May 2009 – The Fat Guy

Monthly Update – May 2009

Weight

My average monthly weight was 203.3 lbs, or a loss of 3.3 lbs from April. I’ve made up for April’s gain, and then some. My daily weight has dropped below 200 lbs for three days in a row.

Mileage

Month	Bike	Car
01-2009	277.8	678.0
02-2009	263.0	768.0
03-2009	192.4	1,995.0
04-2009	290.9	1,550.0
05-2009	452.0	1,087.0

May mileage is improved. I’m driving less and riding more. I wasn’t tracking mileage by month last year, but May 2009 could be the most miles in a month for me.

Health

It turns out I have arthritis in my right shoulder. I probably injured it years ago, and just don’t remember it. Most of the medication I have been given for it didn’t do much, and had side effects, so I’m no longer taking medication for it. I have been doing strength training for my upper body with a personal trainer. This has been helping my shoulder, and is good for the general fitness also.

Personal

Kristy is still too far away. I’ve been focusing on bikes, cooking, and diet to keep the loneliness away.

I’ve been recruiting some co-workers to go on a bike ride during lunch. Several people keep a bike at work, and we ride along the riverwalk during lunch. We ride slow, and it’s not a long ride, but it helps break the day up and clear the mind.

Weekly Average Weight for May 30, 2009

My average weight for the week ending 5/30/2009:
201.5 lbs

Down from last week:
2.0 lbs

Down since I started on 10/31/2007:
94.9 lbs

My average loss per 30 days since 10/31/2007:
4.93 lbs

Weight until goal:
26.5 lbs

My last two weigh-ins have been just under 200 lbs. My weight will probably pop back above 200 lbs for a day or two, but I’m comfortable saying that my next weekly average, and my June monthly average will be under 200.

I’ve done this by eating very light on days that I don’t ride my bike, and eating more food on days that I do. I’ve ridden a little over 100 miles for the week so far, and still have two more days to ride if I want.

200 – Just a Number

The scale read 200.0 this morning. That’s the lowest yet, but I’m only a few pounds lighter than I was in February.

I’ve been waiting for the day that my weight is under 200 lbs, and it’s not quite here yet. Why an arbitrary number like 200? It means little. Even my goal weight of 175 is just an arbitrary number.

We all need goals, and 175 is my goal. Nice round numbers along the way are signs of progress. So I’ll take my 200.

Memorial Day Ride and a New Project

I had initially planned to participate in the Memorial Day Hike and Bike in Louisville. Then I changed my plans to go fishing with Kris. When I woke this morning it was raining, and I changed my plan again to take a ride with Tim.

When I ride with Tim, I rarely know where I’m at, or where I’m going. he knows many parts of Louisville very well, so I just follow him. We had a nice 33-mile ride with some hills thrown in for fun.

I had a flat along the way, but I was carrying the necessary stuff to fix it.

At one point we saw three deer in someone’s front yard, but unfortunately neither of us brought a camera.

Tim had a “garbage bike” he rescued some time ago, but hadn’t worked on much. I was looking at it after returning to his house, and he told me I could have it.

It’s an AMF Pacemaker. I assume it’s a low-quality bike, but it might be a fun little project.

I’m thinking about replacing the one-piece cranks with a modern bottom bracket setup (with an adapter). I haven’t decided to make it a 1×9 with derailleur or a 3, 7, or 8 speed IGH.

I think the wheels are not worth saving, so not much of the current bike will be used. Unless I find problems, I’ll just use the frame, fork, and handlebars.

On the other hand, a cheap way to get it rideable would be new tires, tubes, cables, saddle, and brake pads. Then clean and lube everything.

Useless Sunday

After yesterday’s blah-a-thon due to pain medication, I figured today would be more productive, but with more pain. I was half-right. I am in more pain, but I wasn’t productive. I did eat better though.

I need to clean my house. The dog hair has a life of it’s own, and is threatening to take over. I need to get back on the bike. I did ride 100 miles for the week, but 120 would have been better.

I did cook dinner today, but other than that I’ve watched some TV shows on iTunes, played with the computer, and talked to Kristy on the phone.

Back when I suffered from more serious depression I often felt like this, but I also felt trapped, or hopeless, or something. I don’t feel those things. I just have a complete lack of motivation.

