Man loses 120 pounds, rides first roller coaster in 10 years

I do love seeing stories like this. I know that health should be the main reason to lose weight. But, as long as there is some incentive, that is all that matters.

It's all a mind-game. You just have to set your mind to it and keep motivated. At 43, I have dealt with weight issues my entire life. For me, the hardest part is lifestyle. Being stuck in factory life for the past 20 years has been discouraging. After losing job last fall, I put a lot of weight back on and early this year, I hit point I was not happy with. Since then have dropped 30 lbs. But have a lot more to lose. Being on 1st shift is harder for me. I find myself eating more since I have dinner with wife. 2nd shift was much easier, as I just snacked on things occasionally.

I do get out and do casual walks in country, which is about 7 miles. I have also joined my brother in doing 5K walks. Have done 3 so far.

Kudos for anyone trying to get healthier, or just wanting to fit on coasters! Keep a positive attitude and you will feel better in the end.

Walking 5k is pretty easy... it's only about 3.1 miles, which is an hour of brisk walking. It's super easy to knock that out on most theme park visits, you just can't be too counterproductive by going nuts on the pizza and fries.

Yes, 5K is easy as a casual walk. But, when walking fast, it's a different story when you weigh 265 lbs and don't exercise much. Lot of huffing & puffing going on! Last weekends walk was nice, as it was chip-timed. Meaning your time starts when you cross the starting line, not when race starts. My time was 47:10. Couple minutes faster than the first walk I did.

You've gotta give a warrior dash a try next, Jerry. You don't have to run it, you can walk between the obstacles if you need to, but it breaks up the 3 miles, and it's insanely fun.

The best part is, even if you walk it, it's a total accomplishment when you cross that finish line.

I am doing weight watchers and I use the FitBit Flex to walk more. I actually have two goals outside of just being healthier and wanting to live longer to see my grandson grow up. The first is to get back into martial arts, which will really accelerate my weight loss, and the second is to ride coasters again.

I have lost 90 lbs so far and figure I have another 20 to be able to ride most coasters again and to start martial arts as well. My overall goal is to lose another 50 lbs after I meet those other two goals. I doubt if I will get a news story, though ;) LOL

KTS, why WOULDN'T you get a news story? You're a weight-losing, coaster-riding, ass-kicking grandpa! Who wouldn't want to hear about that?