Here we go again

Early Spring 2009, I was just shy of 200 pounds and 28% body fat. I had a great summer, dropping to 173 pounds and 19% body fat. In just a few months I went from couch potato to holding my own on the bike.

Then I got divorced, took a new job, and hit the difficult final semesters of my MBA. I focused a lot on training for performance, but stopped watching what I was eating. I was still reasonably fast on the bike, but I went back up to 189 pounds and 23% body fat.

Over the last month, I've finished up my MBA, spent some easy time pedaling on the bike to relax a bit, and started planning for the next season. I've also managed to drop a couple pounds.

I want to get back into the mid-160's, with a body fat around 15%. My training plan is aimed at weight loss for the next six months as I build an aerobic foundation for the 2011 racing season. I've got my eye on a few races (some criteriums and some time trials) that coincide well with when I will hit peak fitness based on the training plan. I did a two-peak season, so I will have a cluster of races in the spring and another in the late summer.

Today, I'm at 186 pounds. I want to be at 174 (19% fat) by January 1 and at 165 (15% fat) by April 1. I realize those goals are not difficult, just about 3 pounds a month. If I can do better, then I will!

I know that all I need to do is watch my diet, keep the training volume up, and stay involved here and I should be able to drop the weight without much problem.