The post I never thought I'd make
11-18-08, 10:12 PM
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The post I never thought I'd make
I joined this forum back in December of 2005. I weighed 305 lbs at 5' 8". I have several friends that are strong riders and were encouraging me to ride with them so I bought a bike (predictably too much of a bike for my needs), and rode with them a few times but could never stick with it, despite a few failed attempts to get into cycling over past few years.
In May of 2008, I weighed 310 lbs (my all time high), and found out from my Doctor that in addition to all my other early mortality warning signs, I had now developed type 2 diabetes. I don't know why it took that particular piece of bad news to motivate me, but thankfully it did. I jumped on the elliptical trainer at the gym that night (May 10, 2008) and haven't skipped a day since! I cleaned up my eating habits, did a bunch of other lifestyle improvements and last Sunday (November 16, 2008) I weighed in at 199 lbs! That's 110 lbs in 190 days (just over 6 months). Along the way, I've pretty much reversed every major health concern I had.
I still have a bit to go (my healthy weight is probably around 180 lbs), but I'm confident I'll get there. And I need to make sure I maintain an active lifestyle that doesn't let me fall back to my former state.
Of course just as I get the bug to start riding, it's getting pretty cold here in Portland, Oregon. I did take my first spinning class last night and it felt great. At the very least I hope to set up my trainer and put in some indoor miles this winter. By the Spring, I'll be at my ideal weight, have some base miles on my legs, and be able to really enjoy this great sport.
I hope I'll still qualify as an emeritus member, even though I didn't lose most of the weight on my bike. This forum has always felt like my home base for the cycling community.
In May of 2008, I weighed 310 lbs (my all time high), and found out from my Doctor that in addition to all my other early mortality warning signs, I had now developed type 2 diabetes. I don't know why it took that particular piece of bad news to motivate me, but thankfully it did. I jumped on the elliptical trainer at the gym that night (May 10, 2008) and haven't skipped a day since! I cleaned up my eating habits, did a bunch of other lifestyle improvements and last Sunday (November 16, 2008) I weighed in at 199 lbs! That's 110 lbs in 190 days (just over 6 months). Along the way, I've pretty much reversed every major health concern I had.
I still have a bit to go (my healthy weight is probably around 180 lbs), but I'm confident I'll get there. And I need to make sure I maintain an active lifestyle that doesn't let me fall back to my former state.
Of course just as I get the bug to start riding, it's getting pretty cold here in Portland, Oregon. I did take my first spinning class last night and it felt great. At the very least I hope to set up my trainer and put in some indoor miles this winter. By the Spring, I'll be at my ideal weight, have some base miles on my legs, and be able to really enjoy this great sport.
I hope I'll still qualify as an emeritus member, even though I didn't lose most of the weight on my bike. This forum has always felt like my home base for the cycling community.
11-18-08, 10:28 PM
#2
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Congratulations! 1 day at a time...
11-18-08, 10:47 PM
#4
Ancient Clydesdale
Wow! That's some major life changing commitment! Way to go, stick with it!!
11-18-08, 10:51 PM
#5
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Yes, you are an emeritus!
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. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
11-18-08, 11:41 PM
#6
You gonna eat that?
You rock dude! Congrats!
I myself had lost 70 lb. in 2005, gained most of it back by this summer (when I topped out at 221) and got it back to about 195, in no small part due to my cycling. Target is somewhere in the 180s; got about 10 lb. to go......
I myself had lost 70 lb. in 2005, gained most of it back by this summer (when I topped out at 221) and got it back to about 195, in no small part due to my cycling. Target is somewhere in the 180s; got about 10 lb. to go......
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I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
11-18-08, 11:58 PM
#7
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Awesome news. Thanks for posting.
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shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
11-19-08, 06:41 AM
#9
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Awesome work, I was hoping it would be an emeritus thread!
