220 Something!!!

 

Technically 0.8lbs less because I weigh myself in my sleep clothes, but consistency matters!    I kind of do that because I weigh myself before eating and after using the bathroom.   It balances out, and lowers the risk of flashing the neighborhood (I keep the scale in the kitchen where I can't avoid it). 

Anyhoo, 220 something!    yee haw!     Really loving what I'm eating, and I don't feel deprived.   3 meals a day and snacks   (click here, for recipes)

I think the main lesson I've learned this go around is that healthy eating combined with lots of xc skiing is like a super power for losing weight during Winter.    That and the red light/infrared sauna I got back in November has done wonders for fending off my normal Winter depression induced sloth and overeating.

Fingers crossed I've finally figured out the formula that works for me to break the cycle of gaining 20lbs over the Winter, and then struggling to lose it over the Summer moving forward.   I'm really excited to do all the outdoorsy stuff with so much less weight to carry around this Spring.   Heck last time I rode my tour bike was in Oct, and I was 259lbs.      It's going to be weird doing the big hills at least 30lbs lighter.  Like entering a cheat code I hope.     Last time i used the surfski I was over 270; hopefully being 220 something will mean less cold waves swamping the sides.    Frikkin brrr.

Last but not least, I'm going to update my Weight loss plan page above with my snacks.  But here's the current list.   I realized healthy snacking is probably as important as my bean/lentil meal recipes

• dark chocolate covered almonds from BJ's (wellsley branded)
• roasted, unsalted peanuts in the shell (the shells will slow you down)
• wasabi coated almonds (the salt & spices will slow you down)
• a pealed and cored apple or a grapefruit 
• home made sharp cheddar cheese crisps
• search online for recipe, i pat with paper towel to help get rid of the oil after cooking 
• a half slice of 100% rye sourdough with a thin schmear of Nutella and a couple pecans on top 
• VERY much like a cookie, but way more fiber   
• Dates (not for general snacking)
• super calorie dense, but I use them when I'm close to bonking post workout
• 2-3 max per day, each one is 50 calories.   a whole apple is <100 

When out skiing, biking, snowshoeing or whatever, I'll bring 1-2 Clif bars with me.    After exercising for an hour, I try to eat 1 Clif bar per hour while adventuring.    I mix it up with healthy home made rolled oat cookies sometimes too.    You need carbs to keep your muscles going when exercising for hours at a time.

Would a Camper Van be worth it?

 

I've always questioned whether a camper van would be worth the cost.    I personally don't really need it for camping or cross country trips.   My truck and GFC camper work fine for just myself and it's less than half the cost of a camper van, but it would be nice to have a quieter space to sleep overnight when I'm at Cracker Barrels or Walmarts while driving cross country.  It's just hard to justify an expensive camper van when you're not full time van life-ing.   Although, if it kept me from going down the 2nd home route; it makes more sense financially.   

The ones I like are around 200k usd....but maybe I can get a used one in 3-5 years if/when my current Ranger dies.    Or maybe by then, I'll just pull an insane YOLO rationalization.   I figure once I hit 60; it won't be as easy to do the yoga moves when I have to drop down to the truck bed to use the toilet or change my clothes through one of the truck's roof top tent floor openings.     But I've got time before then hopefully.  

I'm still hopeful Ford will make an EREV version of their full size Transit van after they launch the F150 EREV in 2027.    An EREV (extended range electric vehicle) is basically using an all electric drive train.  Electric motors turn the driveshaft or wheels.   But an EREV only has 1/3-1/2 the battery pack of something like a fully electric F-150 Lightning.   You don't need >300 miles of range because they add a gas generator to supply electricity when doing longer road trips, so no more worrying about the batteries running out of power.   They're projecting a 700 mile range with a full tank of gas.   Also, I'd bet they'd have an inverter on it to power tools, which would be perfect for camping purposes too.  Big potential downside may be if the new drivetrain works with smaller trucks/vans.    Wind drag kills range.   Wait and see I guess, in the meantime, I want to focus more on bike touring while my body can still do it.  No point selling the truck just yet.

But today and yesterday (Monday-Tuesday feb 16/17 2026),  Jacqui hung out in the xc ski house while I went xc skiing.   It was 50-60F upstairs(10-15C); they had a woodstove heating the building on the first floor.   But what if she could have hung out in a warmer heated camper van instead?    A camper with a fridge full of snacks and a coffee machine.    A bathroom when needed.   Starlink to stream whatever she wanted?    A bed to nap on, etc.    She said she didn't mind hanging out while I skied, but I still felt a little bad.    If I'd brought my portable diesel heater, I could have set her up in the GFC roof top tent with an air mattress and quilt.   That little heater can get it above 70F/21C when it's 32F/0C out.   If there's a next time, I'll have to ask her if she'd like to try that.   I could turn the Weboost on too and she'd have gotten a much better cell signal.

