Monster’s diary

[bensanon]

Thanks, TM. I appreciate you sharing this. I will check out Strava. I’ve been reluctant to engage in much social fitness but now that I’ve lost all this weight and started running a lot again, I can really see how it would help with motivation and improving through sharing and seeing where others are at and what they’re doing. This forum has been great for me for similar reasons. I shy away from competition with others but I’ve always been internally competitive. I have a lot of internal motivation but I will drift over time if it’s just me. I like improvement through tracking and if it’s on demand and individual (rather than a scheduled run in a group eg) I think I could really get into that.

I might have to go with a GPS through my phone situation bc I really like the features on my Fitbit Charge. I might get a Charge 3. I can run with my phone and have both working for me or even just use the phone only for GPS. I’m not running outside yet but that’ll be another step once I get to my goal weight and the heat dies down. Thanks again.

 

[Truffle Monster]

Don’t be too intimidated by getting out and doing some exercise. I understand it can be confronting when you put on your workout clothes and as a favourite YouTube poster of mine puts it you look like a “sack of custard” but really all most people see is a person trying to improve themselves. Anyone who does think something nasty or whatever isn’t worth the time of day to worry about.

I love this guy. Really down to earth. I follow him on Strava too.

 

[Truffle Monster]

Well I didn’t really feel like it but I pushed myself out the door for a short jog tonight. 5km as promised yesterday.

I’ve decided that only cycling isn’t going to help my triathlon hopes so I really need to run. Running also will help strengthen the muscles in my legs and core in a different way to cycling so that’s a bonus.

I almost stopped several times on tonight’s run. Not because it was hard but I was bored and it occurred to me at no point other than the final sprint home was I really breathing heavily (at all on any of my jogs) so aerobically I’m actually quite fit but my muscles just aren’t used to the jogging motion so right from word to my calves were killing me.

I also just don’t enjoy jogging so I get bored and I almost stop and start walking; I just seem to catch myself before I stop.

Anyway I’m going for a short low intensity ride now just to tick my legs over and stretch the muscles before some deep heat is applied and off to bed.

 

[Truffle Monster]

I’m back. That was a nice recovery ride. Nice and smooth and I’m very happy to report that the bike was shifting perfectly after I spent a while re indexing the gears on the weekend.

While riding I was just enjoying myself, rolling the legs over and I had a thought ... in taking this VERY easy but it wasn’t that long ago (at all) that that length and speed would have been very challenging.

It’s absolutely amazing how much fitter I am now than just 1 year (or even less) ago!

 

[bensanon]

Don’t be too intimidated by getting out and doing some exercise. I understand it can be confronting when you put on your workout clothes and as a favourite YouTube poster of mine puts it you look like a “sack of custard” but really all most people see is a person trying to improve themselves. Anyone who does think something nasty or whatever isn’t worth the time of day to worry about.

I love this guy. Really down to earth. I follow him on Strava too.

Thanks, TM. I shouldn’t have used the word shy. My weight and shyness are not preventing me from exercising or confronting the social aspects of fitness at this point in my life. I’m not intimated by it. When I was a kid it was more of an issue and I probably developed a disinterest in social competition because of it. Now I view it as potentially annoying but if it’s something on demand that I can do individually (that’s not scheduled in a group) and get those motivational aspects through something like the app you use, I think I might be interested in that. I’ve essentially been running or walking every day by myself the past couple of years. That can get old despite how much I love to run.

 

[Truffle Monster]

Thanks, TM. I shouldn’t have used the word shy. My weight and shyness are not preventing me from exercising or confronting the social aspects of fitness at this point in my life. I’m not intimated by it. When I was a kid it was more of an issue and I probably developed a disinterest in social competition because of it. Now I view it as potentially annoying but if it’s something on demand that I can do individually (that’s not scheduled in a group) and get those motivational aspects through something like the app you use, I think I might be interested in that. I’ve essentially been running or walking every day by myself the past couple of years. That can get old despite how much I love to run.

Excellent stuff. I prefer exercising on my own purely for the freedom. I work in a large team and I’ve come from a dysfunctional/abusive marriage so it’s liberating to be able to get on my bike, ride and challenge myself. It’s interesting how much I’ve learned about myself by just being with myself and pushing it see what I can achieve.

