Nathan Smith Manley, 49, is a substitute teacher and notary public from Muskegon, Michigan who was worried about his health after reaching an all-time high of 281 pounds. He underwent bariatric surgery to kick off his weight loss but it was cycling that led to his ultimate transformation. In a year, he’s lost more than 80 pounds and currently cycles 50 miles a day. Below, he describes the momentum he paved to create a healthy lifestyle.
MY WEIGHT GAIN happened slowly over a long period of time. It was a combination of inactivity and bad eating habits. I was having large portions of my favorite sugary drinks and desserts. My meals had a lot of refined carbs. I ate like this all the time. I also did a lot of late-night snacking. Plus, when I was stressed, I tended to eat more and move less. All of this made my weight climb into the high 200s. In 2024, I weighed my heaviest. I was 48 years old and carrying 281 pounds.
My weight made me feel sluggish, tired, and frustrated with myself. Everyday activities were harder than they should have been because of my excess weight. My health markers, especially my blood sugar levels, were bad. Finding that out was actually my turning point. I realized that if I didn’t take serious action, my health would continue declining. Plus, I was ashamed of my weight. So I decided that I had to make a change, and do it sooner rather than later.
Surgery Helped Me Lose Weight—But Cycling is What Kept It Off
I DECIDED TO have bariatric surgery. The operation was performed in February 2025, and I changed my eating habits dramatically after recovery. My portion sizes became much smaller and I started keeping track of what I ate. Protein became the focus of my meals. I also prioritized vegetables over carbs. I cut out all sugary drinks and alcohol. Instead, I started drinking water throughout the day. I also use protein shakes to help meet my nutrition goals—and keep me full enough to avoid snacking before bed.
Exercise became a priority in my life. Cycling is something I’ve learned I truly enjoy. I started cycling slowly with short bike rides. Over time, my endurance improved. Then I tried cycling using the ROUVY app for the first time in December 2025. I wanted to make a concerted effort to work out more indoors during the winter, so I wouldn’t lack the motivation to exercise because of cold weather. Using ROUVY meant I could actually ride many of the world’s top cycling courses from the comfort of my own home and see some amazing scenery!
I rode alongside other ROUVY users, and that gave me the motivation to ride faster and longer than I would have riding on my own (I’m very competitive). Doing these rides truly made me feel as though I was an elite cyclist, which gave me confidence and the incentive to continue exercising. Now I ride 30 to 50 miles at a time, both outdoors and on an indoor trainer.
How I Feel After Losing Over 80 Pounds
OVER THE COURSE of about a year, I lost more than 80 pounds. I dropped from around 281 pounds to under 200. Right now, my main focus is maintaining a healthy weight and continuing to improve my fitness and endurance. I’m proud of the progress I’ve made so far and I want to keep building on it.
The biggest benefits to my weight loss have been increased energy, improved blood sugar levels, and the ability to cycle long distances. I also have more pep in my step because I’m no longer breathing heavily. The simplest things—walking up steps or up a hill—are no longer challenges for me.
My advice to anyone trying to lose weight would be to find a fitness activity you genuinely enjoy, and make it part of your routine. Also, know that consistency matters more than perfection. Small habits practiced every day make the difference. You will not lose weight overnight—the journey is truly a marathon. The road to a successful transformation is just as much mental as it is physical.
If I can use my weight loss experience to inspire even one person, it’s worth it. I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish so far. Though I know I still have much more work to do. But I’m ready for that challenge. My goal is to continue improving my fitness and endurance, while maintaining a healthy weight long-term.
For the first time in many years, I can honestly look at myself in the mirror and be proud of the person staring back at me. I feel as though I have been given a second chance at life– and I’m excited to make the most of it!
Lisa is an internationally established health writer whose credits include Good Housekeeping, Prevention, Men’s Health, Oprah Daily, Woman’s Day, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Esquire, Glamour, The Washington Post, WebMD, Medscape, The Los Angeles Times, Parade, Health, Self, Family Circle and Seventeen. She is the author of eight best-selling books, including The Essentials of Theater.
