252.8

Slowly but surely.

253.4

255.4

The weight isn't flying off, but based on my cycling commute times, I'm getting in much better shape.

A month ago I had to really push it to get under 45 minutes for my 10.2 miles commute. Then I tried a little harder and set my new best time of about 42. For a few weeks I routinely had 42 and 43 minute commutes. But I crushed that time a few days ago, with a 38:26 and have made it in under 38 minutes every day since. It's weird how you try to do something and fail a bunch of times, but when you finally do it then seems routine.

Of course, I could probably shave a lot more of that time if I wasn't commuting over 100 miles a week (like if I only biked in every other day), but the cardio/weight loss is still my #1 priority. Once I get closer to 220 I'll consider shifting towards a performance based program.

256

I just got some Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar, we'll see if I notice anything from taking it daily.

256.6

Dieting is funny. I'll cut way back on calorie intake and lose a bunch of weight. Then it stalls. So I exercise like crazy and lose a bunch more weight, but then it stalls again. So I eat more and exercise less and lose even more weight.

I'm sure in 5 lbs or so it will stall again and I'll have to change something to get it going.

I'm sure there are ways to slowly and consistently lose weight, but I'm too impatient. Even when I try to do it the slow and easy way, it doesn't seem to work for me (but that's probably because I only give it a couple weeks before deciding I need to workout 3 times a day).

257.8

Well I guess eating more was the right thing to do.

260

I was feeling more and more run-down over the last couple weeks, and I figured I was either over-training or under-eating. Probably a bit of both.

So I've toned down the exercise to just my daily commute (about 1 1/2 hours of fairly high intensity cycling) and will run at night maybe once or twice a week depending on how I feel. I'll still have a hard training day on Sunday.

I also tried eating a high carb item just before my commute and I destroyed my previous record for my return commute last night and my ride in this morning.

Previous best time commuting in (10.2 miles) - 42:33
This morning's commuting time - 40:14

Previous best time commuting back (same distance but slightly more uphill) - 48:32
Yesterday evening's commute time - 43:30

My goal is to get both of these times into the mid-30s.

But those huge improvements (considering I've been done this same route 37 times and always push myself to beat my best time, suddenly shaving several minutes is huge), I have to admit my nutrition was the main factor.

So I'm eating a bit more, but my weight is holding steady. However, my weight was holding steady for almost a week before I started eating more, so I'm going to keep at this level of exercise with the increase in calories and see what happens.

I do seem to do best with a few weeks of extreme diet and exercise, then a week or two off, then back on. Ideally I'd like to find a middle ground though.

258.8

I've taken the last few evenings off, as my legs were having a harder time making the commute each day. Or I was just looking for excuses. Either way I'm going to start running again, maybe do another in-gym sprint triathlon tonight. My gym membership expires in 2 days, so I'm trying to get the most out of it.

Then I'll be looking to get some swim practice in the ocean. I've been researching the recommended spots and it seems Santa Monica beach, around guard tower 28 is the place to go. I haven't decided if I'll get a wetsuit now or try to just tough it out.

259

I took last night off (still biked to and from work). Will probably do another Sprint Triathlon tonight at the gym.

My weight is holding at the moment, but I expected it to go back up over 260, so I'm OK with holding at 258 or 259. I'll just have to ramp up the exercise.

258.8

Did a bike-to-run training session last night.
12.7 miles in 51:43
1.5 miles in 18:19

Total for May:
Swim: 710.85 Yd - 30m 25s
Bike: 345.76 Mi - 27h 51m 06s
Run: 29.57 Mi - 7h 41m 30s