Bike Week, One Hell Of A Ride, Gaz Meets The Press

http://www.justgiving.com/gb155

 

With a little over 3 weeks until I ride for The Christy Cancer Hospital I wanted to bring together details of what has been the single most amazing week of my journey.

When I started my Cycling / Weight Blog I had no idea that it would ever lead to what happened to me this week,

In the space of 5 days I have done the following media commitments:

BBC Manchester

BBC Radio Manchester Live On Air – Unable To Find Podcast

Channel M – Link To Come

Manchester City Council

CTC

Road CC

Shooting A Video Promoting Cycling – Link To Come

Tameside Reporter

Arranging A Video Interview With ITV Local News – Link To Come

All this was in ADDIDTION to my normal working week and cycling commuting of 70 miles. As you can guess its been a pretty hectic and even at times punishing week for someone who a little over 12 months ago would have been out of breath and sweating just stood up talking to camera.

Wednesday was Manchester City Councils Bring Your Bike To Work Day, Below are a few pictures of me at the event, I joined up after leaving BBC Manchester at around 9.30am, I was there until around 11.30, The pictures were taken when I got there, Good job in the end as the rain was really bad, Channel M had to film me under a tree for one shot it was that bad.

 

The Amazing Shrinking Gaz With His Trek 6300 During Bike Week 2009

The Amazing Shrinking Gaz With Councillor Richard Cowell,

Manchester City Council's Executive Member for the Environment

The Amazing Shrinking Gaz With Councillor Richard Cowell,

Manchester City Council's Executive Member for the Environment

 

One of the reasons I agreed to take my story into the public domain with such fierce marketing is because I REALLY want to help others out there, “Pay it forward" if you like, I was of the impression (not too long ago) that someone of my size could not loose the weight I had never mind exercise or cycle 14 miles every day but it was when I was watching NBC’s Biggest Loser that I was shown that there is no excuse, Ali Vincent & Mark Kruger stood up in that show and proved to me that I could do it, if I wanted to. I had to feel the fear and do it anyway.

It was going to hurt but what I was about to do would save my life.

(As a quick point before I carry on I would love to give a talk to people are are morbidly obese on what I have achieved, I believe the NHS run weight management clinics where they have guest speakers etc, Would anyone like my services at one of these ? )

When you start to loose weight, especially when its as much as I have, its like someone is taking away all the protective layers you have built up over the years that are stopping you getting to the core of the problem, I have lost weight in the past but its only been a few stone and put it right back on again. One thing I have learnt this time is that you have to deal with the mental side of things.

You have to find out what the reason was for you giving up on yourself.  It hurts so much when each layer of fat you loose exposes more and more of that fragile mindset .  Each pound I lost I had to find more and more mental strength to rebuild not only my body but also my mind, I'm SO glad I stuck at it though because now I’m a WHOLE NEW PERSON, Both mentally and physically, My attitude to life (I have one now) has changed now I am defining who I am, not my weight.

Fundraising has been AMAZING this week and I want to thank you ALL from the bottom of my heart, It means SO MUCH to me it really does, If I could shake you all by the hand I would, We are now at a total of

£391.01 in Donations

£170 In Pledges

With a Target of £500 if means that if all the people who have made a pledge pay up then we will have have surpassed out target so again THANK YOU !!!!!!

I will try and make the last bit short and sweet, Myself and Joby both agreed that Wednesday evenings commute home was hell and would not be passed by anything, This morning we both agreed that we were talking rubbish about Wednesday and that this morning was HELL, I knew within half a mile I was in for some SERIOUS pain, I made it to work in 29 mins, So not bad, I remember the first time I attempted it at around 37 stone, it took me 2 HOURS !!!!!

I have setup a petition on the Government website for a cycle lane on Hyde Road. If you could take the time to sign it, then that would be great. I know people who would cycle to work if it were not for the total lack of cycle lane along 80% of this road

PLEASE SIGN HERE:

Total distance this week reads 73.57 Miles  and weight lost is 2 Pounds (From Sunday to Friday) So as you can see from those numbers and everything else above its been a GREAT WEEK for me.

Thank you for reading, I know this has been mammoth.

Gaz, Still big but getting smaller every week.

 

http://www.justgiving.com/gb155

we know a Celeb!!!!!  Wow! I read the first interview, will get to the others.  Your story is amazing.


I fell in love with biking myself as a squatty Italian peasant style body!I do the Chico Wildflower ride here and there (think it's been about 6 times now in my life from age 40-50).  I believe a couple thousand people do this ride.

I saw, still see people of all shapes and sizes! There were easily, 20% of riders who were well over 300# - doing fine, keeping up, finishing long rides.

It just lifts your spirits to know that you fit in. Yes, there are the rail thin racers, but likewise there are the strong, slower trail riders as the "ideal" body types to aspire to.

I am so happy that you have lighted here! Trust me, even if you don't get too many replies right here, you inspire lurkers and many others in England who just feel alone and helpless.  

Thank you very much for all your kind comments, It really is nice to read such encouragement

Gary,

What an unbelievable journey you're on.  You inspire me!  Best,  Donna

Its TOTALLY crazy isnt it, Im still hoping that one day it will somehow allow me to meet Philip Rivers at the Qualcomm but thats maybe a dream too far even for me lolol

Thanks Donna, Take Care


Gary

I don't think it's outside the realm to meet Rivers at Qualcomm.  Donna

Thanks Donna but i'm not sure it's something I could ever afford, I can always dream :)

Keep up the good work - you are such an inspiration. And you're so right about the layers of fat being more than just insulation against the weather - but insulation from feelings.

Your body is getting smaller but your spirit is growing by leaps and bounds.

Skylar

Your so right

Yeah this journey is making grow just as much as it is making me shrink, its amazing

Gaz