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Fat Man Walking – Halfway There
By now most people have heard of Steve Vaught a "portly" man who has embarked on a walk across the US. Steve is known as "The Fat Man Walking" and has captured the imagination of the public and the attention of the media.
Who is the "fat man walking"? Steve Vaught is 39 years old and married with two children. When he started his walk on April 10, 2005, he weighed upwards of 400 pounds. He has since lost somewhere around 50 pounds on his walk from San Diego to New York City. Steve is about halfway there: he has completed 1409 miles and still has 1407 miles to go. He is now in Oklahoma.
Steve averages about 15 miles a day. He originally estimated that his trek would take 6 months, but after some injuries and a change of attitude he knows the trip will take longer. Somewhere along the way the time it would take to complete the trip became less important than enjoying the journey itself.
Steve says that he is hoping to "lose weight and regain his life". He was not always obese and as is the case with many people his weight gain crept up on him.
Sleeping in a tent when it is practical and in hotels when he is near larger cities and towns Steve is able to rest up from his days of walking. His diet ranges from biscuits, gravy and hamburgers to nutri-bars, dehydrated food and beef jerky.
Aside from bringing attention to his journey, Steve is also bringing attention to the challenges of the obese in his interviews with the media. Steve has made the point that when you are obese you are to some extent invisible.
Steve writes in his journal "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."
Posted by Jackie on November 17, 2005
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