I can not believe that most of the cities in southeast Texas do not have sidewalks! They wonder why some american’s are obese. Well, if they would build fewer fast food restaurant’s and more sidewalks. Than maybe, just maybe some american’s would loose a little weight. Plus if driver’s would remember that if someone is walking to move over or slow down a little.
People are fat because they dont exercise. Walking is better than nothing but walking is about the bare bones minimum least effective type of exercise there is. Unless you walk 7-10 miles per day, then youre better off just have a good marathon sex session.
What about joining a gym and really exercising? What about getting on a bicycle and biking through the neighborhood? Jumping rope? I mean sidewalks, really.
I am saying some people are fat, because they jump in their car and go thru the drive thru at McDonald’s. Sidewalks help pertect people from all the Texans that want to drive 110 mph.
Walking is, as you say, better than nothing, but you are also correct that it isn’t much exercise. UNLESS it is truly a part of your lifestyle. Its like there’s a “critical mass” of walking, and once you hit it, it begins to be pretty effective.
Just look at the people in a walkable city like New York or San Francisco. There are a LOT fewer obese people. Its hugely noticeable to me. Its not that these people are magically more inclined to go to the gym. Its the fact that these people use a combination of walking and mass transit to get everywhere most people drive. Walking a mile or two is no biggie, but when you start to walk that far (or further!) nearly every day of your life, it adds up.
Course the problem with the OP’s post is that adding sidewalks doesn’t make a place walkable. Cities in Texas are, by and large, spread out and sprawly, so a “walking lifestyle” isn’t really an option. Given that, I’m still pro-sidewalk, but I’d recommend running on them rather than walking. That’s the other point where I’ll respectfully disagree, DaBeez . Sidewalks are important, as are bike paths, running trails, and other infrastructure that enables outdoor fitness. A lot of people can’t afford a gym, a lot of people just don’t like the gym, but some of those same people are willing to run or bike or skate outside. I love to hit the gym, for lifting, but not so much for cardio – I prefer cycling for that. I know when I look at a place to live, access to things like bike trails is a pretty important to me. Sidewalks are another part of that equation.

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Biking in Switzerland
When Caroline Hamman’s boyfriend offered to whisk her off for a romantic short break in Verbier, Switzerland, she didn’t resif ™ it would involve so much mud.
As the loose rocks tumbled down 0 track, I couldn’t help questioning r,. boyfriend’s rnct’ves for choosing«; bike break in Verbier in mid-sum self-confessed snow-junkies, the heading to the Alps in summer, how beautiful they are, seemed kind ; without glistening powder to enjoy.
Perfect blue skies welcomed us that weekend, though, and I must admit it was a refreshing change to be wearing shorts, not thermal socks, in the early-morning sunshine.
GET FREEWHEELING
Having collected our bikes, complete with souped-up suspension, we ascended in a cable car, and began with a gentle uphill ride past fields constantly ringing with cowbells (the cricket song of the Alps). Old habits die hard and we took a quick hot chocolate pit stop to drink in the views. Little did I know what was in store next. Thundering down the mountain, suddenly the tracks got steeper (think blue/red piste) and the wheels spun faster (think racing car
. I made it down though, very proud . … faring to go again. Second time around I tore back down infinitely more confidently, with only one small hitch involving a muddy bog (mental note: don’t wear white when throwing yourself over handlebars into a ditch when it’s been raining).
GET A TASTE FOR PAMPERING
The next day, we explored the village. After a spot of mini-golf, a few games of tennis and a rather chilly evening run, we opted for a divine Elemis body massage at our hotel. The small, but perfectly formed spa has a rainfall shower, sauna, hammam, plunge pool and a couple of treatment
rooms. Later, we managed to rouse ourselves for supper in the hotel restaurant. Three delicious courses included king prawns, steak-frites cooked to perfection and ice cream with raspberry coulis – all with a local vin rouge. Then we sank into giant cushions on the huge balcony outside the restaurant to soak up the panoramic views, leaving the yoga and Pilates classes to those who still hadn’t had enough activity.
And so, am I converted to summer in the) Alps? Well, yes. It turns out that, skis or no 1 skis, I love the mountains.
THE FACTS Three nights in a twin or 6oub\e at the Hotel Neva?, Verbier (www. nevaf.ch), costs from £344. Mountain biking costs from £114 (www. powderanddust.com). A transfer ticket (from £64, valid for one month) enables return travel between any airport in Switzerland and your destination within a month.

One of effective ways of cleaning our body system is drinking magnesium citrate  to cleanse your system on a regular basis. Alternatively, drink a glass of vinegar or pickle juice..it will do the same..but be close to a bathroom when you do it.
If you eat correctly, and get plenty of exercise, your body will take care to cleanse itself.

The problem using other substances to “clean” your system is that they tend to wipe out many of the bacteria in your digestive system that need to be there.

