"The fat man walking 2," a 380 lb 51 year old man walking across America to lose weight and regain his health.

(PRLEAP.COM) Gary Long, a 380 lb, 51 year old man from Fenton, Missouri, known as "The fat man walking 2," will gather with family, friends and supporters at 9 am on 2-15-06 at the Arch in St. Louis, Mo. At 10 am he will bid farewell and embark on a yearlong walk across America with his backpack, sleeping bag and tent. Add food and water and his backpack will weigh 45-50 lbs. His goal is to lose weight, regain his health and bring National attention to obesity in America.

Gary was in the Army for 21 years and was a slender man until he retired at the age of 40. he drove a truck across country for the next 9 years and gained a lot of weight. He tried several diets over the laast few years and nothing seemed to work for him. About 4 months ago Gary learned about a man named Steve Vaught from California, who billed himself as "The fat man walking," who was walking across America to lose weight. Steve’s trek inspired Gary to become "The fat man walking 2."

You can learn more about Gary and his walk across America by visiting his web site at: www.thefatmanwalking2.com. You can also email him at: gary@thefatmanwalking2.com