Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - My story, and my challenge.

On June 14, 2005 I weighed in at a hefty 567.4 pounds. I couldn't walk up the two flights of stairs to my apartment without being out of breath. Lifting a regular PC was a challenge. My back constantly hurt, and I had no energy. Then I got sick of it.

Did I get your attention? Good, I'm hoping my story shows that no matter where you are, with determination you can get your life back.

I won't make excuses for my weight. I was lazy, and I ate horribly. That's why I weighed that much. Nobody, including my doctor, could tell by looking at me that I weighed that much. He was 100 pounds off on his estimate. But at that point I knew I had two choices, I was 28 years old and continuing on that path was a good way to sign my own death warrant. I could either have surgery, or I could start a drastic diet. I *HATE* needles, being cut up, and anything related.

So I found a clinic who offered a drastic plan. 800 calories of liquid a day for 12 weeks, with a gradual transition back to food. My sister did it, along with some friends and they all lost a substantial amount of weight and kept it off. And I did it. I didn't eat any "food" for a month, after a month I'd start having veggies on occasion. I excercised religiously, drank a ton of water a day, etc.

In November of 2005 I was down to 407-ish. I was back on food, and relaxed a little over the winter, dropping another 5 lbs between December and March, but not caring too much. I kept active, enjoyed things I never thought I would, and just basically enjoyed my new lease on life.

Then in March of 2006 I was involved in a horrible car accident. My back was messed up, along with most of my body so I got out of the excercise routine. I put 30lbs back on between March and June. Frustrated with my back pain, on a whim I jumped on an old Raleigh MTB in my parents garage. It's probably the second-smartest thing I ever did.

Since June I've put about 1,000 bike miles on the Raleigh, and a Specialized Hardrock I treated myself to in August. I dropped about 5 lbs and gained legs that look like tree trunks. Then I got engaged.

So my challenge now is to drop down to 225-250 by August of 2008. I'm getting married then, and I want to look damn good. I also want to finally be "in shape" so I can enjoy my life with my soon-to-be-wife and soon-to-be-stepchildren.

To jump start it, a friend has lost about 20lbs since July by buying a bunch of Bianchis and riding like hell. So at the start of September I challenged him. I told him that I could lose 50 lbs before he lost another 20. Loser buys the winner dinner that won't exceed $25. To add her support, my fiancee made a side bet with him for $20 that I would win.

So I started again watching carefull what I ate and excercising. In the past 21 days I've lost 29.3 lbs, and haven't felt better. I *will* lose 50 by 1/1/2007, but my goal is to lose 75.

What I love is that even though I'm a big guy, I still will pass skinny roadies :). Nothing finer than the look on the face of a guy riding a Madone as a big guy on a Specialized MTB passes him going 28-29mph on a straightaway :).

That's me. I'm very glad I found bikeforums, and glad this forum started.

On June 14, 2005 I weighed in at a hefty 567.4 pounds. I couldn't walk up the two flights of stairs to my apartment without being out of breath. Lifting a regular PC was a challenge. My back constantly hurt, and I had no energy. Then I got sick of it.

Did I get your attention? Good, I'm hoping my story shows that no matter where you are, with determination you can get your life back.

I won't make excuses for my weight. I was lazy, and I ate horribly. That's why I weighed that much. Nobody, including my doctor, could tell by looking at me that I weighed that much. He was 100 pounds off on his estimate. But at that point I knew I had two choices, I was 28 years old and continuing on that path was a good way to sign my own death warrant. I could either have surgery, or I could start a drastic diet. I *HATE* needles, being cut up, and anything related.

So I found a clinic who offered a drastic plan. 800 calories of liquid a day for 12 weeks, with a gradual transition back to food. My sister did it, along with some friends and they all lost a substantial amount of weight and kept it off. And I did it. I didn't eat any "food" for a month, after a month I'd start having veggies on occasion. I excercised religiously, drank a ton of water a day, etc.

In November of 2005 I was down to 407-ish. I was back on food, and relaxed a little over the winter, dropping another 5 lbs between December and March, but not caring too much. I kept active, enjoyed things I never thought I would, and just basically enjoyed my new lease on life.

