Day 42-47

Does it seem like it's getting fewer and farther between on this thing?  Laziness isn't just an attitude, it's a state of mind.  Long story short, I started my "vacation" a little early, and Thursday night Kellie and I went out with the boys and some of the wives for all you can eat sushi. It was awesome.  Go to Sushi House in American Fork and ask for the Max Roll.  It's not on the menu.
Packed up Friday morning and headed for Fruita, CO.  I'm not overly proud of my road food choices.  Let's just say Cheez-It's and Nibs were consumed.  Then things really went to hell.  After a quick "welcome to Fruita" ride on Horsethief Bench and Rustlers Loop, we all went to Tapatio's and got some good old fashioned mexican chow.  My litmus test for mexican restaurants is Chili Colorado.  They passed.  And I later passed.  Several times.  It was like I was on one of those vision quests that Amish kids take before they commit to a life of buggies and buttons.  The next morning there were sausage croissants at the continental breakfast.  Smash Burger in Grand Junction on our way back from the Tabeguache systems, and then I split a pizza with Ben for dinner at 9:00 pm.  More sausage croissants on Sunday, followed by another trip out to Tabeguache but with a little more climbing this time.  Taco Bell for lunch.  Then back out to the Kokopelli trails.  Once we'd had enough, Ryan Thompson slapped the Honda Hybrid on the hind quarters and we headed for home.(It took six gallons of gas to get to Fruita and run around town all weekend.)  Slightly better than any of the 12-14 mpg dinosaurs I drive)  When I pulled into the driveway Kellie came out and offered up the remaining 20 of the 50 McNuggets that she and the kids had gotten for dinner.  I'm not sure if I'm more disappointed in her for sabotaging my diet even more, or for going to McDonald's on the Lord's day.  I guess I have to say the sabotaging since I was just getting home from a mountain bike trip myself.  Then I ate the 20 McNuggets.
When I look at it all together like that.  It looks even worse than it felt while I was doing it.
I couldn't bear to step on the scale last night so I waited till this morning.
What was the damage?  Nothing.  I broke dead even from the last time I recorded my weight.  Do you believe in miracles?
Morning Weigh In:

• 179.6
• 20.4%
• Total Weight Loss: 20.2

Day 41

I got up from the computer last night, shamefully walked upstairs and flopped down on the couch.  The kids had made popcorn and I couldn't resist the temptation so I made a bag for me and the Misses.  I began feel an overwhelming sense of self loathing as the minutes ticked by on the clock.  The gym closes at 10 pm and it was now after 9.  Since I had lifted in the morning I figured I needed some cardio.  But there were no spin classes, and I couldn't face the treadmill or the stupid grey track.  Who the hell's idea was it to paint that track the color of depression anyway? Also, now that I have tasted the joy of riding my bike outside it is even more difficult for me to get excited about sitting on the trainer. Then I had a revelation.  I had seen it once before in a film or something.  People can, under extreme circumstances, run OUTSIDE!  Thankfully there was nothing else left to watch on the DVR so my schedule was open.
I jumped up, and after a brief but pointed discussion about where the responsibilities lie regarding laundry protocol in our house, changed into my running ensemble.  I don't really own any running specific duds, but I have my stinky gym shorts, the cross trainer shoes I bought so I wouldn't have to wear skate shoes to the weight room anymore, and various bike shirts that work for most any athletic endeavor.  They work, but most of them look kind of silly unless you're on a bike.  Grabbed a long sleeve number that I avoid in any situation where people might be able to see my gut and headed out the door.

Observations on running:

1. Running outside is exponentially better than running inside in any form. Just like cycling.
2. Running is more conducive to headphones than cycling.  Headphones make any form of exercise more tolerable.
3. Running in the cold is much more of a no-brainer than cycling in the cold.  It is possible to run in shorts and one layer of shirt and still break a sweat, even when it is 34 degrees.
4. Running is the same kind of boring no matter what road you are running on.  Therefore, you can run anywhere.
5. Running is way more boring than riding a bike. It gives you too much time to contemplate the mailbox, street sign, house, dog, streetlight, parked car, etc.  Because it takes you at least a minute to pass it.
6. Running outside from your front door, requires you to keep running until you're done.  Because you have to get home.  Especially if you don't bring a your phone.

