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08-14-08, 08:24 AM
Hey all. Sorry for not using the weight loss thread, but I wanted to make my own and brag a little bit.
So, for a few years now, I'd been really fascinated by the sport of cycling and had always wanted to get in shape and do it, but, I was stuck in a catch 22. I wanted to get on a road bike, but I was too heavy for one, so I never really took the initiative to do it. Over time, my weight ballooned to a extremely unhealthy 340 lbs. Among the obvious negative effects of being morbidly obese, I had hypertension and was in general, on a one way road to dying fairly young.
So, 12 months ago, I finally took up the initiative and bought my first bike. It was a steel, 80s diamondback ascent, a mountain bike, or, the only kind of bike that could really handle that kind of riding. So for 12 months, I, as they say, HTFU, and started shedding the weight. On the bike, I accomplished multiple 60+ mile rides, and have so far los 80 lbs, leaving me at 260 lbs.
For the first time in my life, I'm not scared to get a physical, because the doctor no longer tells me that I need to get in shape and that I'm going to get diabetes. For the first time, the doctor doesn't have to lecture me, because my blood pressure is at a healthy, normal level.
Oh, and 3 weeks ago, I finally got my first road bike. Talk about a cathartic moment; walking out of the bike shop with my new sleek aluminum racing bike. Ive been riding with the local club ever since I got it, and am hoping that maybe someday I can try racing.
Here's a before and after pic:
August 2007, 340 lbs
http://i35.tinypic.com/rkrinp.jpg
August 2008, 260 lbs
http://i36.tinypic.com/20arqma.jpg
So, for a few years now, I'd been really fascinated by the sport of cycling and had always wanted to get in shape and do it, but, I was stuck in a catch 22. I wanted to get on a road bike, but I was too heavy for one, so I never really took the initiative to do it. Over time, my weight ballooned to a extremely unhealthy 340 lbs. Among the obvious negative effects of being morbidly obese, I had hypertension and was in general, on a one way road to dying fairly young.
So, 12 months ago, I finally took up the initiative and bought my first bike. It was a steel, 80s diamondback ascent, a mountain bike, or, the only kind of bike that could really handle that kind of riding. So for 12 months, I, as they say, HTFU, and started shedding the weight. On the bike, I accomplished multiple 60+ mile rides, and have so far los 80 lbs, leaving me at 260 lbs.
For the first time in my life, I'm not scared to get a physical, because the doctor no longer tells me that I need to get in shape and that I'm going to get diabetes. For the first time, the doctor doesn't have to lecture me, because my blood pressure is at a healthy, normal level.
Oh, and 3 weeks ago, I finally got my first road bike. Talk about a cathartic moment; walking out of the bike shop with my new sleek aluminum racing bike. Ive been riding with the local club ever since I got it, and am hoping that maybe someday I can try racing.
Here's a before and after pic:
August 2007, 340 lbs
http://i35.tinypic.com/rkrinp.jpg
August 2008, 260 lbs
http://i36.tinypic.com/20arqma.jpg