I have passed 2/3 hurdles and on Tuesday next week, I get to look at and see if I can pass the 3rd and final one.
Of course, once that s done, then either way, I should be able to start revealing more and more detail about what im talking about.
A couple of you guessed it, but most didnt :0)
It’s a REAL life changer so I dont want to do anything to throw a spanner in the works, by all means keep on guessing though, its fun :0)
Cycling Plus
Head on down to your local stockest and pick up this edition of “Cycling Plus” for an exclusive interview with the one and only ME :0)
XXXL Cyclist:
I was over the moon when I got into my XXXL Altura coat, however this winter, the zip went with a HUGE thanks to “Discount Cycles Direct“ it was this week replaced with a “Large” under warranty , to say that im chuffed with being a “Large” ( at 6ft 3″) in cycling specific kit would be a understatment , so to celebrate, I went for a drive in it (not true, don’t worry, I was going out anyways)
Contour ROAM
Having rejoined the helmet camera bunch , I am totting up some nice footage on YouTube and will also have a review of the camera soon too, here is a still from one late afternoon, why wouldnt you be a cyclist ?
and finally
I took the “Denton Roundabout” way home the other day, now I have avoided this for some time as the red light jumping is just WAY out of hand
I considered if things had changed and wanted to check it out
Monday this week is considered “Black Monday” , the most depressing day of a new year.
But not for me.
It started at the weekend when I went for a new hair cut, undecided where to go, I plumped for somewhere I used to frequent, however, the last time I was there was when I was around 35 stone.
The upshot of this was that they had NO IDEA who I was, so I played a little game with them before revealing my true identity, the looks, stunned silence, before a myriad of questions was simply amazing, felt like a rock star.
Black Monday
Was here, I was to drive to Birmingham for a meeting, now, if you’re American, then driving a round trip of 200 miles is nothing, however, as I only passed my test a few weeks ago, this was a biggie for me, I recall being scared to cycle too far from home, its like I’m growing up into a proper-big-boy now
After arriving in Brum safe and sound I parked in the “World” ? Famous “Car Crusher Car Park”
It’s basically a car park (Really Gaz, Really ?) with crushed cars for an entrance.
Now, I’m not permitted to talk about the meeting at this stage, let’s just say, that all being well, you will see a lot more & at the same time, a lot LESS of me soon.
Once again, I felt like the world was my stage, For now, that’s all I can say, I will reveal more as and when I can, Black Monday was, for me anyway, by far and away the best day of the year !
See 3 years ago I started to cycle & for the first 6-8 months, it was just that, cycling to lose weight, cycling to work, the bike was just, well, erm , a bike , in the comer of my living room no less.
Oh that hair, oh the SHAME of it.
Now, it was around this time, that I discovered what cycling REALLY meant to me, it started to enrich mylife , save my life and make me live for live.
I’d never really heard of a cancer survivor from Texas called Lance Armstrong but around the time this was taken, he announced his comeback, I was starting to immerse myself in the cycling community and couldnt help but hear about it, in turn research it and the rest, as they say, is history.
Approx 30 months ago, I started to wear a LiveSTRONG Band, it’s the same one I have on today and I have NEVER EVER Removed it, it was there when a van drive hit me, when I slipped off on ice, on the nervy comeback rides, throughout my job interviews, at my therapy , when I was smashing PB’s, achieving goals , I dont normally think like this, but that band saved my life, every time it got hard on the bike I looked down and couldn’t help but get inspired by it to push on through the pain and suffering, all from a bi of yellow rubber.
I owe my life to LiveSTRONG, Lance Armstrong and Cycling, for that reason, my LiveSTRONG band will never get removed from me, regardless of any allegations
After taking a much NEEDED and DESERVED Rest over the holidays to recharge my battery’s, where by I didn’t once touch any of my bikes , Monday was the time to get back into it.
Weighty Matters
Pretty much every Xmas, even since losing weight, I have gained weight over Xmas, I guess it’s what people do and this year, having taken my bike away from me, I was worried that it would be same shit, different year.
BUT, despite gaining a bit in the first few days, I’m gonna assume this was getting my body properly rehydrated , I then lost that added few pounds, stepping on the scales on Monday showed a 2 pound loss since the 23rd December 2011, with ZERO Miles cycled and Christmas & New Year thrown in….I have FINALLY managed to figure out this and how to keep weight off, when off the bike.