I set out at what I figured was a conservative pace.  I started on the route that I usually take to head up to Alpine on my bike.  East on 500 North up to the Rec Center. Then I headed over towards Art Dye Park.  I ran across the park and up to Murdock Canal on the north end.  At which point, I drained a little water weight, turned around and headed back.  If you live near Art Dye Park here are some words of advice.  Don't let your kids go there unsupervised.  Because if they are spending time there outside of Little League, it means they are either smoking pot, or practicing heavy petting.  I spent a few late nights there setting up the Clammy Cross course, and at 10 pm last night, both were a Bishop's nightmare.  You're welcome.
I was optimistic.  Feeling pretty proud of myself at maintaining a consistent pace and not suffering the joint pain that had accompanied all my prior attempts at running. I opted for the flatter route home, which took me over to 300 North.  Then at about Forbes Elementary(approximately the 4.5 mile mark) my right knee buckled like  a waterboarded GITMO prisoner.  Instantly.  I stopped and stretched it out a little, walked a few paces, then resumed a very deliberate, slow jog.  When I caught my shadow in the streetlights, I looked like a senior citizen.  All I was missing was the full length sweat pants and terry sweatband.  But I could go several blocks before I would have another knee episode.  I didn't want to walk the rest.  Mostly because walking hurt at least as bad as the senior citizen run I was devolving into.  What's more, walking and the Senior Citizen run were causing a ton of pain in my Achilles tendons and whatever tendon runs just outside my wedding tackle and down to the inside of my knee.  The last few blocks to my house involve a couple short downhills, which were terrifying.  I limped back into the front door after a little over an hour running and swore I'd never do that again.
I was a little late for spin class this morning, and then got stuck on one of the garbage bikes.  My quads and calves weren't terribly sore, but my hips and knees were killing me.  Luckily I got to spend the day climbing up and down various ladders so things didn't get much better at work.
After work, I went to the gym and spent some time in the weight room.  Getting my blood pumping did seem to alleviate some of the pain in my joints.  When I got home, I felt guilty about making a pig of myself at a carb and dairy heavy dinner.  My legs seemed a little better, so I thought I'd give it one more try but over a shorter distance.  I even took my crippled old dog as a pacesetter.  This proved difficult, because I spent the first half of the two miles I ran pulling him away from every vertical surface he could lift his leg on.  Then I spent the second half tugging on the leash to motivate a poor old dog who doesn't seem to have any more natural affinity for running than I do.  Oh, and my legs were killing me again.
Running is stupid.
Morning Weigh-In:

• 178.6
• 21.3%
• Total Weight Loss:21.2

Days 37-40(Relapse)

With the joy of having reached a milestone, I went to bed Thursday with high hopes of continuing along the straight and narrow path.  Or at least the path that would make me straight and narrow, wait, that's not right.
Anyway, I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't get back to sleep.  At 4 am I decided that if I was still awake at 5 am I would just get up and go to the gym.  I fell asleep at 4:30.
So I missed Friday's morning workout. But when I did wake up, I jumped on the scale and was only up a couple pounds.  Considering all the salty, fatty, meat I had inhaled the night before I was pleasantly surprised.  Then for some reason I went rogue.  Breakfast burrito and a Rockstar.  A Rojo Mole burrito for lunch( I recommend El Gallo Giro in Provo for a tasty burrito), and pizza for dinner.  In my defense, the pizza followed a decent hour or so on my new bike, which I love.  Here's proof:

That would be Kris Nosack in the Utah Velo Club Shorts, Jeff in the Clammy Chamois kit, and Paul Zimm in the front pulling. It was a windy, gloomy ride, but so good to be out on the new rig.
We discussed getting together with Stan for the Velo Club ride Saturday, but figured we'd wait and see what the weather was like. In the morning, Paul text me that he was staying inside rather than fight the wind.  So Jeff and I loaded up the bikes and headed up to Cobourn's house up by the U to ride with Cobes, Moody, Lou, and some of their significant others.  I have ridden with Cobes and Moody a lot, and Lou once or twice.  Lou is one of those freakishly skinny, fast guys. Lou is also a much friendlier person than either Cobes or Moody.  We were hoping to keep the pace "moderate" and for the most part it was.  We rolled down to 9th East and turned south.  We stayed on 9th all the way into Draper where we flipped around and rode back up Wasatch Blvd all the way back to Cobes house.  Brutal headwind for the southbound leg, followed by a nice tailwind for all the climbing heading north.  That was until we hit a wall of arctic wind and snow flurries just before Parley's Canyon.  It was all we could do to make it out alive.  When faced with such harrowing conditions, the only logical thing to do aprés ride is pound a big nasty Garlic Burger at the Fiddler's Elbow. Then come home and load up the kids and head to Arby's for dinner.  Then eat a bucket of popcorn and a box of Milk Dud's at a movie.  I barely made it out alive.
Bear in mind, I was not weighing myself this weekend.  I figured I would binge without remorse and let the chips fall where they may.
Sunday was spent in front of the open fridge door.  I ate nothing satisfying, but at least I ate a lot of it.  Two-fisting chips, cookies, and Almond Joy "Pieces", which are little M&M sized candies that taste like Almond Joy(duh).
So this morning, I was surprised to see I was only up to 181.  I jumped up, and headed to the gym, sans Jeff. But then for some reason, My decision making faltered again.  Instead of packing my lunch, I went to Dairy Queen.  Don't ask me why.  It started out okay, they had a panini type of turkey sandwich.  But I got it with fries, and then was starving so I ordered a single cheeseburger as a chaser.  Then I got home and had pancakes and eggs with the family.
But I fully intend to go to the gym tonight.  The lousy weather is pushing me indoors once again.
I feel better getting that all off my chest.  Thank you for listening.
Morning Weigh-In:

