand. My legs weren't sore today. Perhaps resting them is a good thing.

Have any of you had a similar experience? I know one should mix up their exercise. I haven't been, and I think it take a toll on one emotionally too. How do you know when you need to keep pushing 'cause your training, and how do you know when its just time to take a break?

I have to get the miles in to hit my goal, and the miles will result in stamina, but gee, it takes mind power to push through soreness and emotional biking walls.

I think I need to mix my rides up, and, introduce a few more days off into my schedule.

Maybe I'm over-doing it, and I'm not quite to the level I want to be at. Maybe it's all part of the long ride.

Don


Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Hi everybody out there! This is Don's wife posting.......
It's Don's Birthday!!! He's whoopin' 48 today. I appreciate all of your support in his "crazy" but "awesome" endeavor. He's really hanging in there, and super appreciative of your posts! Thank you!
Well, to the author of "210 AGAIN", HAPPY BIRTHDAY! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. : )

Day 141: Giveaway Tuesday Results

Good morning everyone! We have a winner for yesterday's giveaway. The winner goes to the user "Nathan Lynn Black." You've just won yourself a biking jersey from Highlander Bike in Salt Lake City, Utah.

I will contact you to get your size and get the jersey to you. That was fun!

BTW, I noticed that some of you left messages, but are not showing up as members to the blog. The way that you can tell if you're a member or not is to look at the "Members list and see if your name shows up. I currently have 42 members, so it's easy to check to see if you're there. Make sure you are subscribed, following as a member for next week's drawing to be eligible.
----

I am about ready to go jump on my bike and get my morning ride in. It's been nice to have slightly cooler temperatures recently.

A few days ago I was riding down the street and this kid probably in his early 20's sitting on the curb made the comment as I passed, "Hey, that looks like MY bike." I was a little surprised that he was being so confrontational within 2 seconds of seeing me. I just rode by. But, do you know what I wanted to say? "Hey, dude, this isn't your bike! Don't you remember yours has 3 wheels?" I'm glad I didn't say that.

Anyway, when I recommend being safe out there, it also means avoiding confrontations too ;)

Have a great and safe day!

Don

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Day 140: First Giveaway Tuesday!


Good Morning! Today is our first "Giveaway Tuesday." Our first sponsor on this giveaway is Highlander Bike Shop here in Salt Lake City.

If you need anything bike related, go visit them, or give them a call:

Highlander Bike Shop
3333 Highland Drive
Salt Lake City, Utah 84106
801-487-6062

Highlander Bike is giving away one of their stylin' bike jerseys. Jersey’s feature the Highlander Bike logo along with many colors and sizes from small to XXL. If you're larger than an XXL, you'll soon be able to wear an XXL, right!?

All official members/subscribers to the "210 Again" blog are eligible to win this bike jersey, you just need to do 2 things:

1. Leave a comment on today's blog entry by midnight MST on Giveaway Tuesday, and
2. Leave your blogger user name at the end of the comment so I know who you are.

I will take all names, enter them into the drawing, and draw the winner Wednesday morning. That same morning I will announce the winner on my blog.

If you're not a member/subscriber to my blog, hurry and subscribe so you can be eligible to win the FREE giveaways each week!

I know typing is a lot of hard work to have a chance at a free giveaway, but I've read how far some of you can pedal a bike!

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Day 137-Weigh-in Day: 318.6lbs


WEEK 19
Start Weight: 365.4
Last Week's Weight: 326.4
Current Weight: 318.6
This Week’s Weight Loss: 7.8lbs
Total Weight Loss: 46.8lbs
Miles Biked this Week: 116.18
Total Miles Biked: 1135.83
Miles to Go: 6364.17

GEOGRAPHY (Where I'd be on the map having started at my house in Salt Lake City, Utah, heading for Tokyo):
Pacific Ocean (431 miles off the West coast. I am heading for the Hawaiian Islands)

ATTENTION:
Don’t forget about Giveaway Tuesday coming up. You need to be a subscriber to be eligible for the drawing. Just leave a comment that day and I will throw your name in the drawing. We’ll draw out a name and announce the winner on Wednesday. This coming Tuesday, a local bike store that I go to, Highlander Bike, has been kind enough to donate the prize. Stay tuned for details on Tuesday.

TODAY:
Well, I finally did it. I had my first 100+ mile week. I will say that it hasn’t been the distance that’s been a challenge, but rather riding in the heat. I took advantage of a few mornings this week to ride early, which works well, but after work on my ride home, it’s cookin’!