Then in March of 2006 I was involved in a horrible car accident. My back was messed up, along with most of my body so I got out of the excercise routine. I put 30lbs back on between March and June. Frustrated with my back pain, on a whim I jumped on an old Raleigh MTB in my parents garage. It's probably the second-smartest thing I ever did.

Since June I've put about 1,000 bike miles on the Raleigh, and a Specialized Hardrock I treated myself to in August. I dropped about 5 lbs and gained legs that look like tree trunks. Then I got engaged.

So my challenge now is to drop down to 225-250 by August of 2008. I'm getting married then, and I want to look damn good. I also want to finally be "in shape" so I can enjoy my life with my soon-to-be-wife and soon-to-be-stepchildren.

To jump start it, a friend has lost about 20lbs since July by buying a bunch of Bianchis and riding like hell. So at the start of September I challenged him. I told him that I could lose 50 lbs before he lost another 20. Loser buys the winner dinner that won't exceed $25. To add her support, my fiancee made a side bet with him for $20 that I would win.

So I started again watching carefull what I ate and excercising. In the past 21 days I've lost 29.3 lbs, and haven't felt better. I *will* lose 50 by 1/1/2007, but my goal is to lose 75.

What I love is that even though I'm a big guy, I still will pass skinny roadies :). Nothing finer than the look on the face of a guy riding a Madone as a big guy on a Specialized MTB passes him going 28-29mph on a straightaway :).

That's me. I'm very glad I found bikeforums, and glad this forum started.
Absolutely outstanding! I went the surgery route, mainly because I was about dead! 581, wheelchair bound and on Oxygen! Now I'm 232 and an endurance rider with a personal best of 167 miles in 11.5 hrs! I can't tell you how impressed I am though with your results so far! Keep it up and yopu are a welcome addition to this subforum as far as I am concerned! I agree with you by the way as far as the expression on one of those CF riding whippets on bikes as you blow'em off the road passing them! Especially when you are in a road race and they are riding as hard as they can in a pack and you break away and flat stomp them in the final sprint on your steel framed 20 year old Raleigh, in my case!

Freakin' awesome! Congrats and keep going!

That's great to hear. Keep it up, err I mean down!

Well done! Its not easy for people to start and stick when they are so heavy to start with. I know this is a bike forum and this may be seen as heresy, but if you can find a propper running track, i.e. ones with the rubber feeling to them, then I advise you start off nice and easy and go a couple of times a week and just do what you can. Jogging is by far the best calorie burner for heavy people because there is no way to coast. Of course there are considerations like connective tissue and joints, but even if you are doing nothing more than a fast shuffle it will still be burning up a lot. It will also use different muscles which will bring up your LBM and thus increase calorie burn. Another nice thing about a track is that you can always see the end, its not like running on a raod to a specific location, you are always in a comfort zone knowing exactly where you are. Each lap is only about 500m so a lap a week increase is easily do-able and soon you will be doing 10 laps (which is about as much as I can do without getting too bored of it)


Get scientific on it as well, get a heart rate monitor and stay in the zones for optimum heart rate. Every single advantage that you can take, you should use.

What does your diet look like now and what is your activity level?

Well done! Its not easy for people to start and stick when they are so heavy to start with. I know this is a bike forum and this may be seen as heresy, but if you can find a propper running track, i.e. ones with the rubber feeling to them, then I advise you start off nice and easy and go a couple of times a week and just do what you can. Jogging is by far the best calorie burner for heavy people because there is no way to coast. Of course there are considerations like connective tissue and joints, but even if you are doing nothing more than a fast shuffle it will still be burning up a lot. It will also use different muscles which will bring up your LBM and thus increase calorie burn. Another nice thing about a track is that you can always see the end, its not like running on a raod to a specific location, you are always in a comfort zone knowing exactly where you are. Each lap is only about 500m so a lap a week increase is easily do-able and soon you will be doing 10 laps (which is about as much as I can do without getting too bored of it)


Actually jogging is terrible, because jogging is high impact, it's hard on the hips, back and knees, especially for someone well above their ideal weight, and when they get sore knees and a back ache, then they quit.

Cycling on the other hand is low impact (unless you fall off :cry: ), , if you want to eliminate coasting, get a fixie, with a fixie if the wheels are turning, so are the pedals. Another good low impact exercise is swimming. Hmmm, maybe bike to the gym, then go for a swim:D

Actually jogging is terrible, because jogging is high impact, it's hard on the hips, back and knees, especially for someone well above their ideal weight, and when they get sore knees and a back ache, then they quit.

