Man uses Harry Potter size restrictions as motivation to lose weight

I use El Toro as motivation to keep the weight off or lose it from the off season.

Just finished a salad for lunch. Running of the bulls is Sept 18th.

Does it have to take a ride to get motivated to lose weight? I would think health problems would be the main factor.

I think that depends, Chitown. I'm not morbidly overweight, but I try to keep my weight down low enough so that I can ride because when I was at my biggest, I got turned away from rides I wanted to ride. Whatever motivates you, though, is a good thing.

No, I would love to be lighter. But the extra motivation of fitting on a favorite ride can help to reach for the carrots instead of the potato chips.

I have never had any weight related health issues and can still out pace many of the 20 somethings that I hang with at the parks.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's great in general to want to lose weight and if it takes being denied getting on a ride, then so be it.

Just in general, saying that it should be health issues whether you have them now or develop them later on that would be the main motivator.

I just got diagnosed with diabetes and lost almost 40/lbs. from the symptoms. Weight and other lifestyle factors along with genetics brought me to this.

I'm 29, was 300lbs in March. I wasn't feeling good...always tired, sore, sick. I started doing the P90X informercial program, and lost 45 lbs. I'm nowhere near where I want to be, but its a start. I used to be thin 10 years ago...was never "healthy" though. Had I not done the program, I wouldn't have fit on Intimidator or Diamondback less than a month ago, or Wicked Twister either. So it was a combination of things that were a motivation for me. Now I'm doing Insanity. Rough stuff I tell you, but I'm in a much better place physically, and mentally.

Michael, I have looked at P90X but never thought I could do it. It seems to intense for someone that is not already in good shape. How does it start off to be able to not do more harm then good for us that are heavy and not in the shape we wish.

CHI, for me it is less about consumption and more about a lousy metabolism. I have gone months eating under 1500 calories a day and not losing more than 10 lbs. I get to a point and then stall.

I have heard a lot of good things about P90X myself. A lot of people at the martial arts school I go to used it and got absolutely ripped. I think it's more muscle building, however, than weight loss. I took up martial arts to lose weight. I started at 310 lbs and got down to 220 when I took my black belt test three years later.

There is a lot of muscle building routines with the DVDs, yes. But you'll be losing fat while buiding muscle. Also there are cardio routines mixed in, including a Kenpo routine...lots of kicks and punches. Muscles aren't bad to have you know...my wife enjoys them ;)

Not fitting on a ride is an instant reminded you're too big, health problems will come later.

Hope he hits his goal.

Now this guy is doing the right thing for once. Instead of getting upset at the parks or ride ops like most enthusiasts would he decided to do something about it. He's actually taking responsibility for his own weight issues and not blaming everone else for it.

If it takes a ride to help this guy reach his weight goal then the more power to him! After all, Jared used Subway to help reach his goals. This guy is using a particular ride. ;)

Great article! Good luck to him!

-Tina