Pain Medication

My doctor prescribed pain medication due to my shoulder issue. I resisted it at first, but after waking up this morning with intense pain, I took a pill. I’ve taken two more since. I’ve spent the day being lazy, and not really caring about anything.

I didn’t ride, do housework, yardwork, and anything else useful. To make matters worse, I’ve been eating like crazy today.

I don’t think I’ll be taking any more of those pills.

I rode the full way to work on Thursday, and had to ride to my strength-training session after work. I was on Oria, my recumbent, and the trainer there thought it was quite cool. The ride home was difficult after the workout though.

I didn’t ride Friday due to oversleeping. I intend to go for a ride tomorrow, even if it rains.

Weekly Average Weight for May 23, 2009

My average weight for the week ending 5/23/2009:
203.5 lbs

Down from last week:
1.5 lbs

Down since I started on 10/31/2007:
92.9 lbs

My average loss per 30 days since 10/31/2007:
4.89 lbs

Weight until goal:
28.5 lbs

Extra Riding and Eating Well

After last week’s 186 miles (all on the ‘bent), I took a break on Monday, and didn’t ride. I rode a partial commute on Nermal on Tuesday, and convinced a co-worker to take a quick lunch ride.

Today, Wednesday, I rode the full way to work on Nermal, had a lunch ride with two co-workers, then rode the Ride of Silence through downtown Louisville before heading home. I rode 49 miles today, and didn’t get home until almost 10:00 p.m.

I’m not really lined up to break my weekly mileage record again unless I do a lot more riding this weekend.

I’ve been eating better the last two days and I’m actually “feeling thinner” again. I’ve been through that before, and it usually happened at the beginning of another drop in weight.

I’ve had twice-weekly strength-training sessions for my upper body. The idea is if I strengthen the muscles around my shoulder, it will help protected my poor arthritic shoulder joint. So far I have some reduction in pain… until I move wrong, then the pain is back. I haven’t seen any improvement in range-of-motion yet.

Weekly Bike Mileage Record

I set a new personal record for miles ridden in one week. I ended the week today with 186.1 miles. That tops my previous record of 176.8 miles back in August of last year.

I did the miles in four days. The other three days I did no riding.

Monday: Commuting – 33 miles
Friday: Commuting and ride to Seneca Park – 47 miles
Saturday: Tour de Cure – 60 miles
Sunday: Ride with Tim, and my first LBC ride – total of 46 miles

Tim wants more miles, and knows I want more miles, so he arranged the beautiful ride from Iroquois Park to southwest of Louisville. Once we got off the main roads, the ride was quite nice, if a bit hillier than I bargained for.

After some food and a short rest, I met up with Louisville Bicycle Club “ice cream ride” in Jeffersonville. The ride goes up to Utica and back, then we have ice cream. What could be better?

The LBC ride was notable for having four ‘bents (including Tom), so I was in good company.

Weekly Average Weight for May 16, 2009

My average weight for the week ending 5/16/2009:
205.0 lbs

Up from last week:
1.3 lbs

Down since I started on 10/31/2007:
91.4 lbs

My average loss per 30 days since 10/31/2007:
4.87 lbs

Weight until goal:
30.0 lbs

My weight doesn’t seem to want to drop. It just fluctuates between 203 and 207. I could be in a muscle-building stage right now. I am pushing myself harder on the bike, and doing some weightlifting.

I just need to keep working at it, and see what happens.

Tour de Cure

I rode the 60-mile Tour de Cure today to benefit the American Diabetes Association. This is the first charity ride I’ve ever done.

I finished the ride despite not having the use of my smallest chainring. Apparently I had lost all of the bolts for the chainring, and the chainring came loose. This was on Oria, my ‘bent. She’s fixed now, but I had to finish the hilly ride without my lowest gears.

At the beginning of the ride, there were many riders bunched up. Only some people were riding the 60-mile course. Others were riding the 40 and 20-mile courses. My bike problems started 15 miles into the ride, and I considered dropping out. However, I’m a stubborn old fool, and I rode on.

By the time I made the halfway point, I rarely saw another cyclist. I was far behind everyone else. I walked some hills. I’m grateful to the volunteers at the SAG stops and the roaming SAG vans.

I’ve joked about being banana-powered, and I really was today. The SAG stops were well stocked with bananas and gatorade.

