Walking across the U.S.

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Walking across the U.S. (Page 1 of 3)

Posted: 7/12/2005 5:11:02 PM EDT

I look around to see if this topic was a dupe and couldn't find anything so here it is.

It's the story of an ExMarine walking across the United states from San Diego to NYC to lose weight and reclaim his life. Bookmark his site www.thefatmanwalking.com/index.html to read his journal and follow him on his journey. It would be great if those of us on his route went out to give and show support .

Hello,

My Name is Steve Vaught, (born Stephen James Liller in Youngstown, Ohio). I am a 39 year old, happily married father of two great kids and I have a pretty good life here in Southern California. You would think that I would be happy because of these things, but I am not. I am not happy because I am fat and being fat makes every day unhappy.

I did not make this website to complain about it however, instead I am doing something about it and this site was made to chronicle my story.

I am going to walk across the United states from San Diego to NYC to lose weight and regain my life!

The rest of the story is that I have not always been fat. I have been many things in my life from a lanky teenager to a muscular Marine and now I am fat. This latest incarnation is without a doubt the worst.

Being fat is physically and emotionally painful. It diminishes the quality of the good things in life and it will ultimately bring about an early demise.
So being overweight darkens every good thing that you achieve in your life and even prevents some things from happening at all.

For the last 15 years I have been slowly gaining weight and it seems that whatever I do, it just spirals ever upward. Socially, being fat is hard to deal with because I feel that am looked down upon by people even when they are not doing so maliciously. It may be human nature. You know, "survival of the fittest". Also, I feel as though I am being taken advantage of by companies and people that want fat people to buy their latest "miracle pill" or prepackaged food that will help me lose the weight.

We, as a society, are growing larger and have become a big market for high dollar fast fixes. We are not getting the fix because it is an illusion. Don't get me wrong, if I were given the option I would trade just about anything to be trim and fit again. I have the same excuses, desires and dreams as many others in my position. I know though, that there is no other option but physical exertion to truly get back into shape.

So, after consulting the family and getting their blessing I have made the decision to stop this merry go round and dedicate myself to losing the extra weight. I have an addiction and there needs to be dedication and sacrifice to cure addictions. If I had a drug or alcohol addiction I would go to rehab. Well, what I have in mind is rehab for the fat guy.

I am going to take six months out of my life and walk across the United States from San Diego to NYC. My main purpose in undertaking this journey is losing weight. More importantly though, I need to change the behaviors that have allowed me to be in this situation in the first place. I know that to permanently lose this weight I must learn to be more responsible to myself.

Nuts you say? Well, maybe.

But how nutty is spending a fortune on miracle weight loss drugs or fad diets that never seem to have lasting results or dangerous surgeries that cost about the same as a luxury car?

Living your life without health insurance because you are considered too high risk.

What about the fact that only 3% of weight loss attempts are permanently successful?

What about the anxiety, depression and pain involved in everyday activities when you are fat?

I don’t want to miss out on birthdays, graduation, marriages and grandkids because I chose not to take my life back.

That, to me, is nuts.

I am going to sacrifice 5-6 months of this life to gain 30- 40 years of a better, leaner, healthier and happier life.

So considering all of that, I would be nuts not to do this.

Losing the weight will be the easy part. I plan to keep the weight off in the future by maintaining a proper diet and level of activity needed, as well as remembering how easy it is to gain weight and difficult to lose it.

I hope my story and actions serve to encourage others to take their lives back - to get up and do something about it today.

We have become conditioned to believe that there is an answer in a pill or cream or drink or machine that will fix it for us. We lost sight of the fact that we are the most incredible machine ever built, capable of great heroism, ingenuity and strength.

The human race has achieved great feats solely on the efforts of the individual. Building pyramids, settling frontiers and walking on the moon are a few examples.

I hope to remind people like me, that we each have the strength and ability to do anything we want. Losing weight is a choice the same as continuing to exist in this terrible condition is a choice. I have decided to live! It really is a simple decision when you think about it.

If you want to keep up with the journey and my progress please come back often to check out the journal page. With details from the road both good and bad, I will talk about the walk, people I have met, my physical condition, and a weekly weigh in when possible.