I skied for about 3 hours each day, and I wouldn't have felt as guilty about it if Jacqui had a nicer hang out spot. After I finished skiing today, if we had a camper van, i would have had a nice spot to change or even shower before driving home for 3 hours.  

I stole this photo to set the mood of my post above

 

Even so, I struggle to justify a van because it's kind of overkill for my style of camping, and I know off grid camping isn't something Jacqui would enjoy.   My truck can get more remote than a van, and it only cost 85k total after I finished adding everything.  $40k for the truck in Jan 2021, and then all this stuff, click here for google sheet summary.       I think I'd also worry about leaving an expensive van at a trailhead.   My friend always worries about his expensive Sprinter based camper van.   He even installed custom deadbolt locks on all the doors.    Still, there are horror stories of thieves just cutting large holes through the sheet metal with a cordless angle grinder, or smashing out windows.   Your best protection is having a camper that doesn't look expensive IMHO.   Hence, why I'd prefer a Grit van that's a little dinged up.

Anyhoo, for winter ski trips like we just did, it's actually hard to find a place to overnight in a van in the Northeast, so we'd likely still get a hotel room somewhere anyway.   The dinner out and a nice Bed & Breakfast is probably why Jacqui would want to tag along (and spending time with me of course!   lol).

But I do like my bike/kayak/hike/ski outings.   Now, that I've lost weight (>60lbs woo woo!), I want to do even more outings.  If Jacqui could tag along when she wanted, but had a mobile version of her bedroom, it helps me justify the cost of a van a lot more.   It was a light bulb moment I guess.  Maybe it makes more sense than I was thinking?   Especially, if it helps me avoid the itch to get a summer house/cottage.   I occasionally think about a small plot of land with just a Yurt, where there's nearby access to all the outdoorsy stuff I like,  but property taxes add up and you get locked into just one area.   On the other hand,  I know, land value goes up, vans depreciate.   

Then again, study Climate Change.   Things are already worse than the most extreme climate models from 20-30 years ago.   Flooding, Forest Fires, stronger Hurricanes... it's all running amok.    Land/homes always appreciating in value isn't going to math that way much longer.   It's not a matter of whether you believe in it, Home insurance companies are already denying coverage based on climate model projections (Florida, California....).   Capitalism has spoken.   Imagine your pretty little plot of land and cabin, but it's all burned to the ground when the nearby forest burned; and the government/insurance company tells you to pound sand.    A nice camper van means you can always just drive away.    God forbid I lose my house, I have a nicer place than most to ride things out  

With more weather extremes, a climate controlled van will make it easier to deal with the madness, and get out to enjoy nature while we still can.

Back on subject... 

One last pro,  if it's just me using a van on a local outdoorsy adventure.    I ALSO get a nice space to take a break, eat my weird bean/lentil health food, take a short nap, etc and maybe go out a second time before driving home.   My truck has it's outdoor Joolca shower stall, but it would be nice to have a more private & warm space to change clothes/take a shower before driving home too.   Especially as I get more old and wrinkly...lol.

I think part of my reluctance has also been I can't see using a van for long, scenic day drives like my friend often does with his wife, and Jacqui and I wouldn't do cross country trips together like they do either.    So I've been judging it through that lens, so I've always landed on a hard NO to getting a van.     On a cross country trip, I think at best, Jacqui would fly out and rough it a couple days before flying back or being dropped off to visit with nearby friends/family while I go off to camp more.    I'd drive the van cross country solo, which is fine.   

But... I do like doing lots of local outdoorsy activities.   A van would make it way more comfortable for Jacqui to tag along (if/when she wants), let me do my thing, she could comfortably read/cross stitch in the van; and then after I finish and clean up, we could dine out somewhere and drive home.

I may have finally figured out a use case that makes sense for Jacqui and I....   Stay tuned!  (semi-joking, it'll still be a few years) 

 

 

Grit Overland Camper Van fanboy

First of all, I'm happy with my Truck.  It's still perfectly fine for me right now.   I'm just thinking out loud and planning for when I'll need to replace the truck (3-5 years?)     And I had an "Ah Ha!" realization on an overnight trip I just did with Jacqui.  I wrote more about that in this blog 

Anyway, I recently found a Ford Transit based camper van I like,  and unlike Vandoit vans; the Grit Overland camper doesn't have any deal breakers.   Before this, a Vandoit was the closest van I liked , but the Grit Overland are darn close to what I've imagined building myself.  They're selling them now, so maybe I could get a used one in a few years   https://gritoverland.com 

