It starts...

205.

I would like to say that is the result of my most recent bowling excursion, but that would be false.   It is actually the number my scale had the audacity to show when I climbed upon its humbling platform.  Not to bad when you think about the past 4-5 years.  Back then, I was at my highest, a hefty 226.  I joined a "biggest loser" contest at work and lost a total of 25 pounds.  Since then, I've managed to keep 20 of those pounds off to hover around 200-205. In more recent years, I started doing endurance races starting with a marathon and triathlons the following year.  After each round of races I'd find myself at a nice 183ish, only to find myself bounding back up to the 200 range in the off season.

Despite my best efforts (sort of), this year was no different.  I completed my longest race ever an Ironman 70.3 in 6 hours and 28 minutes and in the week that followed I was back to the 182 weight. 

Now it's 1/3/2012 and I'm back to 205.  For those following along at home that's a 23 pound increase in less than 4 months.  Between Christmas and New Year's I was feeling my worst, my pants felt tight, I became breathless going up stairs and generally felt crumby.  It sucks.

I kept making excuses: "we just had a kid," "I don't feel like working out tonight."  "I've got too many other things to do."

Well, it doesn't take any extra time to eat right or better (better in this case is simply less, I'm no health nut).  And as I have proved before in training for these endurance races, I can suck it up and just do the exercise.  That's what I am going to do.  That's why I've created this blog so you can follow along with my journey.

Since goals are important, here is what I hope to accomplish in the next 73 days (including yesterday).
1.  Eat smaller portions, between 1500-2000 calories per day
2.  Exercise for 30-60 min 5 times per week.
3.  Lose 20 pounds (approx. 2 pounds per week).

By doing this, I should be back near the 185 by my birthday and well on my way to having another successful summer race season with random races (5k leg of a tri with my family, the tough mudder, maybe a 10k or bike trip, possibly a marathon...I can't quite get it out my head) and trimming down to my ultimate goal of 170 by the end of the summer.

Thanks for reading and hopefully you get something as you embark with me on this journey.