 

[bensanon]

Excellent stuff. I prefer exercising on my own purely for the freedom. I work in s large team and I’ve come from a dysfunctional/abusive marriage so it’s liberating to be able to get on my bike, ride and challenge myself. It’s interesting how much I’ve learned about myself by just being with myself and pushing it see what I can achieve.

That’s really great. I feel like it’s really liberating too. It’s kind of an intimate activity with myself and with running for me, I can get some perspective with whatever I may be struggling with.

 

[Cate]

I'm finding my walking is liberating too. I have challenged myself & myself only. No losers.

 

[alligatorob]

Hey TM, your cycling has inspired me to look into what kind of bike I might be able to ride. Your "Too Fat to Cycle" video was very helpful.

I don't live in the best place for it, the roads here are mostly busy highway, short dirt farm roads, or new subdivision mazes, but I might be able to figure out something. The other problem is we have snow for several months of winter. I see they make bicycles for heavy people, that may make sense for me, to start anyway. Just in the early stages of investigation now. Its too big of an investment not to be sure I'd use.

Where I fish mainly there are 3 major pests; trumpeters, blowfish and dolphins.

I had to look up trumpeters, I think they are also called the Western Striped Grunt, but I like your other name better. In the Gulf of Mexico we have a number of different grunts, which I assume are similar fish. Our grunts make a lot of noise when you catch them, I assume your trumpeter does too. Fishing inshore in the Gulf of Mexico our grunts can also be a pest, as you describe it bait stealers but not of much value. I have used live grunts for bait for things like Grouper and King Mackerel. Fishing like that sharks become the pests. In Louisiana they have grunt large enough to keep and eat, they are pretty good.

I assume your blowfish are similar to ours, but in the Gulf they were never numerous enough to be a big problem.

When you say dolphin are you referring to the marine mammal? If so I agree they can be a problem for fishing here, they run off most of the fish. In Florida we also had a fish called a dolphin, it is a good catching and eating fish. On the US West Coast and in Hawaii the same fish is called a Mahi-mahi The Florida tourist commission and the like are trying to get people to use the Mahi-Mahi name, they think folks are put off but eating something that sounds like Flipper.

 

[Truffle Monster]

Hey Rob,

That’s great. With only main highways and dirt roads it may be very difficult. If I were you I’d be looking at a gravel or cyclocross bike with nice wide tyres and disk brakes. I’d also be sticking to the dirt roads and mazes wherever possible. The problem with a road bike like mine is that the second you hit dirt or loose gravel it’s a beast to handle but a gravel bike is the best of both worlds. The only problem is they’re generally not as smooth on the road because they have fewer gears and bigger gaps in the ratios making smooth peddling on the road somewhat hard.

Perhaps see if you can buy a decent second hand bike first. Just be sure to research what to look for damage wise (I’d stay away from second hand carbon and stick to alloy frames - I prefer alloy anyway but it’s much much easier to see damage) and a good quality drive train. I’d be happy to help with some specific tips if you like if/when you’re ready to buy.

Re the Trumpeter yes it’s the grunter. They apparently get quite big around Tassie and can be decent eating (apparently) and yes the mammal dolphin. We too get the dolphin fish in the tropical waters but not around here. The problem with the dolphins is everyone (who don’t fish) thinks it’s great that they find you in the boat and come right up. Sometimes you can have 6 or 7 dolphins surrounding the boat but as soon as they rock up the fish run for their lives; literally!

 

[Truffle Monster]

Well today was full on.

Started with a spirited walk up mount lofty which although I broke the 45 minute barrier I’m a little disappointed in my time. My legs just lacked the power to keep me going fast up the hills although this was pre breakfast which I’ve not done before. According to the strava segment leader board I’m 192/1724 which is pretty good but if the gps hadn’t dropped out on my last run and it actually registered I’d be in the top 60 with 39 minutes. At least I know I can do better and there are huge positional gains to be had with only small improvements.

After that I went straight into a round of golf and opted for my shoulder strap bag rather than a buggy. That was a good few kms walking around the course too.

All up a good day but I’m exhausted and writing this in bed.

Goodnight everyone.

