Going Paleolithic?

Since I quit smoking in February, I have been making incremental changes to my dietary intake. Adding exponentially more fruits and veggies because I ate almost none, nearly eliminating all alcohol, processed grains and even minimizing the amount of whole grains I was taking in. I noticed that the foods that I have been eating daily had begun to lean much more to both an eastern style diet or a paleolithic one. I'm not about to try an explain a paleolithic diet for anyone who does not know what it is at this time, mainly because I don't have the time or all the detailed knowledge about it yet.


Anyway, I bought this book the other day and have begun reading into it fervently. It is called "The Paleo Diet For Athletes" and I have to say that many of the things they wrote about regarding what humans are actually designed to eat and not eat is really making a lot of sense. Think about it this way: 15,000 years ago (paleolithic times) what were homo sapiens not able to eat, ever?


The answer: processed and refined foods.


Have you ever tried to actually eat a whole grain right from the plant? It's like munching on a rock! You wouldn't eat something like that! And then there is dairy. Cows have only been domesticated and producing milk in which we have to pasteurize and homogenize just to be able to drink it, for much less time than humans have been around, so the logic is that our bodies cannot metabolize cow milk and it is much more detrimental then helpful to our bodies.


So, what do I think about this diet? I don't know, I'm still learning. I do know that I will be very soon eliminating dairy from my intake as that had been a part of my plans anyway. Considering giving up all whole grains except on rare occasions and for pre and post workouts and races is still very strange to me.


All things in moderation I guess. We shall see what we shall see as I continue along on my life change journey.

Steady Progress Pays Off!!!

This is what it's all about. Making steady progress. Setting small short term goals that, when they are all met, become melded together into a larger picture. My goal weight of 185lbs seemed so far away when I first started changing my intake and exercising. Starting at 245lbs seemed so daunting at times. But my first group of small, incremental goals have finally come together to meet my first of several "bigger picture" goals.


I have lost 30lbs and I weighed in for the last two days at 215lbs!!! I am officially half way to my goal weight, which is right where I wanted to be as I begin adding more miles cycling and running. I have put myself into position and built a solid foundation for progressing to the next levels of fitness for the rest of my life!!!


I did it!


Now, on to the next step. CFDS Race #3 in July and possibly the Key Largo Bridge Run Half Marathon in early November. Here we go!

Successful Failure

Okay, so a few days ago, I ran my first ever Duathlon. You've all heard me talking about it. The Central Florida Duathlon Series Race #1. I was a little anxious before the start, I'll admit, considering I was going about the whole thing alone. But doing it alone only seemed fitting for me since virtually all of my training has been alone in the early morning hours. Everything went as expect and the race for the most part was fine.


Except for the flat tires... Yes, plural, my rear tire went flat twice during the ride portion. In only ten miles too...which is why I've aptly named this post "Successful Failure." I finished without any problems, but I failed to even come close to meeting any of my time goals because of the mechanical problems.


In retrospect, I had a great time! Everyone I met there was very friendly and seemed to love hearing that this was my first ever race. They were all quick to divert all of their preparation attention from their own selves to me for a moment to offer advice on equipment, clothing, pacing, nutrition, etc. I couldn't believe it! I really thought that I would be met with many cold shoulders but this totally wasn't the case. I was also surprised at how many other people I met that were also participating for their first time.


I also couldn't believe how many people participated in both the Duathlon and Triathlon that morning. The turnout was incredible, at least from my point of view, and ages ranged from 14 to 91 years old. There was even a course record set as a 91 year old man became the oldest finisher in USAT history, having completed the Duathlon (which, as it turns out was his first "du" but had over the last 40+ years competed in 116 Triathlons and 6 Hawai'i Ironman Competitions). I suppose he took first place in his age bracket...


I was aiming for 80 minutes overall but ended up at 119' 11" as my unofficial finish time because of the flats.


Unfortunately, even though I finished and was excited to compete in my first multi-sport race and I had a great time racing and meeting a lot of like-minded people, I left there a little disappointed. Not because I had not won, but because of the mechanical failures that cost me a goal. Regardless, it's now time to pick up and move on and get ready for the next event.


I think I may enter the CFDS Race #2 on June 11th...


Unfortunately, my pictures from the race are being held hostage and they're demanding extremely high ransom, even for a cheap 72dpi digital download only. Click here to see small image tabs of me during the race.