Bike Riding for Weight Loss – Tips for Beginning A Bicycling Plan

February 19th, 2012 Comments off

If you are one of those people who leisurely pedal around the block or over a flat stretch of scenic road, you’ve probably been riding for sheer pleasure. Riding bikes for pleasure is a good form of aerobic exercise. But unless you map out a plan to “push yourself,” you probably won’t lose much weight.

I really get sick of hearing people say, “No pain, no gain!” But the old adage is true when it comes to riding bikes to lose weight. By pushing your cycling distance or speed, you are sure to feel some pain in your leg muscles, your hands, wrists, and your derriere– even some pain in your throat and lungs as your body tries to accommodate your increased demand for oxygen.

HEALTH TIP: Stretching exercises prior to exercising are helpful in preventing injury!

GETTING YOUR BICYCLE READY…TO ROLL OFF THE WEIGHT

Your first concern will be outfitting your bicycle. If you need an excuse to purchase a new bike, this is an excellent opportunity! I went from a 3-speed bicycle for leisure riding, to a 24-speed bicycle for more committed exercising. Once I learned how the different gears worked, I was very thankful for the extra speeds. They make my ride faster and the hills a lot easier to handle.

We’ve found the guys at the bicycle shop to be very helpful, and concerned for our unique cycling needs. Rather than simply steering us toward the most expensive bicycle available (as I had expected), they asked how much riding we would be doing, whether we were trying for speed or leisure, and whether we would be riding on paved roads or dirt trails. When you honestly share your goals and level of experience, the sales clerks can match you with exactly what you need. They want you to be successful in your biking venture!

Some state laws require bicycle lights. But if you will be riding anytime from dusk to dawn, common sense demands that you have lights on your bicycle. These little accessories are battery-operated and last a long time. There are a variety of lights to choose from. My tail light has different blinking speeds, and is designed to make my bike visible to cars approaching from both the rear and the sides. Check for brightness before you buy one. Install the light where it makes the most sense.

We held off on buying a speedometer and odometer unit for our bikes, but once we got serious about losing weight and getting in shape, this feature became a “must have.” You simply cannot track your progress without knowing how far and how fast you’re riding.

If you already have a bicycle, take it to the bike shop for a safety inspection each season. They should check the gears, tires and brakes to make sure everything is working properly. They can adjust your seat to fit your height and adjust the handlebars to fit your reach, making your ride more comfortable. If you’re lucky, they might even clean and polish your bike!

If you want to save money in the long run, you can find books and videos that teach you how to care for your own bicycle. It’s always a great idea to know how to change your own flat tire and adjust a loose chain.

Another must have is a bicycle pump. Ask your bike dealer how many pounds of air pressure to put in your bicycle tires. Check the tires each time you get ready to ride! We guessed at the air pressure one summer day, and lived to regret it. We rode the bikes to the swimming pool, not realizing that one tire was too full. While we were cooling off in the water, the hot sun was rapidly expanding the air in the tires-one tire blew as it sat in the parking lot. The day in the sun was not so fun, once the pool closed and we had to wait for a truck to haul us home!

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Lose Weight Fast – 7 Ways to Burn Weight Off Quickly

February 10th, 2012 Comments off

Have you put on extra weight recently? Are you desperate to lose it fast? Don’t feel alone. There are plenty of others in the same shape as you. Let’s face it, maintaining an ideal weight is tough! If you get off your normal routine for just a couple weeks you can be staring down a new roll of blubber on your waistline or like some of us, gain it in your rear end, your face, well, you get the picture. So what steps can you take if you want to lose weight fast and get back to your comfort zone? Here are 7 ways to burn the fat off quickly that have worked for us and others just like you. Use one or use them all, but get ready to take action today!

#1. Drink water – Especially Before Each Meal!

Drink a big glass of water at least 20 minutes before each meal. This will help to make you more full before you sit down to eat and help you avoid over-indulging.

#2. Portion Size

This just makes common sense and it’s going to take a bit of self discipline. Only cook exactly as much as you want to eat at that meal. That way you’ve taken away the temptation of loading your plate up with second helpings.

#3. Eat a Balanced Diet

Fruits, small portions of meats and lots of fresh or steamed vegetables. You’d be amazed at how many tasty, low fat meals you can prepare quickly and easily. Get out of the “convenience” mindset, get off your duff and cook the right kinds of healthy foods. You can grill, bake or broil meats and veggies for fast healthy meals.

#4. Cabbage Soup Diet

This is an old favorite that has been popular for years. If you’re looking for a quick fix then the cabbage soup diet may be your answer. However, it’s NOT a long term solution and unless you learn new eating habits you may find yourself eating a lot of this soup.

#5. Sweat it Out!

Sitting in a sauna or a hot tub for short periods of time is a great way to detox your body and sweat off pounds of water weight. Make sure that you only do this in moderation as it can be dangerous if you overdo it. As a matter of fact, I highly recommend that you get a complete physical before you begin any type of weight loss diet.

#6. Exercise

You can help yourself lose weight a LOT faster by getting up and exercising. Exercise will help you burn off calories much faster and it will fill you with energy and a renewed sense of purpose. Try taking a walk instead of watching television. Buy an aerobics tape and sweat with the oldies. Get on a stationary bike and pretend you are biking through a seaside town. Add exercise into your daily routine and you’ll find that it becomes a regular staple in your life. You’ll also be free to eat a bit more liberally without having to constantly watch your waistline.

#7. Find a Great Weight Loss Guide and Follow it

There are many great weight loss products that you can buy that will give you a proven step by step guide for losing weight fast and for good. Buying one will allow you to have a step by step process which will help you reach your weight loss goals much faster and with no confusion.

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Why Women Gain Weight After Marriage?

