Biking Off The Pounds

Want to keep the pounds off while sitting down? Prevent middle-age weight gain with a daily 35-minute bike ride.
Pedal your way to a slimmer you. According to a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, those who rode their bicycles for at least four hours a week were less likely to see their scales creep upward. Overweight and obese people benefited the most, seeing results from just two to three hours of bicycling a week.
The study followed more than 18,000 people for 16 years. During that time, participants put on an average of 20.5 pounds. Researchers found that the more time participants spent on their bikes, the less weight they gained — and every little bit helped. Even a five-minute bicycle jaunt every day helped keep some weight gain at bay.
According to the research, bicycling may be more comfortable than brisk walking for some overweight folks. If it’s been awhile since you’ve been on a bike, rent one from your local shop or while you’re on vacation. Biking is a great way to take in scenery, and you can cover more miles than you would on foot. Don’t forget to always wear your helmet!