Challenging Myself

I have thrown out a challenge and it has been taken up with glee, so I better make sure it doesn't cost me much.

Recently while at Dunns River Falls in beautiful Ocho Rios, I jokingly challenged my wife's Uncle to a contest where I would lose weight in 6 months faster than him. He accepted especially when I said "I bet you ........." Well the bet is J$ 10,000 for the person that loses the most weight over 6 months.

I am currently 240, he's 190 but I am probably 5 or 6 inches taller. So it looks like getting down to as close to 200 for me an as close to 150 for him. One thing I didn't count on was that he's more active than me and also loves a challenge and wont back down. My wife came home last week to tell me that he's putting in a lot of time on his exercise bike and has adjusted his diet already...... YIKES !!!!!!

My first step is to eliminate as much Pepsi as possible from my diet. On a normal day while working on the road I will consume 2 or 3 500ml bottles, so I have purchased a little cooler and now carry 3 bottles of 500ml water with me. I do indulge 1 a day but am about to do away with that. I have also eliminated patties which contain a lot of oil and fat, and cut down drastically on refined carbs.

I needed to find a way to up my cardio workout, which has been non-existent over the past 6 months, so I got a small exercise bicycle set up at home and I will ride that twice per day during the weekdays and get out on the road on a Saturday or Sunday. I will also be adding some resistance training to my daily workout.

Wish me luck, cuss me out of I fall off and look for updates every 2 weeks or so


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October 1, 2011

Weight - 240lbs

Target - March 31, 2012

Weight - 200lbs

Wow - Time Flies !

I havent done any serious road work since March !!

I got sick in March and stayed home for almost a week, on the comeback trail my walking partner Andre got busy with work and his busy period usually runs from 4-6 weeks, but since then I have allowed work and home life to keep me busy. I am so exhausted that sometimes on a Saturday Antoinette will take the kids on the road and I would stay home and sleep for hours on end.

A large part of the exhaustion I am thinking stems from me not exercising regularly, the body would have lost all the gains I had within 2 months and I would be back at square one. So when Andre suggested we start back walking after the guys took me to the movies for my birthday, I agreed. I will of course blog it here to keep track of what I'm doing and hopefully motivate me to reach higher.

I will also be doing posting additional stuff here, my thoughts on movies that I have watched, beautiful girls that I see and whatever wacky ideas that come up.

Cheat Weekend extended to Cheat WeakendS !

Not really !

I havent been on the bicycle all month and not been to the field in about 2 weeks. On my last run I picked up a serious blister, big enough to cause serious pain, stripping away of flesh, etc. I was limping for a couple days afterwards.

I needed to make a couple adjustments to ensure that my feet are comfortable in my shoe, so i stopped off and got a couple of Dr. Scholls Double Air Pillows, one set for my work shoes and another for my sneakers. I have a brand new pair but they fit much too close for my comfort so I might sell em to a friend and get another pair.

This morning my feet felt much better so we went off walking. I could have gone riding but with the kids in tow (Antoinette's niece and nephew) we figured that it might be easier for them walking around a field instead of along a road. If they got tired they could sit and wait, on the road they would have to walk all the way back to the car. My ankles ached a lot when I jogged, so it was mostly brisk walking (12 laps in all).

Next week it's back to walking/running on Monday/Wednesday/Friday and riding on Saturday

Cheat Weekend - No Riding !

I knew it would happen eventually, a weekend where I wouldnt get out to ride and I would feel guilty over it, and it happened this weekend.

The weekday walking/running sessions were good and apart from Friday where my energy and enthusiasm level just plummeted, we got in some serious work. Antoinette joined us on Friday and did well until her knees started aching and she basically crawled the last lap. I had no energy and my back was killing me, so after 7 or 8 laps I just stopped.

On Saturday morning I took T all the way to Ewarton to look at a house and then went off to help a friend move house. We didnt finish that until about 8pm and didnt hit bed until about midnight. That was more than enough to scuttle Sunday morning ride. I knew I would feel guilty but I also knew that life will sometime interfere and keep me from riding occasionally.

This evening its walking again, have to make up for strolling most of Friday evening.

Knowlege is Power !

Another week another couple days of working out.

Monday evening was good, getting in over an hour of walking/running with Andre. Wednesday was dead as I was busy with work and blew it off, Friday was great as my better half joined us and nearly kicked the crap out of us. Seriously though, missing that one day made me feel guilty.

This morning was nice and cool and it even drizzled lightly as I rode. Of course you know there is usually extra wind around with the rain and riding in wind is always a chore. This morning I went out quickly and did well, but starting out quickly usually takes it toll later on, and it did. I had to stop for a drink before completing the full ride.

This morning I met a couple guys on the road and they offered some very good advice. They noticed that I was riding in a pretty high gear and suggested that since I had just started back after months of inactivity, I should be riding in a very low gear and just spin away to build my capacity (lungs, heart, etc) and legs. Riding in a high gear makes it harder to pedal and you cover more distance. Its like lifting weights, if the intention is to lose weight, then you go with relatively light weights for 15-20 reps, if you're building muscle mass you go for heavy weights and crank out 6-8 reps. One gives you an aerobic workout (high reps, spinning) while the other gives a more anaerobic workout (heavy weights, high gear)

This also brings home the reality that I am over 40, in lousy shape and need to concentrate on doing it right, building slowly and not setting unrealistic goals. So no 100 miles in May, more likely nearer the end of the year.

