Wherein Eric Reappears...

Well I used that lame excuse I mentioned below for months.

I gained back about 5-8 of those pounds. Started back up again in late October, and lost about 12 more pounds. Then fell back off the wagon in late December with excuses about working a lot and being depressed.

Thus, the official weight-loss for 2009 ended up being like 25-30 pounds. Which is no small number, but I can kind of see the cycle. I suppose as long as I take more steps forward, these fall backwards don't erase an overall win.

I now weigh 293 pounds. Under 300.... wooo.

The Recumbent Bike:

It is easy on the knees, and has worked well. But it has drawbacks fair reader.
1) The whole body never feels worked out when you're done, it's mainly the legs. With an elliptical or a treadmill, I would say you end up feeling more fulfilled.

2) While you can set it to program ever higher resistance (harder to move pedals), you still provide the pacing on how fast you move the pedals. This can be hard to keep up psychologically, you just want to slow down until its easy. That's the same issue with an elliptical, and where a treadmill shines.

But the bike still seemed to get the job done. I'd do treadmill for many days, feeling unmotivated to use the bike, then I'd switch to the bike for a few days. After using the bike, even for that small amount of time, the treadmill became far easier. So subtlety is it's apparent skill, as you get a surprise when you switch around.

My suggestion is to find multiple ways to workout and avoid the burnout as best you can. I also got a dog (Basset Hound named Enola), and I get walks in with her.

I'm not sure I have the total self-discipline to accomplish this in one fell swoop, as such, these fits and starts will have to do. They might even be more realistic. As when I did fall off the exercise wagon, I ate..... better than before, and didn't gain as much weight back as I used to.

If this only ends up being historical documentation to me, I think it will be worth it.

Have a good 2010 and beyond!