Here’s what my mileage looked like:
Monday: 21.1
Tuesday: 28.99
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 32.28 (new high for me)
Friday: 13.69
Saturday: 20.12

I have noticed this week that my knees, especially my left knee has not been barking during normal activity. Usually, when climbing stairs, or getting up from a sitting position, my knees strain and I feel my weight on my joints. It’s been weird to get up out of bed, stand up and realize that the strain I once felt is gone! This is the wonderful result of having almost 50 pounds less weight bearing down on my joints, and of exercising my legs and knees through biking. I thought the strain on my joints was due to age. I’m sure there is an age variable there, but the strain has been primarily from all the weight.

Also, my stomach---yeah it’s still a bit chubby, is not protruding out as much as it used to. I actually noticed this week that physically my body is changing! Pants that we bought a few months ago, are already getting loose, shirts that used to be tight, look big on me now. I love the change, and my changing perspective on everything.

I climb a few small hills on my rides, and have noticed that they are easier to climb. Not as much huffing and puffing. But, I still cannot believe that in just over a year, I need to be able to bike a constant incline up into the mountains on the way to Mount Fuji for 5 hours, and then for 2 hours going up Mount Fuji herself at an average grade of 4-5%! Gee, that blows my mind. But, it will make a difference not having 155lbs on me when I do it! Again, I keep reminding myself that I don’t have to do this tomorrow…but I will the next day! ;)

Hey YOU out there that is reading this…Here’s something to think about if you’re a larger person. One of the positive things about carrying around so much weight is that you have muscle carrying that. Take a 200lbs man and give him 165lbs to put in his back pack to carry around, and I’ll bet he’ll struggle carrying that around 24/7. You on the other hand do something similar everyday. Yes, you struggle too, but your body has built muscle and stamina from doing that.

Now take that muscle and stamina, and apply it toward exercise. As you lose the weight, you shift that muscle you have from carrying “you” to carrying a lighter “you,” and carrying a lighter “you” farther. So my theory is that larger people, are used to carrying weight around, so they have something working in their favor on building stamina.

I was a pretty big guy (still am but a littler big guy ;)) But I just decided to initially get on my stationary bike and pedal for 30 minutes. When that got boring I started to jog. Then I got a knee injury from jogging. So my physical therapist told me to do what? Start pedaling for 60 minutes, back on my stationary bike. “How?” I thought. So I just started to do it because I wanted to rehab my knee. I was surprised that I had another 30 minutes in me, and was soon pedaling for 60 minutes! So, we big people, have what we need. Yes, it hurts, and it’s hard, but it’s worth it. There’s nothing more exciting than getting up out of bed and not feeling your knees strain!



LEARNED:
So, I want to get serious with you for a moment and talk about what the time cost is to getting to where I am. I was chatting with my wife last night about the time it takes to ride. Most of the time it takes an hour with traffic lights, etc., to ride 10-12 miles. So if I’m logging in 20+ miles a day, I am investing 2+ hours a day in my health. I find myself all the time putting things off because I’m too busy to do this or do that. Isn’t it interesting that I’ve found an extra 2+ hours a day to bike/exercise? It really is true that we become what we focus on. I have been getting up more this week to go on 6am bike rides. That is where I am finding a little more time…the beautiful morning!

I am hoping that the time I put towards exercise right now, will buy me a little time on the tail end. I have probably shortened my life in some way by living an obese life for the past 25 years. I hope that I can get some of that time back. Our choices really do have consequences, and despite our late realizations, we still have to live with the consequences. So, I am hoping that by shifting my choices now, it will be better than not having shifted at all.

EATING:
Here is something interesting that happened to me this week. I’ve been taking some long bike rides. One day I was so hungry that I went and bought a 12” chicken sandwich on a big hard sour dough ambassador roll. I forgot to ask for a wheat roll. As I ate the sandwich, I thought, “Okay, I’m just going to eat 6 inches now, and eat the rest at another meal. This thing has got to be at least 1000 calories!” Well, I got back to work from my lunch break and was still hungry. I scarfed down the other 6 inches, and then felt guilty. After work I biked home 17 miles in the heat. When I got home, I jumped on the scale just for fun and had lost 2 pounds since the morning. Not only had I lost the weight, but I think that sandwich I was worried about burned up in to ash! I have discovered that with serious biking, not only can you lose weight, but you can lose guilt too!


