Massive Motivation
A Serious Note from Fatty: Yesterday, a few of you commented regarding a conversation about LiveStrong going on in a CyclingNews forum right now. As you all hopefully know, what matters to me is the same thing that matters to a lot of you: doing some good in the fight against cancer.
Based on what I know about LiveStrong — the people I’ve met there, the help they’ve given my family, and the help they’ve given others I know — I’m not concerned about what feel like inaccurate accusations. But I’ve asked the LiveStrong folks to reply with some specific answers. I’ll post those answers as soon as I get them.
An Informational Note from Fatty: A quick update here on all the prizes I’m currently wrangling. The winner of the trip to Italy has been contacted and has replied; I’ll be posting a little about her (yes, a female) soon. The winners of the weight loss challenge who are getting something from me have all been contacted by email. Winners who are getting something from Performance will be getting email directly from Performance soon. The winner of the snowshoes has been contacted and has replied. The winners of the CarboRocket will be contacted directly by Brad soon. So, in short, it’s possible that you’ve won something but haven’t found out about it yet. This has been a monster logistical challenge for me, so thanks for your patience!
Massive Motivation
I’m not as pleased as you might expect to announce that in a much shorter amount of time than it took to lose it, I have gained back almost all the weight I lost during the “Let’s Lose 10 Pounds by Christmas” challenge.
Sure, about four pounds of that loss was just water loss and I gained all of that back within five minutes of getting off the trainer, but still.
My problem, see, is motivation. With temperatures in the low single digits, it’s hard to imagine myself wearing shorts and a short sleeve jersey ever again.
It’s very easy, on the other hand, to eat yet another chocolate truffle. In fact, so far I have not discovered my practical truffle-consumption limit. But I do know it’s high.
Really, really high.
What I need is something to motivate me. A good reason to lose the weight. A carrot.
Luckily, I have just such a motivation. It’s sitting in my garage. In a box.
My motivation is a Gary Fisher Trek Superfly 100. This is a bike I’ve wanted since I tested one out at the 2010 Gary Fisher Ride Camp. I think this could very well be the bike I can finish the Leadville 100 in under nine hours on. This may be the bike I can do well in the local races on.
This may be the bike that cures me of the rigid SS disease with which I have been afflicted for the past few years.
And now I own one. [Full disclosure: I purchased this bike at a discount directly from the company.] Got it a few weeks ago. I’m so excited to take this bike to Moab or to Gooseberry Mesa I feel I may burst.
But, as I might have mentioned, the bike remains in a box.
Here’s why.
When I bought the bike (which I have given the nickname “Motivation”), I told The Runner, “This bike is my ‘Fatty is not fat’ bike. This is the bike I will not ride until I am down to 158 pounds. In fact, I won’t even build this bike until I’m down to racing weight.”
Currently, I am 13.4 pounds away from building that bike. And that has to be 13.4 honest pounds, not “this is really bad for your kidneys” pounds.
A couple of times, upon catching me as I put my hand into a bag of chips, or into the bag of truffles, or as I put my hand into the fridge, The Runner has asked, “Don’t you ever want to ride that new bike?”
It’s a question with power. Enough power, in fact, to (at least sometimes) put down a handful of chips. And to ask — beg — The Runner to please take the remaining Christmas candy (even the truffles) and nuts to the hospital and put them out in a community bowl.
At 1.5 pounds per week (a reasonable rate), I’ll be building and riding my new bike by the middle of March.
Until then, I’ll just keep looking at that box, and dreaming about what’s inside.
And I will update you on my progress.
Comment by Mike G. | 01.4.2011 | 4:31 pm
Ouch! Even with the discount it sounds like you wasted your money Fatty. I’d say a better plan to go under 9 hours at Leadville would be to hire a coach. Good luck!
Comment by TMZ | 01.4.2011 | 4:35 pm
Thanks for the update.
And man, what a sweet looking bike. I’ve been trying to decide whether I want to throw my hat into the L100 ring for this year. Decisions, decisions…
Comment by Lisa | 01.4.2011 | 4:37 pm
I did not participate in your challenge because I knew that I’d never lose 10 pounds before Christmas. Why? Because after already losing 100 pounds I am just 8 pounds from that elusive goal weight. And those 8 pounds are proving to be the freakin’ hardest of the 100 to lose.
I also struggle with fitness in the winter. It’s cold. I live in the NW and it’s RAINY all the time. No getting on a bike for me until at least February…. :(
Comment by Greg Furry | 01.4.2011 | 4:44 pm
Sweet bike! No custom Fatty paint job????
Comment by Jake | 01.4.2011 | 4:47 pm
I am looking to pick one of those up myself. I should be ordering mine the end of next week.
