Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The Race To The Bottom

Besides run-ins with cars, I have been up to some very positive developments recently. I've dropped some serious weight in the last few months. Serious weight.

On November 5th, I weighed in at 230 lbs or 104 kilograms, or better, 16 and 1/2 stone.

Today, February 24th, I weigh 195 lbs or 88.5 kilos or best, just under 14 stone.That lovely lady beside me is not Claire, mind you but Robin Lee, cyclist extraordinaire. Don't we have cool helmets? Come on Nutcase, we want sponsorship! But here, I'm around 203 lbs so it's not entirely representative.No, this is better this shot was taken up on Orcas Island last week to give you better perspective. Incidentally, this photo features my Valentine's Day present which is a "keeper" ring to hold my now very loose wedding ring on my finger. So yes, this weight loss is showing up all over and in many facets of my life.

There are all kinds of reasons for this weight loss. I was tired of breaking bike parts: two cranks, three pedals, one handle bar, numerous chains, rear wheel damage,.... the whole kit and kaboodle. I was also tired of being a slow climber and weighing 40% more than the average bike racer my height wasn't helping me get to the top of anything.

I was also phenomenally impressed with my wife, who after two kids is magically down below her pre-wedding weight and, though I won't tell you where she's at, looks FANTASTIC! What can I say, I don't want to look like the odd couple.

Even more than that, I got some pretty serious scares and scars last year, I was in the emergency room 5 separate times last year. Once for a fall that gave me a wicked scar on my abdomen, and four times to treat the case of MRSA that erupted from said visit, or as the doctors say, possibly from anywhere. I understand plausible deniability.

No, the truth is that with some pretty damning photos that I saw of myself, in conjunction startling health data I received auxiliary to my ER visits, I decided to get in the saddle and move everything southward. There was no reason why a guy who bikes ~120 miles a week pulling kids and cellos should weigh that much or more importantly, test that high. My glycemic was 106 and my cholesterol was 204 (but down from 225 four years ago). It was time for an intervention.

So here I am. I've lost 35 lbs in in just under 4 months. It feels pretty darn good. I've dropped from a very tight set of 38 inch Levi's to a new, comfortable set of 34's so I reckon I'm down about 5 inches in the waist department. I had to get rid of pair of pants in the process and now only the suit I bought in 1996 fits me. Everything else just hangs and I'm afraid to try on any of my tuxedos.

I'll keep you all posted on method and my future goals, but it has a great deal to do with this photo:
Fausto Coppi and I are the same height.

10 comments:

Robert H said...

Congratulations!
I'm interested in hearing how you've been going about this. I'm sure it will be inspirational to more than a few people.

brad said...

Oh it's coming. Stay tuned. I'm glad you are keeping up!

Marilyn said...

Fantastic! You are doing this the "old-fashioned way" which, of course, gets more kudos than my surgical intervention, but I'm excited, my goal is to be under 200by Christmas, so far since October I have lost 37! Your scar is ten times worse than mine, ouch!!! And of course, I am blogging about my new lifestyle as well, but I haven't got the putting in pictures down pat, Jackie will be here for a couple of days in April and I plan on her giving me some techno lessons so it will improve

ghd3 said...

wow -- well done Brad! I need to some coaching so I can lose about 15 lbs as well. I may need some tips on your regimen. Very cool.

Steve said...

You have been looking gaunt lately. Don't let your new skeletor appearance change your naturally cheery demeanor!!

Lulea said...

Sweet Brad! You have worked really hard and look great. Such an inspiration. Definitely look forward to the details. P.S. Robin and I went to Gregg's women bike night. We are thinking about doing a mtn bike race in June...assuming I can ride hills again. :)

stan said...

Hi Brad. Nasty spill there. Sure it left a mean scar... I like you blog and thought you might be interested in our project - http://kck.st/c09uOF - anout cycling culture in South Africa.

Hope you like it. Stan.

stan said...

Hi Brad. Nasty spill there. Sure it left a mean scar... I like you blog and thought you might be interested in our project - http://kck.st/c09uOF - about cycling culture in South Africa.

Hope you like it. Stan.

Boxer Bikes said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Filings from the bench said...

Brad - How cool is that, that you're feeling great and looking good! It was fine to run across you on Dexter a couple weeks ago.

We had our baby on April 22. He is awesome and really cute. Ramone has a little blog about him on the Boxer Bicycles website.

I hope we can ride together again soon.