Matty O...

It was another good and productive day of work and training today. When I got home, Nazaire topped it off by buying and putting six Coors Light Tall boys in my fridge for me.

I love the fact that Naziare now has a job and is my newest "contributor to the TPPF".

Even though I didn't get to bed until 3 am last night because I had to re-write the blog after losing 90 minutes of my work, it was worth it.

I almost didn't re-write it, I was so frustrated. I lost everything because I switched to the new blogger editor, and if you hit the wrong key when typing the blog, you lose everything, and you can't undo it.

I did the same thing tonight, I lost part of my initial blog post. This is now my second attempt at writing tonight's blog. At least I was only twenty minutes into it this time. Needless to say, I reverted back on the old editor.

I'm so glad that I finished yesterday's post. There was so many great comments that came out of it. I find reading the comments very rewarding. I've learnt that many people who read my blog didn't even know about the comments section on the blog. I tell them they "have to read the comments!" Some are touching, some are funny and others are priceless.

To find the comments section, you go to the bottom of the blog and click on the word "comments" and they will appear. You can read them or send your own comment. Usually the day after, I leave my reply to those that took the time to write a comment. Sometimes I think the comments are more interesting and funny to read than the blog.

Yesterday, was one of those days, that I got a "great comment". It was one of those comments that I thought needed to be taken "off the sidelines " and "put onto the field". It was from Matty O. If you didn't read yesterday's post. STOP. Read it now, then come back and read Matty O's comment.

Matty O is a PFG, who enjoys reading my blog and making me laugh with his "good sense of humour" and "smart ass comments". Heck, just look at his "Fat Guy Picture" above, those shorts are hilarious, and he had the "gall" to make fun of my purple disco shorts from 25 years ago. I bet you he STILL has those shorts in his drawer.

The fact of the matter is, Matty O didn't take that picture to show his "unhappiness". I realized it was actually his portfolio shot. He was trying to become an "Over-sized Male Model". The pose gave it away.

If you're too fat, lazy and ugly to read yesterdays post, Matty O's comment was in response to a paragraph in yesterday's blog post and I found it was worth re-publishing. I want to make sure it's in my next book:

Excerpt from yesterdays Post:

"On the plane, the person beside me was a young asian looking interning doctor named Jane who was researching obesity and was trying to understand what motivated people to lose weight. I told her I was a Previous Fat Guy (PFG) and I didn’t have an "on the spot real answer" for her on “what motivated me to lose weight”. I told her I’d post the question on my blog for other PFG’s to answer in the comments section.

So for all you PFG's or PFG wanna bees or skinnies that want to become fat so they can become PFG's, please answer Jane's question in the comments box".

Matty O's Response

I have a long PFG story. Wanted to submit it with pics for your PFG blog... BUT in a nut shell. I was a fat ass growing up, pretty damn close to Reid's size (sorry Reid, you were a fat ass). Got tired of being made fun of in school, had zero self esteem, and would make fun of myself before the others did so that it didn't hurt as much when they made their comments.

Up until 11th grade I was overweight. The spring of my 10th grade year I went out for the track distance team. I got cut. They had NEVER cut 1 kid from track in the existence of the program. I was FURIOUS, HUMILIATED, and honestly HURT. I was the laughing stock of the entire track team because he announced me being cut in front of the whole team (100 + kids).

The track coach was also the XC coach. I trained all spring and all summer, running out of rage and fury and pure revenge. Started losing weight that summer, and my endurance was forced upon my large frame. I tried out for XC over summer and ended up being the #3 guy on the varsity team. (After making fun of my coach and telling him that I was the father of his daughter for 2 years, (he was an ex marine) he came after me one day swinging and I laid him out... one of the greatest days of my life, revenge is oh so sweet).

I have gone back to being a fat guy several times. I get stressed and lazy and let it go, it comes back fast, and each time it hurts more. The last time was this past winter. I was plowing snow in my truck and my size 38 pants (the largest I have ever owned) would not fit, I had to unbutton and unzip the pants to sit in my truck.

I told my wife Heather, I am officially done being a fatty. We got serious about working out and I have my fitness back. I was right around 245lbs +/- in January. I am 190lbs now. I lost the weight in 3 months and like you B I hope to never go back to that person that I was. Because I was not happy about myself then.

My motivation for being a PFG, happiness. I wanted a life that I would enjoy, I wanted my joints to stop hurting, I wanted to be able to go for a run and not be tired like I used to be able to. I wanted to enjoy life and not get told that I can't do excursions on vacations because I weigh too much.

Everyone has a story, everyone has been shaped by events in their life. I have learned that kids are assholes and that through them being assholes, they shape who you become. I am proud to say that I am far better off because they made fun of me.

On another note, CONGRATS on signing the deal. I need to learn the ways of the spoon bottle opener!!!

Keep up the good vibes man, way to pull through the slump!!!

Epilogue

Please leave your comments on my blog for Matty O and let him know what you think of his comment.

I found it VERY TOUCHING. He overcame great humiliation and accomplished so much. However, I wasn't most impressed that he could lose the weight and overcome incredible odds, I was most impressed that he "laid out" his coach and "daughters step dad". How cool is that.

Long Swim - 59:46 / 3000 meters

Weights - 45 minutes

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