Cliiiimb by 4iiii

If you’re pursuing Strava KOM segments, new from 4iiii (read: four eyes) is the Cliiiimb that provides real-time audio and visual feedback, along with heart rate chest monitor.  Simply download a Strava app, link via ANT+, and when a segment begins, you can race against the time of another rider or your own PR.  The unit attaches to your sunglasses.  Released in November, the Cliiiimb Pro retails for $199.

This is re-blogged from those awesome guys at bike war.  I could not get the video to upload while re-blogging.  If you are into bike war is a great blog to follow.

2nd day of fasting 7th day of experiment

Energy levels and motivation very low.

Let’s re-assess why I am doing this, I am hoping this helps:

1. More energy – ok not a great one to start on.
2. All the health benefits – true but I have an excruciating headache
3. To get faster going up hill – losing weight is the best way to make it easier to go up hill on your bike
4. Being able to fully enjoy my young family playing games and giving them an active Daddy

This really does help. But the second day of fasting has been hard.

I also have to admit that I cheated slightly today. I ate a small piece of dark chocolate, this has tipped me over to 700 calories today. I am hoping that the amount of cycling I am doing counter acts this.

The books says that at the beginning it can be hard. So I am determined to see the month out and then really report on how it is going.

That is it for today,

FC

Of low blood sugar and being selfish

I feel that 7 days in I am doing quite well. However some of my colleagues might disagree.

Today, for the first time during the last 7 days I hit a wall. Now this was all down to my own poor planning and lack of organisataion.

I had a real test. We had a major client in today. Client lunches used to be one of my favourite things. Oudles of sandwiches and savoury pastries. None of which I can now eat due to the wheat content. To top this I forgot to eat any breakfast…..this is not an entirely fare description, as I never forget about meals, I had forgotten to plan a none wheat breakfast or inform catering that I am not eating any wheat.

My day consisted of the following – ride to work, strategy meeting with business partner, dream about food, eat an apple, panic that presentation for client was not ready, complete presentation, dream about food, eat an apple, client arrives, 1200 client lunch arrives, sit drooling while everyone tucks in, finish client meeting, snap at colleagues, cycle to dentist……hang on rewind. Snap at colleagues? Yes that is right my poor colleagues took the brunt of my poor organisation and had their heads verbally ripped off for nothing.

What can I take away from this apart from – poor organisation leads to poor staff retention? Well I have managed to stick to not eating wheat, even when the client thought that my stomach rumbling was a thunder storm and I have managed to keep going on the cycling even when energy is low. I am still on track for my 600KM T-shirt from Strava…121KM in on day 7.

Must get some bananas and dark chocolate as emergency food!!

Now for a little bit of bike porn I found on WordPress check out this Brabus bike.

FC

‘Fast’ away

With a quick look at the boys eating their breakfasts and a longing look at my beautiful lunch box, I strode out of the house, resolute that I was not going to find this 5:2 diet even a tad trifling.

And I can happily report that to anyone contemplating this diet, that my first day was a breeze. I highly recommend the book I mentioned in my post ‘The Jan Plan’ by Michael Mosley.

I even managed 16 miles through this never ending storm.

Lastly on this short post I can truly say that I am enjoying my experiment of becoming a master ‘masticator’.

Also a quick thank you to my cycling Buddy Joe for following this blog…..remember you promised not to laugh. However I should of said judge…..

A morning ride with a buddy

An unexpected surprise – Part of having to get up to meet  your cycling buddy means you might get to see things you might have missed if you were still wrapped up in bed.

I would suggest that if you are getting into cycling or have just got into it, get yourself a buddy.  I was cycled solo for years.  I didn’t want to slow anyone down or get pushed past my comfort zone.

But I have to admit cycling with a buddy has really opened up my cycling.  My cycling buddy is a lot fitter and in better shape than me, therefore at his standard pace I really am having to push.  It  has got me beating personal bests on Strava and it is great to have someone to gossip about cycling with – not what Mrs. FatCycles considers a great topic for conversation.

‘Ice and Slowly, capturing my cycle buddy. Although my iPhone bag seems to have misted up somewhat.

