This is what I do:
Set up exercise bike such that you can play candy games easily (kindle/ipad/etc on a shelf or platform). Also read books or watch movies. That 45m will go by really fast too.
One meal a day is a good weight loss plan too. Saves on food. dietdoctor.com has a lot of info (not shilling for them, a lot of it is free)
Thanks for the ping. The ataxia symptoms put my head on a swivel. Will pass this on to the wife. We have discussed the potential for long term neurological deficits.