February 10th, 2012 Comments off

The journey from a proud Miss Perfect 10 clad in her wedding dress to a careless Mrs. Fat Aunt is not really long. It takes only twelve months for the whole makeover. It is a proven fact that women gain weight after marriage, and the process is so fast that it becomes obvious to people around you. But trust me! you are not as bothered as you were before marriage. In fact you are really contented with the idea that you don’t have to leave your bed early in the morning for an exercise or sacrifice your favourite dessert to cut down calorie intake. Although your size has increased from 10 to 14 then 18, after marriage you just want yourself let go. Nevertheless, you do not really like the idea that someone would call you Mrs. Fat Aunt, do you?

Common! Marriage does not mean that you do not have to look attractive anymore. In fact, to keep the electric attraction ongoing and keep your hubby glued to you, your looks matter a lot. Now, do I have to give reasons for the statement?

Miss Perfect 10 to Mrs. Fat Aunt

So let us find out the factors that change your waist line from 10 to 18 within 6 to 12 months from marriage.

o You think you have found a partner for life, no need to attract him anymore.

o You need to let your hubby know that you are a good cook.

o You cook for the family, giving preference to their choice.

o You eat as much as your partner, talking and munching!

o You eat the left-over, trying not to waste food.

o Your partner encourages you to eat more showing that your extra fat is not going to turn him off.

o You want to be loved unconditionally, not happy with the marriage, feeling disrespected, rejected and unloved.

o Pregnancy occurs

Think about it…

The secured feeling you get out of marriage is playing devil….the reason why you are putting on weight. As you do not have to attract a partner any longer, you stop taking care of yourself. When the marriage ends (God forbid!) and you are out of your dream castle, you see the mirror and scream, “Oh-my-God!! What I have done to myself!! Look at me…I don’t know the woman in the mirror”. So, you decide to shed your extra pounds, its time for another partner hunt! But why should your broken marriage be the only enthusiasm for being in shape? Be practical and don’t spoil what can be your life long asset, your desire for a good figure will give you a good healthy life style as well.

Cook food to make your husband happy, that’s really good! But you should not repeat richest meals and the creamiest desserts every day if you do not want to see your waist line increasing. And please let me tell you…you need to eat according to your body requirement. Not as much as your husband is eating, he has a bigger body than yours, so he needs more than you. You, as woman tend to please others and your motherly instinct resulting in putting the needs of others before your own. Do not do it. You can set an example for them, giving a good diet and healthy life style. They will understand and be supportive. Again, you do not like uneaten food left on plates because you were taught to finish your meals. So do not serve food when not needed or you know it can go waste.

The next reason for your increasing waistline may be your hubby is encouraging you to eat more, so that you do not look attractive any more and so he will compete less. Do not give into his insecurity, take him along with your weight loss program, and let him understand that you also want to see him in shape and in good health.

Another reason is unhappy married life, studies show that couples who are happy, stay in shape than those who are not. The reason behind this, you tend to put your concentration more on food and find solace in eating and cooking whatever you feel like, to suppress your depression and frustration. Hey, for heaven’s sake, change the idea of eating more!! This will cause you more depression in the long term.

And finally when pregnancy is knocking the door, you overeat during pregnancy and become too inactive, believing that you need to eat a lot more than you actually do and also you slow down and relax more than should. And the sudden hankering for special foods during this time only multiples the problem. Once you deliver the child, you stay at home putting the needs of your child and family before your own. Keep a close look on your weight gain during this period of time. If you gain more fat, you can have complexities during your child birth. Do light exercises as recommended by the doctor and eat healthy but do not overeat.

Stay fit for a successful married life ahead…

Life changes after marriage, you are more loved, more cared and more secured than ever. The first 12 months are the formative months for your marriage. Do not let it go. Staying fit will give you confidence to lay the foundation of your marriage, and at the same time you will remain attractive to your husband. If you put on weight, you only store trouble for the future.

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Quickest Way to Lose Weight After Having a Baby

February 10th, 2012 Comments off

I lost over 2 stone in just couple of months after giving birth and you can too, by eating a couple of fat burning healthy foods. Having a baby can be the most exciting moment in a person’s life, and the weight you put on during pregnancy is a small price to pay. Take a few moments to read this helpful article on the quickest way to lose weight after having a baby.

When it comes to losing weight after having a baby, there are many things you should do, and many things you shouldn’t. The key to keeping in good shape and staying positive, is a healthy diet, and not many people will disagree with me on that. The first few months after birth are going to be exhausting, and eating a healthy diet will keep your energy levels up, and you are going to need all the energy you can get.

So what is the quickest way to lose weight after having a baby? The Secret Foods to eat.

I mentioned above that I lost over 2 stone, in a couple of months after giving birth to my first daughter, and this was all down to gentle exercise, and a diet of healthy foods which help you burn fat better than a regular unhealthy and unplanned diet. I also mentioned about keeping those energy levels up, and that is the key to losing weight after pregnancy, because without it, you will get nowhere, and slowly pile on the pounds.

So what foods can you eat to burn fat faster?

It’s no secret that eating a couple of foods can help you turn your stomach into a fat burning furnace, and also give you energy. Did you know that a certain type of oil, will help you burn fat faster, and it’s not bad for your heart, and wont make you gain weight? Many people think that eating fat is bad for you, and its true some are, but it’s also true that some can help you speed up metabolism and burn fat.

I suppose you think I’m talking about something that is impossible to get hold of? I’m not, and you can buy this in any supermarket. I used this in cooking straight after pregnancy, and with a little gentle exercise in the first few weeks, I managed to keep my weight down. It was in the 3rd week of following a plan, that the weight started to fall off, and all with eating a healthy diet.

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