Cycling on the other hand is low impact (unless you fall off :cry: ), , if you want to eliminate coasting, get a fixie, with a fixie if the wheels are turning, so are the pedals. Another good low impact exercise is swimming. Hmmm, maybe bike to the gym, then go for a swim:D

I wrote

Of course there are considerations like connective tissue and joints

The OP wrote

I dropped about 5 lbs and gained legs that look like tree trunks.

I wrote

but even if you are doing nothing more than a fast shuffle it will still be burning up a lot.

I have trained all sorts from Highschool girls to 50 yr old librarians and everything in between. I have seen what various exercises can do, what the body will do, how it will adapt given the proper nutrition and rest periods. Motivated people are that, wannabe's are that. I stand by my comment that jogging is by far the fastest way for heavy people to burn lots of calories. If jogging isnt low impact I dont know what is.

Great job your an inspiration, i am happy i started snooping around bikeforums a little more

That's all fine and well, but one of the reasons I put on the weight is a late-night drunken snow football accident that left me with a torn MCL and partially torn ACL in my left knee. I simply CANNOT jog anything near long distances without excruciating pain both during, and for days after. The same is true with long hikes/walks. I did a 16 mile hike over a weekend early this spring and was eating Ibuprofen like candy for a week after.

I know, surgery, etc. Frankly the best thing I've done for that knee is lose weight. Before I could hardly walk and was constantly in pain when I did.

And.. I don't LIKE jogging :). I like hiking, I like the elliptical, and I LOVE biking. I just have never liked jogging/running and don't see that changing. It could burn 10 times the calories of what I'm doing and I still wouldn't like it :).

Now, as far as my nutrition I've become somewhat of a Nazi. I do not eat fast food or fried foods, period. Instead I focus on vegetables, meats, and grains. For example, for lunch today I'll have a can of green beans with a tuna sandwich on Healthy Choice grain bread. Breakfast was a Nature's Valley granola bar and a liter of Diet MT Dew (my vice, I love it :)).

As far as heart rate, I'm golden. I am lucky to work for a medical supply distributor, so I was able to borrow a VERRRY nice heart rate monitor during a couple rides. After the rides I plugged it into the PC and with the data from my Magellan GPS I was able to see that I do a very good job of keeping in a healthy zone. This also benefited us, a couple sales folks like to show off the map and HRM software now ;). That combined with my time on the elliptical that has a built in HRM, I'm able to safely guage my workouts and keep in a good zone.

For activity level, I try to do SOMETHING every day. Be it even a quick 15 minute "jog" on the elliptical, I still try to get something in daily. My schedule has been INSANE lately, and this is an example since Friday of how I "get it in":
Friday (14 hour workday): 5 mile round-trip ride to lunch in work clothes, fast paced enough to just break a sweat on a 60 degree day.
Saturday (work in the AM, fun in the PM): Awoke at 0645, on the trail by 0730. Fast 10 mile round-trip ride that was completed in 32 minutes. 2 minutes late to work. Oops :). Ran around chasing soon-to-be-stepson in brother's yard during a family party in the evening.
Sunday (volunteer work in AM, family all afternoon): Instead of walking during airshow, signed up for bike patrol. Put 7 miles on throughout the am.
Monday: Post-work 17 mile ride. Total ride time was 1h 18min.
Tuesday: Post-work ride. "Out" leg of 21 traffic-clogged miles for a ride time of 1h 45m. "Home" ride of 7 miles in 38 mins.

Anyway, that's what I'm doing. YMMV :)


Well done! Its not easy for people to start and stick when they are so heavy to start with. I know this is a bike forum and this may be seen as heresy, but if you can find a propper running track, i.e. ones with the rubber feeling to them, then I advise you start off nice and easy and go a couple of times a week and just do what you can. Jogging is by far the best calorie burner for heavy people because there is no way to coast. Of course there are considerations like connective tissue and joints, but even if you are doing nothing more than a fast shuffle it will still be burning up a lot. It will also use different muscles which will bring up your LBM and thus increase calorie burn. Another nice thing about a track is that you can always see the end, its not like running on a raod to a specific location, you are always in a comfort zone knowing exactly where you are. Each lap is only about 500m so a lap a week increase is easily do-able and soon you will be doing 10 laps (which is about as much as I can do without getting too bored of it)


Get scientific on it as well, get a heart rate monitor and stay in the zones for optimum heart rate. Every single advantage that you can take, you should use.