On the way home it was still very overcast, so I called up Andre and bullied in into going walking. He really didnt need much encouragement, we were off in a light drizzle and did 10 laps of the football field before quitting as a result of the drizzle getting heavier. If it hadnt we would have gone on for 15 laps. I didnt just walk this morning but did also did some jogging and that is what told me in no uncertain terms that I am one fat unfit fuck !!

Good morning, good workout, good all around week.

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January 30, 2010

Miles today - 12.0

Miles Ridden MTD - 75

Target MTD (revised) - 75

Target for February 2010 - 100 miles

Toughening It Out

Another ride this morning, and this one was a pain in the ass.

We started late, I got a serious neck ache, I was winded, I was out of sorts.........

We started late because of me. I had gotten a call from someone in Harbour View last night who told me it was raining pretty heavily with lightening and thunder. After the soaking yesterday I wasnt looking forward to getting wet again, so I didnt set my alarm. Good thing Antoinette was awakened by her Aunt who wanted to know where we were as she had already started walking. We quickly got up, got on our sweats and went out the door grabbing a couple fruits as left.

The going was tough and my ass was still hurting from yesterday and I got winded pretty easily on the way back in for some reason. It was torture but I stuck it out. When I passed Antoinette on the road she commented that she always could tell when it was me riding up behind her as everybody whizzed by while "I pokied on by". I couldnt care less, nearly everybody out there is faster than me, nearly everyone out there been riding much longer than me also. As long as I get over an hour of aerobic workout, push myself hard and do the work, I know I will improve.

Walking tomorrow evening


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January 23, 2010

Miles Today - 11.7

Miles Ridden MTD - 63.1

Target for Month - 75

Miles Needed for Target - 11.9

I Fought the Wind and WON !!

This morning was hell, but I fought the rain and the breeze and I won !
My routine is taking shape. Walking 3 days during the week and cycling 2 days on the weekend. It might not always go according to plan but I have to make sure that I get minimum 3 days of aerobic workout per week.

I've already posted about my Monday evening walk, on Wednesday we upped the ante by doing 10 laps of the football field before heading back home. I didnt push the pace as I still had the small blister from Monday. Andre enjoyed it though and texted me to say he felt very energetic the next morning. Friday evening didnt happen as Andre was out of town working and couldnt make it back in time, and I was very distracted with the T20 match on tv.

Missing Friday evening convinced me to head out Saturday morning for a make up. Normally I would be up and out before 6am but the warm bed and wifey felt so good, so I left an hour later. It was overcast so I figured I could do 24 miles easily..........
NOT SO !!!






On the way back on my first ride, the wind kicked up fierecely and I knew that rain was close by as it got chilly very quickly. Half way back it started pelting. Normally I would struggle against heavy wind but since coming back I have been getting into a decent rhythm, pedalling more, coasting less, feeling much better. This morning I just powered through and made it back to the car, exhausted but ok.

The wind kicked the shit out of me though and I really didnt feel like going back out, I was soaking wet and cold, but that didnt stop me from picking up apples, bananas, some cashew and trail mix for the house and a nice piece of jack fruit for Antoinette. On second inspection the jack fruit looks a bit young, hope its edible.

I am determined to get as much refined crap as possible out of my diet, the refined crap that will still have to be consumed will be controlled - STARTING RIGHT NOW WITH PEPSI COLA ! Sodas are now a thing of the past, I have to get my sugar intake down and stopping soda with all the carbon and caffine and God knows what else is a good way to start. Cashews, peanuts, hazel nuts, trail mix, etc. are what will keep me company during the days, now I will just have to find a way to buy in larger packages for a better price (I wonder if Pricesmart has cashews ?)

Walking again Monday evening

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January 22, 2011

Miles Today - 11.7

Miles Ridden MTD - 51.4

Target for the Month - 75 (revised up from 50)

Miles Needed for Target - 23.6

Adding Walking to the Mix !

I've added walking to the exercise mix and know that this will help with the getting fit plan I have for 2011. My best friend Andre who's pushing 300 plus has from time to time worked out with me and really just need someone to keep him company while walking. Back in 05 he and I worked out at a private gym for about 6 months leading up to my wedding and he was very disciplined, lost quite a bit too. Like me, work stress inevitably gets in the way and we retreat to inactivity.

Andre's pushing 320lbs and I am at 235lbs, we have been friends since high school so we have known each other for about 26 years, he was one of the groomsmen at my wedding and have always been very involved in my life, we are both pushing the big 40 now and I know if we dont start getting active we wont live to see the big 50 !

40 minutes of very brisk walking was enough for the first day out. We walked through his neighbourhood to a football field and did 5 laps, then we walked all the way back to his house. We got a pretty good workout and having my phone there with about 2 days with of music helped, we just dialed up some hip hop music and just stepped to the beat.

