Weight Loss Success: Steve Quillen Bought A Harley And Lost 127 Pounds

Got a success story of your own? Send it to us at [e-mail] and you could be featured on the site!

Name: Steve Quillen
Age: 59
Height: 5'10"
Before Weight: 339 pounds

How I Gained It: I let myself go in the last 10 years, falling into a sedentary lifestyle and less than sensible eating patterns. I could not weigh myself for a while because my scale would not register over 300 pounds. When I started to lose weight, I weighed in at more than 339 pounds. That's the last recorded weigh in by my doctor, but I continued to pig out over the fall and winter before I actually buckled down and started the trek.

First and foremost, you should know my line of work. I install soda fountain units and systems for various restaurants, cafes, bars and bistros. I am exposed to just about every food you can imagine. Many times, we were offered freebies: eye-popping pizzas, sandwiches, buffets and desserts. My diet consisted of pizza, fried chicken, burgers, biscuits and gravy (one of my all-time favorites), in addition to Mexican, Asian and Italian food. There wasn't much I didn't like or try.

Breaking Point: My weight loss story really began when I purchased a Harley Davidson about two years ago. At the time I bought my Harley I really hadn't ridden a motorcycle since the early '80s. I grew up riding but had not revisited the excitement until a few years ago. My co-workers owned and rode various bikes and encouraged me to take the plunge and buy one. Although a Harley has plenty of power to pull a big boy down the highway it takes a certain amount of strength and ability -- both mental and muscular -- to maneuver the bike safely and comfortably.

As I grew into the bond with my iron horse I found myself enjoying the fellowship and lifestyle of motorcycling. There was something missing from the experience -- so I set out on a change of eating habits to lose the extra weight.

How I Lost It: I became a vegetarian and I haven't looked back. There has been so much negativity about meat these days that I simply thought it best and healthiest to just give it up altogether. I use the calories elsewhere in my diet to make a more satisfying meal.

I gave up fast food and the usual fare that goes with the lifestyle of a biker, the fries, dogs, steaks, barbecue and burgers. I doubt that there are that many vegetarian bikers on the road. It's been a little more than a year now, and I have lost 127 pounds in the process. I eat only healthy foods and occasionally splurge on veggie pizza or veggie fajitas. I do eat eggs and cheese and take supplements to make up for some of the protein. I consume many vegetables and whole grains, along with lots of water and the occasional diet drink, beer or wine.

I can tell you my bike is much faster these days, and I am much more comfortable during and after rides. It pays to be healthy when you ride: It is a much more enjoyable hobby! Losing weight is no easy task, and it takes a lot of encouragement to stay with it and carry it out, but it can be done at any age. People say that the older you get the harder it is. I don't believe that. It's the lifestyle we adopt and adapt to. I would encourage anyone to get out and be active whenever possible and make good choices when eating. It doesn't mean you have to give up eating out or having fun on a ride, you just make more sensible decisions when doing so.

After Weight: 212 pounds -- and still dropping

Check out more of our inspiring weight loss stories below:

Loading Slideshow

• Theresa BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/08/i-lost-weight-theresa-borawski_n_3061234.html" target="_blank">Read Theresa's story here.</a>

• Theresa AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/08/i-lost-weight-theresa-borawski_n_3061234.html" target="_blank">Read Theresa's story here.</a>

• Christian BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/06/i-lost-weight-christian-anthony_n_3056324.html" target="_blank">Read Christian's story here.</a>

• Christian AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/06/i-lost-weight-christian-anthony_n_3056324.html" target="_blank">Read Christian's story here.</a>

• Katey BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/29/i-lost-weight-katey-dyck_n_2973114.html" target="_blank">Read Katey's story here.</a>

• Katey AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/29/i-lost-weight-katey-dyck_n_2973114.html" target="_blank">Read Katey's story here.</a>

• Tom BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-w-watson/weight-loss-success_b_3117782.html" target="_blank">Read Tom's story here.</a>

• Tom AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-w-watson/weight-loss-success_b_3117782.html" target="_blank">Read Tom's story here.</a>

• Mandi BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/26/i-lost-weight-mandi-toan_n_2972936.html" target="_blank">Read Mandi's story here.</a>

• Mandi AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/26/i-lost-weight-mandi-toan_n_2972936.html" target="_blank">Read Mandi's story here.</a>

• Crystal BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/22/i-lost-weight-crystal-english_n_2956353.html" target="_blank">Read Crystal's story here.</a>

• Crystal AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/22/i-lost-weight-crystal-english_n_2956353.html" target="_blank">Read Crystal's story here.</a>

• Leah BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/19/i-lost-weight-leah-smith_n_2916032.html" target="_blank">Read Leah's story here.</a>

• Leah AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/19/i-lost-weight-leah-smith_n_2916032.html" target="_blank">Read Leah's story here.</a>

• Vanessa BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/24/i-lost-weight-vanessa-rabb_n_2972663.html" target="_blank">Read Vanessa's story here.</a>