• 181
• 22.1%
• Total Weight Loss:18.8

Day 36: Happy St Fatty's Day

So many things went right today.  First off, it was St Patrick's Day.  Second, the instructor for the spin class threw her back out, so they just opened the room so we could spin in peace.  Third, I came home and had broken the 180 barrier. 

178.6 to be exact.

Fourth, my bike came in...

Sexy right? I snuck out of work early and stopped by the shop hoping that maybe it came in, but not really expecting to see it.  Jeff showed up about the time I opened the box, and we got it all built up.  This is the nicest road bike I have ever owned.  Just like me, there are a few places it could stand to lose a few, wheels being the most apparent, but as is, it comes in at a respectable 17 lbs.  The dollars to grams ratio was a little high for the higher class builds so I went with what I could afford.
The worst part of the day, was that I had a new bike, but couldn't ride it because I had to get to the McCarrel family St Patrick's Day Hullaballoo.  Basically just a feast.  St Patricks Day is a bigger deal than Thanksgiving in my family.  What started as a lark when we were all little has evolved into an important family tradition.  There is basically a complete Thanksgiving dinner.  Turkey, ham, potatoes, etc.  Then corned beef and cabbage, Colcannon potatoes, soda bread and anything that can be dyed green.  Somewhere Key Lime Pie got mixed into the deal, with brownies, cupcakes and cookies for good measure.
My original plan was for today to mark the end of my program.  Lose as much as I could until St Patty's and then give up.  But with the progress I've made, I want to take it as far as I can.  My goal is 165.  I haven't weighed that since the Clinton administration. (Damn Republicans)  I was going to gorge myself tonight, but I felt like I needed to call my sponsor or something when I started to fill my plate.  I managed to show some restraint.  Ate almost exclusively protein.  Unfortunately, that included the corned beef, and the ham.  Both fatty, salty as hell, and dee-licious.  The only carbs I really caved in on were about four pieces of Irish Soda Bread.  It is a weakness.  Okay, I had a couple cookies, a cupcake, and a piece of Key Lime Pie too, but it's a holiday for Pat's sake.  Can you blame me?
I fully expect to weigh 183 in the morning. I can already feel my gut swelling.  I felt extra sexy all day until after the feast.  So many women were checking me out, honestly it was embarrassing.  But it looks like I'll be back in Clark Kent mode tomorrow.  And back to the gym.
Get back on that pony and ride bitches.
Morning Weigh In:

• 178.6
• 21.9%
• Total Weight Loss: 21.2 

Day 35

Lowlight of the day: I literally ate prison food for lunch.  I had packed a lunch and was planning on eating it.  But come lunch time I was working behind the secure gate of the Slate Canyon Youth Detention Facility in Provo.  It was easier to stay with the maintenance guy who was required to be with me at all times than to leave lockup and eat in my van.  It didn't taste too bad, a version of the classic "Shit On A Shingle"  Chipped beef or maybe Chopped Salisbury Steak, not sure.  I didn't get the toast that was made available but I did help myself to some tomato and onion salad, steamed broccoli/cauliflower/carrots and a scoop of mashed potatoes.  If I wasn't trying to lose weight it would have been a perfectly balanced and healthy lunch.  And it was free.  I even got a little carton of milk just like all the other elementary school kids.  Although these particular elementary school kids were in leg shackles and jump suits.
Highlight of the day:  I ordered a new road bike today.  A Tarmac Expert.  I am pretty stoked, it's the first carbon road bike I've ever had, and it's also the first new road bike I've ever had.  My previous bike was a Frankenstein affair that I cobbled together out of  ebay parts and mail order discounts.  It was a decent bike, but tooth-chippingly stiff and aggressive.  I spent all last season on Jeff's Cervelo Soloist, which was a nicer bike but offered the same ride characteristics as my '01 Allez-Frankenbike.  Having done a few rides on a Roubaix Demo Bike in the past couple weeks, I opted for the slightly more agressive geometery and stiffer frame of the Tarmac.  It's a compromise of sorts. So stoked.
I was on track to be in the 170's today but it was not to be.  I still had a loss, but it didn't dip quite as low as I was hoping.  After prison lunch and more lifting than cardio today, we'll see.  Hopefully it will be a St. Patrick's Day Miracle and I'll wake up in the morning to those blessed numbers "179.9"  Because either way, I will be fatter on Friday than I am tomorrow morning.
Morning Weigh-In:

