Chitown_Mike

I have enjoyed all the stories on here, some more extreme than others, some more of a tearjerker than others. While my story has a much deeper spiritual battle to it, I will spare those details unless requested in a PM. I almost didn't want to share it but I don't know who will read it and be encouraged to change for the better.

I am younger than most on this part of the forum, at least that's how it seems. I have always been a "big" kid, the lightest I can remember weighing was in 5th grade at 153 lbs and probably around 5' tall. My younger days were spent usually outdoors, playing sports and riding bikes. I was very active but despite all that I still was a chunky kid. In high school I was a wrestler and in really good condition at 215 lbs at 6' tall.

In college I was basically sedentary, I ballooned up to a least 300 lbs, I say at least because I stopped getting on a scale in the upper 280s and only got bigger. I was in school for automotive technology and spent a lot of time sitting. Plus delivering pizzas and eating fast food for 2 meals a day didn't help either. I tried to get into the gym, even got consistent enough to drop about 15 lbs, but never stuck with it.

After a long term relationship suddenly ended, and not in a good way, I relinquished to the drink. I picked up smoking and suddenly I lost a lot of the weigh I had, I dropped to about 230. However the side effects were horrible. I had super high blood pressure at 23, any time I was at the doctors it was around 140/upper 90's, and several doctors said I looked healthy on the outside, but I was literally killing myself on the inside.

3-4 hours of sleep after drinking every night for months on end, smoking up to 3 packs of cigarettes a day, lots of high caffeine and sugar content energy drinks, kidney stones, severe sinus infections, and teetering on the brink of diabetes I basically hit a wall. I got really depressed and came to a crossroad of either continuing on this path of self destruction or HAVING to do something different. At this point I found myself looking for meaning in my life, and I found it in the Bible and Jesus, so I will spare the details of that journey.

Now shortly after this I tried to get myself "clean" from all these bad habits and health choices I was making. I eventually met a phenomenal gal (now my wife and mother to my son), got around a different association of people, quit drinking (THAT was a challenge, if you have ever had the shakes from lack of alcohol you know there is a problem), I quit smoking and even got a new position at my job making more money.

The downside to all this was my new position was sitting all day. My poor eating habits didn't shake out in the process of cleaning up the other areas of my life. So the weight came back, at my heaviest and actually stepping on a scale I was around 285, I am sure I was heavier at some point but scales were of the devil at that time.

Around that time I started having shortness of breath and a pain in my chest right around my heart. So I went in for a bunch of testing, ultra-sounds of my heart, blood test, and even had to walk around with a monitor on recording my heart beat. All this at the ripe old age of 26. It was scary, thankfully the only thing they could tell me was that there was some possible build up in some of the arteries around my heart, they didn't feel anything was super serious IF I change my eating habits and exercise.

So I got a deal on a "boot camp" style class in November of 2011 and did that for about 4 months, in that time I lost 40 lbs. So earlier this year I was done with that class and looking for something else to do. I tried to run, but failed attempt to join the Marine Corps left me with a bad left knee, so running was out of the question. I was at the docs for a check-up and ear infection (I get them all the time) and my doc said that other than the ear infection and a few lbs to lose, I was in great health. They recommend getting a gym membership or maybe a bicycle.

Then I saw a bunch of guys riding their bikes to work, got intrigued and remembered how much I enjoyed riding. So after digging on C/L I came across a nice '82 Schwinn Continental, fixed up a few small things, and have been loving riding. Done my first century this year, and probably have about 1000 miles on the bike since I bought it in June of this year. I have been to the docs for checks ups (or hurting things like my back recently) and my blood pressure hasn't gotten any worse than 120/86, and usually it is right at 120/80. There are still about 30 pesky pounds to lose, but those will come off with time.

Then I found BF and the C&A area and was overjoyed that there are others out there who have overcome similar struggles. I have found that no matter what life throws at you or takes away (heck, PhotoJoe lost a chunk of muscle and RODE UP A MOUNTAIN after cancer treatments) if you keep your head up and a positive attitude nothing can sideline you for very long.

But the best lesson I have learned, and I tip my hat to you older Clydes and Athenas on here, is that you are never too young to start to take care of your health. My son was born at the end of August and I never realized how important it will be for me to be able to run around with him when he is a kid versus complaining that something hurts or I am too tired. So when I don't feel like commuting to work, going for a long weekend ride, or pushing myself hard up that hill or bridge I realize that it will just keep me around longer and that I need to "offset" all the bad garbage I put my body through.

So thanks for reading and thanks for the encouragement that each of you who has shared through the telling of your own story!

See you all out on the roads and trails.

Stomper

nice story! Keep on pedaling.

Shellyrides

Vary cool story. You have a lucky family that will have you around for a vary long time now!

Pamestique 

Inspirational! I wish I could clone nad send you out to all the High Schools... "listen to this guy... could happen to you. It's hard but not impossible to come back!"

Keep it up!

Beachgrad05

Thanks for sharing YOUR story. I love to learn about the journey others are on. I find it inspriational and full of hope to see what others have gone thru or are going thru. Your son has a great dad and your wife has a super husband as you care about being there for them enough to do something about it. I look forward to hearing more of your story as things unfold.

islandseas

Thank you for sharing your story. Every time I read someone's story it reinforces my reason for riding. Your family is very lucky to have someone who cares enough about them to take care of themselves so they are always there for them. Just wait till you can get your little guy out there on a bike with you.

Karen

Mr. Beanz

Nice story but what do you mean by "older Clydes"? I'm hoping 50+ cause I still have a few months left!

PhotoJoe 

Good on 'ya for doing what you need to do for your family. I know it's not easy, but keep it up. Feels good, doesn't it?

Acquaspin

Nice story. I have the feeling I am in the lower age bracket around here but you're certainly an outlier. Cool thing is that because of being younger your body will respond and adapt faster.

I share the feeling of respect towards quite a few regulars around here, some for their persistence, some for their will power, some for simply taking life by the horns dealing with the hand that was dealt to them. Sounds easy, and can be argued that everyone ends up doing just that, but there's a difference between those who are leading their lives and those who are letting life lead them.

nevermore1701

excellent story...... stories like this help me keep going.i need to find some time and share my story too.
thanks for sharing

Black wallnut 

Thanks for sharing your story Mike! Good for you to listen to Dr.s and take back your health at a much younger age than many. You should have many more happy active years ahead of you.

AerobaticDreams

As bad as things may have been, you have learned to take care of yourself much younger than many people. I'm 51, and have been aware and trying to stay in shape (in cycles, sometimes good, sometimes very bad!) since I was about your age. On the other hand, my father's generation didn't understand they needed to take care of themselves in their youth...and while many have survived, few have thrived.

Never surrender to bad habits again, your actions speak louder than words to someone that may be looking at you and trying to save themselves. Great job so far!

melvinator

Great story! ... and PhotoJoe you always make me look and when i complain with a 500ft hill! lol

Bill Walker

Thanks for sharing your story. It always helps to know others are overcoming struggles and that we are not alone.

Happy Friday!

Bill

Heftydad

Great story. It took the birth of my 2nd child to get me started on a journey to a healthier me, but in 2 years I'm down 110 lbs and working on adding mileage on the bike, if only I could find more time to ride!

AllieBaba

Good job...it's difficult to tackle unhealthy habits, and not just physically. Congrats.