My Transformation

**Just Dave** · 12-31-2008, 09:22 AM

I've been overweight all my life. My family has a large history of diabetes. Both of my parents and my sister are on insulin. I found out last Tuesday I was headed that way.

Normal blood sugar level is less than 150. Mine was 477 last week.

A1C is a 3 month average of your blood sugar. Normal is under 6.5, under 7 is good for a diabetic, mine was 9.

Tryglicerides are fat in your blood. Normal is less than 150, mine were 3300 (that's not a typo).

Cholesteral should be less than 200, mine was 228.

I was 6-2 270 lbs, and I needed to make major changes to keep from becoming insulin dependant and being a large risk for heart and kidney failure.

I enjoy mountain biking and decided I would use it as an outlet to get into and stay in shape. I decided that in addition to eating better and exercising, I was going to start training for ameteur mountain bike races.

So for the last week, I've avoided sweets (except a few on Christmas), avoided soda, snacking, and excessive carbs. I've also started riding an exercise bike every morning for 20 minutes before work (I'd like to build that up to an hour over time). I also go with my wife when we walk our dog and we extend that into about a half a mile right before bed.

I'm also on a few medications to lower my tryglicerides, cholesterol, and blood sugar.

In just over a week, my blood sugar dropped from the high 300's (average) to the low 200's (as of this morning). I've also lost about 2-3 lbs, but am getting more familiar with how my body reacts to low blood sugar so I can eat more often, but less food. This should speed up the weight loss. I'm also committing to going for 2-3 hour mountain bike rides at least twice over the long weekend. My first race should be in March.

Young,Fablous,&Broke · 12-31-2008, 09:28 AM

Good Job. Keep it up Dave.

**TampaTraps** · 12-31-2008, 10:10 AM

good job, and one thing that will really help is that race don't back out, sign up and pay early so your committed. i've been weight training for 6 years. i just started competing in strongman 6 months ago and my training now has a purpose and my workouts are better than ever because i now have real goal not the fluffy just lose 10lbs or tone up lol.

TampaDude · 01-03-2009, 11:32 AM

Your triglyceride level was 3300??? Holy shit! That's a heart attack waiting to happen! Good luck with your fitness routine. I need to start working out again myself...I'm totally out of shape.

**Just Dave** · 01-04-2009, 10:22 PM

I went out to dinner twice this weekend (mom's birthday and another pre-planned event). I still managed to keep my blood sugar in check (somewhat) by eating light before hand.

I also ordered a Garmin Forerunner 305 which is a GPSr with heart rate monitor that is in the shape of a large wristwatch. This should help me push myself harder on my trail rides (I can stay closer to max heart rate) and track my progress. I can't wait to try it out.

**MianoSM** · 01-04-2009, 10:54 PM

If you don't like/want the forerunner let me know. ; )

**Just Dave** · 01-09-2009, 02:08 PM

Went to the doctors this morning and I've officially lost 6 lbs since about christmas.

I lost my job tuesday so its hard to avoid sitting around and eating all day. Plus we're leaving for a 6 day cruise tomorrow morning. I'm not watching what I eat on the cruise, so I'll have to work twice as hard when I get back.

**Just Dave** · 02-02-2009, 01:19 PM

I don't really have any hard fast numbers to report because I try to stay away from scales (too misleading). But all of my clothes are fitting better, people tell me I look thinner, and most importantly, I had a great day on my mountain bike yesterday. We did almost 4 hours at Boyette (checking out all of the new trails plus our old favorites) We did about 12.5 miles yesterday which doesn't seem like much, but it is on these trails. One thing though is that I'm just running out of cardio. I was in zone 5 during most of the day (except when resting of course). I'm going to do some research on how best to build cardio endurance and hit the exercise bike.

The Garmin Forerunner 305 has been a huge help in my training. I setup my workouts on the PC, send them to the watch, and jump on the exercise bike. I also use it on outdoor rides to track pace, time, speed, and HR.

Dream · 02-05-2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Dave

I don't really have any hard fast numbers to report because I try to stay away from scales (too misleading). But all of my clothes are fitting better, people tell me I look thinner, and most importantly, I had a great day on my mountain bike yesterday. We did almost 4 hours at Boyette (checking out all of the new trails plus our old favorites) We did about 12.5 miles yesterday which doesn't seem like much, but it is on these trails. One thing though is that I'm just running out of cardio. I was in zone 5 during most of the day (except when resting of course). I'm going to do some research on how best to build cardio endurance and hit the exercise bike.

The Garmin Forerunner 305 has been a huge help in my training. I setup my workouts on the PC, send them to the watch, and jump on the exercise bike. I also use it on outdoor rides to track pace, time, speed, and HR.

Body by Science!

=)

**Just Dave** · 02-12-2009, 06:32 PM

I have an update. I went to the doctors this morning for a follow-up. Good news on my blood work.

Triglycerides went from 3300 to 500
Cholesterol is down.
A1C went from 9.4 to 8.8 (not bad for two months)
I lost 3 pounds which I was kinda bummed about until I realized I went on a 5 day cruise since my last appt. So I lost whatever weight I put on during the cruise plus 3 lbs. Not too shabby.

