The Fat Man Walking

It's Christmas day and Steve Vaught is in San Diego, home with his family, but he'll be back in the St. Louis area this week continuing his walk across America. Steve, who started the journey at nearly 400 pounds, has walked 1,757 miles on his way from California to New York, trying to lose weight and find happiness. Once a fit Marine, 15 years ago Steve was involved in a car/pedestrian accident that killed an elderly couple. Since then, his weight and depression have been difficult to control. His web site features a travel journal (he fell hard on the second day, in addition to having a Big Gulp cup thrown at him). Walk a mile in his shoes at www.thefatmanwalking.com.

(UPDATE 17 Feb 2006: Local man Gary Long has started his own weight-loss trek. Read more at stltoday.com or visit Long's site at www.afatmanwalking.com.