How Cycling Changed Me – Kim Nelson-Wright

name: Kim Nelson-Light
Year: 44
Birthplace: Laurel, Maryland
Profession: Occupational Safety and Health Manager
Time cycling: 2 years
Starting weight: £ 468
End weight: £ 233
Reasons for cycling: Cycling is a great, low-impact workout that brings the benefits of aerobic exercise and strength. I see physical consequences soon, and it’s a great activity for my mental health.

Before my weight loss journey, I basically didn’t move. I could hardly walk, let alone a bicycle. I was a home body. I rarely travel or go out with my family and friends. If we go on a trip and it needs to walk, I will have to get a scooter to move. I was unhappy, tired and missed my life.

The reason that led me to good health was my father’s health. He was hospitalized in 2017 and has a 50/50 chance of surviving due to his weight-related conditions.

He had a lesion of his brain caused by a liver and colon fistula. At the time, he had undergone brain surgery to remove the lesion, but two things remained that could not be safely removed, affecting the mobility of his left side. He couldn’t walk, so he had to go to a nursing home / rehab facility for ongoing care and physiotherapy. He was infected with COVID-19 and died in a Maryland hospital in 2020.

My dad has never talked about my weight in my life. For him, I was his princess and the most perfect girl in the world. But when his life was in balance, he told me not to be like him. He felt that his obesity prevented the doctor from saving his life.

It was that short comment that inspired my trip. I had to be healthy not only for myself but also for my family, so I was able to be there for my children.

I decided to start my health journey in December 2018, and my weight loss began with having gastric sleeve surgery in 2019 when I was 41 years old.

The stomach sleeve was my tool to jump start my weight loss journey. Two weeks after surgery, I started my fitness journey. Also, after surgery, I started pursuing a plant-derived lifestyle. It fuels me training and helps me lose weight continuously.

Breakfast includes vegan protein shakes and bananas or oatmeal and fruits. I use a meal preparation service that serves vegan meals for lunch and sometimes dinner, and I limit processed foods to use whole plant-based options.

My first running race was the 2019 Baltimore Women’s Classic, three and a half months after surgery. I had lost about £ 65 by then, but I was still very overweight. The pace of running was very slow, it was hot, and to be honest, it was really hard to finish. But I did it in an hour and after that race I set a goal to reduce the time to less than an hour for the next race. At that moment, I found a bug in endurance racing. It led to more running, and cycling and triathlon!

I started indoor cycling in May 2020. My husband bought an indoor spin bike for my birthday and helped me with my fitness trip. Then, in January 2021, I started outdoor cycling when I started training for my first triathlon.

I haven’t been biking since I was 16 so I was very nervous to start outdoor cycling. Fear of falling was sometimes overwhelming, but if I wanted to finish my first triathlon, I had to face it.

I’m currently cycling 3-4 times a week for over 2 hours per session. Follow a training plan created by a triathlon coach. I race to stay motivated. For me, training for something puts me on track. Not only do we want to complete Iron Man 70.3. This year, we also want to complete the 1st century ride by the end of 2022. In honor of my father, I want to continue the race.

Cycling has become a peaceful space for me. I love endurance training days. When riding a bike outdoors or cycling indoors for more than 2 hours. I feel achieved and rejuvenated.

To date, I’ve lost about £ 235, and it took 2.5 years.

I started cycling at a size that many think is overweight, and that’s okay. There may be fear and anxiety, but that’s normal. For me, starting with indoor cycling gave me the confidence to start going out. I have laid the foundations and the power to take on challenges.

These three tips made my cycling journey a success.

1. Improve fuel and hydration

Make sure your body is refueled and hydrated. It can be trial and error, but riding and training will be more efficient if you exercise your nutrition for you.

2. Rest and recover

Take your time to rest your body and mind. Pushing hard and training is great, but you need to give yourself a chance to recover. Giving that time to your body will make you a stronger cyclist.

3. Have fun

Enjoy your training. If you want to ride outside, try a new route or ride in a group. If you’re cycling indoors, find an online program or blast and ride your favorite songs.