Great Year for the Family!!

What a year, I've moved onto a new job with another company, I was blessed to find this and being treated like a person, rather than just an employee.  Pam has gotten another promotion at her job and she's doing great, Merlin celebrated her 50th B'day where she was celebrated for her good heart and just her spirit. The Abbott family was finally together all at once and we enjoyed the company of each other.  BTW, Erica is heading to college this January to study law, this is the beginning of the beginning and we all wish her the best to come.

Got it Done!

Hi Fam,

It's 5:16pm and I'm sitting here in an office waiting for 5:30pm. Last I wrote, I was in the process of acquiring some job possibilities, and here I am now. After 1 year - & 4 months, I am back in the working field. This is someone with an educational background that needs no more education for the rest of his life, so, for all you young cats out there, stay in school and benefit from the lessons the old folks are putting down. I have many persons to thank for while I stove to get a job. One person in particular is Pam. Pam, who have held it down for this long stretch and never once asked or forced me to just take anything that wasn't going to make me happy. I have to thank her and the support she showed me as only a loved one can. This email is more as a gratitude emails as much as a celebration. It's 5:30 now, and I have to shut the office now. Be talking to you soon.

A new day ah Dawning!!

Working now for over 3 weeks and feeling good. My back still hurts like hell in the mornings sometime but with my activity back up during the day, it's feels good by the time I get on the train. Also climbing up the train steps has helped me feel good. The other night, I was walking down the steps at the train station and I felt like my legs were going to explode (in the good way) like it was just pumped up with muscles.

Today was the ultimate. I got my BFA and the numbers were very promising. I’ve been going hard at the gym because I don’t want to make any more excuses and try to get through as best I can. My last results were on December, 2009 Compared to Now, March, 2010.
Arms then: 19, Arms now: 9
Legs then: 16, Legs now: 15
Abs then;25,30,15 = 70 Total:: 20% BF Abs: 23%, Abs now: 28,16,14 = 58 Total:: 17% BF Abs19%.
Snowed last weekend and this week, but when I go out again, I hope to get to Villard and the Glenwood station for the full run, up both hills. I also have to get my kit from Dave Jordan. Greg called me last night but couldn’t talk, will try to meet up with him tonight or give him a call.
This have motivated me to keep going strong and try to be a little better with my eating habits and drinking. I have to eat maybe one serving and not so late. Still Striving.

Keeping it going!!

A lot has changed since the last time I visited the site.  I'm now working and more active during the day for a period of over 9 to 10 hours a day.  I've ridden the weekends and feeling good.  I know I have to hit the hills (Valard and Gleenwood)  I did not want to push the last two time, but will the next time.  Racing season starting soon and I have to get my fit from Dave and looking for a massage place to ease up my muscle.  I'm feeling good and feel like I'm acutally losing weight.  I have not weighed myself but waiting for Steve to give me a BFA.  I will get back in more detail later.  Right now at work and feeling good like I said.  The goal is still reaching CAT 4 by father's day.

Family Update

Hi Fam,

Been busy getting a lot of proposals out for a job, and today I got a call to go and meet with the president of the company, cross your fingers.
I will like to also welcome Kimmoy and family to the website. Kimmoy, as most of you may not know is my niece from our oldest sibling, Julian. Kimmoy and I reconnected this past year and have had wonderful conversations. She is very curious and welcoming to knowing her family from this side. As you will see is a beautiful woman, married, and loving mother of two gorgeous kids. Check out her profile and get to know her and kids.
Her email is: klw32256@gmail.com for those that want to connect to your family, and you can view the profile here, Waldon Clan
Get back with you guys soon, enjoy.

Hills! Hills! Hills & More Hills!!!! - Up that time on Road!!!

Saw my buddy Rob today at Treads and we talked about weight loss and how to get ready for the racing season.  What was most important is the HILLS, I have to hit the hills and keep hitting them. Also, put in some more millage, at least over 200 per week, this is the only way I am going to meet my goal.  I also saw Junior on the ride and he said he dropped over 20 pound.  How? by riding slow and methodical, just burning that fat and eating less sugar.
These are things that can be easily fixed by me just paying attention to what I do during the week.  I also have to get back to the gym a little.  BUT, I'm riding, going to the gym twice a week, and playing ball once a week.  That may also be too much.  Some how, I have to make all this work.  Did a ride today: Avg: 12.4 Trip: 22.5 Time: 1:47.58

Feeling Big, but looking Good!

We worked out last Friday, HARD, going into the weekend, I played b ball on Sunday, and felt good.  However, I have not had the time (playing) to really see where my conditioning is.  I run hard and feel a little tired but sub myself out just in time not to push or maintain a high heart rate.  Worked out on Monday and felt good.  Did another hard workout, but felt good after.  Doing my daily push ups and did some wights tonight.  Have not ridden the bike in about two weeks.  Have to get back on sometime this week. Don't want to be left behind.
The title indicates why I'm doing the pushups and weights.  My stomach has me feeling big and I know I have to do something to get past it.

