Hiking

Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking on natural environment, such as trails on a mountain or hills. Sometimes the trails are flat and sometimes the trails steep, whatever trail you choose will benefit you. Hiking/walking on trails is more of a low impact work out because your not straining your body. Walking is a weight-bearing exercise. Just by walking with good posture, muscles and bones are strengthened (Health Benefits of Hiking).  Hiking is relaxing, fun and the scenery is usually beautiful. Although Hiking is a low impact work out, there are many health benefits to it. According to the health benefits of hiking, physical activity such as hiking lowers blood pressure 4-10 points regaining a normal body weight can lower it 5-20 points. Hiking and walking can help with people who are diabetic, obese and people who suffer from anxiety, osteoporosis/arthritis and hypertension.Read More: Health Benefits of Hiking

Hiking is one of the best ways to loose weight and helps lower cholesterol. For people who are new to working out or for people who just don't like the idea of working out, hiking is great choice because your just walking and enjoying the scenery. For beginners it's best to find a trail that is not steep, once you are ready to challenge yourself, try a trail that is more steep with an incline. Many people find hiking to be therapeutic and a great stress reliever. In addition being surrounded by nature is relaxing and enjoyable to look at. What makes hiking a great hobby is that there are many trails to explore, they are all unique in there own way. 

On average, you burn 100 calories for every mile you walk. Another way to look at it is in terms of how quickly you are walking. You burn about 200 to 250 calories per hour if you're walking at a rater of 2.5 miles an hour (Health Benefits of Hiking).

If your looking for a bit of a challenge, the Claremont Loop is a great trail, it is 5 mile hike and it has beautiful scenery. If your look for more scenery with a water fall, The San Anita trail is a great pick. There many trails to choose from just have search what your looking for. 

Individual Accountability

Should society as a whole be penalized for the poor choices of an individual's eating habits, or should that person take it upon themselves to engage in a healthier life style? In September 2012, Congress proceeded to pass a bill that would end childhood obesity.  Recently, Michelle Obama and her committee have made it their duty to deprive America of king sized candy bars. Government is taking action against the food we all eat. Instead of focusing on those who need the help, the government is focusing on society as a whole. This doesn't really seem like a big deal to a majority of people, but I feel differently. Why should I pay the price of people who eat unhealthy, and don't take the time to involve themselves in physical activity? Simply put, the obesity problem in America isn't caused by what America eats, but rather the sedentary life that many people live.



Present day America is so fast paced, revolving around electronics and tv, that no one takes the time to take care of themselves anymore. Instead of sitting on the couch for 4-5 hours of the day, I'd recommend spending at least an hour a day participating in some sort of activity. Whether it be going for a walk, or heading to the gym, make sure to burn off those calories. The physical activity doesn't need to be anything grand, just something to get the heart rate up, and burn off calories. If you like to watch tv, then make up a cardio routine to your favorite tv show. Many people make the argument that "they don't have enough time" or their "schedule is too packed," well there's a simple fix to that, too. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, or park further away from your office building and walk the extra 200 steps. The activity itself doesn't matter as long as you're getting the exercise your body needs. Dedicating a solid hour to activeness a day will help the obesity epidemic, while leading Americans to be happier and more proud of the way they look.

Granted, the food in America isn't the greatest, and definitely not the healthiest. Living in a world where Mc Donalds is considered a substantial meal just proves America's obesity problem. I, myself, used to eat Mc Donalds on a regular basis, I mean it's quick, easy, and enjoyable. However, I believe the food we eat still isn't all there is to blame for America's obesity problem. I think the real reason for this issue is the lack of exercise and time spent exercising for the amount of calorie consumption a person intakes on a daily basis. If a person eats over 2000 calories a day, and doesn't do any activity, that person is gaining weight daily. Spending less time eating, and more time working out and exercising your body will surely lower your chance of obesity and make you feel better about yourself. It's not always about what you eat, but what you do to burn it off. A person can enjoy any meal they want without feeling guilty if they were to exercise for the appropriate amount of time. Just make sure to not go overboard with the exercising. Keep it safe and fun, and you'll enjoy yourself more, and have more satisfaction in what you eat.

