Can you reverse the dreaded midlife health slump? Our 44-year-old writer shares his hard-earned lessons for optimal middle age A lifetime passion for cycling and exercise meant I was never going to freefall into obesity. But I felt a brutal sense of physical decline. Something needed to change. Fast-forward a couple of years to today and I’m fitter, stronger, leaner and more energetic. I relish exercise, the aches are under control and I sleep better. Friends tell me I’m looking ‘trim’. I work more effectively, plan more adventures and feel more ambitious. On a recent trip to Catalonia, I tackled every col confidently. This isn’t about reliving a lost youth. I’m 44, not 24. I don’t want to set Strava PBs or achieve 5% body fat – been there, done the 200km rides. I don’t want to be fit for a sportive – I want to be fit for life. If you recognise this sentiment, here are the lessons I learnt, through trial and error, with experimentation and expert help along the way.
Published: July 19, 2026 2:00 pm
Source: BikeRadar — Read original