New Years wishes, fitness, dieting and of course the connection with bicycle touring

Happy New Years always has that fresh sound to it. It's a new day, a new year and of course a chance for a new beginning.

Some people try dieting, others turn to their bicycles for more exercise, another group turns to weight lifting and some people even work on getting more sleep and accidentally discover a weight loss benefit.

There are also those who do all of the above and at the end of the process they feel stronger, healthier and all around better then they every did before.

So what does all this have to do with bicycle touring anyway?

In 2003 I came back from a long work assignment grossly overweight and unhealthy. The mind was sharp but the body was less then willing. Over the next few months I lost weight dramatically while building strength, improving my sleeping habits and continuing to experience my lifelong enjoyment of yummy foods.

As my ultimate "test" I decided to bicycle tour around Lake Erie that same summer. I expected it to be hard work and instead found it to be relatively easy especially with the reduced body weight and increased personal fitness level.

I have read a number of bicycle tour journals that also talk about using the bicycle to lose some weight and to help enjoy a bicycle tour more. I have decided to include an article that I wrote back in 2003 to share what worked for me.

Like everything what works for one person doesn't always work for others so read my plan and decide for yourself if it's worth a try or not.

Lately I've let myself enjoy too many rich foods so I will be going back to my "diet plan". (grin)

The grin is because it's really much less of a diet and much more of a lifestyle. The important thing is that it works for me in a very non-intrusive way.

By the way...

If it's not already obvious, this isn't an attempt to sell you something nor do I have diet related products to sell. The information in the bicycle fitness plan helps me and it may help you but that's really up to you!

Starting January 1, 2005 I am going to take control of my eating and exercise habits again. I will be regularily updating my Pretour Training web page to chart my progress. Perhaps you will follow along with your own process too!

On to the article - A Bicycle Touring fitness plan

Have a Happy New Year!

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