By Wyatt Earp | June 30, 2008
This is a photo taken on Christmas night, 2007: one week before our blogger weight loss competition began. Left to right are Randal Graves, our sister Allison, and some fat bastard named Wyatt Earp. In this eye-bleach-demanding image, I weighed in at a disgusting 236 pounds (standing at 5’9″). For some reason, I had no real problem with looking like this at the time, but to be honest, it now makes me sick to see how out of shape I had let myself become. I could still “play hockey,” but I was never any good, took very short shifts because I had no endurance, and my confidence was shot. I would intentionally skip shifts, because I didn’t think I could contribute.
And then, a saint named Sssteve with a halo and a hairy back challenged me to a weight loss competition. Although it was first just going to be me against Sssteve, we soon added more competing bloggers. By January 3rd, our group consisted of Me, Sssteve, RT, Grimjack, Mrs. Grim, SoHos, GOP and College, and Joe Cool. On top of that, a lot of other people tried losing weight outside of our little group – and that’s good for everyone.
Every Saturday I published my results. Sometimes they were good, sometimes, they were okay, but not once in the entire six months did I gain. I’m proud of that. I jumped back into Weight Watchers with both feet, and started exercising again. Ice hockey games helped, but I also spent a lot of the winter months skating on my own. When it got warmer out, I took Kevin for walks in his stroller, and when Summer broke, I started walking on my own. Now I am walking at least five miles a day . . .
And guess what? The weight started dropping off. Before I knew it, I was down five pounds, then ten. A few months in, I was down almost twenty. A month or so after that, I was down thirty. And as of Saturday’s weigh in, I was down exactly forty pounds to finish the contest at 196 pounds!
It’s still not where I want to be, but I am really happy with the results. I am much more energetic, I feel great, and my hockey has really improved. It’s nice to buy clothes that aren’t meant for Michael Moore, and even nicer when people come up to me and say, “Wow, you’ve lost a lot of weight!” I cannot adequately describe how much better I feel . . . about me. I don’t run and hide from pictures anymore, and I can wear things I would never wear in public – read: a tank top and a bathing suit.
I still won’t take my shirt off at the beach – not there yet – but I no longer fear the townspeople’s harpoons.
When we started this contest, we all agreed to put up $10 each and ship the pot to the overall winner. The winner would be based upon the percentage of weight lost. Starting at 236, and losing 40 pounds, I am right at 16.9% of my total body weight gone the way of Z. Cavaricci’s. RT has already told me that I lost more than her, but I am not declaring victory yet. When everyone lets me know where I stand, then I will consider a tiny victory dance.
And, for the record, if I do win, the money is not important. If the competitors want to send it to me, fine, but this was never about the money. It was about losing weight and getting healthier. I hope everyone lost something, and we all became healthier people. You guys are my friends, and I want y’all around for a while.
Before I get too sappy, I want to especially thank Sssteve and RT. Sssteve, without your idea, I would still be a disgusting slob without any motivation. You helped me get myself right, and I can never thank you enough. Next time you’re in Philly, lunch is on me. RT, no one pushed me harder during these past six months than you. You yelled at me (via e-mail) when I needed to be yelled at, and built up my confidence when it needed a few nips and tucks. Thank you for that.
So, that’s it. Congratulations to all of you, and if you post a final progress report, I’ll link it here.
Final Progress Reports:
RT
Here is the side-by-side “Before and After,” courtesy of Cowboy Blob:
Topics: Weight Loss |
June 30th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Dangit! I’m crying!
You did an awesome job and I look forward to seeing you become less of a person. HA!
I’m proud of you!
June 30th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Wow. There is nothing like photographs to prove a point.
Well done and well written.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Hey Randal, How about a shave?!? You look like a GI Joe.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Nicely done! You look ready to bust a cap on some perp.
Or whatever you cops say…
June 30th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Shave or No Shave….still good lookin’!
Can’t be jealous and not show it.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
RT – Crying? There’s no crying in weight loss!
Admiral – Thanks on both, sir. It’s hot as Hell today, but I’m still walking my five.
Badger – “And knowing is half the battle. G.I. Joooooooee!”
GroovyVic – Actually, we cops say, “Hey, where are all the donuts!” Well, I used to say that . . .
Randal – It’s okay. Badger just has a little crush on you.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Congrats Wyatt! That’s gotta feel better on skates..
June 30th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
B.I.G. – Yeah, my skates don’t yell, “Oh God!” when I put them on anymore.
June 30th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
You’re looking great Wyatt- Congrats on the fantastic weight loss! Job well done.
