chefisaac

i don't play in the land of 49. There I am not a real biker. lol

It will be fun. Come out and ride with us if you ever get time.

Neil_B

Ah yes, the role reversal from our ride in July 2011. I the dejected newbie, you the Awesome One bubbling over with cheer and self-confidence.

Neil_B

Nerys, set aside March 30 on the calendar. 20 mile ride, Schuylkill River Trail, Monte Clare to ten miles out and back. If you are comfortable with the date and other people we can open it to the entire forum - don't worry, not everyone will come.

When you do 20 miles in March, you will be in a good position for 75 or 100 in September. And I will too, since I've made a commitment too.

chefisaac

Sign me up!

Neil_B

Done! As long as Nerys can make it, of course.

Neil_B

For everyone following this journey...

magohn

Update on riding progress - please

Neil_B

Weather is looking OK for Tuesday. Noon, the Visitor's Center at Valley Forge. We meet there and I'll drive the mile to the trailhead. Be prepared for the cold, and be prepared for the work. You are going to have fun, but its going to be work. For both of us - I've never hiked under conditions like these. (Note to self, bring WD-40 for the knees....)

BTW, I know we discussed accountability on the phone, and I realize you are busy this week, but I see someone wants an update to the thread. Nagging only works if you get a response. Also, nagging only works at the beginning of the process. You dropped 17 pounds at the beginning of weight loss on your own. Once you are back on track again, no one will need to nag - it will be as natural as breathing.

Speaking of which, I'm tracking on My Fitness Pal, and I'm down two pounds so far. Bet you can beat me this week if you try!

Neil_B

I met Nerys for the planned hike on Mount Misery at 1 this afternoon. Once again the 439 pound guy was in better shape than me. I managed the hill climb a little better, but as the trail became the typical Pennsylvania scree my footing became less sure and my gait slowed and worsened. Nerys kept asking after me because my gait made me appear unstable. On the descent I needed a hand to get down a stretch of 12 per cent grade. Shortly after I turned my left ankle and hobbled through the rest of the 2.5 some miles. Nerys was a little sore at the end of the hike, and felt the first ten minutes of the climb in his calves. He was also considerably out of breath, but then again so was I.

During the few minutes I could get in words edgewise - Nerys spoke at length on many topics, including chess until I reminded him I knew something of that game - I think I got him to think outside his mental box on weight loss. I mentioned that the most important moment in my entire weight loss journey was when I decided I was worth fighting for as a person. That meant that if I had a bad day, I couldn't console myself in a box of cookies. That meant I had to plan ahead to make sure I had healthy meals and snacks. That meant following through on exercise even if the day was dark, or there was a marathon of The Big Bang Theory on TV, or Chefisaac posted a thread about his most recent bike tour. I think I got through with my point.

I also followed up with a question. "What do you mean by "accountability?" What do you want from me, and what do you want from the Bike Forums community? Because its tough to push an uber-Clyde if he doesn't want to go." Nerys is thinking that over. I assured him I'd help him lose weight, but there was nothing I could do unless he made to happen.

Our next hike is tentatively set for Tyler State Park next week.

Nerys should be online in the next day or so.

Neil_B

Nerys on the hill climb, at one of the two breaks we took. I twice asked if he wanted to turn around, and he twice said no.

Neil_B

Exploring the old springhouse..... its only fair to mention I had trouble fitting through the door as well.







It was a quarter mile downhill from here I turned my left ankle.

Beachgrad05

Nice pics. Good for both of you!

Neil_B

Thanks. Interestingly this hike disproves some of the comments upthread claiming Nerys has no desire to change. He's not the first 400 pound man or woman I've invited to join me for a walk since 2006. By a walk, I mean a short stroll in a local park on flat ground. Nerys is merely the only such invitee to accept. And he did so on a 2.5 mile climb on rocky PA hiking trails, not a paved MUP, despite not knowing how he would fare. He was much stronger than either of us expected him to be, which is good because I'd not hiked Mount Misery in four years and I'd forgotten how tiring a climb it was. But were he the typical Fat Friend in Denial he'd have stayed in on a cold New Year's Day.

I'm very stiff this morning, including the turned ankle. Last time I ever wear sneakers when hiking on scree....

chefisaac

What day you all hiking next weekend? Sat or Sun?

Neil_B

Tuesday.

Sayre Kulp 

Apologies that this is coming a little late...

When I was roughly your size, I started riding a Sun recumbent trike that had a seat somewhat similar to that of your Day 6. I had the same issue you describe here. My really simple solution (that even worked for touring) was just to take a small pillow (like you might use on an airplane) and stuff it into that space. It just kept me from getting pinched back there.

