Neil_B

https://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv...IEN20080043717

"Uribe says that after losing weight on a high-protein diet he started two years ago, he's down to about 800 pounds."

How many pounds is he from getting a bike?

flip18436572

I think I bike could be built, but it would be more of a trike. They had a vehicle in my LBS that was 4 wheels, but had 4 seats that everyone would pedal. Something like that could be built without too much work and would handle the weight without any problem.

Down 400+ pounds in two years!!!!

bautieri

I'd say about 400lbs to go.

I'm kind of torn on how I feel about Manuel, I do admit the first time I saw his story on TV I asked myself how on earth someone can let himself go like that. Then when I saw this stock photo



and wondered how that room smelled. I bet it smelled like spoiled milk.

In all seriousness, I say good for him. He's lost 400+ lbs and (proving that there is someone for everyone) managed to get himself a girlfriend. Hopefully his life is turned around and he will go on to become the new spokesman for Subway. I'm really getting sick of Jarred.

Neil_B

When I was 18 I was 240 pounds and nearly my current height. 20 years later I was 385. I knew I weighed too much at 18. Obesity is learned helplessness. I never did anything about it because starting to change your life is hard, and what good would it do anyway? And the helplessness isn't restricted to the obese person; often the people around him or her can't or won't do anything. In the last decade of my extreme obesity only one person ever spoke directly to me about it and urged me to change. So Manuel's state doesn't surprise me. I wish him well, and when he gets a bike I hope he posts about it here.

Manuel is ahead of me in the girlfriend department, however.

bautieri

Let me know if you ever need a wingman

bdinger

I think I weighed around 250 when I was 18, but I was a BIG dude back then. Football + active lifestyle kept me from looking "sloppy", but I was definitely overweight/obese.

Then it just ballooned. I'm not sure how people keep going after the bedridden point, at some point you have to wonder what their enablers are thinking, you know, the people who keep bringing them food. To sustain that 1200 pound body, I have no idea how many calories would be needed but it's well beyond what anyone should consider "normal". I mean seriously, they're bedridden, put them on a danged diet!

Regardless, I completely agree with Neil - obesity is learned helplessness. I ballooned up over 500 pounds, 567 in fact, and was definitely in a bad state. Helpless mentally, borderline alcoholic, smoker who really was well on my way to being dead by my 30th birthday. Between 18 and 28 I managed to gain over 300 pounds which I guess I should be proud of - that's one hell of a feat! Anyway, at one point I finally wanted to be done. You get to "that" point where you know it's either change or don't - but decide one way. I'm down 200+ pounds, and can't wait to hit 300+ - but the helplessness still lingers.

Where I'm going with all this.. when I saw the show on Manuel there was something more there. He WANTS it. He WANTS to lose the weight, and I'll be he will. Being 567 pounds was daunting, I can't imagine 800!

bdinger

Seconded! I always tell my wife, for some reason women like guys who have wedding rings on.

..and then I get smacked. But it's funny!

Neil_B

That would be pathetic. People would wonder about the father-son duo at the singles bar.

Neil_B

It goes back to Eve. She was told the fruit was forbidden. Nothing has changed.

Now if I ever find myself in Nebraska, Ben, I may take you up on this.

oopfoo

You know, I take issue with the title of this post. (Not really, but it's just not correct, imho.)

This guy isn't the "ultimate clyde." Clydes are strong, powerful animals. This guy is a lump of jello. Granted, there may be reasons that he IS this way--reasons that deserve our sympathy and concern--but he's NOT a clyde. He's a ball of fat.

Now, when he gets it in his mind to change, he might become a clyde. Sounds like he might be trying.

Neil_B

There's a question mark at the end of the title.

As for Clydes being strong animals, I'm a Clyde and I'm very weak.

oopfoo

You know, it's tough to get the proper tone in a post. I write a LOT, but I don't take the time to sit on a post before letting it go. I don't REALLY have an issue with the title--not some burning dislike that will grow to an anti-clyde-calling-crusade, I just don't think "clyde" automatically means "fat person."

Big athlete? Yes. Bed-ridden guy trying to lose weight? Probably not.

However, like Bart Simpson, I think it WOULD be cool to do that interview:

"I warsh mahself wit' a rag an' a stick. Hyuk hyuk hyuk."