I’ll drink to that
Back In the saddle
Well, Monday was hell at first, I was running late, tired , the normal after a long lay off, I averaged 15 mph and at times I thought I was gonna die
BUT I didn’t & quite amazingly on the way home I averaged almost 17 Mph, keeping in mind that its all up hill, it seems that getting your speed back comes quicker than losing it
Things round here MIGHT just go mental.
I’m off for a haircut today, the reason is I have, in the pipeline for next week, something, that, if it comes off, would be HUGE and would change everything for me , it’s not gonna start world harmony I’m sorry to say, but from MY point of view, it’s something I feel I need to finish what I started, sorry for being cloak and dagger but I’ll post a big update during next week regarding the developments.
Tola Ya I need a hair cut
Video:
Well, I mentioned that I am becoming a helmet camera cyclist again and this week I have gotten myself some damn fine videos, they don’t stress me out, I don’t get angry or wound up by them, they just serve as a nice reminder of how things are today, to look back on tomorrow :0)
Here’s One, I dont like white van man
and a feel good one
I’ll be posting a review of the camera (Contour ROAM) soon enough too.
I’ve also got BIG plans for the “Outlook” of this blog too, stay tuned.
See “We” Know a thing or 2 about the subject and we figured that for the new year, there might be some people out there searching for weight loss tips
The Pic That Started It All, Gaz @ 34 Stone
1: The most simple tip to lose weight EVER is “Eat less and move more” – Common sense I know but it’s what every single weight loss plan is based on, TRUST ME !
2: Control the AMOUNT you eat at each meal time – make sure your meals are low in fat. This is not set in stone for instance you might want to also think about calories or portion control.
3: Get weighed – Measure your body, hips, thighes, chest, arms, neck……what can be measured can be managed. Always weigh-in on the same day in the same clothes on the same scales at the same time of day.
There is no point starting on a weight loss plan unless you get weighed first. This is very important. You need to be able to monitor your progress to know how well you are doing and that any changes in your lifestyle and eating are reaping the rewards or where you are making mistakes.
4 Keep a food diary – write down what you eat and what exercise you have done. Make sure you look at Calories n vs Calories out and try to ensure that Calories out is MORE than Calories in – If it helps you write down your feelings.
5.Smarter Shopping The golden rulehere is to NEVER EVER go food shopping hungry. You make the decision to eat biscuits and crap food’s when you buy them in the shops, not when you take them from the cupboard. Don’t buy them in the first place.
6, Make a Goal list – write down achievable goals.
If my first ever goal, at 39 stone, was to ride to Blackpool in 3 hours and 10 mins, I would have failed on my journey VERY early on, so my goals were simple ones like tie my shoes, shop in regular stores, as the express train that is the 39 stone cyclist picked up speed and rumbled on, the goals got bigger, harder and more focused, to the point where I can now average 20mph on the bike, I can do “Joel Lane” and not only do I shop at regular stores, I even tie my shoes in them while shopping in the bargain basement section and stuff FITS
:0)
Good luck with your own journeyin 2012, may it be a happy, healthy and successful one
Gaz
Manchester to Blackpool 2011 gaz in radioshack kit
Kind is well kinda underplaying 2011 if I am to be honest.
I sit here, writing this, recalling what 2010 was like at the same time last year, climate change experts tell us that we are doomed to years of frozen tundra-like winters but as early as November 2010 I was on my MTB with studded tyres and 6 layers of clothes.
Cube Ltd Team 2011 in the SNOW !
In 2011 I have not yet used my MTB (Other than when first new) let alone installed the studded tyres, in fact I sit here typing looking at my Single Speed with it’s 23′mm tyres thinking that I’m pretty glad we missed out on the forecasters Minus 25 degree temps …… If tomorrow it snows and drops to -25 then please feel free to blame me.
EDIT:
The day after I wrote this in draft, I awoke to find this
Luckily it was gone from the roads by the next commute, so the record of not needing tyres any wider than 23mm this winter is in tact.
The Good:
Where to start….Well
My speeds have shot up this year, I am averaging a smudge over 16Mph for the whole year.
