Get Off Your Fat Ass and Ride: How One Brutal Thought Changed My Life
I was young and already worried I wouldn’t live long. I had been a marathon runner. I’d even ridden a bike before. But then—almost overnight—it felt like I slipped. Weight climbed. Habits fell apart. The couch became home base. At one point I weighed 275 pounds. Every morning I’d tell myself the same lie: today’s the day I ride. Then I’d find something “more important” to do.
RENPHO Solar Smart Scale — The scale I’ve used for over a year to track weight, body fat, and riding progress
The Mirror Morning
One morning I was getting ready and caught my reflection. Not the quick glance you give when you’re in a hurry. I mean the look that doesn’t let you off the hook. And the sentence that hit me was as kind as a hammer:
“Get off your fat ass and do something.”
That was it. No pep talk. No playlist. No plan. Just a cheap bike and a promise that I would ride today.
That First Ride (No Magic, Just Sweat)
It was hard. Everything creaked—especially me. I didn’t get far, and it didn’t feel heroic. No fireworks. No cinematic redemption arc. Just a man on a bike, breathing like a leaky accordion, wondering if any of this would matter.
But the next day, I went again.
Stacking Rides
I didn’t have science or structure. I had stubbornness. I started to stack rides:
- Ride one day. Then ride the next. Then the next.
- Take a day off now and then so I didn’t break myself.
- Add a little more distance. Push a little harder. Nothing crazy—just more than yesterday.
And I kept going, even when the scale was rude and the legs were heavy. Because here’s the truth nobody wants to hear: it won’t feel like it’s working at first. For a while you’ll be out there pedaling and asking, “Why am I doing this?”
The 300-Mile Shift
Somewhere around 300 total miles—not in one week, not in some miracle month—something changed. The bike started feeling like a friend again. My breathing calmed earlier. Hills didn’t look like court summonses. I wasn’t fast, but I was steady. And steady is a wedge you can drive into a stuck door.
That’s when momentum showed up. Then came the fun part: looking for better shorts, a jersey that didn’t feel like a trash bag, and a saddle that didn’t hate me. I was becoming a rider again.
From 275 to 187
It didn’t happen in a straight line. It never does. But the miles stacked up, the weight came off, and the fear that I wouldn’t live long backed off. Today I weigh about 187 pounds. I’ve ridden well over 150,000 miles and across big pieces of this country. People tell me cycling is “in my DNA.”
Maybe. But if it was, I had to force it there.
What I Want You to Hear
If you’re staring at your own reflection and bargaining with yourself, here’s your sign. Don’t wait for perfect gear, perfect weather, or perfect motivation. Those are delays dressed as standards.
Get up off your fat ass and just go ride. Ride today. Then ride tomorrow. Stack rides. One day, you’ll look back and be grateful that voice spoke up.
Gear I Wish I Had When I Started (and What I Use Today)
- Bib Shorts: Pearl iZUMi Quest/Attack Bib Shorts (Men / Women)
- Helmet: Giro Fixture MIPS II
- Urban Helmet Option: Thousand Chapter MIPS
- Smart Scale for Progress: RENPHO Solar Scale
- Computer / Tracking: Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT V3 or a solid phone mount
- UV Arm Sleeves: Sun-protective sleeves
- Lights: High-lumen front and back lights
Keep Reading
- Is 30 Minutes of Cycling a Day Enough to Lose Weight?
- Pedal Pain-Free: How to Prevent Common Cycling Injuries
- Cycle Touring for Seniors: Tips and Tricks
FAQs
How long before cycling actually feels easier?
Not in a week. For me, the first real shift came around 300 total miles. Your number may differ, but the pattern’s the same: stack rides, recover, repeat. Consistency beats intensity.
Can I lose weight just by riding a bike?
Yes—if you pair riding with sane eating. You can out-eat any ride. Track something: calories, portions, or at least trends on a smart scale. Ride to build the habit; food choices move the scale.
I’m embarrassed to start because I’m out of shape. What should I do first?
Ride around the block. Tomorrow, twice around. Wear comfortable clothing, find a safe route, and don’t chase speed. You’re building identity first. Fitness follows identity.
How often should I ride at the beginning?
Three to five short rides a week. Keep one rest day. Aim to ride on consecutive days sometimes—that’s how you feel the compounding effect of stacked rides.
What gear actually matters for beginners?
- A helmet that fits (MIPS if you can)
- Padded shorts or bibs for comfort
- A saddle that suits your body
- Some way to track miles (bike computer or phone)
- Lights if you’ll be out near dusk/dawn
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