From 18st 9lbs to 16st 5lbs is a decent effort but I want to get below 16 stones before I get on the road bike and really start clocking up the miles. The last few weeks have been tough, food wise easy, Im maintaining a disciplined diet and walking 1.25 miles at least every morning around sunrise but mental health has been difficult. Logically I should be pleased but I dont know why Ive been feeling particularly down lately. I guess its just the rollercoaster of life, Ill climb back up soon if I keep up the discipline and exercise. No injuries so far, so I think Im doing it right!

Still enjoying the morning walks, the cycling is coming along too. I have almost lost enought to start training on the road bike, I just need to get over my anxiety as the last time I rode I was knoocked off and that started the downward health sprial the put me in the position Im in now. I am already at nearly 50% of my weight loss goal and enjoying the changes in food and its reflected in the energy I have. I can comfortably get into clothes I havent worn in years, glad I didnt throw them out. I have begun having a protein shake every day so I dont lose the muscle I have worked hard to get while losing weight, the HUEL is great and provides a large portion of protein required but I wasnt hitting the target amount so for the first time ever Im having a whey shake daily. I have ordered a custom jersey with the donation QR code on the back so if Im waiting at traffic lights etc and people want to they can donate. I am hopeful I can smash my target set on Give Wheel and help more people, our family is still feeling the after effects of MND and Alzheimers, so I am acutely aware of how a little help can change a family for the better after the worst has happened.

Enjoying the 6am 1 mile walks, getting out on the bike as and when I can and especially going out with my daughter. I setup the donations page for the ride on Give Wheel as it splits the donations 50/50 between the charities. I launched it a bit early but I won’t be asking anyone to put into the pot until closer to the time. Ive found a great company to print the custom jerseys, I’ll be saving up to get myself and the two volunteers that are coming along for the ride one each as a memento.

I finally worked up the confidence to record my first diary video to record the progress (?) visit the YouTube channel : https://www.youtube.com/@Road-to-the-Ride

Strength training, morning and afternoon walks for a couple of days, handy for clearing the head after working in the studio. I have managed to avoid being in front of the camera since opening the studio in 2007 as Im acutely aware Im not pretty to look at, something tells me I should record my efforts though, just to look back on and see how hard I worked to get to the end of the road. I thought Id dabble with a little AI to help me create a look for a training diary channel on YouTube, somewhere I can record the highs and lows in a casual way. My 9 year old daughter has been coming out riding with me and she can maybe look back on the diary in the future too. I’m not shedding the pounds as fast as I would like but I hope thats just because fat is being replaced with muscle……thats my story and Im sticking with it for now!

2 Mile walk, 6 miles off-road ride and 1 hour strength training, really enjoying it (afterwards). Now the tough part, to dispose of the nicotine sticks. Using the bike to visit my Father more regularly, beautiful bridleway and a couple of small climbs. Every step forward is good, but Im taking things slower than in the past to make sure I do things properly. Still got King Of The Hill on a couple of routes on Strava from years back, wouldn’t mind eventually being back in that form!

Training continues with longer morning walks and introducing strength training with kettlebells, sandbags and elasticated fitness bands. 8KG down and I am aiming for 195 lbs / 88kg. After reviewing my past cycling activities and data I know its possible to reach the goals set, my COPD and Athsma continues to improve with blood oxygen levels going from 93% on average to 97% but theres room for more improvement. Hard but still enjoying it all, my depression has been reduced and overall mood increases with every little step forward.

Training increased from 3k steps and 3.5 mile ride to 4k steps (1 mile 6am brisk walk) and mixing in 3.5 and 6 mile rides depending on how my body is feeling. Nutrition has vastly improved, VO2 is slowly increasing and I have not needed my COPD or Asthma inhalers since starting cycling. Feeling good, will be setting up a team sponsorship on Just Giving, unfortunately it won’t allow me to split 50/50 between two charities but I can create a team and request sponsors to try and keep them equal. Onward and upward.

Training progressing well, 7kg lost and fitness increased. Nightly 3 mile ride getting easier so Im increasing it from next month to 7-10 miles. Huel leaving me filled and refueled, surprisingly no hunger after! (Click here to get yours). Morning 1 mile walk and afternoon rides seem to be building fitness well.