Neil_B

No offense was taken. I merely noted the question mark at the end of the title. Also, I did ask about when Manuel might be able to ride. The heaviest rider I've ever come across is the blogger "Scott" at Large Man on a Bike, who was 500 pounds when he began to ride. I wonder if Manuel's address is available to send him encouragement, and to suggest he get a bike at some point?

I take it Clyde, as used in this forum, means 'oversized person who rides a bike.' So fat people do fall into the category. I'll never be strong or powerful, but I will always be a Clyde.

b_young

Sorry, but I have to throw the BS flag on this one. I have read too many of your post to even half way believe the above statement. You are neither weak mind nor body. What kind of weak tours have you done? You road that hill like a clyde.... Don't sell yourself short.

Neil_B

I'm extremely weak in the upper body. I can barely lift my bike. I might not be able to lift my bike fully loaded.

flip18436572

Since you feel you are so weak, can I ask if you ever go to a gym and lift weights or do any weight type of training at home? Some people are completely against gyms, and I can appreciate that to some degree, but also feel that they are also missing out on a lot because of it also. Just curious????

I feel so much better about myself and what I have changed myself into, and weight lifting has been a part of the change. But, it is NOT the only thing.

Neil_B

I went 4-5 times a week the year before I got a bike. It's become less since then, partly because I ride so much, partly because I wasn't getting anywhere, and partly because some of the exercises I used to do I shouldn't do anymore.

flip18436572

Biking is a great exercise to help multiple parts of your body, but will not help your upper body, unless you are doing some great cyclocross events or MTB events where you really use your upper body.

Is there a reason you shouldn't be doing certain exercises? I do not know your restrictions, but weight lifting is something that you can do your entire life and will help you. I am 44, and wish that I would have known more about this when I was in high school. Now, I am working with many youth to try and get them started at a younger age and trying to keep my daughters lifestyle habits on the positve side, so they can become adults and make good life choices. Something I didn't do and I am really fighting to get all of the excess fat off of my body and it is so much tougher now, compared to when I was overweight out of high school. That, and I want to dunk a basketball again on a full height rim. Doubt I can do it, but I am going to try. :-) I haven't been able to do that since a car accident between my junior and senior year in high school. I really wish that guy would have stopped at the stop sign.

Neil_B

Some of the upper body stuff I used to do, and some lower body work as well, is now off-limits according to the folks who helped me with physical therapy last year. Squats, for instance, are pretty much a no-no with my knocked knees. Likewise any upper body lifting or stretches that involve my bending forward or pulling weight behind my head. Even core work I have to be careful with - sit ups are off-limits because they stress the upper back and neck.

The restrictions follow me into everyday life. I've had my workplace ergonomically designed to minimize my back pain, and my bosses will not let me pick up boxes, etc. Household tasks that involve bending - collecting firewood, moving furniture, etc - I have to use extreme care in executing. Because of my knees I can't walk for long distances without problems. Cycling seems to be the only exercise I'm capable of doing. But I digress from your point, and from the point I made earlier. To bring this back to my point, I don't think you need to be strong to be a Clydesdale.

flip18436572

Sorry to hear about the problem you are having.

Neil_B

Thank you. But it's not a problem. There's so much I can do, including riding a bike, that's it seems pointless to worry about what I can't do. However, I'll never be strong. Strength doesn't come in a body like the one on the right in the photo below. But that body did ride a metric century that day:

Neil_B

Did we ever reach a consensus on this subject? 500 pounds, perhaps?

tntom

AT LEAST 500! I am not sure just weight loss will get him riding a bike. Think of how much skin will hang off his legs. I hope he does well but he has a long road to riding a bike.

flip18436572

Again, does it have to have two wheels? You can get trike/recumbents that would hold the weight, you would just have to make sure the wheels were up to it and the maintenance was done correctly.

Neil_B

No, trikes are cool. They even have the Stormcrowe Seal of Approval.

In fact, a trike might be the best suggestion. Manuel might have strength and balance problems from years of being sedentary. Still, any form of bike or trike would be good for him, in my opinion, and not just because it's non weight-bearing exercise. Riding can teach the obese a great deal.