This effort is not going to be without sacrifice, my family and I know and accept that. I will probably see my wife and kids only once or twice during this time. I am not in the best condition financially to go six months without income and have resigned myself to the fact that I will lose my car and property. Those things however, pale in significance when reckoned with the consequences of doing nothing.

I can get another car or another property but not another life. That which is most precious is the one thing that cannot be bought for any price...life.

So on April 10th, I started walking from Oceanside, CA headed out on the journey of and for my life.

THE FAT MAN WALKING

Posted: 7/12/2005 5:23:57 PM EDT

[#1]

I wish I could afford to do something like that.

Soon I'll have the cash saved up and will do something similarly insane.

Posted: 7/12/2005 5:24:52 PM EDT

[#2]

Already done back in the 70s by a guy who chronicled his journey in National Geographic, but if it works for this guy, good for him.

Posted: 7/12/2005 5:25:45 PM EDT

[#3]

Good for him.

My hat's off to him!

Posted: 7/12/2005 5:26:23 PM EDT

[#4]

I did it back in '82. I still have bunions.

Posted: 7/12/2005 5:27:03 PM EDT

[#5]

Any bets on whether he makes it or not?

Posted: 7/12/2005 5:27:33 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
I did it back in '82.

No shit?

Posted: 7/12/2005 5:28:25 PM EDT

[#7]

He might do ok w/ a book/movie deal. Don't know who'd play "before" w/ no Chris Farley.

Posted: 7/12/2005 5:30:00 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
He might do ok w/ a book/movie deal. Don't know who'd play "before" w/ no Chris Farley.

Jack Black's been doing more serious movies. Granted he himself is also losing weight these days.

EDIT: Update from 6/27 had him in Kingman AZ. Gonna be a hot summer for the big guy. Gonna need that camelback.

Posted: 7/12/2005 5:37:11 PM EDT

[#9]

Shit that aint nothin. Forest did it several times.

Posted: 7/12/2005 5:38:53 PM EDT

[#10]

Saw this on the news. Gotta give the guy credit for trying. Personally I would have cycled.

Posted: 7/12/2005 5:38:54 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I did it back in '82.

No shit?

Yes shit, at least 50 times.

Posted: 7/12/2005 5:41:38 PM EDT

[#12]

Most people simply don't realize that walking a few miles a week can go a HUGE way toward weight loss and feeling FAR more healthy. I sure didn't.

I got a treadmill a few months back and put anywhere between 10 and 15 miles a week on it walking (usually 3.2 to 3.8MPH). Over the course of a few months I lost about 20 pounds, managed to get back into all my old clothes that I couldn't fit in for years, got my BP down, my resting heartrate down from like 67 to 53 and look about 100 times better. I can actually DO things without getting winded and wanting to pass out. When I do get stressed from activity I know my body well enough now that I can properly adjust and not think "Holy shit, I'm gonna die!" like I use to.

Posted: 7/12/2005 5:47:05 PM EDT

[#13]

I read some of the journal entries. He should have taken this a bit more seriously and properly prepared for this trip. 10 miles is a good day?

It actually sounds like fun to me.

Posted: 7/12/2005 5:50:31 PM EDT

[#14]

After a couple of miles I stopped at a Jack in the Box to get out of the rain for a bit and to get cleaned up. While there, I met two really nice people, Ty who works there, and Steve After talking for a while he told a customer about it and that guy looked me right in the face and said "you're not going to make it." just like that....Uh thanks!

Why are there fucktards like this in the world? What POSSIBLE difference could it make to this asswipe if Steve makes it or doesn't. Why would ANYONE be so petty and annoying to bascially spit on someone's resolve and dedication?

I knew it, I'm surrounded by assholes!

Posted: 7/12/2005 5:59:22 PM EDT

[#15]

I sure hope that guy plans a much longer time than 6 months. He's been at it since April and he's about 1/3rd of the way through AZ!

Posted: 7/12/2005 6:01:55 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
After a couple of miles I stopped at a Jack in the Box to get out of the rain for a bit and to get cleaned up. While there, I met two really nice people, Ty who works there, and Steve After talking for a while he told a customer about it and that guy looked me right in the face and said "you're not going to make it." just like that....Uh thanks!

