Walking didn't do it for me, either in aerobic conditioning or weight. Before resuming cycling in 2015 I'd gradually worked up walking distance after a car wreck several years ago. Until 2012-2013 I still needed a cane for longer walks, a mile or so.

It was better than no exercise, but I discovered on my first bike ride walking hadn't prepared me at all. I rode only a mile before collapsing. Now, if anything, riding has made me a stronger walker with less back pain on long walks.

Ditto, the post-ride calories. My weakness is beer. I usually have one or three after a ride -- that's another 200-750 calories back. My weight varies from 155 lbs (my peak condition weight since my 20s) to 165. Right now it's closer to 165 with a bit of a beer belly pudge. So my next mission, should I choose to accept, is to limit my beer intake to a certain fraction of my approximate caloric burn during riding.

I suppose I could give up the cream and sugar in coffee too, but... nah. I'll worry about that if I creep up toward 175 again like I was in 2015.