What does your diet look like now and what is your activity level?

outstanding and inspirational stay focused and meet your goal

Actually jogging is terrible, because jogging is high impact, it's hard on the hips, back and knees, especially for someone well above their ideal weight, and when they get sore knees and a back ache, then they quit.

Cycling on the other hand is low impact (unless you fall off :cry: ), , if you want to eliminate coasting, get a fixie, with a fixie if the wheels are turning, so are the pedals. Another good low impact exercise is swimming. Hmmm, maybe bike to the gym, then go for a swim:D

I'm sure if someone actually worked with me on technique, running/jogging might be a better calorie burner then cycling.

but I've tried to start running every year since I started college and never been able to stick with it longer than a month. every time I quite because running=pain...not "ow I skinned my knee" or "my underdeveloped lungs are burning" but "dear god my lower legs feel like I'm walking on bloody stumps" pain.

Meanwhile I've been riding my bike consistently since I bought it mid-June, and aside from the burning lungs, I feel better than I ever have. I do plan on starting running, but not before I'm in a little better shape and have someone who can correct lots of bad technique.

F=MA...the heavier you are, the more running hurts, plain and simple.

+1 for the fixie idea.

to the OP: You rock dude! I think you'll win your bet as long as you stay determined and don't overtrain.

I'm sure if someone actually worked with me on technique, running/jogging might be a better calorie burner then cycling.

but I've tried to start running every year since I started college and never been able to stick with it longer than a month. every time I quite because running=pain...not "ow I skinned my knee" or "my underdeveloped lungs are burning" but "dear god my lower legs feel like I'm walking on bloody stumps" pain.

Meanwhile I've been riding my bike consistently since I bought it mid-June, and aside from the burning lungs, I feel better than I ever have. I do plan on starting running, but not before I'm in a little better shape and have someone who can correct lots of bad technique.

F=MA...the heavier you are, the more running hurts, plain and simple.

+1 for the fixie idea.

to the OP: You rock dude! I think you'll win your bet as long as you stay determined and don't overtrain.
I disagree with this statement from a physiological standpoint. Cycling is a better aerobic workout and consumes calories at about 2X the rate of jogging or a little less.

Check out the comparisons on this calculator engine at the link: http://www.wvda.org/calcs/sport.html

Thanks for all the support! This really is a great forum, and good to find others in similar situations. There are so many stigmas with weight that it's not often you can find a group you are comfortable talking about such things with.

Anyway, my goal was to do 100 miles this week and get 200 miles in for the month. By FAR this month has been my lowest, with lots of work commitments and weather hindering my rides. In august I had right around 250-350 miles. But, when I don't ride, I'm on the elliptical. Today I've had some uncomfortableness since the AM, and I know if I ride tonight it will just get worse. Instead of spending the weekend hurting, I'm opting for a "day off". I'll either really have to kick it in the ass thursday and friday (I'm at 53 miles for the week) or just accept that I had a slow month. Hopefully October will be a damn good month, because Nebraska will start turning into a frozen tundra ASAP :).

However, it does feel good that in this week I've done 53 bike miles, but only 3 miles in my vehicle. :D

Tom: Also, thanks for the endorsement. Your story was the one that gave me the "balls" to post my weight and full story.

Finally, tonight my fiancee is going to help me finally clean out my closet. All the clothes that are too terribly ridiculously big for me are going away. If anyone needs good 4x-6x clothes, let me know, they are free if you pay shipping. Otherwise I'm going to donate them to charity - no reason to keep them around, I'm NEVER going back to that size.

Thanks for all the support! This really is a great forum, and good to find others in similar situations. There are so many stigmas with weight that it's not often you can find a group you are comfortable talking about such things with.