A good youtube tour video they put out, around the 9:30 minute mark is the shower setup 

 https://youtu.be/CGrTe4BH_Ac?si=Wy4mrouAvo-CqDt2 

 

Pro's of the Grit van

• It's based on a high roof Ford Transit, 148" wheelbase
• i like Fords and have experience working on my old F150 and current Ranger
• there are far more Ford dealers everywhere for easier service
• no complex diesel emissions control systems like the Sprinter vans
• yes diesel engines last longer, but DEF, diesel, servicing cost more.  
• taller and wider inside than a Sprinter
• All year round camping vs my truck GFC camper, cold days and super hot
•  super well insulated 
• 12 volt ac dometic unit, 6,000btu's, battery can run overnight
• timberline hydronic gasoline heater and hot water, siphons off tank
• Awesome electrical system
• top of the line Lithionics battery, 4kwhr or 8kwhr, heated too.   
• Super easy to replace the battery or victron components if I buy used in a few years.  
• 200 amp charging from 2nd alternator, ford controlled, simple & robust, easy to service at dealer.   easily can recharge after running AC all day or overnight.
• 180 watt solar minimum, can be doubled for extra $
• Inside layout
• lengthwise bed, North/South, in the back,  6'6" long.   I don't fit in side to side bed layouts
• bed folds up out of the way to access the under bed garage space from inside 
• no dedicated bathroom, so more open space
• shower sets up in aisle behind front seats, way more room for my shoulders
• cassette toilet stores under sink, i love my joolca gottago and can use that.
• room to store bicycles under bed inside 
• loads of sitting area,   driver & passenger seats swivel, and bench seat options behind the driver seat with a Laguna table 
• included window covers 
• Exterior stuff that's standard
• awning
• roof maxxair fan 
• dometic 12v ac unit 
• 180 watts solar
• side steps  
• Grit Overland installed upgrades I'd want (another $30-40k, worth it)
• better suspension 
• bigger tires
• steel front bumper with winch
• rock rails 
• off-roading hid lights 
• rear door tire carrier (driver),   storage box (passenger)
• side ladder and side pole for mounting my surfski on driver side above door, not on roof 
• if that won't work, then the thule hullavators, mounted driver side. 
• starlink dish mount and wiring 

 

 

Before discovering the Grit vans and my recent epiphany, I've been considering a Vandoit van.    The only other brand with a lengthwise or North/South bed arrangement.    I know there are slightly bigger vans like the Winnebago Ekkos, but I want something small enough for running errands around town, and the Ekko is big.    I want something i can tow a small trailer with too

Back to the Vandoit vans, they also have a more spartan, open interior, but they use 80/20 which wastes a lot of space IMHO.    Still, better than the land yacht look.    I want something I don't have to clean very often

The bigger cons for me with Vandoit is that they use Method marine based electronics instead of Victron and Lithionics.    The Method battery chemistry is lithium ion, not LFP/lifepo4 (lithium iron phosphate).   LFP batteries do so much better when cold, and LFP last longer, way more charge/recharge cycles than Lithium.  The Method batteries don't even have built-in internal heating either, so once they get below freezing you can't even draw power from them to run the heater to warm them up.    LFP batteries you can draw even if they get down to -5F, you just can't charge them unless they're over 25F.  Lithium ion, you can't charge/draw once they're below 32F.   I'd have to hope the van's dash heater could do warm them , which is doubtful.    It would be a nightmare up in the frequently cold Northeast.   

Also, Vandoit can only pull 50amps off the alternator (vs Grit's build pulling 200amps), which isn't adequate for recharging a battery bank after running AC overnight.   Running AC all night will use at least 400 amp hours, so do the math on how long you'd have to drive to recharge.   Grit 400/200 = 2 hours,  Vandoit 400/50 = 8 hours.     Solar wouldn't help much, only adding 15-20amps per hour in full sun.   Not even sure the Vandoit AC unit is 12volt.   Running an inverter adds more draw.   Vandoit isn't as well insulated either.   To run the Vandoit AC all night (assuming it could), you'd have to go to a campsite with electric power to recharge your batteries, or figure out how to use EV charging maybe.   That's a hard pass for me.

 And....they cost the same!   No thanks.

Vandoit would be closer though.  Missouri (Vandoit), Grit Overland (made in Washington state) if there are warranty issues.

Maybe in 2027, I'll do a shop tour at Grit Overland, if things go to plan and I do a cross country bike trip next year.     I'll be flying out to Washington anyway.   Jacqui can tag along for that if she wants.     

 

Technically, no longer obese!

 Just barely though, so as I bounce around weight-wise this week, it won't be technically true.   And I'm probably a tick under 6'2" now too, but WHO CARES!!!

