So there are three or so ways to get faster. Have your legs get more powerful, lighten your bike a little bit, or lose weight.

I’m working on the power. And what do you think is easier/cheaper – dropping five pounds off of the weight of my bike, or losing a good amount of weight?

I’m going to start tracking my calories and fat intake. I’ve completely given up soda, diet and regular. (Diet soda will actually cause you to gain weight). I’ve cut down the amount of alcohol I will drink. And I am soon going to be drastically cutting down how much cheese I will be eating. I freaking love cheese. I freaking love pizza.

Looking to hold myself to about 1500 calories a day, plus whatever I can add from my workouts.

This is going to be the toughest thing I’ve ever done. I love food. Not just food, but food that is bad for you. I am going to unleash every trick in the book. Small utensils and small plate, to make it look like I’m eating a ton. Drinking a glass of water before each meal. Drinking some green tea during the day. Having small healthy snacks throughout the day. I’m aiming to drop 1.5-2.0 pounds a week.

What I think is going to help me the most is tracking what I eat and the calories in it fastidiously. I’ve ordered a kitchen scale so I’ll be able to track food I make at home. But I have to hold it to 1500 calories a day. Weekends are going to be the toughest, as I get lazy and don’t want to cook and end up just ordering take out.

I have two and a half months until the beginning of road season. This ain’t the beginning of the off season any more. I’m willing to die on the bike/trainer/rollers, but I’ve never been willing to change my diet. That ends here. My success or failures this season will depend on my ability to lose those pounds.