• 180.2
• 21.5%
• Total Weight Loss: 19.6

Day 34

Today could have gone very badly as far as food was concerned.  I had a training meeting for work that lasted all day with lunch provided.  These are usually nasty buffets.  I didn't want to pack a lunch in there out of some weird pride thing so I figured I would make the best of whatever was offered.  I had a protein shake on my way there and avoided the doughnut/danish breakfast.  Then luckily they cheaped out on the lunch and had sandwiches.  I didn't do awesome, but it was a turkey sandwich.  Okay it was a turkey,avocado and bacon sandwich.  But I punched it all in and was still on track for the day, even with the bag of chips and three cookies I ate along with it.
I had been to spin class this morning which gave me a good headstart on the calorie count.  And I was planning a  ride up Suncrest with some guys from the shop after work which is always interesting.  When I got home Kellie had made this new salad thing with orzo, chicken,some veggies and this rice vinegar dressing.  Supposed to be around 250 calories a serving and it was good.  So good I crushed two servings of it and headed out the door for Suncrest.  We started by climbing Fort Canyon, then went up "the wall" and headed for Suncrest.  This is only the second time I have ever ridden Suncrest.  And just like I remembered, it sucked.  But I felt decent considering I was riding a 19 pound Roubaix that was a size too small, and I am still pretty tubby.  Legs felt good all the way to the last grunt before the top.  That is where I watched Kenny's narrow little ass scamper away from me.  It felt good to do a "real" ride though.
And yes kids, my weight was back down this morning.  I must be dehydrated again.
Morning Weigh-In:

• 182
• 22.1%
• Total Weight Loss: 17.8

Day 32 and 33

After a day of defending myself to unseen internet bastards, they got their way and Sunday morning I had gained...wait for it...SEVEN POUNDS SUNDAY MORNING!!!
That's right, in 24 hours I gained seven pounds. Even though I was comfortably under my calorie budget, had worked out Saturday morning, and had a positive mental attitude.  It got me to thinking.
All this time that people have been telling me that my weight loss represented only water weight loss, I am starting to believe that just the opposite is true.  On a normal day before I began trying to lose weight.  I would pee maybe 4-6 times a day.  Morning, Lunch, home from work,  mid-evening, before bed etc.  When I am on my game with the diet, eating fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein prepared at home, mostly unprocessed foods.  I pee like a race horse. Constantly. To the point where it gets embarrassing walking past the same people to go to the bathroom at least once an hour.  When I pee,  it is clear and pure as the driven snow.  I have not been taking any Hydroxycut, Phen-phen, HCG, Viagra, Cialis, Restasis, Gyne-Lotrimin, nothing.  Just eating well.
My theory is that my regular diet is packed with Sodium.  Fast food, highly processed stuff, Hell, even energy gels and recovery drinks are loaded with sodium.  So last weekend when I rode to Vernon, I ate a pack of Margarita Shot Bloks(with extra sodium to prevent cramping), then went to sushi where everything was drenched in soy sauce.  On Sundays, I hit the forbidden fruit pretty hard. All of this drives up my sodium.
I think it makes me retain water like a pre-menstrual camel.  After Dickie's BBQ Saturday night, popcorn at the movie, popcorn at home, a couple of turkey weiners for lunch, and fast food for dinner Sunday,.  I tried to remember and can only think of three times that I pee'd Sunday.
Couple that with the fact that this morning, I was already back down 3.2 pounds.  And after a day of eating right again, I'm within two pounds of my lowest weight Saturday morning.  And pee'd like a rain-bird all day long.
No need to post Sunday's weigh-in, but rest assured it was high.  Plus I have to pee, so here's today's.

Morning Weigh-In(Monday):