 

[davisgirl]

Hi Truffle Monster —

New here to the forum and I was checking out your diary. I really admire your approach and dedication to fitness. I’m just starting out at 100 kg and I guess I have far to go. I’m in this for weight and health reasons and I’ve started big changes in diet and exercise. So far I’ve been active every day, and most days I work out for a good hour, hard. It feels great but it’s been quite an adjustment. My legs and butt are definitely bearing the brunt of the work and the exercise is hard on them. I’m doing some light strength training on my upper body, but really give my legs a break there because the elliptical and the treadmill and the rest of my weight beat them to a pulp.

I’m looking forward to the first 20 kg off so I can mix it up with something else, maybe running. Not much of a biker myself, but if I could get to a decent weight I could start some running.

Anyway, wow — amazing accomplishments. Bravo!

 

[Cate]

Wow, TM. What a day. How was your golf?

 

[Truffle Monster]

Wow, TM. What a day. How was your golf?

Terrible. I was lifting my head and topping everything. My BEST hole was a bogey. Worst was a quad.

 

[Truffle Monster]

Hi Truffle Monster —

New here to the forum and I was checking out your diary. I really admire your approach and dedication to fitness. I’m just starting out at 100 kg and I guess I have far to go.

Hi there and a big welcome.

It’s great to see you’ve started your journey. You’re well on your way to success. The best exercise plan you can do is the one you can stick to. Don’t be timid about getting outside and running if that’s what you want to do. On mount lofty (highest mountain in Adelaide) it’s a hard hike but there are ALWAYS people on the trail who are just starting their journey. It’s great to see them regularly on my trips and see their progress. It’s normal to feel shy or discouraged when you feel like you have a lot to go but it’s important to remember that it’s just in your head.

 

[Truffle Monster]

It’s been a few days but I went out for a ride tonight. Annoyingly I didn’t reset my Garmin after climbing mt lofty on Sunday so the total kms and gps tracking are skewed BUT i got a few PR’s including top 3 all time and 1st place this year for a local sprint so I’m a little bit happy about that!

I’ve not lost any weight recently; in fact I’ve gained; this morning I weighed in at 85.5 but my clothes are looser now than they were 2 weeks ago.

I’m feeling good but very nervous about what’s to come with the city to bay fun run in September and cycling fundraiser in October.

 

[Cate]

Terrible. I was lifting my head and topping everything. My BEST hole was a bogey. Worst was a quad.

Sounds like my current game It has been ages since you played though hasn't it?
I don't think weight-loss was your main focus when you started out & you sure have done well. Clothes being looser, even though you have gained slightly is the main thing. I wish! I'm looking forward to when mine loosen up again. Great ride yesterday, TM

 

[Truffle Monster]

Sounds like my current game It has been ages since you played though hasn't it?
I don't think weight-loss was your main focus when you started out & you sure have done well. Clothes being looser, even though you have gained slightly is the main thing. I wish! I'm looking forward to when mine loosen up again. Great ride yesterday, TM

Yeah it’s been a long time. Golf is one of those games unfortunately. Sometimes we just have bad days.

You’re absolutely right. I couldn’t give a toss what the number on the scales says. It really doesn’t mean anything at all. I’m aware that I’ve built more muscle and that will be putting my weight up which I’m happy with

 

[Truffle Monster]

It’s still cold here and the city to bay isn’t too far away so I figured a run was more prudent than a ride.

11.8km. I felt really good but had to abort and rush home for a nature call. Apparently a few cups of strong coffee paired with a curry lunch don’t mix well with jogging!

I’m finding aerobically I’m really good however my leg muscles are just not used to jogging. Tonight I developed a slight twinge in my right ankle so I’ll give the jogging a miss tomorrow and perhaps catch up on my cycling.

 

[alligatorob]

Hey TM, thanks for stopping by my diary, I always appreciate your advice and insights.

You’re early on in your journey and starting to make habits. Once you set it as a habit you’ll find it easier.

Thanks for point that out. And I do have to remember that I really am early in this process, just getting through day by day is good for me for now. I need to remind myself how short a time I have been doing this, I know I am not the expert here. On the other hand I think you are.

I’ve not lost any weight recently; in fact I’ve gained; this morning I weighed in at 85.5 but my clothes are looser now than they were 2 weeks ago.

Sounds like you are converting fat to muscle.

I’m feeling good but very nervous about what’s to come with the city to bay fun run in September and cycling fundraiser in October.

Running has to be a lot harder on the feet and joints than cycling, why are you pushing the running? You seem to be doing so well with the cycling.