Ok so on to the Pro’s and Con’s of buying and riding a Motorcycle:

Pros:

65 mpg: That’s about 2.5x’s the gas mileage my car gets. So if I can use the bike for commuting to and from work the savings in gas alone will about cover the payment on the bike.

Saves wear and tear on my car: My car is aging, but paid for. Using a motorcycle for commuting and saving the car for foul weather commutes and hauling the kayaks around should hopefully extend it’s life.

The Fun Factor:  Let’s face it part of the lure of owning a bike is that they are fun and rebellious. It’s also about being a part of a community the has only one requirement: that you ride a motorcycle.

Cons:

Having another payment: So along with buy a motorcycle comes a payment and more insurance, but it is cheaper than another car payment and, like I mentioned before, the savings in gas alone pretty much covers the payment. (by my estimates)

Initial Investment: Beyond purchasing a bike there is the cost of Motorcycle Safety courses and buying the protective gear, which could end up being a $1000 or more. Of course this stuff is worth every penny, but it’s a cost that needs to be considered.

The Danger Factor: There’s no dodging the subject motorcycles can be dangerous. There are ways of course in limiting the danger factor like: learning to ride safely and wearing the proper protective gear.

Well that’s all I have for now.

– Jeremy

At lunch I made a Tuna Fillet and some Brown Rice. In the afternoon I had a “100 Calorie Pak” of popcorn and for dinner Nicole and I made chicken breasts, brown rice, green beans, and we each had an ear of corn.

I managed to drink over a half gallon of water.  I am trying ease myself off drink so much soda and get closer to drink a gallon or more of water a day.

I took my starting Stats:

Weight: 302.5 pounds

Neck: 18 inches

Chest: 50.5 inches

Waist: 52 inches

My diet may not be perfect, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.

– Jeremy

I guess if that’s image you want to portray of someone successfully managing their weight so be it, but I would rather people see me lose my weight on the back of a bike and in the kitchen.

– Jeremy

After finding Donald’s blog I started searching for interesting blogs about motorcycling. One I found that I particularly liked is called Forty Years on Two Wheels. Doug Klassen offers insight in to the world of motorcycling that can only be obtained by decades of “being there and doing it”. One post, entitled “Someday Might Slip By” clicked with me instantly. In the post Doug’s advice is get out there and do it because you never know when the opportunity is going to slip by. It’s a very inspiring post and I will try to think of it anytime I feel lazy.

Hopefully you’ll enjoy poking around these two blogs as much as I did!

– Jeremy

I did something similar when I wanted to buy my new kayak. I was suppose to lose a certain amount of weight before I bought the kayak, but I found a good deal before I lost the weight and I never lost the weight. This time around I am more concerned with losing the weight than getting a good deal. With the kayak I was putting money away each week. This time around however I am going to work on paying off any outstanding debts I have, which really aren’t t00 bad. Once I have everything paid off I will take out a loan for the bike. I know it sounds counter intuitive, but trust me the interest rate on a motorcycle loan is much better than on a credit card.

So my goal is to lose approx 40 pounds in the next 26 weeks, which works out to approx 1.5 pounds a week. I have figured out my basal metabolic rate (BMR) using the Harris-Benedict equation. (See the embedded spreadsheet) I also figured in my activity modifier to determine how many calories I need to consume to lose the 1.5 pounds. I will be working on developing some menus and when I have those finished I will post those. On the second sheet of the spreadsheet I figured out how many calories I will be eating at each meal. I will be eating 6 “meals” a day. This practice helps keep your metabolism high and also keeps the urge to snack under control. In the past on similar plans I have tended to have a tough time eating enough calories. It’s hard to eat 3,000 high quality calories in one day. Now 3,000 low quality calories that’s easy.

I will also be drinking a lot of water about a gallon a day to be exact. Why so much water? Several reasons… first when you are properly hydrated your body gives up whatever water it is retaining which is why my first week I will probably lose 6-8 pounds. Second if you aren’t properly hydrated your liver, which converts fat to energy, gets distracted because it has to help your kidneys out. Last but not least it’s hard to workout when you are dehydrated.

Since it’s summer I am planning on doing much of my exercising outside of the gym. I will be riding my bike, lifting some weights at home, walking, playing Frisbee with Nicole, and kayaking. I want to be consistent, but not over do it.