Steve Vaught The Fat Man Walking

Before you read: some questions to help you think about the topic and the words you might need.

What ways do people usually lose weight?

Have you heard of the man who walked across America to lose weight?

Steve Vaught embarked on a walk across the United States on April 10, 2005 and ended in Manhattan on May 9, 2006 as he crossed the George Washington Bridge. His goal was to lose weight and to be able to enjoy his life again. Steve Vaught was married with two children. During the course of the walk he and his wife decided to divorce, which he said was an amicable decision.

Steve Vaught estimates he weighed 185 kg when he began his walk. He was not always obese. He says he was a "lanky" teenager and a physically fit and muscular Marine. His weight gain began 15 years ago, after an accident in which he hit and killed two elderly pedestrians. To make his life better again he decided he needed to walk from Oceanside, California to New York City in 5-6 months. It took him over a year.

Steve Vaught began his The Fat Man Walking route in Oceanside, California with a goal of reaching New York City. The route goes from California through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.

Steve Vaught began the journey camping in a tent each night. He carried food and water with him in a backpack. He started the journey without any support car assistance. He began the walk with a few sponsors, but in general this was a journey for his own health and not a charity publicity walk.

Sometimes he stayed in a hotel. T.V. film crews have joined him from time to time as his story became known.

Steve Vaught posts updates on TheFatManWalking.com web site. By early November, 2005 he had reached the halfway mark across the USA, over 2250 km. After taking a taking a break over the holidays, he was back walking in January, 2006 and had reached the 3200 km mark. By March, 2006, he had reached Ohio and took a break to work with a physical trainer on diet and improving his body. Back on the road, he had 1000 km to go to NYC. He finished May 9, 2006 and appeared on the "Today Show" May 10.

Did The Fat Man Walking Lose Weight?

Yes. Before his journey, he says he could hardly walk through a store. His physical condition improved steadily, he had a good health check with a strong EKG. By March, 2006 he had lost 103 kg and was under 125 kg. By January, 2006 he was averaging 24 km per day in all kinds of weather and carrying a pack. He was diagnosed with stress fractures in his feet in March, but continued to walk.

"I think everybody needs to take a long walk sometimes." "It was a brutal walk." He was impressed with the kindness of people along the way and said he learned to live in the present and learn what you have to enjoy right now.

Next for Steve Vaught: Wandering Around the World:

In August, 2006, Steve Vaught announced his next adventure. He will begin wandering east from San Diego "relying on the kindness of strangers." His goal will be to circle the earth, with a combination of accepting rides and walking.

Try to guess the meaning of the words in bold and match them with their closest meaning from the choices in the right. Some of the answers are very close and have similar meaning. The meaning of these words is how they are used in the reading. Some of these words have different meanings in the dictionary depending on how they are used.

 The answers are below the table.