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He has walked off 100 pounds and is down to 278 pounds; a weight he hasn’t been at since he was in college. But what he has lost in weight, he has gained in experience and recorded for everyone to read and see on his Web site, A New York native who began his journey in Myrtle Beach (Garden City Pier) on Jun 18 weighting about 380 pounds. Armed with a hiker’s pack, water and granola bars, BLiss passed through Sumter on Jun 30 on his way across South Carolina, walking an average of eight to 10 miles a day. Now, his friends are telling him to slow down as he pounds out 15 miles per day. • He joins the ranks of other people traversing the waistband of North America in efforts to lose weight. • One such fellow, Steven Vaught, began his journey in April 2005 in California. The 410-pound man walked about 3,000 miles, reaching New York City in May 2006 about 100 pounds lighter. • As of Friday afternoon, Bliss was just outside Knoxville, Tenn., on his way to Nashville, his first official milestone, and the headquarters for a party celebrating Bliss’ weight loss accomplishment so far. His Web site invites all “Jaybo junkies” to attend the celebration. • The experience has its perks. After media attention, he has gained discounts on food and lodging, and his shoes are now provided by Saucony Inc., a footwear manufacturer. • The entire experience hasn’t been a parade of free food and mild weather, however; sometimes this road warrior gets frustrated. • “I know I can’t but I really want to just go home,” Bliss wrote on his blog. “Having this huge task in front of me while just being beat up and hurting is causing my mind to lose focus on the big picture.” • He said he has never seriously thought about quitting, and through it all he has adopted a new life policy. • “I have learned to have more faith,” he said. “I know everything will be taken care of.” • His trip has alsoafforded him some insights, including a personal victory after climbing a mountain on the Appalachian Trail. • “When I got to the top, I was like, ‘That wasn’t that difficult,’” he said. • He also said the journey has taught him better eating habits. • “I don’t think I will ever eat fast food again,” Bliss said. “Eating healthy is the way to go.” • Surprisingly, what he misses most is not a warm shower, a bed or the luxury of predictability. “I miss familiar faces,” he said. • Having conquered three Southern states in the heat of summer and having lost 100 pounds might satisfy most people, but he is set on going all the way. • He said in June the journey should take about a year. • Only about 2,500 miles to go. [1] |