11-19-08, 06:50 AM
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Congrats and little incentive
HI,
My friend of many years has finally ran out of luck we are the same age, he too had type two but didn't change his eating habits, he went into renal failure last year and needed Diaylsis to live, he's had Bypass and shunts too in his legs and heart.
This month he went to see his grandson and the trip plus his problems caused him to go into heart failure, he's not expected to recover.
I visited him yesterday, and he's stil on a vent, his wife can't believe we are the same age.
Take type two very serious it leads to many problems, most people don't die from diabetis its usally complecations of the disease, heart failure, renal failure infections, and worse.
Insulin resistance and weight gain are the first stage.
Doug
My friend of many years has finally ran out of luck we are the same age, he too had type two but didn't change his eating habits, he went into renal failure last year and needed Diaylsis to live, he's had Bypass and shunts too in his legs and heart.
This month he went to see his grandson and the trip plus his problems caused him to go into heart failure, he's not expected to recover.
I visited him yesterday, and he's stil on a vent, his wife can't believe we are the same age.
Take type two very serious it leads to many problems, most people don't die from diabetis its usally complecations of the disease, heart failure, renal failure infections, and worse.
Insulin resistance and weight gain are the first stage.
Doug
11-19-08, 07:59 AM
#12
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Well done VB, well done indeed.
Type 2 is something we all need to be aware of. It's a serious issue that creates so many other problems. It's a worthy motivator in it's own right.
Congrats on kicking it squarely in the butt.
Type 2 is something we all need to be aware of. It's a serious issue that creates so many other problems. It's a worthy motivator in it's own right.
Congrats on kicking it squarely in the butt.
11-19-08, 08:11 AM
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Wow! - 4 pounds each week.
Way to go.
Way to go.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
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11-19-08, 08:24 AM
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Wow. that is very inspiring! That weight lose is just mind blowing and really motivates me to shed the few pounds extra on my body that I have (ideal weight is around 180lb., at 207lb. now) and KEEP them off. If it is not too much to ask, diet wise what did your meals look like compared to your daily routine? I understand the whole excercising aspect, but when it comes to dieting I get confused on what I should eat and all which results in bad choices.
11-19-08, 08:32 AM
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That's awesome!
I am very jealous and need some motivation. Last night I met with my insurance man about renewing my life insurance and was told because of my height/weight ratio I do not qaulify for a lower rate. This is upping my monthly tab by about $50 for the renewal.
I am very jealous and need some motivation. Last night I met with my insurance man about renewing my life insurance and was told because of my height/weight ratio I do not qaulify for a lower rate. This is upping my monthly tab by about $50 for the renewal.
11-19-08, 08:57 AM
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Great job!
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11-19-08, 09:02 AM
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Wow. that is very inspiring! That weight lose is just mind blowing and really motivates me to shed the few pounds extra on my body that I have (ideal weight is around 180lb., at 207lb. now) and KEEP them off. If it is not too much to ask, diet wise what did your meals look like compared to your daily routine? I understand the whole exercising aspect, but when it comes to dieting I get confused on what I should eat and all which results in bad choices.
We just have to eat smaller amounts.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
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11-19-08, 09:12 AM
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That is an incredible rate of loss! You must have really been motivated. 
11-19-08, 09:15 AM
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Congats! Very inspiring. Getting healthy not only helps you but helps your loved ones by keeping you alive to share time together. I am sure they are so proud.
11-19-08, 09:19 AM
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Great job man! Now prepare yourself for the hard work of maintaining. Believe me, if you thought losing it was hard, maintaining it is the real challenge. Keep at it and you will suceed!
11-19-08, 09:33 AM
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Coolness. I'm glad that you burst the bubble, and know that you really could do it. Lots of kudos your way for all of that hard work, my friend. Take care.
11-19-08, 09:42 AM
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That's great! Well done.
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11-19-08, 09:51 AM
#25
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Great job! It seems that it takes "something" to MAKE us want to do this.
Jerry
Jerry