A Proper Diet

Today is 'National Donut Day,' though the prominent posting on the MSN home page, lacking any reference to the more traditional remembrances, has come down. Started in 1917 it is actually related to the care of our troops.Pick N Save is advertising 10 Cliff bars for $10. My wife didn't buy any but she did pick up some donuts. Last week my wife (not shown) was in jubilation over finding this 10 lb bag of pancake mix for what she said was an incredibly low price. Good for waffles too, with whipped cream and maple syrup. A fried egg with ham and a cup of coffee rounded out breakfast.

People always want to take a sympathetic tone and say that if I really try I can lose weight. Like I'm just supposed to stop eating but I don't have the will. No, it's because I feel like crap, just plain ill, and can't get anything done if I can't eat properly. To have a proper approach just based on your diet requires almost professional advice, not to mention time and money spent on the proper foods, if not outright hiring a personal chef. All things I can't afford or take time to coordinate. Not that I eat too much. I have milk with protein powder or a meal replacement bar on occasion for lunch. Some of the bars are really old and hard. The ones where the wrapper blows up like a balloon I tend to throw away. My brother successfully follows diet programs all the time and his results are minimal. Sometimes your fighting your genes.

Also, I have an alternative that I know works and fits into my desired lifestyle. Before being aware of all my health problems and their seriousness I already started exercising regularly and building muscle mass which had positive effects in my weight 'control'. What really started to work in regards to weight 'loss' was intense physical activity, namely in competition. Outside of being physically active nearly the entire day I can actually lose a pound a week, if not more, during race season.

Another alternative may be to exercise three hours a day or longer. Never achieved that winter training goal and seldom get out for rides longer than 18 miles. Need a few long rides to get ready for the Reforestation Ramble, the one marathon XC event this year in the WORS schedule. Some soft short inclines but most of the double track is firmer than the Nine Mile Forest double track was.

I tend to eat healthier and even less when I get my body into the fat burning mode. Supplements help in that regard too. I tend to take them in different combinations and on an irregular basis. Too much of anything isn't good for you. All is for naught if I can't get enough sleep.

The Nine Mile Start and my finish. Great job by my beautiful wife on the finish!