|
I just came across an incredibly inspiring story of a guy who completely turned his life around via our friend the bicycle. We've all heard about the unhealthy person that finds the bike, loses a bunch of weight, discovers life. But Scott Cutshall's about-face literally cheated death and shows the power of a truly determined mind.
In 2005, Cutshall weighed 501 pounds. The avant-garde jazz drummer, husband, and father was in need of a serious change. His size XXXXXXXXXXL lifestyle wasn't going to sustain him for much longer. His doctor told him that he'd need stomach-reduction surgery and lots of medication just to survive – and that his way over-stressed body only had about a 50% chance of surviving the procedure.
Cutshall opted for none of the above. He ordered a custom-made bicycle that could support his body and on Thanksgiving, 2005, he took his first spin around the neighborhood. He rode for 1.9 miles, gasping all the way, with five breaks to recuperate. It took him three hours.
But Cutshall's commitment to change was complete. He completely revamped his diet, cut out all the crap, and went vegan. Veggie soup, portabello hummus pita sandwiches, and “Mega Salads” became his everyday menu.
The 2 mile inaugural ride became 20 to 30 miles per day. Slowly but steadily, Cutshall's health improved. 50 pounds in the first four months – and they kept on coming off. He'll be quick to point out that he wasn't “dieting”; he was changing his life. Permanently.
He and his family left the east coast for Minneapolis, largely for its reputation as a cycling haven. Thus far Cutshall has dropped to about 230 pounds; he estimates that he'll plateau around 180 but says, “"It's not about a goal weight," he said. "I'm just doing what's healthy for my body, and the results will follow."
Cutshall has a new outlook and confidence. He tackled what had been one of his life's biggest obstacles and came out the other side confident, vibrant, beaming. Oh, and opinionated. Check out his Large Fella on a Bike blog where Cutshall pontificates about bikes, food, the S.A.D. (standard American diet) and meat-eating bike commuters who think they're “green.”
From Large Fella on a Bike:
Lately, and for some unknown reason, we've been getting smacked with boatloads of circulars and fliers for fast food in our mailbox. Don't they know that we are so far off the radar food-wise that those poor trees, and their poor tree pulp, are for naught ending up in our USPostal box?
That said, it started me thinking about food, our society, medical & social problems, money, corporations, greed, nutrition... and how the whole ugly enchilada dovetails nicely into ignorant consumerific bliss.
..."Hey, wow... I rode 200 miles yesterday, and tomorrow I'll commute another 30, and boy I love my bike, and man all those idiots driving cars are now paying $39.76 a gallon for petrol, and boy I sure ain't 'cause I got me this here bike, and I'm not only great, but I'm saving the earth, or at least doin' my part... well anyway, I'm starvin'. What say you, we go get us a pizza with 4 pounds of beef, pepperoni and cheese on it? I have a coupon... and the coupon is even printed on recycled paper too. Man, I'm something else".
If you think you're making a difference by cyclering and not driving, but you're intaking the very standard American [and now sadly, World] fare of meatcheesemeatdairymeatcheesedairymeatcheese goodness... newsflash: you might as well be driving a Hummer [so go ahead and park your bike, and your 'Greeness', in the bike rack over at the corner of Contradiction St. & Full-O'-Shit Blvd.].
See also:
Putting Meat in Your Engine?
Via Active.com.
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed