400 pound man walking cross country

[Droopy]

By: GARY WARTH - Staff Writer

Steve Vaught never imagined himself a celebrity, never thought anyone would take note of a guy just trying to lose weight. But something has happened since that April day when the 400-pound Valley Center man took his first steps on a cross-country trek, an admittedly unusual weight-loss program that Vaught hopes will help him focus and keep him from the temptation of the couch and refrigerator.

People have discovered his Web site, www.TheFatManWalking.com, and began telling their friends about it. Radio stations began giving updates on his walk, with one even printing T-shirts for fans to show their support. People donated money or supplies and offered to put him up if he ever needed a room. A documentary crew started following him. So many reporters called that he started declining interviews because of the distraction.

"People have been coming out of the woodwork," Vaught said. "People have driven up all the way from San Diego just to have lunch with me."

Sitting under a tree near an overpass near Route 66 in Ludlow a few weeks ago, Vaught stared off into the distant desert and wondered out loud why so many are interested, why one man's story had caught the imagination of so many.

But the mystery is not so great. Vaught, a reflective man whose self-doubts sometimes weigh as heavily as his determination, has become an inspiration not just for people trying to lose weight, but for anyone trying to improve their lives overall, according to messages admirers have left on his Web site.

More at the link. http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2005/07/19/special_reports/life_times/11_58_017_16_05.txt

[Droopy]

1. That's really a feel good story

I'm going to go to his site and see if I can make a comment on there.

[Droopy]

2. He's going to go right through my home town

if he sticks to his propsed route. It's going to be a while before he gets here, but I hope to walk a little while with him when he does.

[Systematic Chaos]

3. Thank you for this find, Droopy. WHAT an inspiration!!!

I read the article first, then went to the website. I was already in tears before visiting thefatmanwalking.com, but reading through the journal he and his wife are keeping just opened the floodgates. What he's doing is absolutely amazing. With his pack on he was well beyond 400 which makes it all the more so. But the proof is in the numbers. Because of his dedicated exercise he's already in the 340's and just try to imagine how toned his leg and lower abdominal muscles are already!

I'm determined to get at least two of his t-shirts once they become available, one for me and one for Jeanette. Mine is going to become my favorite cycling shirt, at least assuming there is a size right off big enough to fit me (I'm currently 4x).

What an amazing man he is....

[Droopy]

4. You're welcome

Yeah, I find a good article every once in a while. This one was right under my nose on the Netscape home page. The guy is getting a lot of press I guess. I can't wait until he walks through my home town to show my support for what he is doing. I hope he won't mind if I walk with him for a while.