• Vanessa AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/24/i-lost-weight-vanessa-rabb_n_2972663.html" target="_blank">Read Vanessa's story here.</a>

• Teresa BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/17/i-lost-weight-teresa-kidd_n_2907724.html" target="_blank">Read Teresa's story here.</a>

• Teresa AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/17/i-lost-weight-teresa-kidd_n_2907724.html" target="_blank">Read Teresa's story here.</a>

• Jenalee BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/15/i-lost-weight-jenalee-hill_n_2902874.html" target="_blank">Read Jenalee's story here.</a>

• Jenalee AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/15/i-lost-weight-jenalee-hill_n_2902874.html" target="_blank">Read Jenalee's story here.</a>

• Donesha BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/10/i-lost-weight-donesha-bolden_n_2862429.html" target="_blank">Read Donesha's story here.</a>

• Donesha AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/10/i-lost-weight-donesha-bolden_n_2862429.html" target="_blank">Read Donesha's story here.</a>

• Melody BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/08/i-lost-weight-melody-regnary_n_2823091.html" target="_blank">Read Melody's story here.</a>

• Melody AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/08/i-lost-weight-melody-regnary_n_2823091.html" target="_blank">Read Melody's story here.</a>

• Courtney BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/05/i-lost-weight-courtney-dyer_n_2819602.html" target="_blank">Read Courtney's story here.</a>

• Courtney AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/05/i-lost-weight-courtney-dyer_n_2819602.html" target="_blank">Read Courtney's story here.</a>

• Stephen BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/01/i-lost-weight-stephen-mariani_n_2813514.html" target="_blank">Read Stephen's story here.</a>

• Stephen AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/01/i-lost-weight-stephen-mariani_n_2813514.html" target="_blank">Read Stephen's story here.</a>

• Robin BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robin-hoffman/weight-loss-success_b_2910620.html" target="_blank">Read Robin's story here.</a>

• Robin AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robin-hoffman/weight-loss-success_b_2910620.html" target="_blank">Read Robin's story here.</a>

• Benjamin BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/03/i-lost-weight-benjamin-gerhardt_n_2819453.html" target="_blank">Read Benjamin's story here.</a>

• Benjamin AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/03/i-lost-weight-benjamin-gerhardt_n_2819453.html" target="_blank">Read Benjamin's story here.</a>

• Janne BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/27/i-lost-weight-janne-mcneill_n_2916306.html" target="_blank">Read Janne's story here.</a>

• Janne AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/27/i-lost-weight-janne-mcneill_n_2916306.html" target="_blank">Read Janne's story here.</a>

• Brittney BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/22/i-lost-weight-brittney-s-wheeler_n_2792300.html" target="_blank">Read Brittney's story here.</a>

• Brittney AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/22/i-lost-weight-brittney-s-wheeler_n_2792300.html" target="_blank">Read Brittney's story here.</a>

• Megan BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/25/i-lost-weight-megan-cooper_n_2813268.html" target="_blank">Read Megan's story here.</a>

• Megan AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/25/i-lost-weight-megan-cooper_n_2813268.html" target="_blank">Read Megan's story here.</a>

• Clara BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/18/i-lost-weight-clara-osborn_n_2765912.html" target="_blank">Read Clara's story here.</a>

• Clara AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/18/i-lost-weight-clara-osborn_n_2765912.html" target="_blank">Read Clara's story here.</a>

• Lee BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/15/i-lost-weight-dr-lee-coleman-jr_n_2765622.html" target="_blank">Read Lee's story here.</a>

• Lee AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/15/i-lost-weight-dr-lee-coleman-jr_n_2765622.html" target="_blank">Read Lee's story here.</a>

• Debbie BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/20/i-lost-weight-debbie-lazinsky_n_2768877.html" target="_blank">Read Debbie's story here.</a>

• Debbie AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/20/i-lost-weight-debbie-lazinsky_n_2768877.html" target="_blank">Read Debbie's story here.</a>

• Tanee BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/11/i-lost-weight-tanee-janusz_n_2725616.html" target="_blank">Read Tanee's story here.</a>

• Tanee AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/11/i-lost-weight-tanee-janusz_n_2725616.html" target="_blank">Read Tanee's story here.</a>

• Toni BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/13/i-lost-weight-toni-hone_n_2717734.html" target="_blank">Read Toni's story here.</a>

• Toni AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/13/i-lost-weight-toni-hone_n_2717734.html" target="_blank">Read Toni's story here.</a>

• Madiha BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/06/i-lost-weight-madiha-tariq_n_2718255.html">Read Madiha's story here.</a>

• Madiha AFTER

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/06/i-lost-weight-madiha-tariq_n_2718255.html">Read Madiha's story here.</a>

• DJ BEFORE

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/04/i-lost-weight-dj-foodie-williams_n_2719171.html">Read DJ's story here.</a>

For more on weight loss, click here.

From our partners

• 400 Healthy Recipes (That Won't Break The Bank) - greatist.com
• 8 Great Running Apps To Help You Train For Your Next Race - Shape Magazine
• 6 Reasons To Sleep At Least 7 Hours - Everyday Health

Comments

[Cosmotion]

10:12 PM on 04/11/2012

Since this article was written It has brought mixed reviews from the folks that read it. Mostly positive however I would like to clarify a few things. I am not a spokesperson for Harley. It could have been any bike. I like the Harleys. Given my age I thought it would be inspirational to people thinking they may not have the ability due to their age. Success can come at any age. My formula worked for me. The basic principal is a decrease of calories and an increase of activity. Becoming a vegetarian was healthier for me and getting out on the open road is a great activity to burn off a few calories. I also walk a track, do a few pushups, and shoot a little hoop. I have just as many overweight friends as I do skinny friends. Friends are friends and what they want to achieve on a personal level is ok with me. They are no less a friend and I accept people for who they are not their size. Personally I feel much better having lost 130 pounds and feel a bit more comfortable and confident riding my Motorcycle and being able to ride a roller coaster with my grand kids. Sadly people are discriminated for being overweight. It's not easy losing weight. It takes a lot of support and will power.It's an emotional process. I support anyone in their efforts to make life a little healthier for them selves.....Steve

[bluegnu63]

11:04 PM on 04/09/2012

WTG, Steve!!!

[mds308]

03:29 PM on 04/09/2012

Let's see, what should I do? Gastric Bypass surgery or a Harley Davidson? Gastric Bypass or a new Harley Davidson? The Harley is cheaper, looks better than a Hallmark get well card and puts some spark in your commute. When I bought my Softail, I weighed 170 pounds. Now I weigh 895 pounds including the bike.

[artfishtales]

03:18 PM on 04/09/2012

gee dont eat any more harleys if you had bought an indian would you have had the same results? what kind of bullCr*#p is that.you better visit a shrink with your sponsers I know the public is stupid but give us a little credit for some grey matter.

[JimmySmithMusic]

05:12 PM on 04/09/2012

You think "Harley" is sponsoring my grandfather for this article? grow up...

[PoppaG]

03:12 PM on 04/09/2012

Glad it worked for you, but it didn't for me I also have a Harley now I ride to the Burger joints and have some cheese fries a burger and a beer . Since I bought my Harley I must have gained 30 lbs. I ride with a group of guys and every time we ride we always stop at some place to eat. Pretty soon I will be selling my Harley because this bike is killing me...

[CJulia]

02:57 PM on 04/09/2012

congrads Steve!!! the number one ingrediant to losing weight is stop eating out!

[chiconian49]

02:55 PM on 04/09/2012

Vegetarian is an old native american name for 'poor hunter.'

[theswagg]

01:47 PM on 04/09/2012

I am sorry, that should have said 'osteoporosis' instead.

[theswagg]

01:46 PM on 04/09/2012

Being a vegan may sound worthwhile but since most do not get enough protein in their diet they will contract osteoarthritis a lot easier. And the ones who eat way too much chicken suffer side effects from the growth hormone in the meat. Good for him though! Every weight loss story is a victory story and a very good inspiration for others.

[FaithKathleen]

04:43 PM on 04/09/2012

Osteopoosis is not caused by a lack of protein. Vegans, because they do not consume any animal products, are actually LESS likely to get osteroporosis since drinking pasteurized dairy actually causes the disease, though that's not what the dairy industry will tell you. Milk/dairy creates an acidic environment in the body (humans are meant to have an alkaline environment.) The acidic environment actually leaches calcium from bones in order to buffer the acidity and make it more alkaline. Too many animal products in general as well as junk food like soda will also do this to our bones.

In fact vegans, especially those who eat whole grains, beans, and meat substitutes take in MORE than enough protein throughout the day. Eating too much protein is actually dangerous. Most Americans eat way too much and studies have shown that consuming 30% more protein than the daily recommended value will cause disease of the kidneys and liver as well as heart problems.

I completely agree with you about the chickens and their growth hormones. The food industry needs some serious changes! Thanks for sharing what you know, theswagg! Just trying to do the same. :)

[bluegnu63]

11:06 PM on 04/09/2012

Thanks for the info.; fanned and favorited. :-)

[theswagg]

07:39 PM on 04/14/2012

Yes it is, according to leading nutritionists.

[connie4905]

01:12 PM on 04/09/2012

Congratulations Steve! If he lost that amount of weight in a year your really an inspiration to other people.

[namrogm]

01:06 PM on 04/09/2012

Nice going, Steve. That Harley Diet could compete with my favorite, the Atkins Diet, which is maligned by the carbo companies, but is still pretty good for most of us.

[wcordeau]

01:05 PM on 04/09/2012

Good Job Steve. As a big man myself, I've lost 85lbs, but have 90 more to get your your weight.
You are an inspiration!

[JoltBillRandal]

01:04 PM on 04/09/2012

Did you ever notice the reseblance between this man (before) and the auction and pawn shop show 'stars'?

[dolphins1441]

12:01 PM on 04/09/2012

Wow! That's so great!

[I Comment58]

11:00 AM on 04/09/2012

CONGRATSSS!!!! Steve Quillen