Others tips:

Drink plenty of fluids and eat plenty of fibre…you won’t have any problems.
I do think its good to “clean out”.
I opt for juice fasting or water fasting 1-4 times a year.
Let the colon do its own thing without stimulation.
I’ve done the Lemonade diet in the past: (on a Saturday)

-2 tablespoons maple syrup
-2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
-a pinch of cayenne pepper

Mix in water and drink throughout the day.

I must of lost 6 lbs and was on the toilet most of Sunday..

fitness trends
I TRIED IT!

! Jabs, hooks, upper cuts, you name it -1 learned them all. The three-minute rounds, punching pads and bell at the end of each round made it feel like I was really in the ring. I’m a runner, so I’m used to training my lower body, but this gave me a totally different workout, was a great stress-buster and helped push my body much harder than if I were using free weights.
STEPHANIE ROGERS PUNCH AT VIRGIN ACTIVE
THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL CLASS
Ultimate Chaos
The lowdown A playground-inspired workout consisting of leapfrog, relay races, skipping and playing tag with a balloon on a string. ‘This is a light-hearted, innovative class that’s set to revolutionise even the most class-shy of gym goers,’ says Ceri Hannan, creator and head of group exercise at JJB Fitness. ‘It’s designed to rediscover the big kid in you and take away the fear that some people have of group exercise classes.’ Body boosts ‘Ultimate Chaos classes are a great way to build speed, strength and agility while having fun,’ says Ceri. The aim is to move away from the often intimidating nature of classes that make you feel you have to be good at dance or synchronised movement. The emphasis here is firmly on fun with the fitness gains almost secondary.’
Calorie burn 100 to 250 calories in 30 minutes. 3 Where JJB Fitness Clubs (; 01942 210114)

5 FOODS FOR ENDURANCE
Wholemeal chicken sandwich
‘If you’re looking for fuel, you want food that’s rich in vitamin B (such as wholegrain bread), but combine it with lean protein because your digestive system breaks this down slowly and you release the energy gradually,’ says lan Marber, nutrition consultant at The Food Doctor. ‘Combine this with the faster-acting wholegrains and you’ve got short- and medium-term energy.’
at light
Never underestimate the power of a sardine. These oily fish contain lots of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids that keep your blood flowing freely and boost your mood, and which are necessa’, ‘c the efficient fir:::•- -g of your brain and body at cellular level. Sardines are also rich in iron. esseme for keeping your energy levels up. Make trier” c store-cupt
Watercress
Rich in iron – essential for transporting oxygen in the body – watercress is also packed with vitamin C, which enhances iron absorption. Add it to sandwiches and salads for a midday crunch.
Seedy snacks
‘All seeds are a great idea,’ says Angela Dowden. ‘They are packed with essential fats and so will give you a lift, but they have a lower Gl than many snacks.’ Try mixed packs or seed bars.
Baked potato with baked beans Yes, potatoes are high GI: but the beans bring the GI down to medium. The result is a high-fibre, filling lunch that’ll fuel you up for a long, long time…
5 WAYS TO DROP
Downsize your glasses
Those lovely balloon-shaped wine glasses can hold up to a third of a bottle. Search out some 125ml ones, and one glass of red wine will easily shrink from over 160 calories (a 250ml glass) to about 80.
Brush and spray
Instead of sloshing oil into your frying pan. dip a basting brush into a teaspoonful and carefully paint it on; or use a spray for an even greater saving. There are ten calories in ten sprays of a spray oil, and there are more than 120 in ltbsp of cooking oil. You do the maths…
CALORIES
Go to work on an egg
It’s not an urban myth: if you eat a couple of boiled eggs for breakfast you’re likely to consume fewer calories at the following meal than if you’d had a more carb-based start to the day. Just go easy on the buttery toast!
5 FOODS FOR WEIGHT GAIN
Ground almonds
When absolutely nctf w* do except a pece of cafce, try the luxurious gluter-f*ee actons that are face wits g-ounc almonds. A sneaky way to get 3*. protein and cakaum em your (feet
Dressed salad ‘People who can’t put on weight often just have smaller appetites,’ says Angela Dowden. So, to add calories sneakily be more generous with dressing-it’ll add calories (86 in 2tsp of olive oil) without making you feel full.
Not all high-fat foods are bad for you. Avocados are rich in monounsatu rated fat (associated with lower levels of heart disease. Go for the guacamole’
Mezze
A spread of exciting tastes can encourage you to pack away a surprising amount of food. Make variety your friend at every meal.
L Choose yogurt1**
Don’t ditch all dairy on the basis that it’s packed with fat. ‘Low-fat dairy products can be very useful if you’re trying to drop the pounds,’ says Angela Dowden. One theory is that the calcium in dairy decreases the amount of fat your body absorbs. The fat and protein will also keep you satisfied longer, helping you avoid the starve/binge syndrome
Lamb
The fat content in lamb is fine for you, plus it’s mainly a free range meat and is iron-rich, so you can enjoy it with a clear conscience.
Swap a coupie c’ of brown sugar (30 – for a sprinkling of ground cinnamon on your morning porridge; or add cinnamon to apples cooked in a little bit of fruit juice for a sweet and indulgent pudding. T

When is the latest you eat?

