Fitness - Nutrition - Weight Loss - Wellness

Mountain Biking for Your Health

Mountain BikingFor those who have journeyed into the mountains to ride the bike/walking trails you know what a treat, and challenge, it can be. This, I must say, is one of the best activities I have ever done to improve my physical conditioning and I highly recommend giving it a shot if you have not already.

If you are not familiar with mountain biking, you may be wondering how to get started. If you already have a mountain bike, helmet, and gloves…you’re set. If not, you will want to venture over to your local bike shop and they will be able to fix you up with an appropriate bike and the accessories you will need.

In most areas you will be able to find trails ranging from the super difficult and technical to the super easy and leisurely. If you are not familiar with any local trails or you don’t know how to go about finding trails, again, you may want to visit your local bike shop. Local shop owners typically are avid riders themselves and can point you to trails that will suit your needs. If you don’t get much help from your local bike shop, you can search online for local biking and walking trails. Often times you will find reviews of the trails along with a difficulty rating so you can choose a trail that is appropriate for you.

If you have the opportunity, I recommend giving mountain biking a try. I’m sure you will appreciate the physical challenge. The weather is turning now, so you may not be able to get out until Spring. But, it does give you something to put on your list for Christmas!

Interval Training For Fat Loss

When it comes to fat loss, interval training is superior to traditional long duration cardio. Although you’ve all been told that the fat burn zone is where you want to be if you want to drop the pounds, I’m going to tell you otherwise. While it is true that working out at a lower intensity will burn more fat while you’re exercising, it will not lead to more fat loss over time than high intensity interval training.

Many people are unsure of how to perform interval training, so here is a example for you to follow. This is set up to be performed on an upright bike, but can be adapted to a treadmill, elliptical, etc.

Note: The intensity for your intervals may need to be adjusted according to your own fitness levels. These are just examples

Warm-Up: 5-10 minutes; Level 3; RPM’s 70-80

Interval 1: 60 seconds at Level 15; RPM’s 75-80

Rest Interval: 3 minutes at Level 5; RPM’s 70

Interval 2: 60 seconds at Level 15; RPM’s 75-80

Rest Interval: 3 minutes at Level 5; RPM’s 70

Interval 3: 60 seconds at Level 15; RPM’s 75-80

Rest Interval: 3 minutes at Level 5; RPM’s 70

Interval 4: 60 seconds at Level 15; RPM’s 75-80

Rest Interval: 3 minutes at Level 5; RPM’s 70

Interval 5: 60 seconds at Level 15; RPM’s 75-80

Rest Interval: 3 minutes at Level 5; RPM’s 70

Interval 6: 60 seconds at Level 15; RPM’s 75-80

Cool Down: 5 minutes at Level 5 - Work down to Level 1; RPM’s 70

Total Duration: 31-36 minutes

Nutrition Factoid

Nutrition Apple

You would have to eat 3 of today’s apples in order to get the same amount of iron you would have gotten from a single apple in 1940. Source: In Defense of Food, 2008

Organic, anyone?




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