Why are there fucktards like this in the world? What POSSIBLE difference could it make to this asswipe if Steve makes it or doesn't. Why would ANYONE be so petty and annoying to bascially spit on someone's resolve and dedication?

I knew it, I'm surrounded by assholes!

Yeah I found that pretty F'ed up that some asshole would say that to him.

Posted: 7/12/2005 6:03:23 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
I sure hope that guy plans a much longer time than 6 months. He's been at it since April and he's about 1/3rd of the way through AZ!

yeah, he needs to be putting in longer days.

Posted: 7/12/2005 6:10:08 PM EDT

[#18]

that would be fun, walking across the USA

i would really get into that

Posted: 7/12/2005 6:14:53 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
that would be fun, walking across the USA

i would really get into that

It'd be more entertaining to get a group of people and do it together ... good to have backup in case something happens.

Though I can definitly see the attraction of a good stretch of time alone.

Posted: 7/12/2005 6:19:14 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
Quoted:
After a couple of miles I stopped at a Jack in the Box to get out of the rain for a bit and to get cleaned up. While there, I met two really nice people, Ty who works there, and Steve After talking for a while he told a customer about it and that guy looked me right in the face and said "you're not going to make it." just like that....Uh thanks!

Why are there fucktards like this in the world? What POSSIBLE difference could it make to this asswipe if Steve makes it or doesn't. Why would ANYONE be so petty and annoying to bascially spit on someone's resolve and dedication?

I knew it, I'm surrounded by assholes!

Yeah I found that pretty F'ed up that some asshole would say that to him.

He's not going to make it.

Posted: 7/12/2005 7:37:41 PM EDT

[#21]

Been two real good reads published. "A Walk Across America" by Peter Jenkins and "Walk West" by Peter & Barbara Jenkins, yeah he met his wife in his travels. Both paperback

Posted: 7/12/2005 7:42:55 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
I sure hope that guy plans a much longer time than 6 months. He's been at it since April and he's about 1/3rd of the way through AZ!

You guyes need to sotp feeding him. He'll hurry it up then. Patty

*ETA* Gunner1X do tell some of your stories of walking across America 50 times! Furtherest East I've been is Billings Montana.

Posted: 7/12/2005 8:35:05 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I sure hope that guy plans a much longer time than 6 months. He's been at it since April and he's about 1/3rd of the way through AZ!

yeah, he needs to be putting in longer days.

Well, as he goes longer and longer he will be able to put in much longer days. I expect the first few weeks the best he put in was a few miles.

Posted: 7/13/2005 6:04:12 AM EDT

[#24]

I hope this guy makes it. Kudos to him for taking on something so big.

Posted: 7/13/2005 6:23:21 AM EDT

[#25]

Good for him! By just starting, he has done more than most will ever do. I hope he makes it!

Kick Ass, big (soon to be smaller) guy!

Posted: 7/13/2005 7:09:02 AM EDT

[#26]

It sure makes me feel like a quiter , back about 3 months ago I switch to drinking only water and ran right under a mile every other night . I got out of my grove about a month ago and havnt got back into it since. I can tell it too , I was sleeping better and just felt good more then I do now. Hope the guy does alright , but he needs to pick up to pace , 10 miles aday

. I best I figured I could have done a mile in 10 minutes 42 secs at my pace , my goal was around 8 minutes.

Posted: 7/13/2005 12:13:20 PM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
After a couple of miles I stopped at a Jack in the Box to get out of the rain for a bit and to get cleaned up. While there, I met two really nice people, Ty who works there, and Steve After talking for a while he told a customer about it and that guy looked me right in the face and said "you're not going to make it." just like that....Uh thanks!

Why are there fucktards like this in the world? What POSSIBLE difference could it make to this asswipe if Steve makes it or doesn't. Why would ANYONE be so petty and annoying to bascially spit on someone's resolve and dedication?

I knew it, I'm surrounded by assholes!

Yeah I found that pretty F'ed up that some asshole would say that to him.

He's not going to make it.

Your a real wisenheimer !!

