Twenty years ago I was just leaving the Army and I thought I was fit, but I was also a big drinker. The British Army almost runs on alcohol and cigarettes and I must admit that I embraced that culture with open arms. I was young and stupid, what can I say. Because of this, even though I had spent six years in the army, I never really developed any definition to my body and to be honest always had a bit of a beer gut.
Yes, that's me!
Over the years I neglected to carry on with the exercise but carried on drinking too much and eating garbage and I became overweight and quite frankly ill.
A couple of years ago, after I developed late onset asthma, I decided enough was enough. I had an epiphany if you
like. I realised that I could not go on like this. I have a wife and two very young boys that I adore and the thought of
leaving them through something preventable like my diet and health haunted me.
I changed my diet. I have cut all sweets, chocolate, cakes, biscuits, anything sugary. I had to do it, I was
addicted and I have cut out almost all dairy from my diet. It is difficult to totally eliminate all dairy and
sugar but I must have eliminated about 90% of my previous intake.
I must admit that I still smoke and that will be the next thing to go. I have changed the way I smoke, I will tell
you about that another time.
Almost immediately I felt better. My asthma started to clear up and now it has almost completely gone. I used to
get excrutiating jock itch (I'm letting all my secrets out here) and had to use cream constantly to alleviate this.
That has completely gone with no reoccurence whatsoever.
I also lost weight. I am 5' 10" and used to weigh 185 pounds with a paunch. With the change of diet alone I lost
10 pounds over no more than a couple of weeks, I was eating that much sugar. Within six months I had lost 30
pounds and I have maintained that weight for eighteen months now.
I had always liked cycling but my diet had held me back from taking it to another level. I now started finding
that I was able, slowly, to start upping my speed and distances. So much so that I could actually start taking it
more seriously and I would get on my bike at every opportunity and have since upgraded to a proper racing bike.
I love cycling. It is easy on the knees unlike jogging, and depending on how you are feeling you can go out for a
leisurely ride or you can just go for it and sprint. Whatever I do I love the feeling of being in my own little
world with the silence of cycling and being able to just take in what's going on around me.
Where I live there are miles of dedicated cycle paths which go through fields and follow the side of the river
where I often see cormorants and herons fishing.
I used to use an mp3 player whilst I was cycling, agonizing over which music would be best for the mood I was in
but one day I had no power in the battery so I went without it and absolutely loved it. The gentle sound of the
air rushing past my ears. On a summers day the birds singing, I just love it.
As I said, I upgraded to a new racing bike which is a revelation compared to the cheap, clumpy mountain bike I was
using before. The racing bicycle I bought for myself is the Eddy Merckx EMX 3. I love this bike, it's as if it
just cuts through the air and makes me feel invincible. I find myself racing other cyclists on the cycle path,
pushing myself until I either beat them or come close to vomiting and have to give up. I have developed this whole
new competitive streak.
When I first got the bike I had a couple of mishaps with the shoes and pedals. This is my first bike with the
shoes that clip in the pedals and I must admit that on a couple of occasions when I first got them, I forgot I was
clipped in and fell over when trying to pull up. The worst and most embarrassing was when I fell sideways on to a
grass verge and landed in the biggest pile of dog mess. I had to ride another five miles to get home after that,
truly horrible.
I did actually get the hang of these shoes very quickly and now it is second nature to just unclip one foot as I am
coming to a junction or traffic lights.
As a fitness regime I cannot recommend cycling enough. Easy on the knees and hips, although I would recommend
wearing padded shorts. The seats on these modern racing bicycles are like razors.
I would like to think that this lens might just inspire someone to get out there and get cycling. It has changed
my life.
You don't have to settle for the way you are, it is never too late.