Hi all,

I'm new here, and I've joined because my only other success has been with a similar forum. I'm a 49 year old male. I had two heart attacks 10 years ago, but am currently pretty healthy, aside from being overweight.

I'm usually pretty active as I work physically for a living, and my big hobby is cycling. I just completed my third AIDS Ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles (560 miles) and I ride a little more than 3,000 miles a year. I also like my elliptical machine so long as my workout involves music.

Sure, I need to be more consistant about workouts, but my biggest problem (pun intended) is my portions. I eat far too much...generally good foods, just way too much.

I currently weigh 274 and I'm 5'10." At this point, even my big clothes are tight and restrictive. Sure, I'd love to go sub 200, but right now, even 10lbs would make my life far more comfortable. Hill climbing on my bike would be so much easier if I weighed less. I don't know what my goal weight should be because I'm really muscular from work and riding, but I know I could eaily stand to lose 50 lbs. I'll see what my next move is when I get there. So for now...the goal is 224.

Oh yeah, I wrote a book about my first SF to LA ride called "The Ride: How to Ride Your Bike from San Francisco to Los Angeles Without Even Dying."

I'm looking to meet friends for mutual support and encouragement. Anyone else new and needing a support buddy...and oh yeah...women make good buddies too!

Hope to hear from you!

Russ

Welcome to the forum. I recomend talking with Steve in his diary. He's great for giving advice that works!!

This week I'd like to:

1) Go for at least one bike ride for at least 20 miles

2) Do at least 2.5 hours on my elliptical machine (I did two hours last week)

3) have a nice salad for dinner at least three times this week

4) Have either a muffin or frozen yogurt ech day...not both (I told you I eat a lot...gotta start somewhere)

5) Never have more than one bowl of cereal

so...good week...I lost 2.5 lbs...so 4 in in two weeks. I'm happy with that.
I know I have to change the way I eat. I had three eating goals and two excercise goals.

I think I'll keep the same goals as last week as they were tough.

Goals

1) to ride at least 20 miles...I didn't make it...Love riding...just didn't have time until Sunday and then I was just beat!

2) to do 2.5 hours on the elliptical...I'm going to raise that to 3.0 because I did 3.5 hour last week.

3) Have salad three nights during the week for dinner...did it

4) Have either a muffin or yogurt each day...missed it by one day! close but no cigar.

5) Never have more than one bowl of cereal...blew it once...again close

So I did 2 of 5 and get and E fro effort in two more...enough to drop 2.5!

If I get 3 of five next week that would be cool!