Posted: 7/17/2005 9:01:34 AM EDT

[#28]

From his Journal .

7/15/05 - Steve should be in Williams this evening. There was a point at which route 66 wasn't there anymore, so he began to walk on I-40 again. He was stopped right away and told he had to get off, but if he obtained permission from the Arizona highway patrol, the officers wouldn't bother him. So, the next day, (today) having to wait for the office to open, he got the permission and is now following I-40. If anyone reading this happens to spot him or is looking for him, please don't stop on the highway. This should go without saying, but you endanger yourself and Steve if you stop.

Steve is just starting to approach some of his deep-seated internal issues and there were a couple of days where he was really struggling with his will about getting back into the desert to walk his path. I heard that it was 123 degrees in Needles today, and I am so glad he has passed the Mojave. It's still damn hot in Williams, but as the elevation increases going into Flagstaff, it will be easier for Steve to walk during more of the daylight hours.

ETA fix spelling

Posted: 7/17/2005 9:38:41 AM EDT

[#29]

Quoted: I heard that it was 123 degrees in Needles today, and I am so glad he has passed the Mojave.

Damn, I wouldn't be surprised if the fat bastard keeled over dead walking in that heat.

Is he tent sleeping at night or just under the stars, maybe hotels?

Posted: 7/17/2005 10:27:56 AM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:
Saw this on the news. Gotta give the guy credit for trying. Personally I would have cycled.

My local paper ran a story a few weeks ago about a guy originally from Ohio now residing in CA who cycled to Ohio for a family member's wedding. Actually, he made it in a few days early and went to Pittsburgh before swinging back to the Cleveland area.

Walking or whatever, what amazing feats / feet

Posted: 7/17/2005 10:38:14 AM EDT

[#31]

sounds like Fun !

Rock on

Posted: 7/17/2005 10:38:39 AM EDT

[#32]

Forrest, is that you?

Posted: 7/17/2005 10:58:05 AM EDT

[#33]

There's no "Ex" in that Marine, he's jarhead through and through.

Semper Fi brother.

Quoted:
I look around to see if this topic was a dupe and couldn't find anything so here it is.

It's the story of an ExMarine walking across the United states from San Diego to NYC to lose weight and reclaim his life. Bookmark his site

Posted: 7/17/2005 11:35:14 AM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:
Quoted: I heard that it was 123 degrees in Needles today, and I am so glad he has passed the Mojave.

Damn, I wouldn't be surprised if the fat bastard keeled over dead walking in that heat.

Is he tent sleeping at night or just under the stars, maybe hotels?

From reading his journal I gather he's sleeping in a tent most of the time . He's been doing most of his desert walking at night and earlier morning.

Posted: 7/17/2005 11:55:08 AM EDT

[#35]

Walk Forrest walk!

Posted: 7/17/2005 11:58:16 AM EDT

[#36]

I'd consider this, if I could travel armed.

Posted: 7/17/2005 12:02:29 PM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:
After a couple of miles I stopped at a Jack in the Box to get out of the rain for a bit and to get cleaned up. While there, I met two really nice people, Ty who works there, and Steve After talking for a while he told a customer about it and that guy looked me right in the face and said "you're not going to make it." just like that....Uh thanks!

Why are there fucktards like this in the world? What POSSIBLE difference could it make to this asswipe if Steve makes it or doesn't. Why would ANYONE be so petty and annoying to bascially spit on someone's resolve and dedication?

I knew it, I'm surrounded by assholes!

Look at the size of him

I would have said the same thing

Posted: 7/17/2005 12:05:03 PM EDT

[#38]

I foresee a very large meal/roadkill for the NewMexican coyotes.

Posted: 7/17/2005 12:08:23 PM EDT

[#39]

Quoted:
Quoted:
After a couple of miles I stopped at a Jack in the Box to get out of the rain for a bit and to get cleaned up. While there, I met two really nice people, Ty who works there, and Steve After talking for a while he told a customer about it and that guy looked me right in the face and said "you're not going to make it." just like that....Uh thanks!

Why are there fucktards like this in the world? What POSSIBLE difference could it make to this asswipe if Steve makes it or doesn't. Why would ANYONE be so petty and annoying to bascially spit on someone's resolve and dedication?

I knew it, I'm surrounded by assholes!
Look at the size of him I would have said the same thing

right to his face, having never met him?

Posted: 7/17/2005 12:13:46 PM EDT

[#40]

seriously guys, what have you been doing to lose weight if you're overweight?

may he who is without lard throw the first stone

Posted: 7/18/2005 3:30:29 PM EDT

[#41]

Quoted:
Quoted:
After a couple of miles I stopped at a Jack in the Box to get out of the rain for a bit and to get cleaned up. While there, I met two really nice people, Ty who works there, and Steve After talking for a while he told a customer about it and that guy looked me right in the face and said "you're not going to make it." just like that....Uh thanks!

Why are there fucktards like this in the world? What POSSIBLE difference could it make to this asswipe if Steve makes it or doesn't. Why would ANYONE be so petty and annoying to bascially spit on someone's resolve and dedication?

I knew it, I'm surrounded by assholes!
Look at the size of him I would have said the same thing

Yeah I'm sure you would !

Posted: 7/19/2005 3:46:11 PM EDT

[#42]

hmmmm ...

7/15 - 7/31)

Arizona

7/17/05 - Steve got into Williams this morning. It took much longer than he had hoped and was more difficult than he expected, but he's there. Another 6% grade for about 10 miles, no resources on his side of the freeway, and a pack that only seems to increase in weight impedes progress and wears him down mentally. It's not a 3,300 mile survival trip. And he can hardly begin to make real progress given the current stresses. I am going to leave to be a support vehicle if we don't have an alternative this week. I will do my best to keep up regular updates while we are out there.

Posted: 7/22/2005 2:10:19 AM EDT

[#43]

I get an error when I try to go to this guys site; did he finally give up?

Posted: 7/22/2005 4:32:11 AM EDT

[#44]

Quoted:
I get an error when I try to go to this guys site; did he finally give up?

the page has been updated,

try just

www.thefatmanwalking.com/ instead of the link in the first post.

Posted: 7/22/2005 4:33:36 AM EDT

[#45]

latest update

7/19/05 - I don't really know where Steve is today, somewhere outside of Williams on his way to Flagstaff. I had no idea that AOL was going to be putting Steve's story on their site. As a result, I have another 1400 messages in my inbox. I was still trying to catch up on last week's messages, so I'm afraid this is going to take me a while. Please have patience, I will get to them as soon as I can. I have been off-line all day, so I didn't even know about it until late this evening . . . couldn't do any damage control. Well, when I hear from Steve, I will post his location and condition.

Posted: 7/22/2005 5:38:11 AM EDT

[#46]

Quoted:
I wish I could afford to do something like that.

www.pe.com/imagesdaily/2005/04-23/fatman23a_216.jpg

...snip...

Food isn't all that expensive. There're fat people on welfare.

Posted: 7/22/2005 5:46:42 AM EDT

[#47]

Quoted:
I did it back in '82. I still have bunions.

Back in '82, coach woulda put me in fourth quarter, we would've been state champions. No doubt. No doubt in my mind.

Posted: 7/22/2005 5:55:03 AM EDT

[#48]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I wish I could afford to do something like that.

www.pe.com/imagesdaily/2005/04-23/fatman23a_216.jpg

...snip...

Food isn't all that expensive. There're fat people on welfare.

Already got that part handled. I meant take the time off from my job to months walking across the country.

Posted: 7/22/2005 6:06:13 AM EDT

[#49]

Semper Fi, Once a Marine, Always a Marine! Rock on Steve, we're with you all the way

Posted: 7/23/2005 2:16:27 PM EDT

[#50]

7/22/05 - I am in Arizona now supporting Steve through Flagstaff and into the high desert region here. I won't be gone for more than a week, so anyone that has sent messages, I may not be responding before then, but I will read as many as I can.

As Steve was approaching Flagstaff a couple days ago, he was told he couldn't walk on the Freeway for security reasons, even though he had permission from the Department of Public Safety. He will be following route 66 now for a while until Winona where he will re-evaluate route plans at that point.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Walking across the U.S. (Page 1 of 3)

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