jethro56 

Today marks the second anniversary of the beginning of my journey. In May of 2009 I found myself hurting after planting season. I’m a farmer with air-conditioned cabs on the tractors so it really isn’t hard work. I told myself “You got to get in shape.” A phrase that I’d said so many times in the past. Instead of jumping right in and starting, I decided to examine the past attempts I’d made. I didn’t want to make the same mistakes. Without going into details, three questions/answers would become the core of my strategy.

1.) “Why had previous attempts failed?” Answer: “You gave up or allowed yourself to be distracted.”
2.) “Why did you give up?” Answer: “You expected too much too soon.”
3.) “What distracted you?” Answer: “You didn’t make this the first priority in your life.”

I set a date of Aug.1, 2009 to begin. The goal was to lose 200 lbs in 2 years. I would start slow. I would hold myself back. I would form good habits that I could sustain. I would do this first thing in the morning. I would show up at the YMCA 3 times a week. I would walk on the treadmill for 20 minutes.

Aug. 1, 2009: Weight 425 + (That’s what it was when I found a scale with enough capacity a year or so earlier.) Went to the Y. Walked on treadmill @ 2.5 mph distance 0.3 miles. I achieved 20 minutes about a month later and slowly worked my speed up to 3.5 mph by the end of 6 months.

Early Feb. 2010: Went to the doctor found I had a tumor (benign) attached to my colon, diabetic, weight 398 lbs. Doctor recommended an 1800 C diet, 1 hr a day exercise and prescribed 3 pills for diabetes, 1 for BP and 1 for cholesterol. Surgery went well but I have scar tissue where the front of the saddle rests. My feet were aching all the time from the treadmill walking so in order to increase to 1 hr a day 6 days a week. I added water walking 20 minutes/day 3 days a week. So now I’m going to the Y first thing in the morning 6 days a week.

Feb 2010 was a scary time for me. The Meds made going to an 1800 C diet easier as I was nauseated most of the month.

Early march 2010: weight 373 Doctor happy. BP meds too strong cut those in half.

August 2010: Weight 291 consistent 10 lbs/month. Added weight training. Dosage of meds ¼ rate now. Minimum 1 hr/day at the Y. Hitting the elliptical machines hard, getting HR into 90%. Looking forward to workouts.

Sept 1 2010: Weight 281 right on schedule.

Oct 1 2010: Weight 281. First sustained plateau. Time to shake things up. Bought a Trek 7300. While investigating bicycle maintenance found the Clyde Forum. Read thru the Fatman Thinking Thread. I discovered that there was many people like myself here.

Jan 2011: Weight 235 Doctor eliminates most of my medications. Says I’m very healthy. See you in a year. Lowered target to 210 lbs.

May 2010: Weight 214 strength dropping fast. Weight-loss target of 210 put on hold .Time to work on strength. Extremely over-trained. 2 week rest drives me crazy.

Today: Weight 218 stronger than when I weighed 275. Still want to get to 210

Before



After

Neil_B

Bravo!

Not only that you made a change, but that you made a change at a time of life when men don't make changes. It's one thing for a young man to reinvent himself. It's another for an older guy to do it. So again, Bravo!

And thanks again for reminding everyone here that change is possible. What an inspiration for the rest of us!

mkadam68

Awesome

fast89fox

Inspiring...Congrats!!!

goldfinch

People like you on this forum are my inspiration. Not only are you inspiring you give good, solid advice. Thank you!

And you look fabulous!

dehoff

Great job!!

andre66

Amazing!

chefisaac

damn great job!

dcrowell

Incredible job dude! You're making me feel like an underachiever.

jethro56 

That's how I felt when you did the ride to Indy. Hope you're healing up.

dcrowell

Yep, I'm doing better. Thanks. I just need to quit drinking so much beer.

DEK

Awesome story and congrats!

perspiration

amazing! great job dude, i love reading down the months and seeing how things gradually improve...it's only by retrospection that we can really see how far we've come.

keep on riding!

CraigB

Fantastic job, Jethro. As one who's only known you in your current form, I've always had a hard time believing you were ever over 400 pounds. I've often wondered what you looked like in that previous life. After seeing that pic, I still don't believe it. That's a completely different man.

The most major heart-felt congratulations I can possibly offer go out to you, my man. Way to go!

PS We gotta get a ride scheduled sometime soon. As soon as this damned triathlon is behind me, I'll have a better handle on my immediate future.

WJordan

Very much inspiring! Congrats to you sir!!!

steve85

Awesome job jethro! You don't know how much of an inspiration you are!

Sayre Kulp 

Fantastic job! Your 'after' picture is most excellent. Congratulations on your achievements and best wishes for continued success.

jethro56 

That's high praise from an Award Winning Racer. Thank You.

IL Coke Addict

Simply awesome! Congratulations and thanks for sharing!

PS: I got your PM, but I couldn't reply because I don't have 50 posts. I used the email link on your user page, so hopefully you got my response.

BR46

WOW!! Fantastic job.

T. Shandy

Your three questions and answers are a great description of why my past attempts have failed or succeeded. I know that if I just relax, eat right, and exercise, the results will come. If I expect too much too soon or allow myself to be distracted then it might be months before I get on track again.

Congratulations on your success and thanks for the inspirational post.

engstrom

Fantastic! Very inspirational. Here's hoping to many more years of achieving your goals.

magohn

Congrats - stories like yours are what its all about. Though I appreciate a clyde who is 20-30lbs overweight and loses the weight, stories like yours are the true inspiration. Gave me chills!
Well done sir!

finelargeaxe

You shrink up quite nicely! Also, congratulations: You weigh less than me, now.

VegasVic

Awesome job!

I just love it when the before and after don't even look remotely like the same person.