Sometimes, to get in touch with your healthy side, you need to get in touch with your childish side.
Riding your bike is one of the most favorite pass-times of children across the world. There is something about learning how to put those pedals to work and feeling the air in your face as you glide down the street that is absolutely intoxicating for anyone under the age of 12.
Your first bike might have helped you experience that first surge of freedom, but getting back on the bike now can bring a new experience of freedom to you—freedom from obesity.
Cycling or bike riding is one of the best forms of cardiovascular activity. It is fun, it can help you burn a lot of calories, and is absolutely easy to get started with. After all, the old saying comes from somewhere! If you want to lose weight, it really can be as simple as riding a bike.
Getting started with cycling
If you haven’t been on the bike for a while you might want to consider trying out a stationary bike before jumping onto the real deal. Most gyms have a variety of stationary bikes that you can use, and you can program the bike to any level, like uphill or high-intensity.
Using a stationary bike is a great way to get back in the cycling habit without having to worry about balance or direction. You can program the bike for 30 minutes and then plug in your headphones or at some gyms even watch TV while you pedal away the calories.
Once you are ready to get back on the road, keep the following factors in mind:
- If you don’t already own a helmet, stop into your local bike store and get a helmet professionally fitted. You’ll be more comfortable and safer on the roads or trails!
- Wear clothing that is loose fitting enough for your skin to breathe, but not so loose that you could get it caught up in a pedal.
- Keep water with you by bringing along a water pack that you can keep on your waist, or a backpack with water in it.
- Know where you are going by mapping out your ride before you get on the road.
- Make sure that you are following road directions and keep a vigilant eye at all times. Use hand signals if you are on the road, and don’t wear headphones as they can distract you from hearing an approaching vehicle.
You might want to also think about taking your bike off the road by checking out a local trail. That is a great way to practice riding your bike without worrying about the stress of the road. Remember, before getting started with any new exercise program you should always talk to your doctor.
