From Bike Rides to Weight Loss: My Fitness Milestones

Starting February, I look back on my workout history since restarting this process in December. I continue my twice-a-week workout routine. I always work out on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m., usually with a live class. The other day is typically Wednesday, though I've moved it around as needed due to other events. I'm enjoying the process and routine. My rides are typically 30 minutes, but I've done a few as long as 45 minutes.

I'm approaching 400 total bike rides since we got the bike. I'm currently at 392 and expect to hit the 400 mark in mid-February. I typically ride one longer ride of 30 minutes and then one or two cool-down rides of five minutes or so. I'm hoping to time it so I can be in a live class and maybe even get a shout-out from the instructor.

I've only been focusing on bike rides so far. Although the stats above show other categories, I haven't been doing anything other than bike rides. I do want to add weightlifting and other cardio into my workout routine, but for now, I think it's good to focus on the bike.

In the spring, I intend to start running again. I was on a good routine a year ago, into the spring and summer, where I was running regularly. It didn't last long, unfortunately, due to summer trips, and I never got back into the swing of it after those trips. I enjoy running, and it also helps keep Oliver in shape, as I take him for walks after my runs.

My weight loss journey is progressing well. Since November, I've been on new medication that, combined with my exercise routine, has been instrumental in my weight loss. I've lost 30 pounds since November! I can definitely see the difference in my face and how my clothes fit. They're much looser now! I still have a way to go to reach my target weight, but I'm excited to continue this journey and see even more progress. I'm also focusing on improving my eating habits. I'm enjoying the foods I'm eating and making conscious choices to avoid less healthy options. All of these factors contribute to my progress. While I experience the normal aches and pains that come with getting older (like in my knees and back), I feel better than I have in a long time.

The last time I was at my current weight was in 2017, which was the lowest I'd been in years. I'm below that weight now. Again, I have a way to go to hit my target weight, but I'm making good progress.

Until next time, have a great rest of your weekend and a great week! Watch for future updates on my health journey. What are your favorite workout routines? Share your fitness journey in the comments!

Finding My Rhythm: Setting and Achieving My 2025 Goals

We're a few days into 2025, and a winter storm is still gripping the state. While I'm curious to see how this plays out, it's not what I want to focus on today. Instead, let's talk about my personal goals for this year.

Oliver, our lazy dog, seems perfectly content to lounge around and demand belly rubs. But for me, 2025 is about prioritizing exercise, eating healthier, and finally shedding those extra pounds. My bike riding routine has been going strong – I've been consistently cycling for over a month now. In fact, I recently conquered my longest ride since getting back into it – a challenging 45-minute journey. I felt amazing afterward and am now thinking about increasing my cycling frequency to three times a week.

Physical activity isn't limited to cycling, though. Carrie and I have been talking about finally taking advantage of the gym at work, but somehow, we always seem to find excuses to put it off. My ideal fitness routine would involve three weekly bike rides and two weightlifting sessions. Getting back into cycling took a few months of consistent effort, so I anticipate a similar adjustment period for weight training.

Turning our attention to our home, it's high time we tackled some of that neglected maintenance. While we've fantasized about major renovations to the family room, kitchen, and master bathroom, we need to start with the basics. Those drafty, inoperable windows in the family room are a constant reminder of how much work needs to be done. But that's a long-term project. For now, I'm committed to creating a plan by mid-summer for our initial home improvement projects.

Regarding my reading goals, I've slightly adjusted my target from 25 to 20 books for 2025, acknowledging the challenges I faced last year. In 2024, most of my reading was squeezed into the few minutes before bed. This year, I'm determined to incorporate reading into my lunch break, evenings, and even during those early morning moments. I've maintained a daily reading habit for 1,114 days, and now I'm aiming to increase the number of pages I read each day. Having been off work for the past few days, I've already noticed a significant difference.

I know firsthand that staying consistent with exercise, reading, and home improvement is a constant battle. It's so easy to fall off the wagon – one missed workout, one late night that cuts into reading time, and suddenly, the momentum is gone. But I'm determined to make these changes stick and make 2025 a truly fulfilling year.

Until next time, have a great rest of the week. Stay safe, keep warm, and check in on your neighbors as this winter storm continues to impact the area.

Reading Goals & Riding High: A Year-End Check-In

Sleepy Oliver on Christmas Eve

It feels like a good time for a rambling post about various things that come to mind while I write. I had to share sleepy Oliver on Christmas Eve in Lawrence. We had a fun time in Lawrence from Monday - Wednesday that found Oliver tired from keeping us all in line and staying up late a few nights. He needed the rest to be ready for the holiday season.

Washburn is closed December 23 - January 1. Carrie and I both took off January 2 and 3, so we have a two week time off of work which we are enjoying. No travel for us during this time off, but we are catching up on things around the house which is good. 

I have been enjoying various sporting events that have been happening during the holiday break. A few NFL games on Christmas Day, Thursday Night football, Saturday NFL games, and then of course Sunday NFL. Carrie is not a fan and is happy to know that the end of the NFL season is fast approaching. Me, I am not so happy. My fantasy teams this year were a disaster for a variety of reasons, but still, I had a fun time following fantasy teams this year.

My reading journey continues, but I will not be anywhere close to my reading goal for 2024 (see post). I am almost done with a book I got for free from Amazon and been reading for a while. I am about 70% of the way done without two hours of reading time remaining. I am hoping to knock out this last book before the end of the year. Doing so would put me at 12 out of 25 for the year. Not bad, but I am disappointed that I did not get close to the 25 goal I had set for the year.

On the exercise front, I am happy to report that I have continued to ride our exercise bike. I started riding on December 1 and I have been riding twice a week since then. I bought some new bike shorts to help with longer rides that provide some padding. I am currently selecting classes that are 30 minutes long which is about right for me at this time, but I plan to extend to 45 minute classes here soon that I will do at least once a week. I have enjoying getting back into live classes and my favorite day for live classes is still Sunday at 11 am CDT with Alley Love. There are usually around two thousand plus other riders in the class, so there is a lot of activity and a lot of high fives. It makes for a fun class and keeps me interested in doing the class each week.

Enough rambling for today. I hope you have a great finish to 2024 with only three days left. I am looking forward to 2025, where I will focus on my personal reading challenges, exercise and fitness, camping plans for the summer, and frequent travel throughout the year.