Dahling, you look mahvelous!
June 30th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Dang you look good! You have me crying and I didn’t even know you when you started. You’ve inspired me to join WW. (Well, you and a friend of mine who is a WW member.)
June 30th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Take me for a walk in the stroller!
June 30th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
By the way, how’s the knee?
June 30th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Wyatt, you look mahvelous. You’ve started some good habits and if you keep them up, you will continue to look and feel good.
You da man.
June 30th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Good job, Wyatt!
I stand at 75 pounds since February 4, myself. I need to go weigh in again and see if I’ve made any more progress.
June 30th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Woohoo! Bust out those Reno 911 short-shorts!
June 30th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
You look great! Amazing what taking the marbles out of your mouth, shaving off your chest hair, and taking off your 5-pound watch will do. May you live long and prosper.
June 30th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Then you sure as hell don’t wanna know what I weigh — hence the name for my blog: Bloviating ZEPPELIN.
BZ
June 30th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Congratulations! Takes a lot of drive to lose that much weight in 6 months. I need to drop about the same and have done so in the past only to gain it all back one pound at a time.
If I had seen your contest begin back in January I would have joined then. As it is, I started about two weeks ago (at 237 lbs) and, despite a trip to San Francisco for a wedding, have managed to shed 9 pounds. I need to get out and exercise more, however, if I wish to make real progress in the months to come.
June 30th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Snigs – Thank you, ma’am!
Kim – Thanks! If I can do it, anyone can.
Rorie – If you’ll fit in the stroller, it’s a deal!
Prof – Never better. Skating hard, and little to no pain afterwards. I’m back, baby!
Ky person – Thank you. If I can get down to 180, I’ll be walking around the neighborhood nude. (Oh, sorry. I’ve said too much.)
A.D. – You’re my personal hero. I still don’t know how you’re doing it, but it is damned impressive!
Doghouse – DONE! Luckily, I have the legs for it.
Mike47 – Keeping my hair short and waxing my back has also done wonders!
BZ – I was 236 and lost 40 pounds. If you can make the necessary changes, you’ll be surprised what can happen.
Joated – Nine pounds is a good start. Keep at it . . . and stay the Hell away from San Francisco!
June 30th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Dude that is AWESOME!!!! Now, do an extra 5 miles tomorrow for me, I could stand to lose a few, too.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
C.P. – Consider it done!
July 1st, 2008 at 8:44 am
Looks aren’t only the improvement, lack of shame stands right up there. You are encouraging lots of people to better themselves, and just one nudged in the proper direction is another that doesn’t bite the dust, so quickly. Well, back to my day and the last half of the year. Things keep getting better all the time.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:23 am
I for one will miss the second chin. It had gotten to the point where it hung down below your helmet (no, not that helmet) chinstrap.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:59 am
Congratulations…you look great!
July 1st, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Earl – Thank you. I would never say I was a role model, but if people start losing weight because they saw a dope like me do it, I’d be ecstatic.
Vinnie – Well, I hope you said your goodbyes to it. It isn’t coming back.
Pam – Thanks! I feel great! Maybe I can submit an updated photo for FSM.
July 1st, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I’ll post my latest weight on Sunday! Congrats Wyatt!
July 1st, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Trek – Thanks, man! Apparently, the consensus seems to be that I won the contest. I’m happy about that, but happier that so many people did their best to get healthier.
Note to self: don’t go for your 5-mile walk immediately after mowing the lawn for an hour. My legs feel like death!
July 1st, 2008 at 9:23 pm
[...] at Support Your Local Gunfighter dropped 40 pounds since Christmas! (link) Save the police/donut [...]
July 1st, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Congrats on your win. Your looking good. Dead sexy in fact. I can’t wait for Men’s Weekend.
July 1st, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Grimjack – Remind me to bring my chastity belt. Heh.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Outstanding work Wyatt. Keep it up!
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Awesome, law-dog. Way to go.
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:50 pm
G.I.N. – Thanks! Still on Weight Watchers and still walking at least five miles a day.
Dorkelina – Thank you, deary! I’m hot now! Heh.
July 3rd, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Dude, Amazing! Great job! And it is YOU not me that inspires! Well Done!! I’m proud of ya!
but, I will collect on that lunch! HA!
July 3rd, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Thanks Sssteve! The invite is always open!
January 17th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
[...] January, I competed in a weight loss competition with some of my fellow bloggers. After the six-month battle of the bulge, I lost 40 pounds – from 236 to 196. The competition ended [...]
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