The Beard Challenge — Day XXIV

Weight: 161.2

I need to pick it up or else I will be forced to increase my knowledge of Roman numerals.

The reason my weight has not ebbed is because I have done NOTHING to reduce it. Nothing. Well, I ran one day last week. Why? No good reason. I've been doing stuff like finishing out the basement, removing some wallpaper, and trying to save my zucchini plant from whatever is killing it. But I still have time to exercise. Like I said, no good excuse. So, I still have this rotten beard. But I am running out of shit to do, which is awesome.

Like I keep saying, it is about habit. Breaking old ones and starting new ones. I would like to say that signing up for a race would motivate me, but I doubt it would. Not to any degree anyway. It just has to come from inside and I guess that I just haven't found the mojotivation to get after it adequately. That said, I am starting to get a fat roll on my back. Like sort of higher up, below my lats. If that, plus my backfat, plus this hot, sweaty dust collector on my face isn't enough then I can't imagine what will be.

I'll think about it whilst running today, weather permitting. It has been a mild summer...

The Beard Challenge — Day XVIII

Weight: 161.8

I will run today. I will bike tomorrow. I will bike Sunday.

In between basement painting sessions, of course.

Biking will be much easier now that my road bike is all freshly cabled and bar taped. Work performed by yours truly. I say that biking will be easier now, but it isn't like I couldn't have ridden my mountain or cross bikes... I also installed a shorter stem in the hopes of being just a little more comfortable. I still think that both my road and cross bikes are too long for me. 53.5 cm top tubes and my short torso just don't match. I am now using 90mm stems on both. Maybe if I rode more my flexibility would improve, but a couple of years ago when I rode LOTOJA I don't recall it being much better. I miss my Lemond Zurich, that bike fit well.

Nothing new to report. Sloth has been somewhat effectively offset by menu choices. Seven pounds seems so within reach. Just working on consistency. I finally did one thing that will help: I wrote up a weight routine. Now, in the mornings when I am in the fog of sleep still, I can just look at this paper and hopefully get going instead of feeling so overwhelmed by the million exercises I could do that I do nothing.

The Beard Challenge — Day XVI

I was hoping I could stick to my guns and be done by now. I haven't. But I still like guns!

The weather is looking spotty all week, which keeps me indoors and not doing any cardio. I am going to make up for it with weights, but with my home gym torn asunder, I will need to be a little more creative.

I met with my health coach (Part of a health program at work. I love my job!) yesterday and she reminded me that muscle will burn fat. She isn't concerned about my weight, but would like to see the muscle/fat ratio change. Me too.

I have a couple of ideas I need to look into. One is the Nike Fit program on my iPod. It gives workouts that usually require minimal equipment. The trick is remembering that I have it at 5:30 in the morning. But that might be a big help right now.

Eight pounds. I'm only eight pounds from shaving the mangy cat off of my face.

The Beard Challenge — Day ??

Weight: 162.2

Dammit. Routine is the hardest thing to keep. I get a couple of good days and then fall right off of the wagon again. Today is a great example. Rain. No outside cardio for me, and I won't do it indoors because I am spoiled.

The return of my weight can easily be attributed to a weekend trip to Bear Lake and the associated eating like shit.

So, we'll get going again tomorrow (we = me and my love handles) or tonight if I am properly motivated.

The Beard Challenge — Day VIII

Weight: ??? (I was in a huge hurry this morning and spaced it. Shaved my neck instead!)

Short post today. I am going for a run on my lunch break. Which is now.