• 184.5
• 21.4%
• Total Weight Loss:15.3

Day 31

I had made no great plans for today.  I had an invite from Bill to go mountain biking on the Provo BST, but with a couple household chores and the new St Patrick's Day version of Angry Birds Seasons coming out, I had a pretty full itinerary.
I woke up at a leisurely 7 am and decided I would grab a quick ride on the Langster.  I've got a nice little route up through Alpine that is my go-to.  I weighed in while changing and noted a 1 pound loss from the day before.  Normally I would be heading to the gym or spin class and I would wait to post my weight until after I got back to cheat the number down a little.  But I recorded the 180.8 and headed out for my ride.  A little chilly out at 36 degrees.  And before the sun broke out from behind the clouds, my fingers were getting pretty cold.  I have no idea if it's right, but I always feel like I'm burning more calories on a cold ride.  The theory being that goosebumps and shivering equate to a little more fuel burned.  It's a nice thought anyway.  By the time I turned around at Lambert Park and started heading home, the sun was coming out and all the trophy wives were out jogging and the weekend warriors were out on their Madone's. The correlation of Madone's to guys in full winter tights,lobster gloves and balaclava's is uncanny. It was a pleasant morning ride.
The ride was made even more pleasant when I came home, stripped off and jumped on the scale. 179.8  I have not seen those numbers, in that order for many years.  Granted, I was certainly a little dehydrated, and after a "weekends off" binge dinner with the family at Dickie's Pit BBQ(terrible service and mediocre food) I don't expect the number to stand in the morning.  But it is encouraging, nay, inspiring to know that it is physically possible for me to get on the scale and see anything under 180.  Normally, I find these little benchmarks to be a good excuse to end a diet.  I couldn't stop smiling after I got off the scale.  And now I'm wondering how far I can take this.  My theoretical goal was 165 but I didn't really have any intentions of reaching it.  Now I'm more than halfway there and I am renewed.
It didn't hurt that after my weigh-in my wife stuck her head into the shower to announce that our latest contest to see who could stay mad the longest was over and I had won.  I think she likes the idea of having a skinny man around because in between Angry Birds levels she sent the kids outside in favor of an Afternoon Delight.  Rawr.  According to LoseIt, that's like 37 calories burned.  47 if you're doing it right.

Morning Weigh-In:

• 180.8
• 22.1%
• Total Weight Loss: 19

Day 30 (Not Quite A Month)

So Friday(yesterday) I marked the 30th day of this little project.  Though in truth it is only the 26th day of the diet portion.  If you'll remember I had a four day binge before I started that actual diet and exercise regime.  Monday should mark the technical four-week mark of the program.
I did something that is apparently annoying to other people.  I set my LoseIt account up to post to my Facebook feed.  It posts weight gains and losses, exercise, and the childish little badges it "awards" you for progress.  I thought it would be another step towards shaming my failures.  But now I see that it posts a lot.  I will probably keep it going for the short term, if it gets too annoying I will turn it off.
The other side-effect of the LoseIt posts is that it brings out the haters.  LoseIt posts: "I just spent 1 hour and 20 minutes biking and burned 1270 calories."  And a litany of Facebook friends comment that my counter is off, and that calorie counting doesn't work.  Okay, Slyfox Moonwillow tells me these things.  And to be fair his training regimen of smoked salmon,Mountain Dew, and Pizza, combined with scooter intervals is working great for him(dripping with sarcasm).
Fact is, I'm sure the numbers aren't dead on.  There is some level of consistency though, and it does seem to factor in things like age and current weight.  This is how Jeff and I can do the exact same exercise and his shows fewer calories burned.  Yet when we are on the treadmills with the heart rate monitors built into the handles, he shows more calories burned for the same workout.
There is one parameter that I trust however.  That scale in the morning.  Whether my calorie math adds up or not, I'm losing weight. Consistently and quickly.  How am I doing it?  Busting my ass, and limiting my calorie intake.
It sounds silly for a tubby guy to say he has a high metabolism.  But the fact that I was logging 5000 calorie days without even trying before this. Coupled with the fact that I hadn't broken 200 pounds seems to give the idea credence.  So it stands to reason that by consuming fewer calories than an average person, and working out twice as much as the average person, it works.
It ain't magic.

Morning Weigh-In:

• 181.8
• 22.1%
• Total Pounds Lost:18

Day 29

Finally broke my previous low.  Dropped 2.8 pounds in 24 hours!  The cool thing is that my appetite has leveled off.  I'm eating according to my self imposed rules and at the end of lunch I'm satisfied.
Spin class by myself today.  Well me, a few spazzy women, and two spazzy men.  Jeff stayed home then ran with his wife.  Traitor.
After work I hustled to get a ride in before the sun went down.  The clouds came out so it wasn't really nice like earlier today, but it wasn't cold.  Things were going great until my front tire blew in Alpine.  This might be the first time I have ever blown a tire on the Langster.  I won't lie I pee'd a little when it went because I was going fast enough that I was having a hard time keeping up with the pedals.  Also it's a little harder to shift your weight off the front wheel until you can get stopped because you have to keep pedaling.  I survived though and only lost a few minutes swapping the tube.  Made it up to Lambert and flipped on the blinky for the ride home.  I got home just as the last sunlight faded.  I love feeling like I stole a ride from the day.
Another good day food wise.  Just ate two eggs on some flatbread for dinner and I'm done.  Ended up with about a 150 calorie deficit on the day.  Hopefully, I'll have another good loss tomorrow before the weekend.
Morning Weigh-In:

• 182.6*
• 23.4%
• Total Weight Loss:17.2

*New low.