I've been hitting the exercise bike for an hour a day or doing laps on my MTB at a local park. I'm riding at least 5 days a week now so I'm really starting to see the fat drop off. I am looking forward to an increase in my cardio fitness so I can ride my loop faster and keep up with friends on the trails.

**Alan** · 02-25-2009, 10:24 PM

Rock on! We must ride again soon.

12-31-2008, 09:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
Just Dave Do It In The Dirt	My Transformation I've been overweight all my life. My family has a large history of diabetes. Both of my parents and my sister are on insulin. I found out last Tuesday I was headed that way. Normal blood sugar level is less than 150. Mine was 477 last week. A1C is a 3 month average of your blood sugar. Normal is under 6.5, under 7 is good for a diabetic, mine was 9. Tryglicerides are fat in your blood. Normal is less than 150, mine were 3300 (that's not a typo). Cholesteral should be less than 200, mine was 228. I was 6-2 270 lbs, and I needed to make major changes to keep from becoming insulin dependant and being a large risk for heart and kidney failure. I enjoy mountain biking and decided I would use it as an outlet to get into and stay in shape. I decided that in addition to eating better and exercising, I was going to start training for ameteur mountain bike races. So for the last week, I've avoided sweets (except a few on Christmas), avoided soda, snacking, and excessive carbs. I've also started riding an exercise bike every morning for 20 minutes before work (I'd like to build that up to an hour over time). I also go with my wife when we walk our dog and we extend that into about a half a mile right before bed. I'm also on a few medications to lower my tryglicerides, cholesterol, and blood sugar. In just over a week, my blood sugar dropped from the high 300's (average) to the low 200's (as of this morning). I've also lost about 2-3 lbs, but am getting more familiar with how my body reacts to low blood sugar so I can eat more often, but less food. This should speed up the weight loss. I'm also committing to going for 2-3 hour mountain bike rides at least twice over the long weekend. My first race should be in March.

12-31-2008, 09:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
Young,Fablous,&Broke Family First	Good Job. Keep it up Dave.

12-31-2008, 10:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
TampaTraps get big or die trying!!	good job, and one thing that will really help is that race don't back out, sign up and pay early so your committed. i've been weight training for 6 years. i just started competing in strongman 6 months ago and my training now has a purpose and my workouts are better than ever because i now have real goal not the fluffy just lose 10lbs or tone up lol.

01-03-2009, 11:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
TampaDude Karate Explosion	Your triglyceride level was 3300??? Holy shit! That's a heart attack waiting to happen! Good luck with your fitness routine. I need to start working out again myself...I'm totally out of shape.

01-04-2009, 10:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
Just Dave Do It In The Dirt	I went out to dinner twice this weekend (mom's birthday and another pre-planned event). I still managed to keep my blood sugar in check (somewhat) by eating light before hand. I also ordered a Garmin Forerunner 305 which is a GPSr with heart rate monitor that is in the shape of a large wristwatch. This should help me push myself harder on my trail rides (I can stay closer to max heart rate) and track my progress. I can't wait to try it out.

01-04-2009, 10:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
MianoSM Custom User Title	If you don't like/want the forerunner let me know. ; )

01-09-2009, 02:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
Just Dave Do It In The Dirt	Went to the doctors this morning and I've officially lost 6 lbs since about christmas. I lost my job tuesday so its hard to avoid sitting around and eating all day. Plus we're leaving for a 6 day cruise tomorrow morning. I'm not watching what I eat on the cruise, so I'll have to work twice as hard when I get back.

02-02-2009, 01:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
Just Dave Do It In The Dirt	I don't really have any hard fast numbers to report because I try to stay away from scales (too misleading). But all of my clothes are fitting better, people tell me I look thinner, and most importantly, I had a great day on my mountain bike yesterday. We did almost 4 hours at Boyette (checking out all of the new trails plus our old favorites) We did about 12.5 miles yesterday which doesn't seem like much, but it is on these trails. One thing though is that I'm just running out of cardio. I was in zone 5 during most of the day (except when resting of course). I'm going to do some research on how best to build cardio endurance and hit the exercise bike. The Garmin Forerunner 305 has been a huge help in my training. I setup my workouts on the PC, send them to the watch, and jump on the exercise bike. I also use it on outdoor rides to track pace, time, speed, and HR.

02-12-2009, 06:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
Just Dave Do It In The Dirt	I have an update. I went to the doctors this morning for a follow-up. Good news on my blood work. Triglycerides went from 3300 to 500 Cholesterol is down. A1C went from 9.4 to 8.8 (not bad for two months) I lost 3 pounds which I was kinda bummed about until I realized I went on a 5 day cruise since my last appt. So I lost whatever weight I put on during the cruise plus 3 lbs. Not too shabby. I've been hitting the exercise bike for an hour a day or doing laps on my MTB at a local park. I'm riding at least 5 days a week now so I'm really starting to see the fat drop off. I am looking forward to an increase in my cardio fitness so I can ride my loop faster and keep up with friends on the trails.

02-25-2009, 10:24 PM	#11 (permalink)
Alan drives euro trash	Rock on! We must ride again soon.