The weather was mixed for the ride. The initial ride start time was bumped 30 minutes to wait for the thunderstorm to pass. There was light rain, then just clouds. When I neared the halfway point, it started raining again. A few miles later and it was sunny. I managed to get a mild sunburn.

When I arrived back at the start location, I was welcomed back. I thought I was the last person to return (they really track *every* rider). I was wrong. There were still two people on the way who had mechanical issues also.

I had brought my camera, but I only took two pictures, neither is worth posting.

I stopped by the bike shop on the way home to get Oria fixed. She is, and ready to ride again.

I went to Charlestown Pizza Company and treated myself to a meal and beer. That’s a nice finish to the day.

I’m hoping for a slow and easy “recovery ride” tomorrow.

Bike to Work Day

I had planned to ride most, if not all, of the workdays this week. That didn’t happen. I did ride the full commute on Monday, and the full commute and then some today.

The city of Louisville was hosting the Bike to Work Day today. I rode from my house in Charlestown to Seneca Park, then on to Fourth Street Live, and eventually to work. During my lunch break I rode back down to Fourth Street Live for the festivities, and the disappointment of not winning anything in the drawings. 🙂

After work I headed straight home, as the return to Seneca would have been a bit pointless. The festivities are already over.

To make it Seneca early enough, I left my house a 5:00 a.m. That meant getting out of bed at 3:30. I don’t want to do that again anytime soon.

The early part of the ride was incredibly nice. There isn’t much traffic at 5:00, and the ride was peaceful and quiet, but dark.

After getting to Louisville I took Frankfort Avenue out to Stilz Avenue, and wound my way down to Seneca Park.

WAVE3 and WLKY both had news crews there. WLKY interviewed me, and I’m quoted in the story, and make a brief appearance on the video. WLKY was also taking video from a helicopter. You can see me in the aerial footage also, because I stick out well on my ‘bent.

There was a photographer there who may have been with the Courier-Journal.

The weather through the day was perfect. The forecasts had been calling for a chance of rain, but all morning and early afternoon was beautiful.

On the way home, still about five miles out, the skies opened up. I rode the last five miles in a downpour. This was my first “warm rain” of the season. It was actually rather pleasant. Some guy in a truck honked and made the “crazy gesture” at me. I found that amusing and well worth getting wet.

I ended up with about 47 miles for the day. Not bad for just a commuting day.

Tomorrow will be 62 miles for the Tour de Cure. However, I am driving to that event.

Overeating and Laziness

I rode about 15 miles last week. It should have been ten times that. I’ve been eating too much, and drinking Coke occasionally. This has made it very difficult to get below 200 lbs.

It’s now 8:15 a.m. on Monday morning, and I’ve ridden more miles in the last two hours than all of last week. I rode my recumbent the full way to work.

I haven’t been completely lazy. I’ve been doing yardwork. I went and bought a used weight bench, and did a brief workout with it. I’ve been cooking more. I’m starting to get a handle on the out-of-control housework again. I went grocery shopping yesterday… but I drove.

This week should be interesting. I’m off to a good start. I want to ride to work everyday. I’m riding to Louisville’s Bike to Work Day event on Friday. I’m riding on the Tour de Cure on Saturday.

Maybe this week can get me out of my rut.

Weekly Average Weight for May 9, 2009

My average weight for the week ending 5/9/2009:
203.7 lbs

Down from last week:
0.0 lbs

Down since I started on 10/31/2007:
92.7 lbs

My average loss per 30 days since 10/31/2007:
5.00 lbs

Weight until goal:
28.7 lbs

This week’s average is the same as last. Looking at the chart above, I’m at the end of the largest weight spike I’ve had so far. I’m glad I lost the weight that I had regained, but I did lose two months of progress.

My biggest problem is still overeating. I haven’t completely brought it under control either. I ate a huge dinner last night, and a rather large breakfast today.

Upper Body Exercises – Ordered by the Doctor

I’ve had shoulder pain for a while now, and it has gotten much worse over the last couple of months. It doesn’t seem to be affected by bicycle riding, so I’ve got that going for me.

I finally brought it up to my doctor, and after tests, X-Rays, and an MRI, I now know that I have arthritis in my right shoulder.

He sent me to another establishment where I work with a personal trainer to strengthen the muscles in my upper body. I’ve only had one visit so far. He had me start out with some dumbbells and free weights, with little weight, and paid close attention to how I lifted. My right side is stronger, but yet it’s the bad side.

