Usually this blog is all about me, and my weight loss. Sometimes, in order to put things into perspective, you need to look at others for inspiration, knowledge and a snapshot of where they are now compared to where they once were.
Andy Fuller and I know each other through the Vags, Facebook and this blog, and until recently I hadn’t even met him. Looking at Andy, you’d never think he’s been anything but a super skinny roady his entire life. Regular updates on Facebook indicate rides consistently over 100 miles, and he’s a pretty handy time trialist (although I get the impression he keeps looking over his shoulder to see where I am)! His last club 10 result was 1st, with a time of 23.39. Unfortunately, for both the blog and the ladies, Andy won’t let me post any pictures of his before and after shots on here, but rest assured the transformation is really quite something. Maybe one day I’ll be able to see my ribs too…
The truth is, Andy wasn’t always the whippet he is now. Andy used to weigh just shy of 18 stone himself, so he’s experienced first hand the battle I am now fighting. Unlike me, Andy has kept rather quiet about it, and (unless I have him wrong) comes across as a quiet guy at the races. The first time trial I didn’t even know he was there, and the second time trial I only recognised him because he rides a Planet X Stealth (a rather shapely piece of carbon fibre).
I don’t think people who lose weight always get the recognition they deserve, it’s a lengthy, grueling and often solitary effort. Unless you’re in the situation - and by that I don’t mean you’re 4 or 5lbs heavier than what you should be - I mean several stone overweight, obese (like I am now) or even morbidly obese (like I was until recently) then you’ll not truly appreciate what it’s like. Yes, people offer words of support, but they’re not the ones who have to maintain self control when the ice cream van passes, they’re not the ones who have to get out on the bike when it’s chucking down, they’re not the ones who have to constantly moderate what they eat even when they feel like binging.
Hats off to Andy. Not only did he shift the weight, he’s now one of the best cyclists we’ve got in our club.