Commitment

Committed to being very strict with my eating until the Bar because I am tired of being stuck around 158. I have so many bad days that I can't afford to have all the rest just be OK. I am only eating when I am hungry, damn it, at least after 4:00, which is when all hell usually breaks loose. So far, so good. I just keep reminding myself that I can either look how I want or eat whatever I want when I want, and then the choice appears easier. The pay off is that yesterday, because I had been careful all day, when Stephanie and I splurged for delicious beer battered onion rings at a Rubicon, I only ended up at around 1700 calories for the day. Not bad, I say.

We have also started cultivating a taste for red wine because it is supposed to be very good for your heart and make you live longer. I'm not sure I am one of those longevity junkies, but I'd rather live well until I drop dead one day, and perhaps this will help. Plus, since we were drinking a glass of wine a few nights a week anyway (read tipsy Tuesday, wine Wednesday, and Thirsty Thursday), I thought I might as well cut down the sugar content. I love fruity dessert wines! Already the tannins have set to work on my taste buds, because last night we tried a merlot and it wasn't horrible. Weird.

Today, I went for a 21 mile bike ride, my furthest to date. I have also ordered a book by Lance Armstrong with a 7 week training program for beginner riders. I have been very inspired lately because I read We Might As Well Win, by Johan Bruneel, Lance's team director and friend. It was soooooo good! So today I completely ignored my speed and just worked on keeping my cadence high (too bad my computer doesn't measure that) and made sure I didn't let my heart rate get too high or my legs too tired. I stayed down on the hoods most of the ride and worked hard to give my poor shoulder a break. I lean on my arms way too much with my new bike, but apparently only one of them, because the other one is never in any pain at all. I'm a freak, clearly. I felt good and didn't bonk, which was very cool. Normally the last fourth of my rides are no fun at all. I think it helped that I went out around 10:00am, and it was so pretty and blue, the temp was nice, and there were tons of cyclists to inspire me. Who knows. However, when I went to jump out of the car when I got home, my quads sort of buckled, and they have done it several more times. Apparently, they are tired. So I am off to take a nap and then I have some serious outlining to do!

Exercise for the month so far:
Cycling - 3 hours, just under 40 miles
Elliptical - 2 hours 40 minutes
Walking - 13 miles
Jogging - 2.5 miles