Fat Mom Across America

Not long ago, I came across an interesting story of a man named Eric Hites, aka "Fat Guy Across America," who is riding a bike cross country to lose weight and better his life. Pretty inspiring, right? The article says he is 40 years old and weighed 560 pounds. I just can't imagine undertaking such a huge task at that age and weight! I got to thinking about what a cool journey that would be. But I can't do something like that because I'm a Mom with responsibilities and I can't just run off and leave my home and family for a year or however long this kind of thing would take. But boy is it tempting!

So I've decided I AM going to do this... at home. I have plotted out a route across America on Google Maps, from coast to coast, and I'm going to ride that route on my stationary exercise bike. Yep, it's Fat Mom Across America! This way I am committed to the ride but can do the miles without leaving home.

I'll be riding on my recumbent bike downstairs in the family room, tracking my miles, speed, and time in a notebook. I will keep track of where I am (where I would be if I was actually riding the accumulated miles on the chosen route) and take time to think about each place where I stop along the way. That way, it's not just logging over 3,000 miles. It's a virtual "trip" where I can explore the destinations and experience the ride, albeit in a limited way. This is something I *can* do, and I hope it will result in weight loss and better fitness. I'd think that riding a bike across America would result in both! I'll be sharing my riding log and how I'm doing.

Part of what inspired me to do this is wondering: can I, at 245 pounds, do the same amount of miles that Fat Guy Across America can do at 560 pounds, even with my joint issues? If he can do it, I can too, right?  I've tried to find a ride log on his site with no luck, so I am wondering how many miles per day he is doing and how far he has gotten. I can't find his official route, either; there seems to be some driving and circling around and changing routes along the way, so I decided to pick my own route instead. Apparently he's been at this for over a year now; I would love to finish my ride for my 10-year Bloggiversary next August. And I have already committed to not being obese anymore by then. This should guarantee it!

I will ride when I am energized, and I will ride when I am tired. I will ride when I feel like it and when I don't, just as I would if I were actually on the road. I want this to be more than just a 3,000 mile ride log; I want this to be a virtual trip across America to all the places on my route. I want it to be an adventure and a challenge.

My route:

I will begin my ride in Long Beach, Washington. This is a place on the Pacific coast where I have been many times with my children, as we live in Washington state. We have many happy memories on Long Beach, so it is a perfect place to start my journey. I am choosing a route that is 3,035 miles long and goes through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, ending at Long Beach, New York. I wanted to ride from Pacific to Atlantic coasts, one edge of America to the other, and Long Beach WA to Long Beach NY seemed like a great way to do it!

Every week (at least), I will post details from my riding log including how far I have gone and the places I've been. I'll also post a weekly weigh in and share the changes in my eating habits.

I am 47 years old, mother of five, and I weigh 245 pounds. Tomorrow, this journey begins.




Weight Loss