BrandonC

I have been lurking around here for a month or so and thought I should post something since I have gotten some good info from this site.

Where to begin? A little bit about me. I am soon to be 35 years old, married, and have an awesome little boy who is 13 months old. I also have a buddy who goes by the screen name of bbeck who frequents the Clydes forum. Stay away from him, he is kinda shady.

May 31st I stepped on the scale and the number it gave me was 359. I was a bit surprised by that. I knew I had gotten big, but being in the habit of not weighing I didn't realize how big I really was. From what I have read I guess that would put me into the Uber Clyde category. I thought about it all day and decided to make a change.

On June 1st I started trying to eat better and I quit smoking. Sure, I have burnt a couple since then, but nowhere near the two packs a day I had smoked for twenty years. I haven't had a cigarette at all in the last couple of weeks. I think that that bad habit is now behind me.

On Saturday June 5th I went to a LBS, Bikers Choice in Hendersonville Tennessee and ordered my bike, a 2010 Trek 520. It came in the following week but the fitter was gone on vacation so it was two weeks from the day I ordered it before I got to bring it home. That day was June 19th.

Did my first ride that afternoon. A grueling 4.2 mile ride with a few rolling hills. I thought I was gonna have a heart attack, puke, or collapse from sheer exhaustion. Had to stop to take a break 8 times, and that doesn't count the times that I was coasting so slowly that I almost fell over. I think my average for that ride was somewhere around 8mph.

Fast forward to today, July 4th. I have a total of 45 miles on my bike. The last three days I have ridden 8.3 miles each day with my best mph average being 12.9 mph. I have only had to stop once on each ride to catch my breath, about three quarters of the way up a hill that gets me every time. My weigh in Friday, July 2nd says that I have lost 20.8 pounds so far, down to 338.2. I must say that I am fairly proud of myself. Hopefully before to long I will get below 300 and lose the Uber status. I think I would much rather be a Clyde than an Uber Clyde.

I also wanted to say Thanks to all the folks that have posted in the Before and After Picture Thread. Anyone needing some motivation needs to check it out. I know it inspired me.

And finally, a picture of my new steed. I am sure everyone here appreciates a little bike porn from time to time.

russgross

Congratulations! Sounds like you're off to a great start. And the smoking thing is phenomenal! Just keep on working toward that healthy lifestyle and you'll shed pounds in no time.

DoubleTap

Man, that is fantastic. Congratulations on the weight loss and the smoking quit. You're in a similar place as me. I began in fall of 2008 at about 375 lbs. I could no longer enjoy my real passion, snow skiing, because I'd gotten too fat. So I began eating better and working out. Now, about 18 months later, I'm at 314 and am as fit as I was in college. I had a bit of a relapse over this past winter and went from 315 back up to 342, so I'm not as far along on the weight loss path as I'd like to be, but I'm plugging along now. My goal is to permanently break below 300 by my birthday (August 24).

I'm riding a lot now, commuting to work several times a week and riding long rides on the weekends. Watching my diet has become easier. I'm also more aware now of the impact of winter on my exercise and eating habits, so I'm going to really work hard at continuing to lose this winter and certainly not regain any of the weight. My year-end goal is 250.

Congratulations again, and keep up the good work. Cycling and weight loss has changed my life.

DoubleTap

Also, beautiful bike. I've been thinking about a new commuter that could do double-duty as a tourer, and the 520 and the LHT are at the top of my list.

OiS

Good effort mate, well done on the achievement so far!

I am pretty new to this forum myself, and must also put a bit of a story up - I like reading them, your story is also motivational! I like to hear about people throwing the gauntlet down to themselves, and then rising to the challenge. Keep up the good work!

Daspydyr 

Welcome aboard young man. Father, family life? You have alot to get healthy for. You will enjoy what biking brings to you. It was about a year ago that I was impressing myself with a 45 minute 7 mile ride. Last Saturday I rode 35 miles, about half on trails. Plus I have had to buy a couple new belts. What a difference a year makes. We are looking forward to your success story! That bike is a great step forward.