2 hours on the mountain bike today, the first lap seemed easy so I thought I would go for another, about the 2/3 mark the legs were screaming.

Greg

Nice job Albert! 1200 calories seems low for a male working out. What kind of goal did you put in for weight loss? If you haven't, log your exercise and eat your exercise calories. As far as recipes go, use allrecipes.com. A search is available based on ingredients you have or want to use.

For me, a turning point was when I realized that not every meal is a banquet. Food is for fuel only. In other words, the quicker I realized that grilled chicken and fish were my choices for dinner, I didn't dwell on the fact that I had eaten it 4 times the past week. Logging food and checking serving size has been the best help.

I will look you up on myfitnesspal my username is the same as here, fluid power.

Darren

I'll have to agree here. 1200 calories is probably the minimum a couch potato male should be consuming just to sustain.
I think to often people (my wife does this) equates, not eating to weight loss. Where in fact, too few calories and your body will store fat for the impending lack of nutrition.

Look up your BMI and be honest about your activity level, weigh loss goals and you'll get a good representation about how many calories you should be consuming daily.
But even then BMI and charts are not the end all be all. I am obese by 40lbs using BMI standards at 5'9" 218lbs. So use all the information you gather as "guidelines" to fit what works for you.

It's amazing how life will organize around the standards you set for yourself.-Darren Hardy

This is a very powerful quote. It applies to every aspect of life.

Relationships: How does your spouse, kids, friends treat you?

Work: Are coworkers taking advantage of you or beating you down everyday?

Health: Are you happy with how you feel and look in the mirror?

Success: Are you where you want to be in life?

If the answer is no, read the quote again. More than likely, you need to review your goals and the standards that you have set for yourself.

Example: I got a great referral 2 weeks ago from my financial advisor. He has a very succesful medical practice in the area. I spoke with his wife and we set up a time to meet at his practice to discuss their new home needs. So, I went to their home turf and set in the waiting room for 15 minutes. Now, most real estate agents would do anything to land a doctor for a client.(Including let them walk all over them) Clearly, it's not an average client. After we got done talking about their desires and goals in the transaction. I laid out my experience and expectations I had for them. To make a long story short, I told them what hours I work and that I require a WRITTEN commitment to engage my services. Since we outlined our expectations for eachother from day one, it will be a very healthy relationship. Not to float my own boat but I'd bet the farm on less than 1% of agents going in with that mentality and being succesful in creating that relationship. It's just not the mentality of most agents. I don't want to be most or average and I don't ever plan to be that guy. If you want a better life, you have to improve yourself, first.

Ate a little lighter at the end of the day yesterday and was 175 this morning. Still need to define gut and tone and build the rest of me a bit.

Todays my day off. Going to eat a healthy and moderate breakfast and lunch but dinner time will be a bit more to prepare for tomorrow.

Darren, I wouldnt say I am "working out". I generally do 10 minutes on the elliptical before work each morning, and then a 1/4 mile walk on one of my breaks. According to myfitnesspal, my calorie max is 1620, but their minimum is 1200. I found that out one day when I ate less than that (not necessarily on purpose, just my food that day was really low calorie). I set my goal in myfitness pal to be 1 lb a week, but, eating around the 1400 calorie range, and doing the elliptical and LOTS of water and fruit, I'm down nearly 8 lbs in my first week weighing myself. I was 165 yesterday. :woot:

Did my 80 miles ride Saturday but didnt make the recovery ride on Sunday. Instead, I enjoyed a nice lazy Sunday with the wife.

Up for this week is 1.5 - 2 hrs of riding each day with Friday being optional. Tues, Wed, Thurs, will have weight lifting at lunch.

Hey Chris, how long does it take you to do 80? you cruisin or jammin? with others? I miss riding big time!!! I 'm laid up with an injury that will keep me out til Novemberish...

BTW, guys, since i've been pedaling consistantly for 5 years now, i've gain 15lbs. I'm trying to shed 10 of those by sitting on the couch. I've lost 4 so far by eating less carbs and more fruits and veges. But i've gained massive muscle in my legs ( for my dirt bike habit as well, i'm a speed freak, what can i say...O

For those interested in low impact (or high if you go for it) great core exercise go to www.concept2.com rowing machines with an incredible resale value

This is great advice, I need to follow this

Don't worry about scale weight, muscle is 4x denser than fat so that 15lbs is probably the healthy muscle on your legs