Last night I talked with Jaime about my insane idea to train for the Pan Mass Challenge. She thought it was a good idea too. So, I'm in.

According to what I see online, I can't register yet for the Pan Mass. That doesn't happen until January. However, the ride is exactly 9 months from tomorrow. That means I have to start my training now. The way I see it, I have three basic phases of training to go through and 39 weeks to do it in.

Phase One. Since I really haven't worked out seriously in a while, this first 13 week period is really just to get back into general fitness. By the end of this first phase I need to be working out 6 days a week doing weights and cardio. I should be up to a 5 mile run by the end of this phase.

Phase Two. Being generally fit might keep me from dying on the PMC but it won't help me on the hills. This 13 week period will be all about the bike. Since this phase will start in February that won't be easy. February and March will be indoor bike training with spinning and roller training to get me used to being on the bike again. That way, when the weather allows in April, I can jump into rides with both feet. By the end of this phase I should be used to the bike again and doing rides by the last four weeks of it.

Phase Three. Once I'm comfy on the bike and generally fit, there's only one thing left: Endurance Training. This last 13 weeks before the ride will have me on the bike every weekend doing longer and longer rides. The goals will be a century ride by early June and back to back centuries by a weekend in mid July. then I'll taper down for a week before the August PMC.

Of course, through out this whole thing I need to be eating better. To tell the truth, I'm sort of heading in that direction already. I'm bored of the bad food and have been making baby steps towards eating better. I'm down 2.5 pounds in the last couple of weeks without doing much actually. I'm currently at about 255 lbs. My goal weight for the PMC should really be about 180. Since 75 pounds might be pushing it a little, I'm going to set the target at 195. That's an even 60 pounds and about a 1.5 per week weight loss goal. If I get lower, terrific.

This, of course, means The Fat Man Chronicles are back. At least once a week I'll bring you the news of my training, my goals, and my progress. I haven't worked out the specifics but I'll start each phase with a summary of goals and a summary of how the last phase went.

It also means I need money. I'm going to be sending out an email to pretty much everyone I know. Its early yet but I'm going to be asking if I can count on you for sponsorship and for how much. The reason for starting so early is simple. When I sign up for the PMC, I have to commit to raising a minimum of $3300. That means I'll be personally responsible for that money whether I end up riding or not. If I can't raise it, I have to pay it. Folks, if I had $3300 kicking around, I'd have a much larger, flatter television. So, if you can support me, please say so. I won't be asking for money for another 10 or 11 months (money isn't due until after the ride) so the pressure isn't too bad!

My status this week is, again, unchanged. I’m starting to think about more drastic changes to my diet in order to eliminate even more of the bad habits. The trouble is, my head’s not really there yet. Life is crazy right now and there are days where I feel like I’m doing well just to get through a day remembering to zip my fly or not lock my keys in the car. Hell, I wear slip on shoes so I don’t have to worry about tying laces. Counting calories on top of all of that seems nuts.

I will admit that despite my best efforts to leave myself open to the level of craziness that becoming a parent would bring, I under estimated its effect on my diet. I simply don’t feel like I can devote the energy necessary to eat right.

I’m sure that sounds crazy but my fanatical pickiness over food makes menu decisions tough. I really have to plan what I’m going to eat because there are so few healthy foods I like. I just don’t have the time most days to do that.

Portions probably continue to be my undoing. I think if I could reign in the size of my dinner plates I would probably be having more success in the LB department. I continue that battle but am convinced, from prior experience I might add, that an increased activity level will have a dramatic impact on my perception of a healthy portion.

This week I appear to be coming down with a cold and Jaime is working Monday and Tuesday nights. That means I won’t be able to run until at least Wednesday. Provided that my cold isn’t too bad and the weather is halfway decent I may go out for my first run then. Rest assured, I’ll post every wheezing detail just as soon as the blood clears from my ears and the doctors clear me to leave.

Weight= 247.5
Body Fat %= 38%
Pounds Lost= 3

I had so much information I wanted to get out yesterday that it completely slipped my mind to write a TFMC post. I did actually weigh myself yesterday and was surprised to see that I lost one half a pound. Alert the media.

I’ve come to grips with this being a work in progress and the fact that our life right now is too crazy to put a lot of focus on weightloss. What kills me though is that I actually am sacrificing and still not losing. Jaime gets to eat peanut butter filled Hersey Kisses while I, at best, eat some jello with non fat Cool Whip.

What’s shocking about this is the rate that I must have been gaining weight at before I stopped the crap. You tend to not be interested in weighing yourself when you know the news isn’t good so for a long time I never got on board. I sort of wish I had now because I must have been packing it on at a startling clip. I have no other explanation for why I’ve cut out so much but haven’t lost much. I guess its a good thing I stopped when I did!

I’m really getting anxious for warm weather! I want to get out there and run. I want to get out and hike with Jaime and Aidan and the dogs. Eventually I even want to get out on the bike again when I’m reasonably certain my weight won’t buckle the aluminum frame like and empty beer can. Baby steps though. I have to run for a half hour without blood coming out of my eyes.

Weight= 247.5
Body Fat %= 38%
Pounds Lost= 3

I apologize for not getting to TFMC post on Monday. To be honest, I simply forgot. I forgot with good reason, week six started off uneventful.

I am the same weight, yet again. This week, however, instead of being upset, I’m actually happy. I’m not exactly breaking my back trying to lose weight but I’m not gaining it which is what I had been doing for the last two years.

I have been able, for the most part, to avoid sweets. At least the bad ones. I still allow myself jello and pudding made with skim milk. There are two bags of peanut butter filled Hersey Kisses in the house though and I’ve not touched one.

My big problem has been portion control. I seem to blank on it. Maybe on purpose. I’m hoping that activity will help me bring that into check. The activity is coming with better weather. As it stays lighter later in the day and the temps rise, I’ll start running at least three days a week. That may happen in the next week or two since I’ve had the urge to run lately. I don’t run in freezing temps though (my lungs hate me when I do) and the last few nights have been cold.

So, although I haven’t really scaled the mountain of late, at least I haven’t slid back down to the bottom!

Weight= 248
Body Fat %= 38%
Pounds Lost= 3