HOW CYCLING CHANGED MY LIFE...
Cycling helped James Legg pedal away almost six stones
WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE BEFORE THE BIKE?
I’m a Royal Mail van driver and over the years piled on weight by eating fried food and sitting in the cab all day. I started to cycle after taking advantage of a Cycle To Work scheme.
HOW DID CYCLING CHANGE YOUR LIFE?
Some work colleagues encouraged me to join them on rides around Bristol. It was tough, but after a slow start I got into riding sportives and I soon noticed an improvement in my fitness. I joined my local gym, did spin classes and got a personal trainer. The combination of cycling and dietary changes meant the weight started to drop off.
HOW HAS YOUR DIET CHANGED?
My partner, Steph, and I started following Slimming World plans – eating regular meals that are low in fat. My personal trainer gave me tips on reducing quantities too. Now we eat a lot of lean meats and loads of veg.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU GET ON THE BIKE?
I ride to my local gym – a 10-mile round trip – five times a week. I’m in training for a charity ride at the moment too. In the winter I ride about 100 miles a week and in the summer I will dip out of a gym day and cover around 250-350 miles a week. I’ve got four bikes now including a Boardman CX Comp and a Cube Attain GTC for summer rides.
WHAT HAS THE BIKE HELPED YOU ACHIEVE?
Within two years I’d dropped 40kg and my confidence and health have rocketed. I’ve done Prudential RideLondon twice and plan to cycle from Land’s End to John o’Groats before doing London-Surrey again to raise money for Prostate Cancer, hopefully.
TOP TIPS
Don’t go it alone. Diet with your partner, workout with a trainer, ride with friends or a team and cycle for a good cause for motivation. Has cycling changed your life? Email us at cyclingplus@immediate.co.uk
FAT FIGURES 2625 CALORIES BURNED 75kg male cyclist riding at an average of 15mph for 3.5 hours will burn an estimated (750kcal/hr) or 2625 calories - the recommended daily calorie intake for an adult male