Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - I'm Half the man I used to be

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View Full Version : I'm Half the man I used to be


mtclifford
07-30-09, 10:15 AM
Thought I might share this with other clydes and former clydes.

Last march I started a weight loss program and weighed in at 349 pounds. Today was my monthly weigh in for July and I was at 173, which is less than half of my original weight. I kept creeping close and closer to this point for the last 6 weeks and decided to set it as my final goal. So now I am done, at 6'4" I just can't see myself being lighter. In fact I might try some weight training to put on some muscle, something I have sorely neglected during my triathlon prep.

There are some of the weird things I have noticed about the whole ordeal though. One thing is I think no matter what I weigh I will always consider myself to be a clyde. I remember being the fat kid ever since I was in elementary school and I just can't seem to shake off those experiences, and I still love good food, nad a lot of it though, I just rarely go out all and eat whatever I want. (though I do give myself the occasional day). Also I love watching cooking shoes, my dvr is loaded with food network programs, (food porn as my gf calls them) and I when I get bored I bake, a lot. Most of the results end up on the lunch table at work, which I have found increases my popularity a lot.

But above all the one thing I got the most out of the past year and a half was walking into my LBS and buying my first bike since I was a kid. I immediately fell in love with cycling and see it as something I will be doing for the rest of my life, no matter how much I weigh or how old I get. I have met so many amazing people on the way, including people from these forums and found cyclists to be some of the kindest, funniest, and most friendly people you will ever meet, and I look forward to meeting more and having more great bike adventures in the future.

Anyway I just thought I would share my experience and perspective, I know a lot of other members have lost a lot of weight through cycling and it is amazing to see the transformations. I am pretty proud of myself right now though I know there is always room for improvement, as I am sorely reminded on every big hill I hit.


Mazama
07-30-09, 10:35 AM
Wow, what a wonderful accomplishment. You should be very proud.

justwes
07-30-09, 11:34 AM
what weightloss program did you use?


mtclifford
07-30-09, 01:12 PM
what weightloss program did you use?

I was a member of a pilot program through the state of WV and the Public employees insurance agency. It is a program designed to reduce the cost of health care to the state over the long run with preventative care. I received a personal trainer, a dietitian, and a gym membership, I paid $40 a month for 3 months, then $12 a month for the rest of the program. It really helped provide the support I needed. As far as diet went, just low cal, low fat, and plenty of exercise.

I know a lot of insurance companies are adopting programs like this, I would recommend it or something similar to anyone.

Condorita
07-30-09, 04:19 PM
You rock! Congratulations! And keep up the good work!!

gotls1
07-30-09, 04:25 PM
Great job! :thumb:

That sounds like an interesting program you used. Hopefully more and more insurance companies will adopt this sort of preventative care model.

epcolt
07-30-09, 08:06 PM
MT where dyou ride? I live in Fairmont, have to ride together sometime. I ride the MonRiver trail most of the time.

</intolerance>
07-30-09, 08:51 PM
Sweet! But where are the photos?

mtclifford
07-30-09, 09:15 PM
MT where dyou ride? I live in Fairmont, have to ride together sometime. I ride the MonRiver trail most of the time.

I ride a lot with the Morgantown Multisport club and with country roads cyclists. CRC is great because they are just all nice people who represent a wide variety of skill levels and a wide variety of rides. They are at:

http://www.crcyclists.org/

I ride the mon river trail occasionally but my road bike I try to keep on the pavement however I do take my toruing bike down towards Fairmont sometimes.

mtclifford
07-30-09, 09:37 PM
Sweet! But where are the photos?

Here you go:

My 32nd b-day two weeks before I started the program, kind of my last hurrah:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3337/3658017566_e68ec0b021_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39798045@N03/3658017566/

This is a pic of me after finishing the Cecil Jarvis Sprint Triathlon in WV, yes I am in an ice cream jersey and yes I am eating ice cream :lol:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/3774204752_e7ea2f07e1_o.jpg

Neil_B
07-30-09, 09:41 PM
Here you go:

My 32nd b-day two weeks before I started the program, kind of my last hurrah:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3337/3658017566_e68ec0b021_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39798045@N03/3658017566/

This is a pic of me after finishing the Cecil Jarvis Sprint Triathlon in WV, yes I am in an ice cream jersey and yes I am eating ice cream :lol:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/3774204752_e7ea2f07e1_o.jpg

I met this dude on tour. I never would have believed he once weighed 350 without the photos.

ncman
07-30-09, 10:56 PM
WOW
i want to emulate your results
you ROCK

</intolerance>
07-30-09, 11:08 PM
VERY impressive! You really do look like an entirely different person.

Wavy
07-30-09, 11:35 PM
Impressive achievement

You deserved the ice cream.

rustman
07-31-09, 05:37 AM
mtclifford: Fantastic!!

mustang1
07-31-09, 05:56 AM
What everyone else said. That's amazing!

jgjulio
07-31-09, 07:02 AM
Wow!
Congratulations!

deoxy4
07-31-09, 08:08 AM
Power to you!

Hill-Pumper
07-31-09, 09:41 AM
WOW, thank you for sharing!!!! :thumb:

bautieri
07-31-09, 11:15 AM
Awesome work!

Gosh darn you, now I have that song stuck in my head. I hope you're happy :P

c_m_shooter
07-31-09, 03:56 PM
Paging Tom. Please get this guy a certificate!

Mr Danw
07-31-09, 06:26 PM
Holy crap! You look entirely different! Bring a recent photo ID to your next family reunion so nobody thinks you're a party crasher. Good Job sir.

mexipat
07-31-09, 07:15 PM
What they said. You look great and should pat yourself on the back.

funrover
07-31-09, 08:36 PM
Congrats

TJClay
08-07-09, 09:40 AM
Way to go. You are an inspiration to us all.

Smoked
08-07-09, 03:02 PM
What a great story!!! You are truly an inspiration!!!

EasyEd
08-07-09, 04:48 PM
mtclifford, I am truely impressed with you sir. You have done an absolutely fantastic job. I also should thank you for giving me the kick in the rear I needed. Your before and after pics are motivation for me. My weight loss has slowed recently, and I've been a litlle discouraged. In fact a few pounds have crept back. It always helps when one of the success storys around here posts some pics. Thanks again, and well done!:thumb:

coachrains
08-07-09, 06:48 PM
:thumb: I have lost 50, and proud of it, but this is amazing, great job!!!

Tom Stormcrowe
08-07-09, 08:46 PM
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/TomStormcrowe/Spinner%20and%20Clydesdale%20charts/mtclifford.jpg