Looking at different Avenues for weight loss [What more can I DO!!]

Was at the gym this morning and felt sort of depressed.  I looked at myself through the mirror on the wall and saw a person in great, fit shape, but with a pot belly.  This has been a discouraging month in the fact that I have taken more notice of the stomach.  I'm working out twice a week, riding as much as I can, and feeling great in both discipline.  However, I am still at the same weight.  Okay, I'm going to be 46 this year, but that doesn't mean sh#%!  I know for a fact that most men half my age wish they could be in as good a shape as I am, or as strong.  Steve mentioned that I need to just change my diet even more.  Wifey agreed on that also, and she will hopefully have me eat like her. She maintains a great weight (though she does do 10+ miles each weekend) This is something I really have to work on.  I'm getting ready to ride in some races at the end of the month of February and want to not be the weakest link!  Drank some tea this morning and will be trying to hydrate myself until my game tonight. 

Mild Work Outs, But something is WRONG!!

Worked out last week and this, rode Thursday last week, but only for an hour.  Did the Riverdale Hills 5 times and worked on endurance.  Played bball last week also and felt great, jumping and stamina working like it should, however, back was hurting a little and couldn't keep up the running for too long.  Worked out this morning with Steve.  Felt light-headed, but got through.  I mentioned to Steve that something must be wrong with me in regards to losing weight.  I've been working out for at least a year now, in gym and riding bike, but maintain a 230lb status.  I've tried to eat differently and made some changes in the workouts, not helping though.
Will try to get something going next week/or this with Steve to see if we can't find out where and what I may need to do differently.

Still having a Great Week!!

It was a good week.  I rode this Saturday and rolled out easy.  Don't know if it's my new nutritional agenda; taking at least 2 to 3 Gu's on rides now.  Not waiting until I get tired now, but using it more frequently anticipating when I might get tired and do it beforehand.   Also brought an additional water bottle in the hopes it carries more water for intake during the rides.
Rolling out easy seemed to give me more stamina and riding credence.  Avg: 13.9miles, Trip: 34.2miles, and Trip: 2:26:21.
Back is still holding out and I feel good.  Steve was sick this morning, so I've missed today with riding.  May get out tomorrow to do a long ride again.  Will try and get to the hills as much as possible.

Slaughter, and That's being Kind!

Played our game at Chelsea Pier last night and we got bombed. Lost by at least 30 points.  I felt good, my legs were under me and I played like I was used to.  I rode earlier in the day, hitting some hills and doing my palasades route this side of the river.  Rode 1:07:22 Trip: 15.6 Avg: 13.9.  Felt good after the ride.  Didn't get to work out with Steve this week because Pam wasn't feeling too well, but will be back next week.

Feeling Great This Week

Feeling wonderful today.  I was really feeling it last week, but this week I feel great.  I have to give the credit to the riding I did Saturday.  Record breaking cold front (22º), but it wasn't too bad, the sun was out and the ride was pleasant.  Rode for 2:51:01, Avg: 13.2, Trip: 37.7.  Worked out with Steve yesterday and thought I wasn't going to make it but still felt good.  Wanted to ride for 3 hours and get my body used to riding at an uncomfortable level.  Did some hill workout on the Riverdale loop as well as going to Tarry Town.  Will continue to build up my millage during the week.
I have been doing the stick on my legs massaging out the fatigue and actually soaked in some epson salts.  Get so upset that this procedure is free in Tobago.  The Rheumatic medicine is working well also, have to go back to the liver portion to also help my back.

Another Good One

Ran and walked Tuesday in Van Cortlandt Park, lower loop and flats 3.7miles. Legs were still aching but managed to get through.  Yesterday was back at the grind with Steve in the WATS.  Thought I wasn't going to make it, but managed to pull it out.  In fact, did more lunges.  It was a good day in the sense I got to speak to Dave Jordan.  I hope to be riding on his team next season and he gave some good incentives as to what to expect from the team and what I can offer.  I really need to step it up on the bike even though it's suppose to be cold as hell this weekend.  Back's been feeling GREAT.  I honestly have no complaints.

Man On Man, does it get any easier!!

It's been snowing and raining so I haven't been out there like I should have been for the past days, but I ate good, NO beer over the holidays and just basically rested.  Buddy Greg also came over and gave me a massage, said my muscles were fatigued and tight, but he worked them out as best as possible.  My thighs were on fire, as well as calves, but I felt much better after and hope that it stays healthy.  However, on Jan. 4, we went to the usual workout with Steve and boy, did he put it to us.  I had a job interview that morning and told him we had to leave early, I don't know if that prompted him to give that workout he did, (I did see John and May however doing the same thing), but it feels like hell today.  We did lunges, squats, jump rope, etc..  My body is wrecked, legs, arms, torso, toes, they all hurt like hell.  I'm trying to drink some recovery protein powder and see how I feel, but it's still not helping.
Will go for a walk today and see if I loosen up the joints.  23º out today, but how I feel, it could be -23º.