Velochimp: Astrochimp on Cycling

Yikes, after the Syracuse Race Weekend two weeks ago where I performed poorly, I vowed to get a little bit more serious about my training regimen. I train regularly by doing a combination of weight lifting, lots of miles and other cardio such as a stair master. With this workout plan and a “sensible” diet I was able to lose about 10lbs so far this year. I am still much heavier than I’d like, but my fitness is improving.
The ugliest factor of having all of this extra weight is the gut that comes out during a hard ride or race.

The picture above was shocking to me. It was taken by Bill Goffe who had some excellent shots of the whole race weekend. The gut bulging out of my jersey certainly makes the sponsors happy since everyone shows up, but it doesn’t make me happy. So, I have been looking at what to do to kick start another round of weight loss. It seems that in the past few weeks I have leveled off in losing weight and have stayed around a stagnant weight of…..ready for the number to be public…. 226. Ouch, that hurts to write and admit, since I have been coy about the number of my true weight. I carry the weight around in normal clothes fairly well, but in bib shorts and jerseys it is a different story.

The other day while going to the gym during lunch I ran into Grant who recommended the “Abs Diet” book. He liked the plan since it was a very sensable diet. There is no quick fix where you eliminate an entire class of foods. You eat many different and good foods, but it is more common sense than any real diet. Plus, it attacks the area that I definately need help in, the abs. I trust Grant especially since he looks like he is in great shape. He runs regularly and took up cycling to do triathlons. His wife is a nutritionist, so he would certainly not recommend anything like Atkins or the Scarsdale diet.

This weekend I picked up the book and started reading. Most of the book deals with explaining things like metabolism, the dangers of high fructose corn syrup and other great info. The book is also a quick read. Some of the basic tenants of the book are that you should eat six times a day. Stay away from high fructose corn syrup and other sugars. Soda is very bad for you etc. Blueberrys, tuna, almonds, and other foods are good. Your should eat a little more dairy since that helps to wash out fat, and many other useful tidbits. The plan does not seem too hard to follow and I was already trying to eat six times a day.

I started on the plan yesterday and it was super easy to follow. Looking at labels of food is important since some foods do contain hidden sugars. One package of oatmeal by Quaker had high fructose corn syrup. I won’t eat that too much as I will switch to eating the plain stuff and adding fresh fruit.

Posting to the velochimp site will make me stick with this longer since I feel like I must report on the progress and actually show progress in this plan. My goal is to get to 200 or less pounds, but I am not placing a time limit. The Abs Diet plan last for about six weeks and claims in the plan range from losing 8 lbs to 25lbs. I will aim for the high of 25lbs and hope to be around 200lbs hopefully be August.

Next up will be a posting of my “before” shot and a weekly update shot. Now I can’t hide.