Day 28

I am astounded at how hard it has been to re-lose that weight I gained over the weekend.  Since the bulk of it was gained on a bike ride, I may swear off bikes forever.
It is coming off though.  A pound and a half this morning.  The goal of 179.9 by St. Fatty's Day isn't looking so bright now.  That would be six pounds in seven days.  Not too likely.
An early morning meeting kept me from the gym this morning.  I jumped on the trainer for a bit, but had to jump back off before it did any good.
Did really well with food today. Protein shake for breakfast, nothing but veggies, some chicken, and some grapes throughout the day.  I made an improvised shrimp and spinach burrito for dinner before heading to the gym tonight.  Another crowded night in the weight room, though there weren't as many high school kids.
I was harshly reminded that I am not a runner this evening.  After my knee started bugging me again less than a mile into my treadmill time.  Jeff was on the machine next to me apparently not in pain.  Here is a little insight into Jeff.  If he can see your speed on your treadmill, or your resistance on an elliptical, he goes two clicks higher.  I have heard him accused of being too non-competitive, I have not found this to be the case.  He won tonight.  He has a history of running though(that's how he got into the country).  And he has completed several marathons.  He recommended ratcheting up the incline while slowing down the speed.  That bought me another mile, but by the end I was supporting all of my weight on the handrails.  Frowny face.  Bikes make me fat and running makes me crippled.  What's a girl to do?

Morning Weigh-In:

• 185.4
• 23.8%
• Total Weight Loss:14.4

*How'd I do Cobes?

Day 27

Hey hey, I'm writing about day 27, on day 27.  Crazy I know.
Despite the disgusting setback of the weekend.  I am losing again.  Which was a bit of a surprise considering the cupcake situation from last night.  I caused another potential catastrophe this morning when my alarm went off, I reached over and shut it off, and then apparently went right back into R.E.M. sleep.  Next thing I knew it was nearly six a.m. and I had missed the first half of spin class.  Upon realizing this I did the responsible thing and slept another hour.  I like to miss mornings at the gym every once in awhile because it gives Republicanadian Jeff something to feel superior about.  I texted him when I woke up: "overslept". His response: "My loss and your gain".  Dick. He also feels compelled to brag about how little he eats in a day, and the frequency of his marital relations.(I put that in here because I know his wife reads this blog every once in awhile).  For the record it would seem that he's got me beat on both counts.
Even though I'm supposed to be back to the grindstone on the diet, I'm finding that my commitment is waining. I actually packed a regulation diet lunch today.  But poor little Kevin from work was feeling lonely so I felt obligated to go to lunch with him.  The good news is, I found another reasonable fast food lunch today.  The Veggie Burrito at Taco Time is tasty, kind of filling, and under 500 calories.  Did a little research and will be trying the chicken and black bean burrito next.  It's about 400 calories, but is a little smaller.
"Regular dinner" with the family, Chicken and Noodles.  Ended up with about 600 calories for dinner.  I have realized that not working out twice a day makes it tough to come in where I want to for the calorie budget. Obviously I can't workout twice everyday, but I need to make better food choices when I miss or this is going to be a long row to hoe.
I did finally make it to the gym this evening.  I'm starting to truly hate high school kids.  I have a standing rule that I hate other peoples kid anyway, but high school kids in the weight room are the worst.  They take more time to do anything that can be done in front of the mirror because they get distracted checking themselves out.  They do these stupid made-up exercises that emphasize jumping while holding some form of a plate weight(usually the one that I need), and they are always trying to "max-out"  Which seems to take at least 45 minutes to an hour for two of them.  Dude, I don't think your going to get it, you've tried four times.  It serves me right for having a membership to "Average Joe's" gym instead of some high-falutin' gym with more than one bench, but still.  After simulating my normal circuit on the U-gym because of the freaking chess club I headed up to the treadmill.  I had been thinking that I like running on the treadmill.  So tonight I had planned to run 4 miles.  Things were going well until about mile 3.25 when my right knee betrayed me. Suddenly I had a shooting pain down the outside of my knee cap with each step.  I hit the "cool down" button and was trying to limp it when Dave Parmley walked in and reached over and cranked the speed back up.  I almost shot off the back of the treadmill.  Not cool Dave, not cool.
I guess I need to work on my form.

Morning Weigh-In:

• 187.3
• 23.0%
• Total Pounds Lost: 12.5

Day 26

Monday morning, I managed to stall at the very least.  I didn't creep into the one nineties but instead held steady at 188(.4)  I lifted in the morning, but I was shot in the foot by empty cupboards.  I ate lunch at Zupa's for the first time ever.  It just sounded like a girlie-diet type of plus.  But the majority of the menu was cheesy sandwiches and creamy soups.  I ended up getting what seemed like the healthiest sandwich on the menu a turkey,spinach,artichoke panini. I probably could have done without the cheese and pesto sauce, but it tasted good.  I also got a Summer Chicken Salad.  No cheese or croutons or anything on this one and they had a low-fat version of the dressing.  Didn't add it up, but I don't think it was too bad.
For dinner we went to my in-laws.  They were having people over to celebrate their 36th wedding anniversary.  It was a wild-game fajita night.  My FIL is a pretty avid bird hunter so there was a variety of upland birds(chukars,hungarian partridge, and grouse)  I only had one fajita and was pretty proud of myself until the cupcakes came out.  Wasn't exactly master of my domain when the cupcakes came out.
The get-together ran a little late so I didn't make it to the gym last night, and was too lazy to sit on the trainer at 10 pm.