Anyway, my goal was to do 100 miles this week and get 200 miles in for the month. By FAR this month has been my lowest, with lots of work commitments and weather hindering my rides. In august I had right around 250-350 miles. But, when I don't ride, I'm on the elliptical. Today I've had some uncomfortableness since the AM, and I know if I ride tonight it will just get worse. Instead of spending the weekend hurting, I'm opting for a "day off". I'll either really have to kick it in the ass thursday and friday (I'm at 53 miles for the week) or just accept that I had a slow month. Hopefully October will be a damn good month, because Nebraska will start turning into a frozen tundra ASAP :).

However, it does feel good that in this week I've done 53 bike miles, but only 3 miles in my vehicle. :D

Tom: Also, thanks for the endorsement. Your story was the one that gave me the "balls" to post my weight and full story.

Finally, tonight my fiancee is going to help me finally clean out my closet. All the clothes that are too terribly ridiculously big for me are going away. If anyone needs good 4x-6x clothes, let me know, they are free if you pay shipping. Otherwise I'm going to donate them to charity - no reason to keep them around, I'm NEVER going back to that size.
Make sure you keep ONE pair of those ridiculously big pants! They will be a better motivation than anything else! (Valid Psych principle: Skinner's Operant Conditioning model!):D

I just read the whole thread...as everyone else has said..good work and keep it up. Your story really hits home with me. Before my accident in april im what you would have called a healthy big at about 290-300lbs at 6 foot 2. Ive always been big but muscular. In april i was in a bad car wreck myself and i put on about 45-50lbs. The woman that hit me was not paying attention and blew through a redlight and hit me head on at 50mph. She was in a full size lincoln style car, i was in my baby..a small nissan se-r. In one swoop this careless driver could have killed me, she did destroy my car which just about killed me.

Im on the comeback trail now but alot of my problem is i cant walk far at all anymore. She did damage to my spine and if i walk any kind of distance my whole left side goes numb. I love my bike,,its a trek and when my settlement is all said and done im treating myself to a cannondale synapse or a specialized Allez. I wish i could walk again. A quarter mile and im shot for walking. If you can do it so can i. You had a bigger hill then i to climb and it really does inspire us who have gotten down over the weight. Congrats on your ingagement and keep loosing weight and definately keep us posted. BTW heres whats left of my baby. Im a car guy and i still have the car in my drive way..my wife loves that.lol. I tried to turn away from the woman but she still got me. Pics dont do the wreckage justice.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/nismoclassic/IMAG0053.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/nismoclassic/IMAG0052.jpg
this car was just about finished up with a restoration done by my vreind and i...it was going in the paint shop this summer

that post is from me magoolc1^^^im on under my wifes acc and didnt know it...lol.

Make sure you keep ONE pair of those ridiculously big pants! They will be a better motivation than anything else! (Valid Psych principle: Skinner's Operant Conditioning model!):D

+1 on keeping one pair of those ridiculously big pants!

You can take some great photos at the end of your journey.

I call this one

Whole family in my pants


http://www.morrow-online.com:8080/Whole_Family_In_My_Pants.jpg

I just read the whole thread...as everyone else has said..good work and keep it up. Your story really hits home with me. Before my accident in april im what you would have called a healthy big at about 290-300lbs at 6 foot 2. Ive always been big but muscular. In april i was in a bad car wreck myself and i put on about 45-50lbs. The woman that hit me was not paying attention and blew through a redlight and hit me head on at 50mph. She was in a full size lincoln style car, i was in my baby..a small nissan se-r. In one swoop this careless driver could have killed me, she did destroy my car which just about killed me.

Im on the comeback trail now but alot of my problem is i cant walk far at all anymore. She did damage to my spine and if i walk any kind of distance my whole left side goes numb. I love my bike,,its a trek and when my settlement is all said and done im treating myself to a cannondale synapse or a specialized Allez. I wish i could walk again. A quarter mile and im shot for walking. If you can do it so can i. You had a bigger hill then i to climb and it really does inspire us who have gotten down over the weight. Congrats on your ingagement and keep loosing weight and definately keep us posted. BTW heres whats left of my baby. Im a car guy and i still have the car in my drive way..my wife loves that.lol. I tried to turn away from the woman but she still got me. Pics dont do the wreckage justice.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/nismoclassic/IMAG0053.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/nismoclassic/IMAG0052.jpg
this car was just about finished up with a restoration done by my vreind and i...it was going in the paint shop this summer
Magool, you might want to consider a recumbent or even a recumbent trike if you have spinal nerve damage. Just a thought! That said, we'll all be pulling for you!

