An inspiring story

As I was surfing the web today I came upon a story that I want to share with you. It is about a man, a bicycle, and his determination to change his life one step, or in this case pedal, at a time.

Here is the link: http://thegearjunkie.com/large-fella-on-a-bike

Please make sure you read it. It is inspiring and completely impressive. I also will be discussing some of the factors I think are pertinent from a TWD standpoint.

A difficult starting point.

The first thing that struck me upon reading Scott Cutshall’s story was his starting point. He was 501 pounds. He had a difficult time walking more than nine steps. Even breathing, at times, was a chore. In 2004, it said, he had not left his apartment more than four times. His doctor gave a grim prognosis: have surgery, use heavy medication, or possibly die within six months. Oh, yeah. The surgery might kill you, too. That is a bleak place from which to decide to change one’s life.

Yet Mr. Cutshall found the honesty within himself to face that reality head on. He decided that he would change his life, take responsibility for his results, and take action.

Exercise and nutrition: a new plan.

Before he could even begin exercising he had to figure out what he could do. He determined that riding a bike was feasible for someone of his weight. Having made the decision to take charge of his life his first step forward was to contact bike manufacturers. He was faced with denial and laughter until he found someone willing to make an enforced frame bicycle. He knew he needed help and he put himself out there to get it.

Next he sought out a new plan for his nutritional intake. He researched, found a book, decided that it made sense, and ate like that every day from then on, no exceptions. After his first meal on the new eating plan he got on his bike and made his first ride.

One thing changed.

Mr. Cutshall said, “Everything changed from that day forward.” In actuality only one thing changed: he did. That is the inspiring message of his story. The one decision he made, upon which he acted, changed everything in his life and in the lives of his wife and daughter.

He used his awareness to determine his reality. Accepting the reality of his situation he set himself an intention. He was honest with himself all along his journey. He showed integrity in his eating, in his willingness to ride no matter the temperature. He took action and was willing to move to a more bike friendly city to make his lifestyle choices easier to practice.

His story is an excellent example of what can be accomplished by exercising self-control. And it all started with a meager breakfast and a short 1.9 mile bike ride.

Small steps too small?

What small step could you take to get yourself closer to your most important goal? Does it seem to be so small as to be pointless?

Think about how little weight he lost on that first ride he made. It took him about three hours to cover less than two miles. What could that possibly have done toward achieving his goal of losing over 250 pounds? Results-wise: hardly anything and absolutely everything, at the same time.

The weight he lost was negligible, mostly sweat. But he had put himself in motion. He had picked a direction to move and he was moving. No matter how slowly, no matter how haltingly, he was moving. That is the whole shebang right there. Motion. Action. That first step. Then another, and another.

From that initial 1.9 miles in three hours he covered thousands of miles. In 2007 alone he calculated that he had ridden about 4,083 miles. That is the power of consistency of effort.

Action always makes a difference.

Never underestimate the potency of one small action. It will seem to make no difference at all. Ultimately, it will make all the difference in the world.