Comment by Geo | 01.4.2011 | 4:48 pm
Sorry to hear the dilemma. A icy temperatures call for lots of chocolate.
Thankfully, last year I moved back to warm weather and have been able to keep off the weight I lost in the 10-pound challenge and after a week of stasis (ok, gaining back a pound or so) between Christmas and NY I’m back on the horse — or the bike that is. Today was the exercycle at the gym due to rain but rest of the week should be a real bike on real roads.
Good luck getting on that bike before March.
Comment by Squirrelhead | 01.4.2011 | 4:53 pm
You need to setup constant reminders Fatty. Open the box with the precious bike and lay the pieces out. Take pictures of the disassembled bike and then put them up in all your trouble spots. Put 3-5 on the fridge (you know you took various artsy photos of the bike parts and not just one plain jane one), the pantry, the sock drawer where you secret candy stash as well as that box way in the back of the closet. You may even want to fashion a halo type contraption that dangles a picture in front of you. Now you have some motivation! You can even slowly assemble the bike as you reach certain milestones. It helps to take the sting out of the long push to drop the weight.
Comment by Doug | 01.4.2011 | 4:54 pm
Dang, a new bike that you can’t touch or ride? That’s shows either extreme discipline or sadism; not sure which.
Comment by MattC | 01.4.2011 | 5:09 pm
I like Squirrlehead’s idea…setting milestones…for each pound you lose you get to assemble one part…(and if you gain that back you must disassemble it and put it back in the box). It would be highly visible enticement to stay on the wagon. Gosh you have a lot of bikes…but glad to hear you are going BACK to gears…the SS stuff scares me (well, my knees anyway). Hang in there Fatty…you can do it!
Comment by KanyonKris | 01.4.2011 | 5:20 pm
Sorry but the Geneva Convention outlawed the tactics you’ve proposed.
Comment by bykjunkie | 01.4.2011 | 5:21 pm
A true test of self discipline! You got this in the bag! or i should say the box.
Comment by stuckinmypedals | 01.4.2011 | 5:53 pm
I’m with Squirrelhead. That is one beautiful carrot. Hope you get to ride it soon!
Comment by Dan | 01.4.2011 | 5:57 pm
I think I must be the only one that didn’t get a prize for dropping my 10lbs. You had a gazillion giveaways! (please, please, please….Performance send me an email).
Comment by Travis | 01.4.2011 | 6:52 pm
Have you read about that new “Clean” book? Not sure how actually new it is, but the write up in this month’s Outside mag makes it seem pretty enticing.
Comment by Travis | 01.4.2011 | 6:53 pm
Actually, I think it’s “cleanse” not clean -
Comment by Miles Archer | 01.4.2011 | 7:34 pm
Now that sounds like a good plan
Comment by Peter B | 01.4.2011 | 10:04 pm
For some real motivation, you should let all your local riding buddies ride it until you lose the weight. Seeing daily photos of Kenny befouling your new saddle with his daisy dukes should be motivation enough!
Comment by Cyclin' Missy | 01.4.2011 | 10:10 pm
Go Fatty! You can do it!
Comment by Paul Guyot | 01.4.2011 | 11:09 pm
I told you: gears = sub-9.
If you don’t do it in under 9, I put you on TV.
Comment by Jenn | 01.5.2011 | 2:58 am
Ah, Fatty, this post is one of the reasons I love this blog…I can SO relate! I’m doing the exact same thing right now, but with a June bike trip as the carrot. Our group does a ride called the Liberty Tour,alternating each year between General Patton’s routes in France and Belgium. This year, it’s Belgium, which is sadistically hilly. As I see it, I have two options – sit it out, or lose 30 lbs and run with the big boys. “Sit it out” is not in my DNA, so I’ve been doing the same hand-in-the-cookie-jar thought process as you have with the new rig. Good luck to you! @Squirrelhead – I am going to post pics of the Belgium ride around the house as motivation. Thanks for the idea!
Comment by Cardiac Kid | 01.5.2011 | 6:54 am
Fatty can I have your SS?
Comment by Den | 01.5.2011 | 7:34 am
Elden, I’ve been following you a few years now and I think I understand you well enough to say…
The only way you’ll really motivate yourself is to set a deadline… say March 21, 2011. If you’re not at your desired weight of 158 at noon local time on that day, then you raffle the bike away and give the proceeds to Livestrong…
That should motivate you…
Comment by Jennebelle | 01.5.2011 | 8:17 am
Good luck! I have a terrible time in the winter here in Canada. With an average day time temperature of -20C and it always being dark outside by the time I get home, it’s tough to find the motivation to wander down to the cold basement and get on the elliptical. Can’t lie, I was kinda hoping to win the snow shoes, oh well, I will try to do the 1.5 lbs a week with you. I kept my 10 Christmas pounds off but would still like to lose another 10 pounds before summer (if we get a summer this year :op )
Comment by John H | 01.5.2011 | 8:19 am
I did well up till Christmas. Even got in 45 miles on the road (in the cold). Wife’s idea to keep me out of her way in the kitchen. Unfortunatly, I went out the next day in the snow on the mountain bike. Hit a patch of ice and went down hard on the asphalt on the way to the trails. Forced myself to ride the trails and have been paying for it ever since. Bum leg, bruised… everything, and an ankle that is 3 times normal size. Sidelined and have already regained the weight. ***head hung in shame.*** But when I get better… I have goals galore.
Comment by DoubleUc | 01.5.2011 | 8:38 am
Just lose half the weight..6.7lbs and build the unicycle…why is balance the KEY to everything?
Comment by Susi | 01.5.2011 | 8:56 am
Just curious . . . what was the final tally for the fundraiser for Andreas? I have been following the CaringBridge journal and am truly impressed by the love and strength of his family.
Comment by patty | 01.5.2011 | 10:27 am
That freakin’ bike retails for $6,299.99! I don’t care how much of a discount you got (it still had to cost a lot!), there is no way a few pounds would keep me from riding it! My goal is to lose some weight before I buy myself a new bike, but I think this beautiful bike is out of my league. Congratulations on your new bike – I am green with envy!
Comment by Lisa | 01.5.2011 | 12:00 pm
I am going to steal Squirrelhead’s idea for my house, only my goal isn’t to build/ride a a new bike.
Comment by Lisa | 01.5.2011 | 12:00 pm
I am going to steal Squirrelhead’s idea for my house, only my goal isn’t to build/ride a new bike.
Comment by NoTrail | 01.5.2011 | 1:01 pm
Wonderful idea for a self motivation tactic. I’ve been doing something similar with myself recently. Here’s hoping we’re onto smoething.
Comment by Erik | 01.5.2011 | 1:33 pm
Fatty, I love ya bro, but quit the whining and the snacking, get off your fat ass and lose those pounds!
I LOST weight between Thanksgiving and Christmas (as did a lot of other Fatty readers), and I’m entered into the Leadville lottery for the first time ever. I don’t know if I’ll get in but I’m training as if I AM in. I didn’t want to do a 5:45am spin class this morning, but I did it because I want to keep losing weight and get in shape.
And because I don’t have the luck to win a new mountain bike or the disposable income to buy a new mountain bike ($167K in medical bills takes the fun out of things), I am going to ride Leadville on my 1999 Gary Fisher Aquila steel hardtail.
You, my dear friend, WILL lose this weight, or so help me I will drive from Denver to Salt Lake City and drag your happy ass up every hill I can find until you puke! Then I’ll do it again until *I* puke.
You will always be Fatty, but you will be fat no more.
Comment by Z Jones | 01.5.2011 | 2:30 pm
Love the Trek by GF! I wanted to ask about a follow on to your ten pound challenge… such as sustaining weight loss. I read “Why We Get Fat” by Taubes over the break. That and “The End of Overeating” have convinced me that careful carbohydrate choices in diet are key to weight loss and maintaining a lean body, irrespective of activity level. This revelation is a bitter pill to swallow but the science is very convincing. What’s your plan?
Comment by Skippy | 01.5.2011 | 2:53 pm
@jennebelle went out on the road racebike today in -15C for two hours. Okay in the sun but suffered in the shadow, looks like late morning and riding the flat will be the order of the day for the next month.
Gear changes were a bit rough but will have to change settings from +25c for -20c conditions.
Local Austrians ride to the shops so i guess i can struggle along as a change from the rower and tacx.
New blog entry in place.
Comment by oilcanreacer | 01.5.2011 | 3:36 pm
i can further motivate you by riding that bike around in front of your house, then posting pictures of me riding on the trails and snow. yes that is a good idea, lets do it!!!
Comment by Mike in WA | 01.5.2011 | 4:37 pm
I think that Keebler E.L. Fudge Double Stuffed cookies are the key to losing that additional weight… I wonder why I didn’t lose 10 lbs. by Christmas?
Comment by BamaJim | 01.5.2011 | 9:40 pm
Lets see, you have enough discipline not to take a bike that is worth more than my car out of the box, but not to stay away from the chocolate truffles? Interesting.
So far I’ve managed to keep off the real part of the 10 pound challenge weight loss (the not dehydration part). I’ll have to make do with some less dramatic motivation.
Comment by Nurse Betsy | 01.6.2011 | 12:04 am
You know Fatty, if you don’t loose the weight you might have to put the bike up as a prize for the next fundraiser………..Motivation!