FILM:
Surprise coming soon.

Here are pictures over the past 4 months. The first picture looks like I am pushing my stomach out and trying to act bloated...but it is a natural pose. Also, on the last picture, I can actually button my jacket now!





Thursday, July 12, 2012

Day 135: 29 Miles

On Tuesday, I was able to bike 29 miles! That's the farthest I've ever gone in a single day. It was 102 degrees outside and I was dripping wet when I got home. It was a huge feeling of satisfaction. I jumped on the scale for fun and was astonished at what I saw.
I am convinced that if you just get out there and pedal, the rewards are there to have. Just remember to drink a lot of water and fuel your body right after a ride like that!!

I'm about to head out for an early and much cooler morning ride!

Have a great day!

Don

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Day 133: A Gift for My Subscribers

Good Morning!

It's 7:51am and I have almost 12 miles behind me this morning. This week I'm pushing hard to break through the little plateau I've found myself on. Yes, I'm losing weight, and getting the miles in, but not in as aggressive way that I know I am capable.

Yesterday I couldn't get out the door quick enough to get my 10 mile ride in on the way to work. I only got 4 miles in. So on the way home in 100 degree weather, I biked 16 miles back home. That will teach me to slack! ;)

Anyway, I've been thinking about how I can add a little pizzaz to my blog. So, I have decided that every Tuesday, I will have a giveaway. On Tuesday morning, I will post what the giveaway is, and who the sponsor is. By the end of Tuesday, just leave a comment on my blog and I will enter you, and the others that left comments, in the drawing. I will announce the winner the next day. Sounds kind of fun, huh? I will find some sponsors to offer things that are related to biking, health and just plain fun, so stand by.

You did notice that today is Tuesday...and yes, it's Giveaway Tuesday!

What am I giving away? To begin with, I wanted to say thank you for being a subscriber to the 210Again.com blog. Your following means a lot to me and tells me that you are supportive of what I am doing. As you may or may not know, I have been filming my adventures as I go---what I've been eating, some of my bike rides, some of my embarrassing expereiences, the challenge of going from a non-biker, to riding up Mount Fuji in Japan, and how I and others feel about this journey. And how if I can do it, I believe anyone can do it.

This journey is to show that I am not on any special diet, that I am not at some weight loss camp, and that I have a full time job, and a family like most anyone. I am your Average Joe, who is has been extremely overweight, who is in his late 40's. If anyone has an excuse to just stay fat and give up...it's me. But I'm not!

After the end of my weight loss journey by climbing to the top of Mount Fuji next August 2013, I will begin post-production of my documentary. I will be producing a 90-minute story that shows the whole adventure, complete with behind the scenes extras.

"For cryin' out loud just tell us what you're giving away today!"(you're probably thinking to yourself.) Okay, for being such a good support to me, I'd like to give you a complimentary copy of the DVD "210 Again!" I know, it's not finished yet and so you'll have to wait...but I made a list this morning of all of you that are officially subscribed to the blog as of this hour, and know who will be getting the free DVD. It's my way of saying Thank You! (Some of you I know how to contact, others, I will email you for contact info to get the DVD to you)

I know that there are others out there that are following, but not subscribed. I am going to allow the first 18 of you that officially subscribe to have a DVD too...so hurry and subscribe...I'll be watching. I know I have other good friends that read the blog, but aren't following...hurry! This free DVD gift will expire once I hit 50 subscribers. I know it's only 50 followers so far, but you are "The 50" that came on board at the beginning. I hope you know it means a lot to me!

Have a great day!

Don

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Day 130-Weigh-in Day: 326.4lbs


WEEK 18
Start Weight: 365.4
Last Week's Weight: 324.6
Current Weight: 326.4
This Week’s Weight Loss: +1.8lbs
Total Weight Loss: 39lbs
Miles Biked this Week: 84.5
Total Miles Biked: 1019.65
Miles to Go: 6480.35

GEOGRAPHY: (Where I'd be on the map having started at my house in Salt Lake City, Utah, heading for Tokyo):
Pacific Ocean (315 miles off the West coast. I am heading for the Hawaiian Islands. It's really blue out here...is that a shark I see up there?)