Check out page 3 of this one.

http://www.cyclo-vets.org/masterlink/ml06/06aprmlweb.pdf

Oh, and if you have back issues, or any other issues, I highly recommend a recumbent, I prefer the Bacchetta's (http://www.bacchettabikes.com) myself, great company, great bikes.

Wow, I totally sympathize. I would have probably walked away from my accident with some sorness and bumps and bruises, but to top everything off I wasn't wearing my seatbelt that day. It's like they said, it only takes one drive.. uggh. I had a full-ton Chevy pickup pull out in front of me as I was doing just under the 50mph speed limit on a road. By some act of God I was spared, but the road since then has been riddled with pain and medical bills. His insurance company, Farmers, is a big bunch of rotten ass.. well.. you get the idea. I had to get a lawyer, and it's gotten messy.

All I can say is keep on it. Some days are definitely worse than others, but just keep pushing away little by little. When I tore my knee up, due to my weight the doctors thought I would never really walk again. Now I can walk, with a little pain every once in awile.

My hat is off to you, and definitely keep us posted on your recovery.


I just read the whole thread...as everyone else has said..good work and keep it up. Your story really hits home with me. Before my accident in april im what you would have called a healthy big at about 290-300lbs at 6 foot 2. Ive always been big but muscular. In april i was in a bad car wreck myself and i put on about 45-50lbs. The woman that hit me was not paying attention and blew through a redlight and hit me head on at 50mph. She was in a full size lincoln style car, i was in my baby..a small nissan se-r. In one swoop this careless driver could have killed me, she did destroy my car which just about killed me.

Im on the comeback trail now but alot of my problem is i cant walk far at all anymore. She did damage to my spine and if i walk any kind of distance my whole left side goes numb. I love my bike,,its a trek and when my settlement is all said and done im treating myself to a cannondale synapse or a specialized Allez. I wish i could walk again. A quarter mile and im shot for walking. If you can do it so can i. You had a bigger hill then i to climb and it really does inspire us who have gotten down over the weight. Congrats on your ingagement and keep loosing weight and definately keep us posted. BTW heres whats left of my baby. Im a car guy and i still have the car in my drive way..my wife loves that.lol. I tried to turn away from the woman but she still got me. Pics dont do the wreckage justice.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/nismoclassic/IMAG0053.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/nismoclassic/IMAG0052.jpg
this car was just about finished up with a restoration done by my vreind and i...it was going in the paint shop this summer

WOW!! Well, seeing that I know I can do it :).

Last night I almost had one of those moments. I had a pair of my pants and shirt from my largest era, a pair of pants I almost stopped wearing because they got too tight. Even already wearing jeans, I could have gotten my fiancee in there with me. Amazing. The shirt was just the same, it looked like a tent!

I packed up all the other "fat clothes" and plan to take them to the clinic that oversaw my diet. Lots of new jackets and winter clothes, and various other stuff. Hopefully someone else can get good use out of them.

But there's still that set of clothes. I'm going to keep them around, just to know where I've been. :D


+1 on keeping one pair of those ridiculously big pants!

You can take some great photos at the end of your journey.

I call this one

Whole family in my pants


http://www.morrow-online.com:8080/Whole_Family_In_My_Pants.jpg

Thanks guys..so far im doing good on my trek mtb, but i cant walk long distances. I have more pics of the car but there big pics and i dont like to post them. Thank heavens i had a seatbelt on. I still hit the windsheild with my head,,and since im over six foot both knees hit the dash..and you know how when your keys hang from the ignition? When i hit the dash one of my keys went completely into my leg hit the bone and bent in a horseshoe shape...ouchey!

+1 on keeping one pair of those ridiculously big pants!

You can take some great photos at the end of your journey.

I call this one

Whole family in my pants


That is just incredible. I have kind of the opposite thing going now days, I've got a chest full of pants that use to fit, I'd say damn near $1000 worth. Almost all in "near mint" condition.

I've got them all stacked on top of my dresser now. It gauls me that they're essentially worthless, which in turn enforces my weight loss regime.

I've also started buy cycling stuff the next size down from my current fit, again spurring the wasted if I don't lose it mentality.

