Come Away: lifestyle

9:52 PM

Let's talk about cycling!

My Dad has always been into cycling since i was young, this is something my Grandfather passed on to him. I saw my dad enjoy the sport, watched him spend hours fixing and improving his bike and so i got interested. Later on i got hooked.

Although i do not use those top of the line bikes, i ride a racer bike that has been very special to my Grandfather and Dad. It was their very first bike and i was blessed to ride it and enjoy it as well. My dad taught me almost everything i need to know, from riding it to repairing it. The experience gets more fun when me and my friend Katrina started our cycling sessions. Katrina and I has always been into trying a lot of sporty & extreme things, and this is something we ultimately enjoy as friends!

Sometimes we would have my dad join us, especially when i was just starting to ride. He always reminded me that it's very important to keep in mind that when you bike, you do not own the road so you have to take note of traffic signs and ride harmoniously with the traffic to avoid any accidents. He used to always go with me until i learned not to freak out while biking along the high way!

It didn't take long for Kat and I to encourage two more friends to join us. Now we also have Jasmine & Ame with us during our cycling sessions.

Aside from the fact that it's a fun thing to do with your girl friends and it does not contribute to any sort of pollution , let me give you some of the reasons why you have to go and ride a bike as well.

1. Helps you lose weight. So if you're just like me who's been trying so many work outs in order to lose weight but ends up quitting, why don't you try cycling? It's more enjoyable to ride and go places than to stick yourself in the gym. Biking has the ability to keep you interested for a very long time. Because every time you ride you can take a different route. Cycling increases your metabolism and your calorie consumption, therefore helping you get rid of that excess fat on your body.

2. Minimizes the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Just like any physical activity, when done regularly, it helps your body stay healthy by improving control on your blood pressure. It also improves the ratio of your good and bad cholesterol.

3. Helps you beat sickness. “Moderate exercise makes immune cells more active, so they’re ready to ﬁght off infection,” says Cath Collins, chief dietician at St George’s Hospital in London.

4. Makes you look feel and look younger. According to my research if you cycle daily you will have the fitness level of 10 years younger than your actual age! Why? Because cycling reduces your heart disease rate by 50%. Scientist at Standford University have also found out that cycling protects your skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation, therefore reduces the signs of ageing.

5. Makes you feel good. When you cycle you release those feel-good endorphins that helps you have that brighter mood throughout the day. This is true, I remember when I and my friends went for a 2 hour ride, the fulfillment we felt was more magnified than the physical exhaustion. Starting the day with a workout makes everything seem brighter.

6. Improves muscle strength. Pretty obvious right? Those pro cyclists you see on Television have an amazing leg muscle power. In addition, cycling also helps you work out your core, which gives you more muscle strength.

7. Helps you during Child birth. If you're a woman who’s afraid to give birth, then cycling is really for you! Regular exercise like cycling benefits women during child birth. Doctors say that will be easier and less painful.

The list goes on and on, but I suggest you try it yourself and experience the benefits. If you're looking for ways to spend more quality time with your partner or your family you can go and start pedaling. This is a perfect way to jump start your way into a healthier life style. I've been running & cycling for quite some time, and now I find myself even more interested in maintaining a healthier lifestyle! And don't be afraid or intimidated, you don't need to be a pro cyclist, what's important is that you spend time doing something physical.