Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Goodbye 340's, didn't even get a chance to know ya!

Have I mentioned how much I love the heat? Last week's weigh-in was 352lbs, another 2lb loss for the third week in a row, which was getting frustrating, but I was just dealing with it. Saturday I stepped on the scale - 340 1/2! I was just hoping for 349, but hell, I'll take it!

As a background, on June 15, 2005 I weighed 567 pounds, and decided enough was enough. I began a MD-supervised 800 calorie/day diet for the next three months that facilitated my life change. Last summer I dropped below 367lbs and pretty much hung out in the 360's for the rest of the summer, then fall brought a wedding + new job that really derailed the weight loss. I kept it off for awhile by going to the gym over my lunch hour during the fall/early winter but then work stress.. .well.. you know the story. This March when I got back on the bike, I was up to 377 and unhappy with that number completely. Now it's June, and I'm down to 340, and well.. tickled pink! :)

There's no secret to my diet. During the week I eat 1500-2000 calories/day of healthy balanced foods and ride my bike at least 20 miles a day. On the weekends I don't watch the diet so closely, but at this point I know what I can and cannot eat to keep the weight off. If I do my 40+ mile rides on Saturday, plus another 30 on Sunday I give myself some leeway, but that leeway never involves a drive-thru, either driving through one or (here's the key) dining anywhere that has one.

If I can do it, so can you. And you too can toot your own horn repeatedly and often when you do it. :)

Congrats! These posts are a great motivator for other people.

bdinger, I love reading your posts. You are always positive and enthusiastic. Keep up the good work.

That's fantastic!!! Congratulations!!!!

"Don't eat anyplace that has a drive through." I like that.

Awesome!!

Way to go.

Good job. Im struggling in the 340s myself. I work out alot but i dont get to ride as much as you do. Im a full time student and worker. Im going to make more time to ride somehow..keep up the good work.

Keep at it, you'll be in the 200's before you know it.

BTW are you sick of buying new clothes yet....

After I read your post, I emailed the local bike shop and asked about the size of the LHT they have built. It's too big for me, but then they said "We can get one from Surly in 2 days".

So it's all over now. I blame you, Ben. :p

I want a long haul trucker so freaking bad.I think once i get under 300 the wife will let me, I'm at 330 now down from 360ish at my biggest, but I was 350 last July when I got married. (i finally got a scale that we registered for that went over 300). Any and all info you can give us about how you are liking the LHT and what you would change if you did it again would be helpful :o)

Thanks everyone! It's a good feeling, but I really can't wait to be rid of the 300's as a whole for good :). That can't come soon enough!


Keep at it, you'll be in the 200's before you know it.

BTW are you sick of buying new clothes yet....

Hah, YES!! Thankfully, though, I've learned to just deal with baggy clothes for the most part. Shirts are easier to deal with than pants, I've found, so I try not to go overboard on pants. My current "size" pant is a 48in waist, but the biggest pair I have that I can still wear is a 54 - they're just kind of.. MC Hammer-ish :).


After I read your post, I emailed the local bike shop and asked about the size of the LHT they have built. It's too big for me, but then they said "We can get one from Surly in 2 days".

So it's all over now. I blame you, Ben. :p

LOL! But you WILL enjoy it, just take one word of advice from me. If you have pedals put on, either make sure you tighten them completely OR have the LBS do it for you. Just.. trust me on that one... :twitchy:


I want a long haul trucker so freaking bad.I think once i get under 300 the wife will let me, I'm at 330 now down from 360ish at my biggest, but I was 350 last July when I got married. (i finally got a scale that we registered for that went over 300). Any and all info you can give us about how you are liking the LHT and what you would change if you did it again would be helpful :o)

I love it, honestly. I've had a string of bad luck with it, also honestly, involving two busted spokes at the nipple due to what everyone thinks were just a couple bad spokes. Held it's true, however, for nearly 300 miles before that, and I think I agree with them as any spoke I've broken before has been at the hub, not the nipple.

Second, well, this was my dumb fault. I put some new BMX-style wide platform pedals on it and I forgot to finish tightening the non-drive side. Long story short, I ended up taking about a 2 mile walk back to work last night to pick up the car, and over lunch today will be going to the LBS to pick up a new crank arm :innocent: My wife is THRILLED, let me tell you.. :)

Anyway if I did it again, honestly, not much (if anything). I have a Brooks saddle on mine, along with fenders and a Superflash taillight. I'm going to get a rack eventually, or maybe just a handlebar bag. I am glad, and this may help you, that they didn't cut the stem on mine. I just raised it again last night to make it even with the seat and hopefully battle some hand numbness I've had. I also swapped the stock seatpost clamp with a Surly Constrictor, which effectively ended my sliding seatpost issues :).

That's pretty much it. Oh, I would have sprayed it with Frame Saver before being built. Hindsight is 20/20 I guess, but I figure if it rusts out - that should be a badge of honor as I order a new frame :).

Thats awesome bdinger! You are a motivation to all on this boards :thumb:

Keep it up Bdinger! I agree with everyone else - always keepin a positive outlook, awesome job!