At 6'2", stepping on the scale seeing 233.9, subtracting 0.8lbs for clothing, I'm 233.1   which is a BMI of 29.9     Overweight is 25-29.9.   So I'm just barely, baaaaarrrrrrley   out of the obese range, but I'll take it!

 Time to go do my morning workout, celebrate the little wins!    

Not stopping here.   The goal is to get well under 220lbs.   I want my new max weight to be 220, so I'm shooting for the lower 210's to have a buffer.

Will keep on the Mediterranean diet and continue the daily weight checks as a lifestyle.    might even bring a scale when I go on long camping trips in the truck camper.    It's more about joint health though, so I don't think i'll get a scale that does body fat.   I don't want to obsess over that too.

 

Next day update....   weigh-in was 232.8!!!!     I think I've been retaining water because I've been hitting the local xc ski trails hard.    I keep relearning my body likes to retain water when I'm pushing harder than normal and my muscles get sore.     It's just weird because I go through these cycles of seeing the same number day after day on the scale, and then all of a sudden over a couple days, there's a massive 2 pound drop.

 

A failed week? Not really...

Part of why i track my weight in a spreadsheet is for when I have weeks like this.   Weight went up and down a few times.   I felt like I was failing this week.    But looking at the numbers, I still lost a pound this week.   Now that I weigh less, losing 1 lb a week is my new goal.     At some point, I"ll have to accept a half pound a week most likely.

Anyway, I've noticed that when I exercise harder than normal, in this case lots of xc skiing, I'll retain water as my body tries to heal up sore muscles.    Throws the daily weigh-ins off.    Could be the added exercise pushes me to overeat too.   Who knows?    Weirdly though, I didn't feel hungry this week, more like I was bloated/constipated.     TMI, I know, but I share that just to say I'm not ravenous or starving myself.

 

And....while I still ate healthy this week, I think my retrospective lesson is that I can't eat my black bean patty recipe AND this higher calorie red lentil curry every day and still lose weight.   The recipes are still very healthy, just heavier calorie-wise.   With the lentil curry I did air fry a bunch of cauliflower to lessen the caloric hit, but it has a full can of regular fat coconut milk in it.   I need to find an easier Indian, lower calorie lentil soup recipe i like.   I have a butternut squash based one, but it's a fair amount of work.   

I made my mexican lentil soup yesterday, and I think that helped me have a good weigh-in today.  https://www.cookingclassy.com/mexican-lentil-soup/#jump-to-recipe 

I need to make a video on my approach to soups like that.    The 2 main things I do is a bit of sauteeing to add flavor before putting everything in the instant pot to finish cooking, and the second is I'll reserve a little bit of the instant pot contents with a slotted spoon before pureeing the rest.    It makes a creamy soup that still has some textured bites, so you don't feel like you're eating nursing home gruel.

 Anyway, today is the Superbowl.   Patriots fans are so spoiled.  I'm going to splurge with home made sushi for lunch, and my 50% whole wheat sourdough pizza for dinner.   I've learned to only eat 2 slices out of 8 and to eat a big salad so I don't pig out.   It's actually satisfying and I avoid the blood sugar crash/nap I used to get after eating pizza.   We normally eat at old people/farmer hours for dinner (5p.m.) so if I have the salad then, I can hold off on the pizza until 6-6:30.

I did get a couple new toys for my xc skiing this week.   A boot and glove dryer and a winter camelbak/backpack.    

Boot and glove dryer, https://a.co/d/0gdEJGgP 

I like you can turn off the heater and just run air.    the heater and fan is in the center and it forces the air out of the 4 towers in the corners.       Skiing every day, I was wondering why my feet would get cold sometimes, and I realized it was because my ski boots hadn't dried out fully from the day before.   Problem solved!    Great for after snowblowing and drying my gear out. 

 

 Insulated CamelBak backpack   https://a.co/d/0dRh9B3P 

 It has a 2 liter water reservoir.   I've found I just wasn't drinking as much as I should while skiing.   I tried my regular camelbak that has an insulated sleeve, but if I didn't drink every 15 minutes it would freeze the line.    This bag works much better, and it has extra storage for day hikes/ski outings.   for food and extra hats/gloves/clothes.   The insulation might help keep the water cool on hot summer hikes; I'll find out this Summer

 

 

 I'd bought a two pack of these back ventilation things to help your back not get so sweaty.   It does fit with this camelbak, just barely.  Helps that i've lost weight i suppose.   Even in the cold temps i wore it.  my xc ski jacket has vents on the back.   You get sweaty skiing, and wet clothes get cold.   Need ventilation.

https://vauclusegear.com/products/ultralight-ventilation-backpack-frame