Cycling Helps This 64-Year-Old Tame Aches, Manage Stress, and Contribute to a Cause
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Name: Wendy Valentino
Age: 64
Hometown: Lake Grove, New York
Occupation: Prager Metis Partner and CPA
Time Cycling: 6 years
Reason for Cycling: Cycling makes me feel so much better. It helps me manage stress and is a vital part of my health-focused journey. I also cycle to end Alzheimer’s.
I’ve always considered myself an exercise nut for as long as I can remember. I started cycling using stationary bikes at the gym in 2018, and my sister inspired me to get my own bike. It was life-changing for me, especially with my hectic work schedule. During tax season, I could only get to a gym one day a week. While I still enjoy outdoor cycling, having my own bike at home gives me more accessibility to cycle around my schedule.
I now use the Peloton on-demand classes, but no other formal training plans. I started off riding three days a week. Now, I commit to cycling four times a week, and another day of weights and other stretching exercises. I haven’t missed a week since 2018. I set my alarm to go off at 5:45 a.m., and am on my bike by 6:30 and done before work begins at 8 a.m.
To date, I have a 288-week streak of cycling four times a week, with one day of strength training.
The most recent cycling challenge I did was The Ride to End ALZ Spin Challenge on Giving Tuesday on November 28, 2023, with The Accounting Industry Leadership Council to support the Alzheimer’s Association. I dedicated this ride to my late mother, Jean Selwyn who lost her life in 2017 to Alzheimer’s disease.
Through The Accounting Industry Leadership Council, we had eight participants with 35 donations to raise more than $2,400 as a team. The collective Ride to End ALZ Spokes Series, generated more than $95,000. This is a start, and I’m excited to evolve it further to encourage more participants in the years to follow, and I’m proud to ride in mother’s honor.
My mother was my hero and a superstar in the humblest of ways. She felt compelled to “pay it forward” throughout her life, and how she lived her life was a testament to how evident that was. She traveled to various schools to assist children with learning difficulties; translated books into braille for the blind; she was so sharp and involved in helping others in whatever way she could, making her decline even harder to watch and understand.
A year before my father passed away in 2002, he said, “something is wrong with your mother,” and he was right. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2002. The first five years after she was diagnosed were the worst. It was gradual and an adjustment for all of us because she didn’t know she was losing her mental capacity.
After my father passed, she would constantly ask where he was, and we’d have to tell her he passed away. After a while, we told her he went to the store because why would we make her keep re-living that loss?
The decline was a long journey (15 years), and I hope for her sake that she didn’t know what she was going through.
Through cycling, I’ve learned that it’s so important to move. Cycling has done so much to strengthen my back. I’ve had scoliosis since I was younger and osteoporosis in my hip, but my back is fine. I know cycling has helped, and I have no need to take medications for my back. I also read that exercise and good nutrition is good for your brain. And that’s what I’m trying to do to avoid going down the same path as my mom, even if I don’t have control over that.
These tips have made my cycling journey a success:
1. Stay consistent
In my case, I’m not a competitive cyclist. And if I was, it would be a whole different journey, regime and training. That’s not me. At this point in my life, I’m looking for moderation and consistency to stay active in my movement. I’m consistent with my workouts, diet, and hydration.
2. Eat healthy
Healthy eating is important. I’ll allow a fast-food option once a week but primarily focus on home-cooked meals with moderate salt and sugar.
4. Remember exercising is a privilege
One of the best pieces of wisdom I received from an instructor was instead of saying, “You don’t have to do this, say you get to do this.” Being able to cycle indoors or outdoors is a privilege because people who can’t use their bodies the way they want to would do anything to be able to. Find joy from cycling and the movement.
Wendy’s Must-Have Gear
→ Bontrager Shoes: I bought mine at a local store. I’ve had these for seven years, and they have been great.
→ WiHoo Mini Handheld Fan: The fan is necessary. It hooks well and has a USB charge. Every cyclist should have one!
→ Pro Bike Tool Water Bottle: You must hydrate! I always have water next to me during workouts and while working.
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