The plan is Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings for an hour of intense walking (time will probably increase the fitter we become). I got a small blister on my left foot during the walk and have to make sure that I lace up my sneakers pretty good so my feet dont move around while I'm walking, its feeling better this morning and I am hoping that it will be all healed by Wednesday.

One thing I have found is that brisk walking leaves you winded pretty quickly and building up stamina walking will definitely help with my riding. Andre used to hike a lot years ago, gonna see if we can get involved in that again, and he's very interested in getting a bicycle.

Making Steady Progress

This was the Palisadoes Road this morning. We have a serious pollution problem in Kingston, whether it be dust, garbage, rundown ram-shackled buildings, water pollution, etc.

Kinsgton Harbour in this vicinity is disgraceful with garbage floating along the shoreline. I read an article a year or two ago that stated that Kinsgton Harbour in the vicinty of Harbour Head is stagnant as before the erection of the Causeway bridge on the opposite side of the bay, the Rio Cobre entering Hunts Bay created currents that circulated throughout the entire basin allowing for it to cleanse itself. Progress usually interfer with nature and sadly we usually find out too late. This dust nuisance can be controlled though and we need to hold the authorities accountable in making sure that corporate Jamaica clean up their messes.

This morning's ride was very good. Earlier start by about 10 minutes and a steady ride out to Port Royal, I covered the distance faster than last week (I dont have a bike computer and am in the process of getting one) and came back in feeling good. As I passed my wife on the road I told her to meet me in Harbour View, which is another 3 1/2 miles on the Palisadoes Main Road.

I stopped, had a drink, circled down by the airport and headed past The Jamaica Maritime Institute and onwards towards Harbour View. The road surface was great and made riding easier, but the garbage pollution on that side of Kingston Harbour got me a bit down. A bit further on I stopped for about 5 minutes, my lungs had started to burn a little on nearing the section pictured above. A couple of guys rode through and told everything would be fine, so I hopped on and rode onwards. Luckily the dust wasnt dense and within 20 seconds I was through.

I rode on to the roundabout and onwards another half mile (not counted in my mileage) to my mother-in-laws house where I was rewarded with callaloo, ham, dumplins and nice soft yams.

A good ride, more miles than last week and I still felt good.

Hopefully 20 miles next week, and enough time to maybe do 75 or 80 miles.


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January 16, 2010

Miles Today - 15.7

Miles Ridden MTD - 39.7

Target for the month - 50

Miles needed for target - 10.3

On Tackling 100 Miles.

12.5 miles this morning and all in all a good ride.

It's almost like the 8 months break didn't occur except that I am a little more winded than before, I could have gone more but Antoinette and her Aunt being there curtails that as her Aunt has to get to work by 8am. I love the fact that Antoinette is going walking while I ride as the before and after time is good for us. She just got her pass to go jogging at the Mona Dam, so during the week she and her other Aunt will be jogging around the dam during the week.

I haven't stared walking yet, I wanted to on Monday morning but a couple of gunshots not too far from the house Sunday night at about 11pm convinced me otherwise. I am hoping to get out for 2 -3 days of intense walking to back up my weekend riding this week. Also I will now ride on Saturday and Sunday with Saturday designated as my "long" day (25 miles and up)

The title of my thread probably gives you an idea of what I want to do this year, which is to ride 100 miles (a century) in one day. We are in January and with consistent riding (2-3 days per week) and walking plus some weight training, I am thinking that I should be able to do 100 miles by the end of April (4 months). Riding 100 miles ( 6-7 hours) isnt easy and one has to plan breaks for eating and drinking (refueling) and make sure some sort of support is close by. Riding 20-30 or even 40 miles can be done on 2 bottles of water and gatorade each but your body will need food to replace energy expended so it takes some planning.

Main priority for January into February will be to get myself up to as close to 50 as possible, March will be the month to ride 60 to 75 miles, mixing it up with shorter rides and April will be the century month (100 miles with breaks every 25 miles).

So the Goal has been set and all I have to do is "Just Do It !!"

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack !!

Not a bad comeback at all. I was able to ride 11.7 miles without passing out or puking, as a matter of fact the second half hour was way better than the first as I sort of found a rhythm pretty quickly.

It was quite a good morning, although many people who had expressed an interest in joining us on our walk/run/cycling journey abandoned us when it came time to head out. I know that getting up at 5am is not the easiest thing to do, but damn.......... Antoinette and the kids got up and got ready to join me for fun.

I went off for my ride while they along with an Aunt of hers went walking. The journey out was choppy as I got used to the tough seat and also pacing myself so I didnt get too tired too quickly. As I said before the ride back was better than the ride out, but it was really great getting back on the road. I will make sure that I dont stop for any extended period again as starting back is really hard, plus I can only imagine how far along I would be if I had not stopped.

Antoinette and the kids had fun, although Shari found the distance a bit tiring and Auntie Carol ended up out-walking all of them.

Next Saturday for another ride/run/walk for the family


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January 2, 2011

Miles Ridden - 11.7 miles

Target for month - 50 miles

Miles Needed to achieve target - 38.3 miles