'Fat Guy' cycling across U.S. to lose weight, save marriage

A man is cycling across the United States in the hopes of losing hundreds of pounds, saving his marriage and finding material to write his second book.

After turning 40, Eric Hites made a decision to do something about his weight. At 560 pounds, he embarked on a coast-to-coast cycling trip, chronicling his progress on Instagram, a Facebook page and blog, all titled Fat Guy Across America. He's also set up a GoFundMe page for followers to help fund his journey.

"I drank too much pop and I didn't exercise," Hites told the Newport Daily News in Rhode Island. "I hit 40 and I said, 'I've got to change this.'"

Two weeks and 145 kilometres into his cross-country mission, Hites says he's already lost 60 pounds. However he's run into a roadblock when his bicycle broke in Tiverton, Rhode Island. The Newport Daily News reported that Rob Purdy, who owns a bicycle shop in the area, is building a bicycle that should be able to support Hites's frame for the rest of his trip.

Hites posted the photo above of his new bicycle along with people from Purdy's shop.

"It's definitely inspiring," Purdy said about Hites's mission. "It seems like  a really good cause."

Hites hopes to write a book about his experience. He's already the author of Everybody Loves Ramen, a book packed with recipes that use packaged instant noodles for cash-strapped students.