Re: If you really miss Steve! Then stop complaining.

[Guest guest]

Adressing these issues, as I feel they pertain to the fact of the walk across the country, they are part of Steve's personal journey. In getting interested in Steve's walk, I never felt the need to become involved in the rest of his life. The walk was an adventure, with some purposes on Steve's part that, for the most part, were his own. Did the walk accomplish what he hoped? Maybe it did other things for him. Maybe he gained other insights. Did it destroy his marriage, make him materially poorer, help him or fail to help him lose weight? All of this is part of the ongoing story of Steve's life, and I do not expect to know how it will all play out. I never got involved in hopes of seeing Steve get thin and rich. It may happen yet. He and April may get back together, Maybe not. Maybe there are better things in store for both of them separately. Probably we will never know. But we did get to share the story of the walk, and we did get to know some great people on this forum, and lots of us got started on changing some of our lifestyle choices. If it is important to you, Tuna, to draw conclusions and keep score, that is your thing, not mine. Just a difference in approach. Steve is interesting to me.

I am what is classified as a "senior citizen" and have seen enough of life and people to know for certain that people really can change and grow throughout a lifetime, and that life is full of surprises. What is in store for Steve is a mystery, and I like it that way.

I hope good things for him, Tuna, and I hope for good things for you. I hope Jane has many exciting treks along the Pacific Coast Trail, and I hope, has a bumper crop of tomatoes next year and the next, and I hope competes in marathons for the next twenty years. I hope Gerard and I live to see New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast come back better than before. I hope Elaine and Shirley live to cheer and inspire others for the next forty years.

But I probably will never really know, will I?

W

Re: If you really miss Steve! Then stop complaining.

Once again, bashing the messenger while ignoring the validity of the message is a flawed tactic. The discussion is about what, exactly, Steve accomplished.Recently "Bill" posted his opinion that "The whole trip was about Steve regaining his life after getting fat."My post stated my opinion that he did not in fact regain his life, and gave examples (divorce, huge debts, etc). And also that he did not conquer his obesity, as evidenced by the fact that he was 1) still fat at the end of the journey and 2) has reportedly already regained all the weight back.If you have an opinion about the above, why not state it so it can be discussed in a mature fashion, instead of resorting to insults and name-calling?Regards,SWT

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[Guest guest]

Looks life you guys have it all colated and measured up concisely. Good! Your conclusions are duly noted. I wish I could assure you that all this is extremely important to me and that I did not realize any of it until you pointed it out to me.

Unfortunately, I guess I missed the point the whole time. It was never what it was about for me. I loved the trip and loved talking on this forum, and just do not care that much about summing up Steve in any way. But go ahead, enjoy yourselves.

Do you get together with old friends and talk gleefully about the people who you grew up with, and whether they are material successes or not?? What fun guys you must be!!

W

Re: Re: If you really miss Steve! Then stop complaining.

Is this true???solid_white_tuna <solid_white_tuna> wrote:

> The whole trip was about Steve regaining his life after getting fat.Right. Instead, he wrecked his marriage, lost his wife and kids, had his car repo'd, is flat broke, owes a book company $250,000 and is FATTER now than when he started.Tell us again, what did he accomplish?

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[Guest guest]

Well said . When I think about Steve walking on stress fractures, blisters, etc. and pushing on, I am filled with respect. The Marine inside came to the forefront. Only those who have gotten seriously overweight can really appreciate the stress and damage walking with all those pounds does to your body.

Steve is busy regrouping and we will hear from him in time. In the meantime we have been supporting each other all these months, and will continue to do so. I do not access this group as regularly as I used to, but still consider it an essential part of my road to better health as well as containing people I consider friends.

W.

If you really miss Steve! Then stop complaining.

Whoa thar pardner. Steve has already given this group one heck of a lot. First the inspiration that anything we want to do we can. Second the lesson to watch out for the vultures that try to hi-jack our dreams and goals to satisfy themselves. Third he has provided us this discussion group for us to chat with each other. So if Steve is not living up to your expectations and you are not happy here feel free to move on. I admire and respect Steve. He did way more than anyone I know and a lot more than the all of the whiners put together.

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[Guest guest]

I agree with you . I keep an eye out and I am confident Steve will be back when he can. He took a year off and he has to redo his whole life. I cannot imagine how much he is going through. He has a family to consider. He has done a lot for us and he will continue to do a lot. The key is he has dine it for himself and shared it. If he was preaching at us it would not work. He tells us his ups and his downs. I cannot imagine letting thousands of stranger into my life the way he has done. We need to have the patience he has and he will be back soon.

Hang in there all!

Jane

[Guest guest]

Nicely done .

Steve has my respect and thanks for the great job he is doing. Steve

is sharing his experience with the members of the group.

We are mostly fat people interested in the effort, and some who were

fat once upon a time. Most of whom don't car about the knee jerk

critiques rendered by the trolls.

Bill

>

> Whoa thar pardner. Steve has already given this group one heck of

a lot. First the inspiration that anything we want to do we can.

Second the lesson to watch out for the vultures that try to hi-jack

our dreams and goals to satisfy themselves. Third he has provided us

this discussion group for us to chat with each other.

>

> So if Steve is not living up to your expectations and you are not

happy here feel free to move on. I admire and respect Steve. He did

way more than anyone I know and a lot more than the all of the

whiners put together.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Whoa thar pardner. Steve has already given this group one heck of a

> lot. First the inspiration that anything we want to do we can.

Like abandoning our current lives and going searching for who-knows-

what? That's really the easy part, isn't it? It's the " can do "

part - actually accomplishing our goals - that is the hard part.

If Steve's trip has tought me anything, it's that chucking your past

life behind you and doing something radically different, as if

throwing yourself in front of a train, will force you to change the

person that you were - is likely to change nothing. You're still

same person, whether you're living in a tent on the side of route 44,

or you're going to the same job you've held for 20 years and living

with the same woman you've been married to for that same time.

> Second the lesson to watch out for the vultures that try to hi-jack

> our dreams and goals to satisfy themselves.

IF YOU OR I WERE TO DO THE ABOVE, I doubt that anyone would be overly

anxious to make a movie, or publish a ghost written paperback about

the adventure. Steve got lucky. And found that he had almost zero

ability to deal with the situation.

> Third he has provided us this discussion group for us to chat with

> each other.

That may indeed be the sole accomplishment. But this group

doesn't discuss the adventure, the highs, the lows, the many

accomplishments, nor the many failures of the trip. It trades

recipes and kooky theories on health, diet and self-help. I guess

we're waiting for the book or something.

> So if Steve is not living up to your expectations and you are not

> happy here feel free to move on. I admire and respect Steve. He

> did way more than anyone I know and a lot more than the all of

> the whiners put together.

Nobody has any idea what Steve living up to these days.

[Guest guest]

- you wrote

QUOTE

" That may indeed be the sole accomplishment. But this group

doesn't discuss the adventure, the highs, the lows, the many

accomplishments, nor the many failures of the trip. "

END OF QUOTE

Hi , Just a quick note. " There are no failures " but " There are

only lessons to learn in life "

I don't know Steve and yet I think I know Steve.

I guess that a number of people think that they know Steve on a

personal level, the same way, through the journal and the yahoo group.

The number of people could be in the thousands, X,000 or XX,000's.

And I presume they all think they know him, or at least I guess they

do.

What is important about this, is this, we are " fat people " , or people

that were fat.

(the medical profession is making a study of the group to gain

insight into - fat issues - people - interaction - and some people

feel they are being watched by uninvited intruders and don't like it,

but what can we do other than shut up)

Nobody wants to be put on the disection table for the day and back

into the preservative bottle for the night, so they shut up.

Apart from that, I think Steves trip has had many side issue

successes that are of enormous consequence.