Morning Weigh In:

• 188.4 
• 23.5%
• Total weight loss: 11.4 

Day 23,24, and 25

A little backed up.  A lot has happened, none of it good.
Friday morning, I was up a pound.  This was after doing really well on Thursday.  Okay, I had some pork, and a candy bar.  But I had burned a ton of calories working out.  I'm not sure if my body is starting to anticipate the weekend gluttony and figured it was time to start packing it on or what.  I made a few bad choices Friday.  Chief among them was a breakfast burrito.  In my defense, it was a ham burrito instead of steak,sausage, or bacon.  Jared menu for lunch, and nothing really for dinner.
 
Morning Weigh In:

• 184 (shame)
• 23.5%
• Total weight loss 15.8

Saturday, with a brighter outlook, I woke up and not surprisingly had gained another pound.  Although instead of tucking into another shameful breakfast.  I ate a little peanut butter on some of those nasty flatbread things and packed up some bike food.  I was joining Stan and the Utah Velo Club for the Annual-Sometime-In-February-Ride-To-Vernon-That-Is-Loosely-Associated-With-Brent-Rawlings-Birthday-That-This-Year-Is-Actually-Happening-In-March.  It's an 83 mile ride from Saratoga Springs to Vernon.  The highway through Fairfield is narrow, and loaded with rednecks and 18-wheelers.  So there is safety in numbers to head out that way, and there are usually anywhere from 20 to 50 riders that show up.  I had talked Cobourn into coming so I wouldn't be the only doughy foul mouth on the ride.  He came with on the condition that he could turn around at any point.  This worked fine for me since I was on call for work and taking an 80 mile bike ride is a bit risky.

It was a good ride.  I was pleasantly surprised by my fitness.  Usually this ride doesn't go well for me.  So when I was able to keep up and even do my share of pulling at the front, I was happy.  We had made good time to Five Mile Pass and started making our way towards Vernon.  This section of road is relatively deserted and usually in pretty good shape.  Though this year there were a lot of potholes to be avoided, when we reached Faust, Mephistopheles, err..uh..I mean Cobourn suggested we turn back.  We had reached the 32 mile mark and that makes for a metric century.  Another rider joined us and we fought a stiff headwind all the way  back.  Ate nothing but gels and energy foods while on the bike.  Though we did stop in Cedar Fort and grabbed a little beef jerky and trail mix.  After the ride Cobourn and I went for a some sushi.  I really felt like I had earned it since when I punched in the stats from my ride, I had burned over 3800 calories.  On longer rides like this it's not unusual for me to have lost a few pounds by the time I get home.  I came home and before getting in the shower jumped on the scale. 189 freaking pounds!!!!  I had gained four pounds on the ride.  What the hell!  If anything I should have been a little dehydrated and I'm quite sure that I hadn't eaten four pounds of food.

I am simply at a loss.  I contemplated opening a vein but decided against it.  I ended up going out to eat with the family for dinner which probably didn't help, but all told I still had a 3000 calorie deficit at the end of the day.  I just can't figure out what happened.

Morning Weigh In:

• 185
• 23.1%
• Total Weight Loss 14.8(in the morning)

Sunday I woke up and drug my ass into the bathroom again.  Although I had lost one of the new pounds, I was still up three from the day before, and five from my lowest weight. Even though I take the weekends off, I managed to eat a lot of garbage today.  I wouldn't say a lot in volume, just several things that weren't very good choices.  Some candy, some crackers, a lot of sugar.  I may be back into the 190's tomorrow.  If you hear a mournful howl coming from the direction of American Fork tomorrow around 5 am, it's just me stepping onto the scale.  Oh well, back to chicken and spinach tomorrow. And more importantly, the gym.

