Thanks for your support guys. I thought I'd just let everyone know how I'm getting on in practical terms with a weekend update. First off, I went on the STW Peaks Pootle from Marple. Because I knew I'd need a lot of energy to keep up with some of the local hot shots, I had a fat-burning breakfast consisting of waffles, maple syrup and a banana - the thinking was that because the calories are absorbed quickly, they'd be there to be burned during the ride.
In the course of the ride itself, I ate 16 fig rolls which are low fat and consequently metabolise fat faster by encouraging the body to use its reserves quickly. I also had a small piece of cake, but kept it separate from the half bar of chocolate I consumed. I estimate we rode approximately 18 miles, so afterwards, to recover I ate a Tunnocks Caramel Wafer and a bakewell tart along with a mug of tea with only one sugar added. Note that I didn't consume any beer during the ride.
In the evening I ate Chinese with friends and drank only three bears, but there was no carbohydrate in the meal and I put the rice in a separate bowl to keep the main food groups apart from each other. When I got home I did two sets of ten abdominal crunches.
Today I woke up bright and early and I'm pretty sure my abdomen feels firmer already. OK, there's no visible six-pack yet, but eventually I think the muscles will become defined enough to push through the fat and displace it sideways.
Today I rode over 15 miles in the central Peak with friends. The mileage may seem modest, but the amount of climbing involved was extremely serious. Encouraged by yesterday's success, I ate only a slice of chocolate cake all ride along with three healthy energy bars. After the ride I avoided cake because I'd already had today's portion while on the trail and, instead, ate a bar of Green and Blacks - I ate the whole bar because I was still in credit for yesterday when I ate no chocolate at all.
I'm about to do another two sets of ten crunches and then eat a fish and chip supper. If that sounds extravagant, bear in mind that I am not drinking any beer at all today and had only three last night.
I hope that answers some of the naysayers. As you can see, my diet is realistic and, to my mind, very palatable, but is considerably less than I'd normally consume and MOST IMPORTANTLY I am already starting to see results.
