Walk, Cycle, Be Active

During this month that features the Tour-de-France it is fitting to mention a recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine confirming that bicycling, like brisk walking, is effective in preventing weight gain. The study followed more than 18,000 women between 1989 and 2005. Those that bicycled more than 30 minutes per day were much less likely of gaining more than 5% of their body weight during the follow up period than those who were not physically active. Moreover, there was also evidence that benefits were achieved in those who started bicycling as little as 5 minutes per day. Not everyone is able to jog or walk briskly due to chronic knee or hip pain. However, many of these people are be able to bicycle/exer-cycle without orthopedic flare-ups. Bottom line: get out and do something nearly every day to prevent weight gain and the health problems that accompany it.