Morning Weigh In:

• 188.5
• 22.5%
• Total Weight Loss 11.3 

Day 22

Well, the pace is beginning to slow.  Down one pound this morning.  Could be that I have been cheating a little here and there.  Nothing huge.  I had a candy bar this morning.  But did well all day besides that.  Okay, maybe I had one too many pork carnitas for dinner.  But I abstained from any cheese or sour cream.  Besides that piece of my daughters quesadilla I ate.  But she was going to waste it. Actually including the candy bar I came in at a net 226 calories for the day.  I ate 1718 calories and burned 1492 between spin class this morning, lifting and a half hour on the treadmill.
What's that I say? The treadmill.  I have always hated running. Because it hurts.  All these idiots in their short shorts bouncing around the streets.  I've never understood it.  Any time I have ever tried to run I would feel like I had been in a bar fight the next day.
But this evening I discovered something.  On a suspended treadmill,  running is... not that bad.  I had a hard time finding my groove.  Since most of my exercise is on a bike, I am used to moving the apparatus beneath me, not the other way around.  So when I felt like I was going too slowly, I would try to run, uhhh, harder(?).  I also couldn't watch anybody else run or I would start mimicking their pace, which wasn't what my machine was doing, so I would bobble.  Who would have known that I'm too dumb to run?  Anyway, once I settled into a pretty meager pace (6 mph) I started to wonder how long I could go.  Honestly at that speed, I'm pretty sure I could have run for quite awhile.  But it ends up that the treadmill is just as mind numbing as the trainer.  I made it a half hour before I hit the "cool down" button.  Wasn't I disappointed when I punched it into the LoseIt app and found it only burned like 300 calories.  That's like half a carnita.
Oh well.  I guess I'll see what I did to myself in the morning

Morning Weigh In:

• 183.6
• 24.0%
• Total pounds lost: 16.2

Day 21

I have a little confession to make.  I am a little obsessed with the scale of late.  I have been told, that when trying to lose weight, you should only check the scale occasionally. If only to avoid the emotional roller coaster of the constant fluctuations that are present in any normal healthy body.  I weigh every time I enter the bathroom.  Or I should say, anytime that I can conveniently get into my underwear or naked.  If I have more than one layer of clothes I skip it.
The weigh-in I count for documentation purposes is my first one in the morning(post-evacuation).  It is consistently the lowest weight.   But the past two days weird things have happened.  I have weighed, gone to the gym, come home and been as much as a pound lighter.  A spin class I can understand, I sweat buckets.  But I always figured since I drain at least one full 20 oz water bottle that would even things out.  But this morning after lifting, which is not nearly as sweaty work, I came home lighter.  Yesterday after my ride up to Lambert Park, I came home and was lighter in the evening than I had been in the morning.  That never happens.
I bore you with this because I do not understand how this all works.  I can't figure out weight loss overnight. Sure I'm not eating anything, and I understand it burns calories just to stay alive, but where does the weight go?  I can only think of sweat, and the moisture you exhale with your breath.  Unless you pee-pee in your tee-pee how is it that you can be two pounds lighter over the course of a night?  These are the thoughts that dominate your mind when you are trying to lose weight.
Weights this morning and an hour on the effing trainer tonight.  I have started to feel guilty if I don't have a calorie deficit at the end of the day.  And like two dudes glancing over the barrier at the urinal just to see what the other ones got, Jeff and I bust out the LoseIt app everytime we see each other to see who had the biggest deficit the day before.  There are a lot of things that sound gay about mine and Jeff's relationship.  I can assure you that I am not gay. And I am reasonably sure Jeff's not.  But don't quote me on that.

Morning Weigh In:

• 184.6
• 24.2%
• Total pounds lost: 15.2

Day 20

Clammy Cross Grand Champion Eric "Team Rico" Rasmussen has requested that I start posting total pounds lost under my morning weigh-in stats. Who am I to deny the people what they want? It ups the shame factor a little on the days that show no progress, or worse, a gain. But that's what this site is for, shame.
I have had several mornings when the alarm went off that I desperately wanted to resign myself to my fate as a chubby. But then I would have to announce to the millions of people who read this blog that I am a quitter. It works most days.
Paul Zimm-The-Man chimed in with some advice for preparing diet chow. He referred to it as "annoying advice". I don't feel that way. I'll take all the help I can get. Especially from a guy who lost 20 pounds over the past six weeks. That's Paul in case you were wondering.
In fact I am requesting some advice today.
I am gut-sick of the Jared menu at Subway. Obviously I don't have a strong history of wise choices when it comes to fast-food. But sometimes I am too late,too lazy, or too unmotivated to throw a lunch together in the morning. Anybody got any suggestions for cheap and easy fare for me? Preferably fast food, around 500 calories total, low-fat,low-ish carb, and ideally it would be tasty.
Anybody?
I was a little less than stoked with a one pound drop this morning, went to spin class, gave it another go in the bathroom and knocked off another pound. I know, I'm inspiring.
After work, the sun was shining, and it was in the 40's so I jumped on the Langster and rode up to Lambert Park. The temperature was just right.  The chamois got just a touch clammy, and my fingers etc didn't get cold at all.

Although it might be awhile before there's any dirt to be had up there.

Morning Weigh In:

• 186.4
• 24.1%
• Total weight loss to date:13.4