When I started preparing for this trip in June in earnest I was referred by my dietitian to a local place where, for $30, you can be weighed on a scale that calculates body mass index and other information that provides better insight into weight issues than does the old scale at home.

It was the first weight info about myself that I posted in this blog.  On June 24th of this year it says I weighed 367.3 pounds/167 kg.  As far as the rest of the report goes, I could have saved the thirty bucks.  What that piece of paper told me was that I was fat.  The same thing my pants told me.  And my belt.  And my lungs.  And my knees and feet.  You get the picture.

Fast forward almost four months and, most important, through 2,400 miles/3,840 kilometers ridden on a bicycle over 60 days.  I told you I would weigh myself every Monday and post the results whatever they were.  Oh sure, I snuck a few Tuesdays in there- two, I think.   And I didn’t always lose weight.  A couple of times I went up from the week before or stayed the same.  But mostly the pounds came off.

Today’s weigh-in practically left me in tears.

I have lost since June 24th 75.9 pounds/34.5 kilograms.  No fat shaming here, though.  At 291.4 pounds/132.5 kg I’m still fat.  Probably per the criteria I’m still morbidly obese.  But I have lost a hell of a lot of weight over a relatively brief time sticking to advice I ignored for far too long.

“Diet and exercise.”  No simple little tricks.  No gimmicks.  No personal trainer.  No gym membership.  No surgery.  Just diet and exercise.

And if I can do it, anyone can. Now, back to my ride, which is in progress.