Maintenance isn\’t only about keeping that bike in good working condition. It\’s also about diet and weight.

Over the last year, I lost some 26 pounds. Last February I was uneasily aware that my weight had climbed to 128; and considering how short I am, that was way too much. But getting myself to do something about it was another story.

The catalyst was bloodwork that showed my A1c levels were in the prediabetes range. I definitely did not want to progress to full-blown diabetes; and I went to work right away.

The first step was to cut way back on the candy bars and junky non-sweet snacks. I began replacing them with apple wedges and raw carrot sticks. I\’ve always had a humongous sweet tooth; and at first that seemed hard. But after a month or so I had lost 5-6 pounds; and it was easier to get into my cycling shorts! That provided the motivation to keep going.

I kept at it; but by November my A1c levels hadn\’t budged. I started working with a nurse practitioner and a nutritionist; and they helped me to determine my daily calorie and carb needs. Day after day, I recorded my meals and snacks.

Now my weight is back down where I want it; and here comes the hardest part: maintenance! This relentless meal tracking is a drag sometimes; but if I stop doing it, those pounds will pile right back on.

Additional motivation is the desire to avoid actually developing diabetes. I suspect that I won\’t be able to go back to my pre-prediabetes eating habits even if my A1c levels return to normal; and I don\’t want to wind up having to take insulin! I\’ll take meal tracking, thank you very much.