My Manchester to Blackpool time was the quickest ever time on a bicycle for me (At the time) and I was able to suffer through that riding on the front for the majority of the time.
Manchester to Blackpool 2011 Gaz in christie kit
I have now hit my goal weight and STUCK to or just under but never over it for well over 6 months.
I was able to challenge myself on the Bruntwood Ellipse, something to this day that is the proudest moment on a bike for me, over a route I NEVER thought I’d make.
Bruntwood Ellipse 2011 Finish Line
I havewon further awards in 2011 for my services to weight loss and attempting to use my web presence to inspire and help as many other people as I can.
Ironic !
Starting with applying for my provisional license in late October I not only passed the Theory in 2011 but also the practical test, meaning 7 weeks later I have a full driving license, it was pretty challenging but I’m so very proud of what I achieved.
I have brought to the fore my eating disorder and I initially tackled it head on, proving to myself that I’m not scared any more, I have however put in on the back burner while I waited for professional help, after all , I have no idea what I’m doing :0)
That help started a couple of weeks ago & now I am pretty confident I’m gonna kill it, when I do I will be able to fuel my cyclists body correctly ….When that finally happens ……Sit back and watch me FLY !
Yet despire all the above, I noticed a post where I said I felt like I was having a Cavendsish-style start to the year, where I had a couple of scrapes, got caught jumping a red light at a left hand turn and forgetting to unclip, despite such a torrid time, I picked myself up and achieved so much, so the message here, is NEVER give up.
There were also some smaller, more personal goals achieved this year, like Riding Chunal 3 times in 2 weeks, keeping up with a Pro-cyclists on my Single Speed, Riding Roller coasters, Raising over £300 for the Christie Cancer Hospital.
AND In the last days of commuting before finishing for the year, I managed to equal my fastest time ever @ an average of 19.4 Mph, it was cold, SOAKING WET
and what made it even more amazing ? I was on my Single Speed
The Bad
Well, now I have listed the good, the bad REALLY doesn’t seem that bad at all.
Of course there was HUGE disappointment when I was not selected to carry the 2012 Olympic Torch , like I said at the time though, I have won more on this journey by getting my life back and inspiring others every single day than to worry about running with a torch for 10 mins, sure it would have been the perfect chapter to end my weight loss story before my new journey of beating an eating disorder starts but it doesn’t matter , if I had to chose the Torch or helping inspire people here daily , then I chose here.
The other “Bad” of 2011 was missing out on a chance to reclaim my Pride of Manchester trophy at the Manchester BE Proud awards, I received many nominations , however I failed to make the short list, there is always 2012 to get that trophy back.
My blog is here as a beacon to light the way for fatties who , like I used to be, simply need to see what can be achieved, just because your super morbid obese doesn’t mean you cant workout (Though as always, seek medical advice first).
It’s there to celebrate life, the achievements , however small, that we concur, life is short, we need to celebrate it, embrace it and most of all, LIVE IT!
Where Next In 2012:
Well, if we believe the Mayans then the world will end in 2012, so, just in case, I have some super big idea for this, possibly, the last year you an I are on this mortal coil
I have rejoined the “Helmet Camera” brigade, I have started treatment for my eating disorder, I have my application primed for a new job,I intend to get out there and do plenty more motivational speaking, I’m in talks with a national TV channel and there are ongoing negations to get my skin removed, added to that I have a few offers of sponsorship for this blog, im not jumping into it, Im picking the one(s) that’s RIGHT for me, this blog and its readers , oh and I have a few races as well as charity rides planned for the year ahead, also I’m hoping to, once again, ride with a pro cyclist, this time for more than a few miles, PHEW , it’s gonna be a busy one.
As in the mean time, I intend to take a much deserved rest, for all of you who ate too much over Christmas and need a little inspiration then sit back, sound ON and watch this video.
Watching programs on TV such as “Ross Kemp On The Front Line (Afghanistan) has given me a WHOLE new perspective on the armed forces and weather you agree with what they are doing or not, you cant help but respect and admire there courage.
So forget all the X-Factor bull-crap at this time of te year, lets work together to get a WORTHY number one this year.
Wherever You Are’ is a moving love song written by Royal Wedding composer Paul Mealor for the choir to sing at The Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance. The music is set to a poem compiled from letters to and from the servicemen and their wives on a 6-month tour of duty in Afghanistan. It is the raw emotion of the song that has touched so many of the British public.