Neil_B

Tyler State Park Tuesday. Depending on the weather we will either ride or hike. Nerys is planning the day, and since I turn 47 that day he assures me he will keep in mind my advanced years, my senility, and my general decrepit condition. I suppose I deserve that for calling him "fat boy."

tergal

nerys

sorry for the late show here. as usual life is busy. we got a new hire at work though !! so that should lighten the load quite a bit! I can't wait.

We are go for tuesday. can't wait to get back on the bike. we will see how cycling shorts and jogging pants go together.

I DO have to be in philly by 1830 to pick up anthony from the train station so I plan to get an earlish start depending on what you want to do.

I figure at least 3 hours to ride and enjoy the park. then either a meal or a movie (I don't think we have time for both) you decide which you want.

there is this diner on rt13 (just down the road from the turnpike so easy home for you) that has amazing food amazing service and great price. for around $10 you get a meal plus salad and soap and bread. I have learned I love greek salad :-) without the anchovies :-) I tried them. not disgusting but not something I am partial too.

the hike was fantastic. I was achy for a full day afterwards. that park is gorgeous. I can't wait to check it out when things are blooming.

I took a bunch of sphere's. they are on my google + page (they are spherical panoramics and so far the only convenient way to "view" them is via google plus till someone figures out the api.

go here
https://plus.google.com/photos/10790...0/albums/posts

the first 5 are from the Mt Misery hike.

Here are some pictures. I have more but they are in the big camera I left that memory card at work or in the car will upload when I come across it.

god I hate MTP so much I would murder its inventor if he were standing in front of me right now.

imgur won't take my uploads (so I will post them later) and because of MTP I can not "SEE" the pictures on my phone when connected to the computer ONLY their file names to SEE then I have to MOVE them and I have THOUSANDS of pictures on the phone and have no idea which are which.

SO they will come later :-( I would also like to sit on the moron at samsung who thought that getting rid of UMS was a great idea and see what 400+ pounds does to his face.

Neil_B

Let's get there early, ride, and then do lunch or dinner afterward. Having seen Les Miserables I've made my once a decade trip to a movie theater to see a current run film, so I am set.

By sharing the meal I have more time for talking and listening - my offering suggestions and questions to think on, and listening to you tell me what I can do to help you follow through. I'm in an awkward position - I want to help you succeed, but I'm not sure what I should be doing. I'm being myself, and for now I hope that's OK.

Neil_B

Good. It means those muscles that have been sleeping for decades woke up. As for hiking again in Valley Forge, you now know where it is. Come back.

One big piece of advice, Nerys: stop thinking of yourself as a 400+ pound guy. Think of yourself as you will be. And you can do this in part by dropping the references to using your weight as a get-even weapon. Remember, super obesity isn't who you are. I know that won't be easy for you, since you have been so fat for so long, and everyone you know unintentionally reinforces your identity. Remember when I sent you a "before" photo of me and my crooked legs and you told me that you didn't know how I did what I did with them? I did what I wanted, despite legs that looked broken, because I never thought of myself as having broken legs.
Stop thinking of yourself as 439 pounds and soon enough you won't be.

That said, I'm glad you enjoyed the hike. You seem to be doing so in this photo.

Neil_B

Tuesday, 11 AM, Tyler State Park main parking lot. Correct? Temperatures are forecast to reach 47f. Very fitting since I turn 47 that day.

As for your bike, its going to like being with its rider again. And it will be thankful it has less of a person to carry around than the previous rides.

Plans are still being worked on for Saturday but the Iron Chef is cooking something up. Forecast is for sunny weather and a high of 56f.

BTW, in case I wasn't entirely clear before, I think you pwnd Mount Misery. You took on something that two weeks before you never thought you could do. And you did it. You rock, Nerys!

chefisaac

Neil: Not 100% sure about Saturday. Plans were made after the FB issue but before the make up.

Neil_B

OK, perhaps the Neil and Nerys show will play elsewhere. Lets see how Tuesday pans out.

nerys

alas that is one thing I will miss (squishing people) but only a little. I can always put on a 200 pound rucksack and squish away :-) hehe

alas it does not evoke quite the same evil mental image :-) hehe

Few things are more satisfying than having someone get nasty with you and challenge you do "do something" about it.

the look on their face when I say

I won't lay a finger on you. I will just "FALL" on you with a big fat grin and go "oops"

is PRICELESS :-) hehe

then you add a quiet "squish" almost under your breath when that wipes the smile off their face.

perfect.

I will GLADLY give that fun up and be 200 pounds lighter!

ps no nitwits were harmed in this post. I have never actually squished anyone the threat is always enough :-) hehe