Driving
I don’t care for driving, but I still do it for longer trips. I first got a drivers license two days after my 16th birthday. I rarely drive these days. After having a valid license for a solid 27 years, I managed to let it expire yesterday. I didn’t realize it until this afternoon. It’s now been renewed.
Beer
I’m taking a one-month break from beer. I’m not cutting back, I’m cutting it out. I’ve gained too much weight. I’ve been lazy. I’ll re-evaluate in a month.
Bike-Pooling
Diane and I often ride the tandem to her work in the morning, then I ride solo a few blocks to my work. We did that today. In the afternoon, I picked her up, and headed to get my drivers license renewed. She had changed into casual clothes and flip-flops. She learned that flip-flops can come off while pedaling. She had to retrieve her footwear in downtown traffic.
Achilles
My weak ankle has been causing me to limp. The weird walking caused a large buildup of callous on my heel. The heel split open and was quite painful. This caused quite a few issues. I started putting “heel balm” on it a few days ago, and it’s much better.
Sunday’s ride with Tim showed me that the ankle is still quite weak. I think the uptick in activity that I’ve had recently has been good, if a bit painful. I noticed today that I can barely lift myself onto my toes while standing only on my right leg. I haven’t been able to do that since before the accident. I’m also not limping at all today. I still have some weakness, but I’m making good progress.
More About Beer (and Food)
Beer and food is the keystone of my current social life. I often go out for beer after a bike ride. Diane and I go out for beer too often. Since I’m not drinking beer for a month, we need to come up with healthier habits. We started today by taking the dogs for a walk.
We walked the dogs to the bank, post office, and coffee shop. It was about a 2.5 mile trip. I much prefer riding a bike that distance, but it was nice to do something different and the dogs liked it.
What’s Next?
I’ll eventually start weighing myself again. My last doctor visit had my weight at 268, which is pathetic. It basically means I lost 100lbs only to gain back nearly 70% of that. I weigh more now than I did since before I started riding a bike.
I’m going to have to help more with the cooking around the house. I have some ideas for healthier eating. I’m going to start tracking calories again. Once I do allow myself beer again, the beer calories will have to be tracked.
I want to feel like a cyclist again. I’m not selling the Fargo. I’m holding off on buying another bike. The bikes I have can get me through. It’s more about riding the bikes than buying them.
Sounds like a good plan for your health, Dave. I am now down 30 lbs with Weight Watchers, I feel so much better. Men lose weight so quickly, I bet you will drop 10 lbs the first week. You are going to feel much better very soon! Best of luck to you.
I am using MyFitnessPal to track. I have an app on my phone making it very handy.
Debbie,
I’m looking for an App that doesn’t require an account. I just want it to track my data and look up calorie counts.
I also took the dog for a walk the day before yesterday. She is out of shape too! As bad as it was for me I think it was harder on her. Sounds like you have a good plan. I know for a fact when I cut out alcohol I definitely feel better and weigh less. The problem is keeping it cut out. Good luck!
Why didn’t you go get Diane’s shoe for her? You mentioned traffic. You can be chivalrous when you want to be. Good luck with the rest of it though, I know how much it really bothers you.
Kristy,
I was holding up the bike. I was willing to get the shoe, but she took off first.
Besides, I wanted to take pictures. 🙂