Statistics show that one out of every three Americans is overweight and one out of every four is obese! Technology is great but it has created a sedentary yet busier population. The concept of the 1960s when technology was supposed to enhance our lives and give us more time to enjoy life back-fired. 

Most of our health problems today are preventable through proper diet and exercise – those two things that we as Americans don’t do most of the time. Not only will we eliminate preventable diseases that cause early death and poor quality of life, we’ll save thousands of dollars in medical costs and insurance costs, simply by taking control, being responsible and getting outside and off the couch!

Bicycling provides needed exercise while strengthening our mental health. Riding a bike can be a ‘freeing’ experience while burning calories as it gets us away from our stressors, even if just for a little while. Another important factor in bike riding is that it creates an aerobic workout by requiring more oxygen to get to the heart and other muscles. Additional benefits of bicycling include:

* Joint safety – no beating of knees and ankles into mush by pounding the pavement
* Saving money – relatively low cost to start and no on-going membership fees
* Environmentally safe – no gas-burning and overall pollution reduction
* Year round – maybe not in three feet of snow, but it can be done on all good weather days
* Sharing with family/friends – ride with others and enjoy the fellowship of family and friendship.

People have been praising the benefits of bicycle riding for years. Here is a brief excerpt from a health article written in the April 1894 edition of the Ladies’ Standard magazine:

“ …so many portions of the body are called into action. The arms, while extended and constantly in activity, are spared any pulling or reaching … Cycling calls for activity, alertness, accuracy and grace in the upper portions of the body, but in no place is there an undue strain.

When the right foot is at its lowest reach the left is highest, thus bringing an entirely different set of muscles into play and rest in each limb. Besides, the revolution of each pedal describes a circle of considerable dimensions, and thus makes the relaxation and extension of muscles easy and in better time. The wheel is propelled by pressing the balls of the foot to the pedals and exerts the greatest stress upon the muscles in the calf of the leg, just as correct walking will do.

The head doctor of the New York Hospital on Fifteenth Street states that no case has ever come under his notice where any organic weakness or derangement could be traced to bicycling.”

Bicycling can be fun and it is certainly healthier than watching television or playing video games. Balanced with eating better (less fast food stops) and better sleep habits, you can see a marked increase in quality of life and better health. Enjoy!