TODAY:
A few days ago I met with my doc and had some blood work done to look at my progress over the past 4 months. On Day 1 of my challenge I had my blood tested…along with my blood pressure, etc. Here is where I was:

February 29, 2012
Weight: 365.4
Blood Pressure: 140/80
Cholesterol Total: 225

Here is where I am:

July 5, 2012
Weight: 325lbs
Blood Pressure: 132/74
Cholesterol Total: 181 (normal range)

My doc says that my blood sugar is still a bit high and I should just stay the course of exercise.

I like to think staying away from Cows Milk and Eggs is partially attributable to the change in Cholesterol.

I remember visiting my doc last year and seeing a disappointing look on her face when I weighed in. I've been as high as 371lbs on her scale! I had come into see her because my legs had been swelling. I asked her why they were. She said it was because I was so heavy. Last Thursday when I visited her, she kept giving me a smile that made me feel she was proud of me.

LEARNED:
There are 3 things that are on my mind right now, and I think I will share them with you. You never know, you might have some ideas you could share with me.

1.    On the new 210Again.com website that will be going up, I am going to feature people that want to achieve their health goals through biking. They will basically report to all of us each week on their weigh-in, eating, and bike mileage. There will be awards, and all sorts of fun things that we will do. So far, I have 2 people that want to join up. That’s a good thing! But this brings me to the next thing that has been on my mind…

2.    I need to get word out on my blog. I have almost 30 followers, which is awesome. Thank you for following, and being a subscriber. (You have officially subscribed to the blog haven’t you? ;) ) But I am pondering how I can find more people to join. It is primarily a blog on my personal progress of riding my bike, losing weight, and biking to Mount Fuji. But I want it to be more than just that. What can I do to make this blog more interesting for you? And what can I do to find and attract more subscribers? Do I need to give some prizes away? Do you guys like recipes? Do you want more videos? What would make this a place that you’d want to come to at least a 2-3 times a week? I am working on some ideas, but I am also open to yours too! The more subscribers I can find, the more interaction and involvement there can be. I would like to find 10 people to be featured initially.

3.    A year from this August, literally 13 months from now, I am going to fly to Tokyo, Japan. I need to take myself and a small crew to film the last leg of my challenge. I think a big part of my weight loss challenge is not losing the weight, but finding a sponsor to get me to Japan…and to do a few other things for this project. So, I have been writing letters to some potential sponsors, but have not had a lot of luck right now. I haven’t approached too many, but I’m ready to really put it out there. If you know of a sponsor, or someone that is interested in a joint venture, direct them to me. Again, part of this adventure is not just the weight loss goal I have set, but it’s just as much about getting to Fuji to document the final part of the adventure. So…I am just putting it out there.


By the way, today I exceeded the first "1000-miles" mark! Only 6500 miles more to go. But, if I can consistently get 100 miles in a week, I can get to the next 1000 miles in 2.5 months instead of 4. So, we’re on our way.

BTW, this morning our “Bike Riding Group” rode 17.35 miles. We meet at 6am and each one of us takes turns leading the group on a different route each week.

EATING:
This week was a “maintain” week. We had the Independence Day activities, etc., it’s been busy at work, and we’re still working on our house and yard here at home. I ate pretty good this week, but probably exceeded my calorie goals a few times. So, my attitude about this week was to get my miles in on the bike, and what ever comes, comes. I put on almost 2 pounds, but the trend is that I gain a little, then lose a lot. That's the way my body is working. The trend is consistently downward though.



FILM:
I shot a few rough iPhone videos describing going to the doc for lab tests, etc.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Day 129: Stay Tuned...

I got a call from my doc today with the results of my lab tests yesterday. On Day 1 of my challenge 4 months ago, here were a few stats:

Weight: 365.4
Blood Pressure: 140/80
Cholesterol Total: 225

Tomorrow at my weigh in I will share where I am 4 months later!

Taking my friends on a 15-mile bike ride tomorrow...at 6am. Wanna come with?

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Day 128: Flat Tire and Blood Work

Gee, another flat tire. This time the hole is on the inside seam of the tube. Hmmmm...how does that work?

Also, I am heading to my doctor this morning to get checked up and have some lab work done. It's been 4 months since my initial blood work was done and I'm curious to see if my cholesterol has gone down, along with blood pressure and other stats. I should have the results by tomorrow so stay tuned.

I hope you all had a great 4th of July. We went to a local Chinese Restaurant for lunch and had Dim Sum! I've never done that before. I ordered some chicken and mixed vegetables to go with it. Then I was craving an ice cream cone so we went and bought one for each of us. Chocolate dipped!

Happy Independence Day! (Belated)