Steve, from what I understand, Steve started walking to lose weight

and regain control of his life. The movie, books, tv appearances, t-

shirts, blog space, cell phones, software, computers, and other good

things were a helpful production by other people that will bring in

money. (you can't blame Steve for the performance of the production

of something not in his area of professional expertise.)

On a personal level, thousands are pleased with Steve's success

story. IMHO

I have done my share of walking, hitch hiking on highways, riding

buses, trains, planes, half way around the world, when I was a young

man. In those days my country did not have a compulsory military

service, so I travelled on a dollar$ a day.

To say the least((((((( I LOST ALOT OF WEIGHT)))))))))))))But that

was over thirty (30) years ago and the world was a different place

back then. Kindness was on every road, and hill top and valley.

So all I just want to say is that Steve is doing his own thing his

way, for himself, and alot of peopleare inspired by this honest

approach to weight loss.

I have never been married, no children, no wife, no life - Ha ha ha.

So I don't critique Steve's life, and would never consider giving

advice on family or marriage matters. Some in the group do, but that

is their decision, since they think they are more successful in

marriage that Steve.

I really don't know who is right. It's none of my business so I stay

out of the personal issues.

The whole trip was about Steve regaining his life after getting fat.

IMHO

regards Bill

[Guest guest]

We do not discuss adventures? Jane told about hiking the Pacific trail and getting lost and finding her way out. told about hiking the Bataan Death March marathon. I told about sitting out Hurricane Katrina a block from the beach and watching apartment buildings fall and float away. Where have you been, ?

Funny that you only remember the recipes.

W

Re: If you really miss Steve! Then stop complaining.

>> Whoa thar pardner. Steve has already given this group one heck of a> lot. First the inspiration that anything we want to do we can. Like abandoning our current lives and going searching for who-knows-what? That's really the easy part, isn't it? It's the "can do" part - actually accomplishing our goals - that is the hard part.If Steve's trip has tought me anything, it's that chucking your past life behind you and doing something radically different, as if throwing yourself in front of a train, will force you to change the person that you were - is likely to change nothing. You're still same person, whether you're living in a tent on the side of route 44, or you're going to the same job you've held for 20 years and living with the same woman you've been married to for that same time.> Second the lesson to watch out for the vultures that try to hi-jack > our dreams and goals to satisfy themselves.IF YOU OR I WERE TO DO THE ABOVE, I doubt that anyone would be overly anxious to make a movie, or publish a ghost written paperback about the adventure. Steve got lucky. And found that he had almost zero ability to deal with the situation.> Third he has provided us this discussion group for us to chat with> each other.That may indeed be the sole accomplishment. But this group doesn't discuss the adventure, the highs, the lows, the many accomplishments, nor the many failures of the trip. It trades recipes and kooky theories on health, diet and self-help. I guess we're waiting for the book or something.> So if Steve is not living up to your expectations and you are not> happy here feel free to move on. I admire and respect Steve. He > did way more than anyone I know and a lot more than the all of> the whiners put together.Nobody has any idea what Steve living up to these days.

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[Guest guest]

> The whole trip was about Steve regaining his life after getting fat.

Right. Instead, he wrecked his marriage, lost his wife and kids, had his

car repo'd, is flat broke, owes a book company $250,000 and is FATTER

now than when he started.

Tell us again, what did he accomplish?

[Guest guest]

Tell us again, Tuna, what do you accomplish with your posts? Tell us again, Tuna, why do you stay in a group started by someone you appear to dislike so much. Tell us again, Tuna, why can't a psychiatrist help you? Tell us again, Tuna, why you haven't been banned from this group? Tell us again, Tuna, how does the world benefit by you being in it? Tell us, Tuna, how many groups do you go around poisening?

> The whole trip was about Steve regaining his life after getting fat.Right. Instead, he wrecked his marriage, lost his wife and kids, had hiscar repo'd, is flat broke, owes a book company $250,000 and is FATTER

now than when he started.Tell us again, what did he accomplish?http://www.thefatmanwalking.com/Keep walking Steve!!!

[Guest guest]

My thoughts, exactly, Elaine.

W.

Re: Re: If you really miss Steve! Then stop

complaining.

Tell us again, Tuna, what do you accomplish with your posts? Tell us again,

Tuna, why do you stay in a group started by someone you appear to dislike so

much. Tell us again, Tuna, why can't a psychiatrist help you? Tell us again,

Tuna, why you haven't been banned from this group? Tell us again, Tuna, how

does the world benefit by you being in it? Tell us, Tuna, how many groups do

you go around poisening?

> The whole trip was about Steve regaining his life after getting fat.

Right. Instead, he wrecked his marriage, lost his wife and kids, had his

car repo'd, is flat broke, owes a book company $250,000 and is FATTER

now than when he started.

Tell us again, what did he accomplish?

http://www.thefatmanwalking.com/

Keep walking Steve!!!

[Guest guest]

Is this true???solid_white_tuna wrote: > The whole trip was about Steve regaining his life after getting fat. Right. Instead, he wrecked his marriage, lost his wife and kids, had his car repo'd, is flat broke, owes a book company $250,000 and is FATTER now than when he started. Tell

us again, what did he accomplish?

Cheap Talk? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates.

[Guest guest]

Once again, bashing the messenger while ignoring the validity of the

message is a flawed tactic. The discussion is about what, exactly, Steve

accomplished.

Recently " Bill " posted his opinion that " The whole trip was about Steve

regaining his life after getting fat. "

My post stated my opinion that he did not in fact regain his life, and

gave examples (divorce, huge debts, etc). And also that he did not

conquer his obesity, as evidenced by the fact that he was 1) still fat

at the end of the journey and 2) has reportedly already regained all the

weight back.

If you have an opinion about the above, why not state it so it can be

discussed in a mature fashion, instead of resorting to insults and name-

calling?

Regards,

SWT

[Guest guest]

Steve Vaught embarked on a very difficult journey, and I believe that he

started out with the best of intentions. But he failed to heed the old

adage that " you take yourself with you " . He continued to overeat massive

amounts of junk food, and continued to dodge personal responsibility. The

media attention and celebrity status, according to his wife, went to his

head. Reportedly, he simply walked from motel to motel, binging on fast-

food the whole way.

The facts are that he did NOT " regain his life " , nor did he solve his

obesity problem. Steve's case is sad, he is a man to be pitied, not

held up to the obese community as a hero or " inspiration " . That may be

" negative " or hard to hear, but it is true. There are already posts on

obesity websites opining that " Look, that fat guy walked all the way

across the country and still couldn't lose weight! See, it's hopeless/

genetic/my thyroid/whatever. Why bother trying? " .

If this group is genuinely about supporting healthy choices and weight

loss, it is really in anyone's best interest to continue propping up the

fiction that Steve succeeded in his stated goals? And why, may I ask, is

it " poisonous " or negative to dare to ask such a question here?

[Guest guest]

Everyone lets be mature about this. Yes, we love Steve, and we all admire what he set out to do. However, there are some mistakes he made, he is human. We should look at thee mistakes to help us on our own personal journey.And as a true friend to Steve w should acknowledge that things did not go as well as he planned. However, we are also here to support Steve as he still attempts to make things right. Just as we are here to support each other. We do not turn our backs on our friends; at the same time, we do not lie and pretend they are perfect. Friends have fl;aws we are not here to judge, but to support. Leena

Re: If you really miss Steve! Then stop complaining.

Once again, bashing the messenger while ignoring the validity of the message is a flawed tactic. The discussion is about what, exactly, Steve accomplished.Recently "Bill" posted his opinion that "The whole trip was about Steve regaining his life after getting fat."My post stated my opinion that he did not in fact regain his life, and gave examples (divorce, huge debts, etc). And also that he did not conquer his obesity, as evidenced by the fact that he was 1) still fat at the end of the journey and 2) has reportedly already regained all the weight back.If you have an opinion about the above, why not state it so it can be discussed in a mature fashion, instead of resorting to insults and name-calling?Regards,SWT

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