{"id":904382,"date":"2026-09-25T01:06:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T01:06:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/904382\/"},"modified":"2026-09-25T01:06:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T01:06:14","slug":"i-started-indoor-cycling-and-lost-37-5kg-these-4-simple-rules-have-kept-me-consistent-stronger-than-ever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/904382\/","title":{"rendered":"‘I started indoor cycling and lost 37.5kg \u2013 these 4 simple rules have kept me consistent & stronger than ever’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Name: Megan Hoffman<\/a>
Age: 39
Hometown: Sparks, Nevada
Occupation: Recruiter, CycleBar instructor
Time Cycling: Since 2008
Reason for Cycling: I love cycling because no matter what shape I\u2019ve been in, it\u2019s always made me feel strong. Every time I am on that bike, I feel empowered to keep moving forward.<\/p>\n

I had been overweight most of my life. I have always loved adventure, so I was not a stranger to movement \u2013 I just never used it to my advantage. I\u2019m not talking about intense exercise; I\u2019m talking about the normal daily activities that started to feel more and more like a struggle. I noticed that doing things that I loved like going for walks<\/a> or hikes, started to become less enjoyable because I was having to modify the paths I would take, or I couldn\u2019t go as long as I wanted without feeling fatigued.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, I did not have any health problems. I was just sick and tired of having to modify my daily life. The body I was in was no longer serving me.<\/p>\n

My turning point came when I was in the shower one night in 2019 shaving my legs. I noticed how ‘full’ they seemed, almost as if my razor were to accidentally cut them, they would pop. I know it sounds like a silly realisation but because I have dealt with body dysmorphia my whole life, never really seeing my body as it is, it was the first time I really saw what my body must be going through on the inside. For my legs to look and feel like water-balloons, something had to change. <\/p>\n

In 2019, I joined the cast of The Biggest Loser, and lost 83 pounds [37.5kg]. After the show, I was determined to maintain my healthy lifestyle, and found CycleBar\u2019s outdoor classes during the pandemic. I had taken my first indoor cycling<\/a> class in 2008 and always loved it.<\/p>\n

What attracted me to cycling was more of a nostalgic feeling, remembering what it was like growing up. I was always on my bike, getting lost for hours cruising through the neighborhoods. So during a time of isolation, cycling offered a sense of community. What is so beautiful about cycling is that you don\u2019t have to be fit to start, you just have to show up.
<\/p>\n

I took indoor cycling classes a lot throughout my weight-loss journey, and I\u2019ve gone through many stages of riding. At first, I rode a few times a week, then every day, and then I went through a period of riding twice a day. The point is, there is no one formula for everyone. I found what I needed to keep me consistent through every stage of my journey, including now. I also became an Instructor at CycleBar Sherman Oaks in August 2023.<\/p>\n

Right now, I\u2019m riding five days a week including teaching two cycling classes. I am a firm believer in goals, so I am always working on something, currently it\u2019s holding speed while cranking up that gear. I want to become as strong as I can.<\/p>\n

No matter how I\u2019m feeling on any given day, the minute I am clipped into that bike, a ridiculous smile spreads across my face. I never thought I\u2019d say that about any exercise if I\u2019m being honest! But there is something about it that makes me feel incredibly strong. Even when I\u2019m out of town and my normal daily routine is out of sorts\u2026 there\u2019s always a part of me that is craving that ride.<\/p>\n

These tips have made my cycling journey a success1. Avoid comparison<\/p>\n

Never feel like your ride needs to look like anyone else\u2019s. You move at your own speed, and you add whatever gear you need. Outside of form, there is no right way to enjoy your ride.<\/p>\n

2. Know when you can give more<\/p>\n

It\u2019s going to feel uncomfortable sometimes, but that doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019ve reached your best effort in the moment. Tap that gear or push that speed even if you hold it for just a moment longer. Inch by inch, this is how we progress.<\/p>\n

3. Eat healthy<\/p>\n

You cannot outwork a bad diet. My choices with food had to change. I have not eliminated anything from my diet<\/a>, but I make different choices. My body feels the best when I\u2019m eating a higher protein diet<\/a> so I stick to that. I have tried every fad diet out there and nothing was sustainable. So, I found what works for me.<\/p>\n

4. Trust the process<\/p>\n

It\u2019s going to be a journey; this will not happen overnight. It helps to take your eyes off of the scale and focus on performance. Pull out your ride stats, find a way to track that. It will keep you focused on your ride and not the scale\u2014which as we all know, tells very little about what\u2019s actually happening in your body.<\/p>\n

\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Emily Shiffer is a freelance health and wellness writer living in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n