From Overweight to On Fire: My No-Fad Cycling Comeback

-

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Selfie of a smiling senior cyclist wearing a white helmet and yellow jersey on a rural road, with trees and cloudy skies in the background.

From Overweight to On Fire: My No-Fad Cycling Comeback

I've been seriously riding a bicycle for over 50 years. I’ve completed more long-distance tours than I can count, and I've taken part in well over 100 single-day cycling events. But even with all that mileage behind me, I’ve never looked like the "typical cyclist" people imagine.

Despite consistently riding 5,000+ miles a year, I always carried extra weight. Nutrition wasn’t something I thought much about—until 2018, when I decided I’d had enough. I jumped on the keto diet, and it worked. I lost 48 pounds, dropping to 182 lbs on my 6'0" frame.

But here's the thing: I didn’t feel good at that weight. My energy tanked, and my endurance—despite the miles—just wasn’t there. Keto may work for some, but it wasn’t sustainable for me. I started easing off the diet and eventually settled at around 195–200 lbs. That’s when I started feeling strong again.

In 2020, I rode 962 miles across Texas, from Oklahoma to South Padre Island—in July, in 110°+ heat. It was brutal, but I felt amazing. That ride proved to me that weight is only part of the story—how you feel matters more.

Then Life Got Busy

In 2021 and 2022, I didn’t do any big rides. My nonprofit food truck, which hired disabled young adults, transitioned from a trailer to a full truck. That process consumed nearly all my time.

Toward the end of 2022, I stopped riding regularly. My eating habits got worse, and by early 2023, the consequences caught up with me: headaches, high blood pressure, and about 20 pounds gained. Seeing the scale jump was a wake-up call.

Fast Forward to Now — Summer Update

As I write this at the beginning of summer, everything has changed. I’ve dropped the weight—I'm back down to 194 lbs—and I feel great.

Even better, I’m riding stronger than I have in years.

No keto.
No fads.
No forcing down “clean” foods I can’t stand.

Just common-sense calorie tracking, honest effort, and daily rides that fuel my soul.

What I’m Doing Differently

I’m using the MyFitnessPal app to log my food and exercise. I’m not following any specific diet—I’m eating the foods I enjoy and staying in a calorie deficit that works with my cycling.

This approach is sustainable for me. I’m not interested in impressing a nutritionist—I’m focused on results I can live with.

I also quit diet soda, and almost immediately my headaches disappeared and my blood pressure normalized. I’ve switched to water, and I don’t miss the diet drinks at all.

How the First Rides Went

Getting back into a rhythm wasn’t easy—but it’s always worth it.

  • Day 1: A smooth 20-mile ride. Felt good and gave me hope.

  • Day 2: Windy, painful 17 miles. Struggled but finished.

  • Day 3: Rode early to beat 40+ mph winds. Logged 14 easy miles and felt surprisingly solid.

Three days in, I knew I was on my way back.

Why I’m Sharing This

This isn’t just about losing weight. This is about reclaiming control. I want this blog to document the real journey—not a filtered version. There will be highs and lows, days I feel like a lion, and days I feel like I’m dragging a gorilla up a hill.

But I’m committed to sharing it all, because I know I’m not the only one who’s been here.

If you’re looking to get back in shape, stay motivated, or just feel better—know that you can do it, too. At 67 years old, I’m not aiming to be skinny—I’m aiming to feel strong, confident, and fully alive.

So here I am—194 pounds, feeling better than I have in years, and back in the saddle with purpose. I’ve still got work to do, but I’m excited to take you along for the ride.

Let’s see where this road leads.


Location: Lubbock, TX, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

This site contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. We may receive a small commission if you buy through links on this site — at no extra cost to you.

Subscribe

Popular posts from this blog

Does Cycling Make Sciatica Worse? What Cyclists Need to Know

-
Image
REAL CYCLIST INSIGHT: I’ve logged over 150,000 miles in the saddle. While I’ve never personally suffered from sciatica, I’ve ridden with plenty of cyclists who have — and I’ve paid close attention to what helped them keep going. Here's what I've learned from the road. Sciatica is no joke. The sharp, radiating pain that travels from your lower back down your leg can make everyday activities tough—let alone riding a bike. If you're a cyclist dealing with sciatica, you might be asking yourself: Is cycling helping me or making things worse? Like many things in health and fitness, the answer is: It depends. Cycling can both aggravate and relieve sciatic pain, depending on your riding position, bike setup, and the underlying cause of your symptoms. 🚫 When Cycling Might Make Sciatica Worse Cycling can contribute to sciatic nerve irritation under certain conditions: Prolonged Sitting: Long hours in the saddle—especially with a hard, narrow seat—can put direct pr...
Read more

Boost Your Focus and Mental Clarity with Cycling

-
Image
  Cycling for Focus and Mental Clarity: How Two Wheels Can Clear Your Mind We all know cycling is great for physical health, but did you know it can also sharpen your mind and improve your ability to focus? Whether you’re struggling with concentration, battling anxiety, or just looking for a mental reset, hopping on a bike may be one of the most effective and enjoyable ways to boost your brainpower. 🚴 How Cycling Improves Mental Focus Cycling isn’t just exercise — it’s a cognitive workout. Here’s how: 1. Increases Blood Flow to the Brain When you cycle, your heart rate rises and blood flow improves — especially to your brain. This delivers more oxygen and nutrients, which can enhance memory, focus, and decision-making . 2. Puts You in a Meditative State Cycling forces you to pay attention: to your breathing, your cadence, the road ahead. This state of flow quiets distractions and trains your brain to focus on the present moment. 3. Reduces Stress and Anxiety Riding a b...
Read more

Is 30 Minutes of Cycling a Day Enough to Lose Weight?

-
Image
Last updated August 7, 2025 Is 30 Minutes of Cycling a Day Enough to Lose Weight? I’ve been riding a bike for over 50 years. At times I was riding 30 minutes a day. Other times, I was doing 300. But no matter how many miles I logged, I could never get to a healthy weight and stay there. I blamed my age. I blamed my metabolism. I even blamed my bike. What I didn’t realize — not until much later — was that cycling alone wasn’t the problem. It was what I was doing off the bike that kept holding me back. So, is 30 minutes of cycling a day enough to lose weight? Yes — but only if you pair it with what it took me five decades to figure out . Here’s the truth that finally worked for me at 69 years old, after thousands of miles and a lot of trial and error. How Weight Loss Works At its core, weight loss comes down to burning more calories than you consume. Our bodies use calories for everything—from breathing to digestion to movement. When we eat more calories than we burn, we gain ...
Read more