MARTIN WHELAN, 40 HOW CYCLING CHANGED MY LIFE...
A 108-mile ride was a winning way to shift some weight
WHAT WAS YOUR LIFE LIKE BEFORE THE BIKE?
I’m a window cleaner by trade but that wasn’t enough exercise to prevent the pounds piling on over the years. I made bad diet choices, and despite trying plans like Slimming World I just couldn’t shift the weight I wanted to.
HOW DID CYCLING HELP?
It was the consistent exercise I needed through regular training and having the motivation of a charity bike ride as a target too. Cycling helped me to de-stress, feel fitter and, as I wanted to perform well on the bike, I addressed my diet too. I helped put together a team of fellow enthusiasts - thebarmyteam.com - which is great motivation and support. It makes training fun and competition healthy. We’re friends who ride for a great cause.
HOW DID YOU CHANGE YOUR DIET?
I stopped eating late at night, those calories just sit there and become fat. I also kept a record of what I was eating and stuck to meal plans and made more of my own meals, with my own recipes, so I had greater control over the ingredients.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU RIDE NOW?
I’m out for training rides averaging 30 miles a time at least twice a week, plus incidental rides whenever I can. In 2016, along with a group of friends, I cycled 108 ‘Barmy Ride’ miles from Stourbridge in the West Midlands to Barmouth in Wales. In June I rode 350 miles from Stourbridge to Land’s End.
TOP TIP
Have someone who’s relying on you to commit to cycling for them – it’s a great motivation on those dark, damp mornings when you don’t fancy training. For me it’s been charities, I ride to raise money for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and Macmillan nurses Has cycling changed your life? Email us at cyclingplus@immediate.co.uk