Comment by buckythedonkey | 01.6.2011 | 1:41 am
Lucky blighter.
Comment by Mike Roadie | 01.6.2011 | 6:51 am
Come down here to Ft Lauderdale for a week and ride, ride, RIDE!!!!
Comment by Paul Guyot | 01.6.2011 | 10:37 am
More motivation for Fatty….
“Bang, bang, bang, bang! Vamonos, vamonos!”
Comment by Clydesteve | 01.6.2011 | 1:59 pm
wait a second… Truffles come in sacksfull?
That gives me motivation!!
Comment by Clydesteve | 01.6.2011 | 2:06 pm
what brand of truffles?
Comment by waterproof mp3 | 01.6.2011 | 7:54 pm
I think that even after losing 10 pounds before Christmas, there is a chance that you will gain it back because everyone eat so much food during winter holidays starting Thanksgiving. But loosing that extra 10 pounds is good way for a New Years resolution.
Comment by Becky | 01.7.2011 | 12:37 am
I totally recommend coming indoors to the Sonoma County Family YMCA on January 29th for our 2nd Annual Bike-a-thon. For $100, you can sit on that bike all morning raising money for kids and families to participate in swim lessons, camp, aikido, you name it. And our “sag” will bring you coffee and Clif bars on silver trays while you pedal! We’ve got all sorts of raffle prizes – plethora of GranFondo merchandise (and even a couple of entries possibly up for grabs).
Blatant use of your space, I admit. But truly and regardless, I’d love to see more people come indoors and keep that training going, plus keep off that 10 pounds before Christmas. :)So come on in and spin!
Comment by Lord Adamantine Sedgepig | 01.7.2011 | 8:53 am
Where exactly did you say your garage was?
Comment by Davo | 01.7.2011 | 10:15 am
Fatty:
I managed to find five of the ten pounds I lost pretty quick and I have been fighting them off again. I’m still down eight. While I appreciate your kind words about my patience, in fact I have none. I just wanted to make sure my email didn’t kill the deal, and that I while I am a winner for losing the pounds, I’m a loser as far as getting acknowledgement.
Thanks,
Davo
Comment by Mary R | 01.7.2011 | 10:52 am
Fatty quoted in positive spin on LiveStrong events:
http://www.examiner.com/cycling-in-national/register-now-for-livestrong-cycling-events-across-the-country
Comment by Tony S | 01.9.2011 | 2:50 pm
Feel your pain. Finished the Death Ride, lost my motivation. Gained 10 lbs. Lost 5 lbs. Holidays gained 3 lbs. 010111 back on the bike. Can’t recall my knees hitting my body before. Is being over 50 an excuse?
Comment by 166.4 lbs | 01.9.2011 | 4:03 pm
I gained 10 lbs over the holidays really screwing up my blood sugar. Clearly I need to buy one of these in the box for my own motivation. I’m sure my wife will agree with me;-) By the way here’s my favorite weight loss book:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mayo-clinic-diet/MY01040
Comment by OneSurlyFly | 01.19.2011 | 4:30 am
Yo Fatty, bring that Carrot baby, dem Truffles and some good friends with local Beers with you to ride it Tejas style, Outback brothers.. Chihuahuan Desert Fest. THIS Feb. 17 for Mas O’Menos 2011. Leave that box behind, forget the scales, yer L100 race weight.. Phsst, ride. It will NOT be soon forgotten!!
Three Sisters await your pains, Contrabando, Rio Grande and Lajitas… Vistas Royales, amigo! Don’t forget the camera. There is an airstrip, too.
Not spammin ya, just hammin it: http://www.desertsportstx.com/mountain-bike-event/
Pingback by Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » News Flash: It’s Difficult to Lose Weight While Working from Home | 04.5.2011 | 2:11 pm
[...] in the early days of January of this year, I mentioned that I had taken delivery of a Gary Fisher Trek Superfly 100 — an [...]
Pingback by Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » Wherein I Get Desperate to Lose Weight And Give You a Chance to Win My Superfly 100 | 05.3.2011 | 10:10 am
[...] wanting to ride and race this year: The Gary Fisher Trek Superfly 100, but with the provision that I would not build that bike until I got to my racing weight (158 pounds). (Go ahead, click that picture to the right to see the larger version of the bike. [...]
Pingback by Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » Evidently, My Body Wants to Give You My $6600 Superfly 100 | 05.11.2011 | 12:51 pm
[...] one day ago, I made a rash decision: since my tactic of not allowing myself to open my Superfly 100 ’til I got down to the (for me) near-racing weight of 158 pounds had not worked, I would force the issue by setting a deadline and a very, very severe [...]