We then switched to some of the machines, and some of the exercises extended my shoulder beyond my comfort level. I could feel the huge difference between the two shoulders.

I was a bit sore when I left, but by the time I got home the shoulder pain was much improved. I woke up this morning with the shoulder pain again. I realize this will take time, but at least I’ve found something that works.

Bike Commuting with the Boss

My boss, Kris, has some interest in bicycling, but has shown reluctance to ride in traffic. He has a bike, but it doesn’t fit him properly. It does work for tooling around the neighborhood with his children.

I convinced him to meet me a short distance from work, and we would ride about a 3.5 mile round-trip for our first bicycle commute. The route would take him across the Second Street Bridge, and down Main Street.

He rode Nermal, I rode Oria. It was a beautiful day, and there were plenty of other bicyclists out. There were no major incidents with traffic, but he got a taste of what it’s like. I think he is less intimidated by the bridge now. I’ll talk to him about doing this more, from a little further out. I think he could handle the 7-mile round-trip parking location without an issue.

The Knobs

Tim invited me to ride with him today. He suggested a route leaving from New Albany, so I met him there. The route was about 35 miles, and went through some beautiful yet demanding terrain.

Tim was on his Bleriot, and I rode Nermal. Some of the uphills were excruciating, but well worth the rush going down the other side. I managed to overheat my rims a bit coming down a hill. I smelled something, and it turned out to be the brakes on the car ahead of us. I touched my front rim, and it was hot to the touch.

Tim wrote about this ride much better than I can, so go check out his post.

I’m attaching a few of my pictures from the ride, and I stole a couple of Tim’s also.

Charity Bike Rides

I am participating in two charity rides this year. Both are for great causes, and I need help raising more money.

Tour de Cure – Please donate here.

I’m riding the Tour de Cure for diabetes research. Diabetes runs in my family, and I know many people affected by it. The ride is this month, so I have little time to raise more money. I’m riding the 62-mile route.

The Ride to Conquer Cancer – Please donate here.

Cancer affects everybody. It’s a horrible disease that takes those were care about away. I lost a good friend to cancer a few years ago.

This ride is a 150-mile two-day trip in September that goes from Louisville to Lexington and back. I need a larger amount of money for this ride, so I would be extremely grateful if you could donate something.

Thank you.

Weekly Average Weight for May 2, 2009

My average weight for the week ending 5/2/2009:
203.7 lbs

Down from last week:
1.4 lbs

Down since I started on 10/31/2007:
92.7 lbs

My average loss per 30 days since 10/31/2007:
5.07 lbs

Weight until goal:
28.7 lbs

Even without any bicycle commuting, I’ve managed to lose a little. I’ve been eating pretty well, except for the pizza last night.

I have ridden on a couple of evenings, and I rode last Saturday with Tim.

I’m busy today with getting an MRI of my shoulder, and running errands, but I hope to get another nice ride in tomorow. It is supposed to rain, but that doesn’t stop me.

Monthly Update – April 2009

Weight

My average monthly weight was 206.6 lbs, or a gain of 2.0 lbs from March. I had been gaining in late March and early April. I’m fairly confident that May will show some more loss. I haven’t weighed under 200 lbs yet, but I’ve been very close, and it’s a bit frustrating.

Mileage

Month	Bike	Car
01-2009	277.8	678.0
02-2009	263.0	768.0
03-2009	192.4	1,995.0
04-2009	290.9	1,550.0

My bike miles are still low, and I still drive too much. I don’t think it’s going to be possible to hit my 5000 bike miles for the year. April’s car miles are lower only because I went two weeks without a car.

Health

My blood pressure is excellent, my cholesterol is good. I’ve been seeing a doctor for some severe shoulder pain. I still don’t know what’s causing it, but I have an MRI scheduled for tomorrow. Maybe that will clear things up. Some of the medication I have been taking has drained my energy, and made it difficult to ride to work recently.

Personal

As I blogged about before, I’m engaged to Kristy, and will be getting married this September.

I haven’t ridden to work since buying my truck, but I have taken some evening rides. I’m also trying to get a co-worker interested in riding. He’s going to bring his bike over this weekend for adjusting, and we hope to meet up on Tuesday for a partial commute into work.

I had hoped to ride to work today, but woke up late, and really sore, so I’m driving.