Annoyingly, I can't get Black Huel in Australia, so my diet has been tweaked in the short-term. I'm doing OK though*. Same workout cycle six days a week. Saturdays off.

* In body, of course. Cluster Headaches continue to wreak havok.

I have been doing rides in my basement on an exercise bike, running on a treadmill, or exercising with dumbbells for a while. At this point I'm pretty good about doing at least one of these things for half an hour 5x a week. Well more like 20 mins with the dumbbells. But sometimes I do the stationary bike for 45 mins so it evens out in my mind. We got a Peloton bike around xmas 2019 which at first I was ambivalent about (my wife was the main driver there) but a few months after that when we were stuck in the house for an indeterminate amount of time, I kinda had to admit that she had perfect timing, and I actually like the thing that I dubbed our Karencycle.

This is enough to help me feel relatively healthy and maintain decent shape - I honestly feel better these days overall than I have in like 25 years - but since I'm still eating and drinking too much I still have a gut. I try but need to reign in the diet a bit better.

I don't know how I lived to be this old and not know the difference between anaerobic and aerobic exercise. If you're running at 80+% of your max heart rate, you're crossing over into anaerobic exercise and only 35% of your calories are coming from stored fat. If you're in the aerobic zone (Ideally around 60% of your max heart rate) then 65% of the calories you burn are coming from stored fat.

This explains the big question I've had for years about why most mountain bikers are shaped like barrels and road bikers are shaped like coat racks. A lot (most?) of MTB rides are either grueling "I think I'm gonna vomit" climbs or coasting downhill as you hurtle through the trees. Road biking, you hit a groove and stay there until a motorist tries to kill you. (which is why I don't road bike any more)

Once I found this out last week, I decided it was time to get a gravel bike, and wallah, I am the proud new owner of a partially financed Giant Revolt 2. So far I have put about 60 miles on it and it was almost all on dirt roads through the nearest National Forest. Man, is that a good time.

I got up at 5:30 this morning and met a buddy to go for a 20 mile ride before the heat got to be too bad. It was glorious. I recommend it.

Currently, I'm at 235, as of this morning. 15 pounds down so far.

A_Man_Who_Tries wrote: Wed Jun 14, 2023 8:20 pm Cluster Headaches continue to wreak havok.

Really sorry to read this. I haven't been through an episode in over a decade. They just stopped after fucking my teenage and adult years up big time. I still get an occasional shadow though which scares the hell out of me thinking they're returning en masse. Just in case they do I try to keep myself abreast of new treatments which I'm absolutely positive you've explored.

Good luck!

I'm pretty much fine. Some small sign of Tinnitus and maybe a prostatic checking in the near future.

My wife got really fucked by covid, a full year had to pass until she recovered totally. She wasn't hospitalized or anything but after getting through it she experienced a lot of phisycal hindrances and something as simple as walking upstairs for a minute would be exhausting for her.

My old mother in law soon will be totally dependant but I've always had a soft spot fot the elder and already took care of my grandpas back in the day.

Life.

dontfeartheringo wrote: Fri Jul 14, 2023 3:10 pm
Once I found this out last week, I decided it was time to get a gravel bike, and wallah, I am the proud new owner of a partially financed Giant Revolt 2. So far I have put about 60 miles on it and it was almost all on dirt roads through the nearest National Forest. Man, is that a good time.

Once the dust settles financially on a remodel project we have going (could be several months), I’ll be looking at something like this for a work commuter bike. Something that’s “almost a road bike, but can deal with some curbs and dirt” would describe my riding. You happy so far with the Giant?

It’s been a while since I bought a bike and one think I notice is manufacturers will have a particular line that will go from like sub-1K price to several thousand depending on how it’s outfitted, which adds to my confusion.

As far as the health benefits go, I’ve been commuting a couple times a week, which is 8 miles each way, 80% on dedicated bike paths a few hills, including big ones at the end. Seems to get my heart at 120-130 for the flat stuff and 140-150 when I’m out of the saddle on a hill. As my alternative commute is driving in Boston traffic, I’m quite motivated to ride instead. Been doing this about 6 weeks and I feel better but I haven’t dropped any weight.

Last couple weeks I’ve been doing some Peloton rides again. I can see how this appeals to people who want to get a lot out of their time because the end of a 20 minute high intensity ride feels like my 40 minute commute. It’s just that the stationary is so fucking boring.

twelvepoint wrote: Sat Jul 15, 2023 6:28 am

dontfeartheringo wrote: Fri Jul 14, 2023 3:10 pm
Once I found this out last week, I decided it was time to get a gravel bike, and wallah, I am the proud new owner of a partially financed Giant Revolt 2. So far I have put about 60 miles on it and it was almost all on dirt roads through the nearest National Forest. Man, is that a good time.

Once the dust settles financially on a remodel project we have going (could be several months), I’ll be looking at something like this for a work commuter bike. Something that’s “almost a road bike, but can deal with some curbs and dirt” would describe my riding. You happy so far with the Giant?

You might also want a hybrid, depends if you like straight or drop handlebars, among other distinctions I'm not as well-versed in (I just started researching bikes myself). I think they're both good on streets and can handle some rougher terrain without getting into full-on mountain bike territory, but the nuances of which one is better for what use are probably something only hardcores care about.

I'd love a proper bike.

joe_lmr wrote: Sat Jul 15, 2023 11:45 pm
You might also want a hybrid, depends if you like straight or drop handlebars, among other distinctions I'm not as well-versed in (I just started researching bikes myself). I think they're both good on streets and can handle some rougher terrain without getting into full-on mountain bike territory, but the nuances of which one is better for what use are probably something only hardcores care about.

There’s also the “commuter” genre, which technically is correct, but the models I’ve looked at are kind of bulky and heavy. The bike I have now is an early 90s Trek all-purpose deal that was probably marketed as hybrid back when and it’s got 700c wheels and a traditional steel frame and some upgrades. I keep it in good shape, but it’s a hand me down and doesn’t fit great and a little heavy.

I currently ride with straight bars, but I’d consider drop if I could still ride upright when I need.

The more I think about this, the more I think I want a road bike with a little more rugged tires?

twelvepoint wrote: Sun Jul 16, 2023 3:56 am The more I think about this, the more I think I want a road bike with a little more rugged tires?

Touring or light touring frames might be what you have in mind. They are a little more relaxed than a straight up road bike and can fit semi knobby tires. They're also great for putting a rack and fenders on.