….This isn’t my now customary look back over the year.
What it is, however, is a look back at what goals I have achieved over the course of 2011, with one eye on what my 2012 will become.
Why the random pic? Well the Spanish national team score lots of goals yeah ! so ………. (Oh and I have NEVER EVER Wore a soccer jersey so small)
So, what have I achieved ?
Lose 40 Pounds in 2011 – Done………In fact I SMASHED this one some time ago,Thanks Paul for the challenge !
Finish the Mottram Moor Climb in under 7 Mins (Current PB 8 Mins 22 Seconds)…..In Febuary I got this down to 5 Mins 22 seconds, In July I did it in 4 mins 58 seconds !
Weigh less than 200 Pounds DONE
Wear Medium Tops – DONE
Wear 15″ Collar Shirts – Done
Promote cycling and weight loss to a room of Morbidly Obese adults ….. In May I did a motivation speaking gig….more to come I feel.
Never gain more than 1 pound in a week in 2011 – Done …
Ride a roller coaster again …Done with style and gusto riding everything at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, something I’d not done BEFORE I was obese.
Fit in a size 34 pants DONE
Commute 250 Miles in 5 days………..Done but bloody HELL it HURT !
Get an average speed of over 20 MPH over a 10 Mile commute….Done JUST !!!!
Get my sprint speed to over 40 Mph (Current Best 36.8Mph) - Done 43.3 Mph June 2011
Ride Joel Lane at least once a week…….Done, now the icy is starting to appear I’m not risking that descent again now until the weather warms and the risk of ice goes.
If I don’t lose at least 2 Pounds in a single week I must wear THIS at least once the following week……….I did this until I wasnt safe losing that much weight.
Cycle 15000 Miles …..Done !
Cycle 20000 Miles………Im 4 miles away from this with 5 commutes left, Im calling DONE and this is pretty much the one that means the MOST !
Admit I have a eating disorder Done
Try something I really didn’t like, for a second time - Done
Ride the Majority of the rides at Blackpool Pleasure Beach - DONE
Improve on my Quickest Normal Commute 17 mins 52 Seconds (Feb 2011)……… as of December 14th it now stands at 16 mins 51 seconds.
——————————————————————————————————-
Wow, I wasn’t expecting that MANY of my personal goals to be met tbh, I thought I’d had a good all round year on the bike but I didn’t quite realize just how “Successful” I’d been, It’s just set up 2012 to be one HELL of a tasty year for some new goals.
Stay tuned for my year in review and last weeks (and next) ride reports, there is some good stuff planned for both !
…Shattered, Olympic Gymnast Craig Heap once said to me with regard my chance of carrying the Torch “You will piss it Gaz”
Well this week I found out that I had NOT been selected, was pretty gutted at the time BUT my journey has won me more than being part of the Olympics, its “won” me my life back and that is worth SO MUCH MORE than anything else.
I Hate My Uncle….
…John, for I took him out on Monday and after 18 miles proceeded to get a puncture in BOTH wheels at the same time.
So the next day…
…I disowned him (well I CBA changing 2 tubes) and took my Single Speed……..Only to get a puncture in that too, was a HUGE bit of glass, then yesterday my car too had a puncture, maybe I was too harsh on Uncle John ?
Oh and to add insult to Injury Evans Cycles are now charging £8 for ONE Innertube….Edinburgh Cycles £3.99 !
Every day this week I have been soaked and battered by harsh winds, its been a real challenge but a fun one if truth be told.
Later on in the week I noticed a car holding back when he could have passed, I was holding 25Mph getting ready for a climb, just as we hit the hill he pulled along side and shouted “Very impressive mate, you were touching 25Mph all the way along that section” , I have no idea who that bloke was but I wanted to say thank you to him for giving me a much needed boost , in whats been a pretty challenging week all round.
It’s Almost Xmas
and from the window of one of the offices I work, on Friday we spotted some trumpet players, they were pretty good most of the time but they murdered “Fair tail of New York” so much so that by the time they did it again, I had to record it. This time there wasnt as many bum notes but it was still as depressing at the start as ever.
(not true, don’t worry, I was going out anyways)