I’ve heard many different theories on the latest people are able to eat without putting on wait from not being able to digest it all during sleep. What are some of the rules ? For dinner? Any snacks after?

I think it used to be don’t eat 2-3 hours before going to bed. However, I swear recently I heard that the TIME of day doesn’t matter as much as how many total calories you take in. For example I follow the weight watcher rules and if I have 4 pts left for the day, its 10pm and I’m hungry – I eat! I don’t want my 4pts to go to waste!

I don’t think its a great idea to eat, say your biggest meal at midnight every night mostly because you will wake up with heartburn but I do believe that quality and quantity of what you eat all day is most important and an occasional bedtime snack won’t hurt anything.
How you eat can also be as important as what you eat. Skipping breakfast or lunch and then consuming a huge meal at day’s end can increase gastric pressure and the possibility of reflux. Lying down right after eating will only make the problem worse. It is best to wait three hours after eating before going to bed. And stay away from late-night snacks, too. I think it really depends on your “output” during the day. I used to get home and eat around 11:30PM or later then go right to bed. I would have sometimes a couple of beers with some chili or even a steak fajita dinner plate from my fav mexican food restaraunt and was still around 150lbs at 6′ 1″ tall. But I would have at least 3 hours of kung fu (7:00PM t 10:00PM) or more then running a bit before getting home.

I think more importantly, you need to ask yourself how much are you working out.

HOME AND AWAY
Escape and revitalise your lifestyle ATHENA PELVIC MUSCLE TRAINER
Things not the same down there? Dread coughing or laughing? High impact sports tricky? Forced to cut down liquids? Trouble controlling wind? Orgasms a thing of the past?
Then you, like 10 million other women in the UK, are seeing early warning signs that your pelvic floor is not as strong as it could be This is extremely common but in most cases could be improved in a matter of weeks. Using the cordless Athena Pelvic Muscle Trainer for just 15 minutes twice a day could give you back control and help you live life to the full. It is never too early or too late to start exercising your pelvic floor. And if you don’t use it you lose it! Stephanie from Hull decided it was time to take steps when she hit 40:7 became aware that my control was not what it had been. I’m quite fit and fused to teach aerobics for years and thought that I had been doing my pelvic exercises property. It was only when I used the Athena that I realised what genuine, targeted pelvic floor exercises really were! 7 really do think if I hadn’t started doing something about it then and there, I would now be relying on incontinence pads all of the time.’

Male fertility starts to decline from the age of 30. The average age of married fathers is 34. Put those stats together, and much stress can ensue. But it doesn’t have to be that way… Dont be tight! Australian research confirms that many suspected during the groin-hugging-panted ysof the 1970s: the tighter underwear or trousers, the  the sperm count. Choose wear looser garments around  groin, and avoid thongs – Inch we think is advice worth eding, whether fertility is an issue for you or not. I Avoid heat. High temperatures can decrase your sperm count so try not to spend too much time in Jacuzzis or very hot baths. Stand up! There is a worry about men sit down for more than two hours a day in the closed-leg position; says Dr Allan Pacey, |3le fertility expert from ffield University. A study alian taxi drivers bore this they had much lower sperm its than more active men. jet up from your desk and spread your legs. 4. There is a study that you are three times more likely to have a low sperm count if you suffer from obesity.’ says Of Pacey. ‘Not only does it make igs warmer around your nles. but excess fat triggers me changes..’ HIGH TEMPERATURES CAN LOWER SPERM COUNT 5Give up smoking Research from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) reveals men who smoke have a lower sperm count and that more of their sperm has damaged DNA Smoking can also trigger impotence by restricting blood flow. You should stop smoking three to four months before starting to try for a family,’ says natural fertility expert Zita West 6Chill out A study by Dr Jacky Boivia a health psychologist from Cardiff University, found that couples who suffered more stress in their relationships needed an extra cycle of IVF treatment before they conceived – so try to stay calm ‘You need to keep the intimacy without the pressure of conceiving,’ says Dana Braithwaite, a sex and relationship counsellor. 7Zinc and folic acid Studies have found that men with low sperm counts also have a zinc deficiency, so mate sure you’re getting plenty via oysters, red meat eggs or supplements. ‘Zinc even more effective combined with folic acid. Eat a lot of salmon, such as omega fish such a flaxseed oil or supplements. 9Antioxidants We all age. and what causes ageing is free-radical damage; says West The production of free radicals is increased with exposure to harmful chemicals, such as cigarette smoke and pollution. Antioxidants can help prevent free-radical damage. So include plenty of vitamin C and E in your diet both good sources. WSelenium i| Selenium works with vitamin E to become a super | antioxidant enhancing sperm quality. Get it in brazil nuts and supplements.