On June 14, 2005 I weighed in at a hefty 567.4 pounds. I couldn't walk up the two flights of stairs to my apartment without being out of breath. Lifting a regular PC was a challenge. My back constantly hurt, and I had no energy. Then I got sick of it.

Did I get your attention? Good, I'm hoping my story shows that no matter where you are, with determination you can get your life back.....


...That's me. I'm very glad I found bikeforums, and glad this forum started.

And now Big Ben is riding 135 miles in a day. What a success story! Let me lead the cheers, if I may, for Big Ben! Hip hip, hurrah!

I'll throw my cheer in!:thumb:

I had never read this thread, and am glad it was resurrected. I'm just simply in awe.

Today is a big day for Ben and I've been thinking about him since I got up this morning. Neil, you have a few miles to do today as well, I believe.

Rock on guys.

I'll throw my cheer in!:thumb:

I had never read this thread, and am glad it was resurrected. I'm just simply in awe.

Today is a big day for Ben and I've been thinking about him since I got up this morning. Neil, you have a few miles to do today as well, I believe.

Rock on guys.

Big Ben sent a text a couple of hours ago. He was at mile 92 and suffering. He was aiming for 107 before deciding what to do next.

He's in the end game though, Neil. I won't be at all surprised if he takes a wee break at 107 and gets his third wind. Miles 80-95 are usually pretty cruddy for everyone on a Century or longer ride.

He's in the end game though, Neil. I won't be at all surprised if he takes a wee break at 107 and gets his third wind. Miles 80-95 are usually pretty cruddy for everyone on a Century or longer ride.

I agree. I was playing Job on my century ride last year around miles 75-80.

Update from Big Ben, as of 5 PM Eastern Daylight Time. He's reached mile 107, and he's going for the rest. "I can't stop now" he text-messaged me. "Only 35 to go." ONLY?!?

I agree. I was playing Job on my century ride last year around miles 75-80.

Update from Big Ben, as of 5 PM Eastern Daylight Time. He's reached mile 107, and he's going for the rest. "I can't stop now" he text-messaged me. "Only 35 to go." ONLY?!?

6:05 EDT. Mile 120, and Ben has leg cramps. He's taking Ibuprofen and moving on. I've texted him to drink, and stretch the cramped muscle.

When I ride cross country next year, I need to spend a day with Big Ben. If only it didn't mean riding in Nebraska. :cry:

Whoa, another thanks guys! I would have done the 150 had the cramps hadn't came in, I'm sure, which is probably a symptom of the hydration issues between mile 66 and 85. It caught up to me late, and hard, never want to do that again :).

And Neil, you are more than welcome. I would, however, recommend you take a more northernly route. Not only is the scenery here mostly lacking on highways, but those "roller" hills will destroy your soul.. no kidding :)

Whoa, another thanks guys! I would have done the 150 had the cramps hadn't came in, I'm sure, which is probably a symptom of the hydration issues between mile 66 and 85. It caught up to me late, and hard, never want to do that again :).

And Neil, you are more than welcome. I would, however, recommend you take a more northernly route. Not only is the scenery here mostly lacking on highways, but those "roller" hills will destroy your soul.. no kidding :)

Nothing destroys the riders soul faster, then going down a hill, knowing you need to go up, and realizing half way down that some @#$%^&* idiot with the traffic department decided that the bottom was the perfect place for a stop sign. :cry:

Congrats!!

Congratulations!!

Wow! Talk about an inspirational story -----

And, I thought I was doing well to go from 210 to 180!

Now, I know I will get back down below 175.

Thanks for the push!!!!!!!!!!!

And, congrats for your superhuman efforts...

It is stories like these that keep me pushing on when i think i can t go any further, thanks you for sharing




Eraven
Down to 280 from 340

On June 14, 2005 I weighed in at a hefty 567.4 pounds. I couldn't walk up the two flights of stairs to my apartment without being out of breath. Lifting a regular PC was a challenge. My back constantly hurt, and I had no energy. Then I got sick of it.

Did I get your attention? Good, I'm hoping my story shows that no matter where you are, with determination you can get your life back.

