HOW CYCLING CHANGED MY LIFE...
Susan’s love of cycling has helped her find confidence again
WHAT WAS YOUR LIFE LIKE BEFORE THE BIKE?
I put weight on after a brain injury during my divorce. I became heavier and increasingly unhealthy. Before this, cycling had been my passion and I’d been part of cycle touring groups.
HOW DID CYCLING HELP?
As I began to lose weight I took up running but I fell badly and injured myself. So, I got my bike out, dusted if off and started to cycle with a brace on my fractured wrist. I was slow to start with - only about 10 miles an hour. But as I got fitter and stronger I could cycle 30 miles easily at about 17mph. My favourite moment was overtaking a group of male hill climbers on the ascent up Primrose Lane in Alvanley, Cheshire. It’s a steep climb and the look on their faces as they were overtaken by a middle-aged woman on an old Peugeot was priceless!
HOW DID YOU CHANGE YOUR DIET?
I joined a Herbalife programme. I started by focusing on breakfast. I learnt through the nutrition classes how crucial that is and why it’s so pivotal to health. With that right, I started to change bad diet habits.
HOW ELSE HAS CYCLING CHANGED YOUR LIFE?
Suddenly I could cycle up hills that I would have dreaded even walking up. It’s restored my confidence. I can get out on the road and focus on nothing but the cycling. I’m now riding between 50-100 miles each week. I also do high-intensity interval training sessions without any problem, my resting heart rate is down to 42 beats per minute and my cholesterol total has gone from 6.8 to 4.4.
TOP TIP
Cross train. I swim and use a local gym to exercise my hip flexors. Yoga classes keep me mentally on track, work different muscle groups and aid strength and toning. Has cycling changed your life? Email us at cyclingplus@immediate.co.uk