If you are looking for people to go cycling with look up your local club.  There are loads of resources to find clubs, in the UK try British Cycling

I promise you will get more from cycling, get fitter, meet like minded people and have a laugh.

FC

Loving it even when it is wet

Another wet day.  Mrs. Fat cycles helped capture the moment of water logged shoes. 

Knowing when full is actually full

The reason for this post, is a sort of typed personal arse kick. You see I am the first person to get another bowl of cereal or grabanother sandwich when at a meeting buffet. However since quitting wheat (all of 3 days a go – evidently no right to preach), I have been reading more about the human ability to just keep on eating.

Apparently there is a 7 minute delay between the stomach and the brain. Did not know that. Therefore if one could distract ones self after a seemingly small meal one might then feel full.Some nutritionalists believe that distraction is actually the cause and not the cure. There is a theory that if you read, blog, surf the web or watch TV while eating, this 7 minute delay is almost negated. Your body just carries on eating until the stomach can literally take no more. Completely full. Where all your body actually needs is a fraction of the amount you just rammed into your body.

There are loads of books out there documenting this.

So for the next 7 days I am going to put a little experiment on top of my January goals / experiment. From what I have read these are the 7 rules that are going to apply to everything I put in my mouth.

1. Mastication – I must fully chew every mouthful. To start with I am going to go with 20 chews. This sounds a lot and I am going to look very funny when out with my buddies. I like to add a bit humour to the evening. Seriously though it slows you down and increases the surface area of your food, making it easier to digest and meaning you get all the nutrients.

2. Put sandwich down – OK so in Jan I am not eating wheat, but my point is that, I am going to put my food down every time I have a mouthful. This includes cultery. The food is not going to run away, I do not need to pre load my fork with the next massive load, or hold the sandwich/bagel/apple/snack near my mouth or even in my hand. Put the food DOWN between every mouthful. The upside for Mrs. FatCycles is that I am not going to be inhaling my food off the plate.

3. Concentrate on every mouthful – no more TV dinners – OK well only for a week. But if it works maybe longer. Basically concentration on what I am eating. No books, no iPad – nothing. The food is my enjoyment, I will concentrate on that is my entertainment.

4. No standing room – I must sit down while eating anything. Main meals must be at a table and not my desk.

5. Am I full – by doing all of the above, I should theoretically slowed down my eating enough to know when I am full. I have to listen to my body. And when I am full STOP EATING.

6. Drink before every meal – most of the time one feels hungry, apparently it is just thirst. The body confuses thirst with hunger. So I am going to have a pint of water before allow anything to go in my mouth.

7. Am I really hungry – Last rule of the experiment. If I feel truly hungry – not bored or thirsty – then I can eat. Theoretically if 6 has not worked I must be hungry.

OK time to get into some lycra and get wet on the bike.  Pictures to follow later.

FC

Of Strava Challenges and Noro Viruses

3rd of Jan – Location Home Office – Why? Noro Virus

The UK NHS give this description:

“Norovirus, sometimes known as the winter vomiting bug, is the most common stomach bug in the UK, affecting people of all ages.

The virus, which is highly contagious, causes vomiting and diarrhoea. As there is no specific cure, you have to let it run its course, but it should not last more than a couple of days.”

As you might imagine I have not hit the trails or roads.  But I have managed to stick to the eating plan – mainly as I cannot stomach anything so the temptation of the evening beer has not been felt.

On another note, to keep myself inspired Strava have launched their January – Prove it Challenge.  With the added bonus that if you cycle 600KM (375 Miles) in a month you can apply to get an exclusive Strava Prove It T-Shirt.  Now being a complete muppet for this type of challenge and exclusive merchandise, I am already working out how to make the miles up for missing the yesterday and todays cycling.

I guess what ever motivates you does the trick.  And this is working for me.  Apart from my stats don’t look great at the moment.

FC

Cycling inspiration

Cycling inspiration #lombardi #motivation #life, a photo by Jeremy Waite on Flickr.

1st Of Jan Done

All complete no cheating and a challenging ride.

A little stormy, but the endorphins made it worth and it knocked the hangover straight out of my body.