I won't make excuses for my weight. I was lazy, and I ate horribly. That's why I weighed that much. Nobody, including my doctor, could tell by looking at me that I weighed that much. He was 100 pounds off on his estimate. But at that point I knew I had two choices, I was 28 years old and continuing on that path was a good way to sign my own death warrant. I could either have surgery, or I could start a drastic diet. I *HATE* needles, being cut up, and anything related.

So I found a clinic who offered a drastic plan. 800 calories of liquid a day for 12 weeks, with a gradual transition back to food. My sister did it, along with some friends and they all lost a substantial amount of weight and kept it off. And I did it. I didn't eat any "food" for a month, after a month I'd start having veggies on occasion. I excercised religiously, drank a ton of water a day, etc.

In November of 2005 I was down to 407-ish. I was back on food, and relaxed a little over the winter, dropping another 5 lbs between December and March, but not caring too much. I kept active, enjoyed things I never thought I would, and just basically enjoyed my new lease on life.

Then in March of 2006 I was involved in a horrible car accident. My back was messed up, along with most of my body so I got out of the excercise routine. I put 30lbs back on between March and June. Frustrated with my back pain, on a whim I jumped on an old Raleigh MTB in my parents garage. It's probably the second-smartest thing I ever did.

Since June I've put about 1,000 bike miles on the Raleigh, and a Specialized Hardrock I treated myself to in August. I dropped about 5 lbs and gained legs that look like tree trunks. Then I got engaged.

So my challenge now is to drop down to 225-250 by August of 2008. I'm getting married then, and I want to look damn good. I also want to finally be "in shape" so I can enjoy my life with my soon-to-be-wife and soon-to-be-stepchildren.

To jump start it, a friend has lost about 20lbs since July by buying a bunch of Bianchis and riding like hell. So at the start of September I challenged him. I told him that I could lose 50 lbs before he lost another 20. Loser buys the winner dinner that won't exceed $25. To add her support, my fiancee made a side bet with him for $20 that I would win.

So I started again watching carefull what I ate and excercising. In the past 21 days I've lost 29.3 lbs, and haven't felt better. I *will* lose 50 by 1/1/2007, but my goal is to lose 75.

What I love is that even though I'm a big guy, I still will pass skinny roadies :). Nothing finer than the look on the face of a guy riding a Madone as a big guy on a Specialized MTB passes him going 28-29mph on a straightaway :).

That's me. I'm very glad I found bikeforums, and glad this forum started.

Bumped in honor of BDinger's return.

I'm glad you did. I'm new to the forum and doubt I would have looked back that far, which would have been a shame. I'm just getting started again. I bought a bike and started just before Katrina. The storm flooded my home, which I rebuild. I hosed off the bike, oiled it, and stuck it in the shed. We rebuilt, moved, remodeled the house we bought and finally slowed down. Of course I probably gained 50 pounds during all of that (fast food, sedentary day job, no time to work out, etc.). Now its time to do something about it. I replaced the shifters yesterday and am ready to start riding again. Thanks for the inspriration!

Big Ben sent a text a couple of hours ago. He was at mile 92 and suffering. He was aiming for 107 before deciding what to do next.

Talk about drumming up some old emotions, my friend. I remember that point very clearly, I was figuratively in hell, dehydrated beyond words and water was still miles away. At that time I thought I'd hit bottom, little did I know that it was the time of my life!

I'm glad you did. I'm new to the forum and doubt I would have looked back that far, which would have been a shame. I'm just getting started again. I bought a bike and started just before Katrina. The storm flooded my home, which I rebuild. I hosed off the bike, oiled it, and stuck it in the shed. We rebuilt, moved, remodeled the house we bought and finally slowed down. Of course I probably gained 50 pounds during all of that (fast food, sedentary day job, no time to work out, etc.). Now its time to do something about it. I replaced the shifters yesterday and am ready to start riding again. Thanks for the inspriration!

Here are some more posts for you to read:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/688583-Year-1-Done.-Looking-ahead-to-2011...?highlight=sayre+kulp

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/371043-Belated-Ride-Report-A-Century-Timeline?highlight=a+century+timeline

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/663927-200-Miles-of-Thanks!!!?highlight=kamala+portland (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/663927-200-Miles-of-Thanks%21%21%21?highlight=kamala+portland)

There are others as well, but these three are a nice start.

Thanks!!!