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Tips on Exercising

            

Many struggles come along with obese people trying to lose weight.  In an article, Paige Waehner bullet points all the challenges that obese people encounter while trying to lose weight and her result is to hire a personal trainer or an online trainer.  Good suggestion but those personal trainers' starting rate are anywhere between $90-$120 depending on the gym club and the trainers' discrepancy.  The price will at least double if you’d want a trainer to go to your house.  Who has the money right now to spend that much?  It’ll be cheaper to get a gastric bypass procedure. 
    
My suggestion is to look up exercises on YouTube for FREE.  To promote themselves many personal trainers' will post videos on easy ways to workout.  If you are advance in exercising and want to become tone and have a more intense workout there are videos for you too.  I recently wanted to tone my stomach and eventually get a ripped belly so I browsed YouTube and found plenty of videos.  The one that gave me the best workout and results was Extreme Six Pack Abs Workout.  YouTube is full of useful information and best of all it doesn’t need your credit card number.

Healthy, enjoyable tips to a better you

David Zinczenko recently wrote an article informing millions of people on simple tips to losing weight, and maintaining a healthier lifestyle. A majority of the tips are to simply watch what you're eating, and keep in mind a 2000 calorie daily diet. Those times when you may feel the need to give in and have that extra piece of pizza, or maybe you only have an hour for lunch, and it would be easier to just get that fast food meal; don't do it! Zinczenko offers other alternatives to greasy, fattening foods, while still keeps the idea of eating enjoyable. He gives the reader easy to follow guidelines, many of which relate to the portions of food, and the amount of consumption. The key to weight loss is to focus on what you're eating. Ask yourself "do I really need that second helping of dinner?" or "have I been keeping tabs on what I've eaten this week?"

Many people have the urge to eat on their down time because they feel bored. Instead of eating an entire meal, enjoy a light snack. Todd Plitt gives his readers healthy snack alternatives to potato chips and greasy fries. Portioned snacks give you the energy you need, without the excessive eating and calorie gain. Plitt encourages his readers to eat the foods they enjoy, but in a more moderate amount. The next time you go in your kitchen cabinet, look around and make sure you're making the wisest decision with your eating habits.

The basics of Obesity

What is Obesity?

Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and or increased health problems. People are considered as obese when their body mass index(BMI) exceeds 30kg/m2.  

Why is it dangerous?

Obesity increases the percentage of various diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, certain types of cancer osteoarthritis and asthma. Obesity is most commonly caused by a combination of excessive food energy intake, lack of physical activity.

Facts about Obesity:

Approximately 72.5 million American adults are obese.

“Obesity is one of the factors causing heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Obese people are doing something the Obama administration can’t do: creating well paying healthcare jobs by eating themselves to death (bussinessinsider.com)” Read More: bussinessinder
 I feel this is true because most of us don't want to spend time cooking so we turn to fast food. People also turn fast food because it is cheaper, for example the dollar menu at McDonalds; but in reality it is cheaper to eat healthy because in the long run you will have less Doctor visits, spend less money on medications and even surgery. The cost of liposuction is usually ranges from $5,000 and up. 

First lady Michelle Obama was on Dr. Oz and she claims that Obesity is a national security problem. She says this because when she was spending time on the military base she came to find out that the #1 thing that is preventing young people ages 17-24 from qualifying to join the military is obesity. She says “the military is taking this very seriously and they’ve implemented some really fascinating and successful programs, so they have found that they’ve got to do a whole lot of re-educating in the military just to get soldiers ready for combat. So yes, it is absolutely a security issue for our country.” Towards the end of her interview she said she was aiming and focusing on child obesity. Read More: The Blaze

According to the blaze.com, In 2010 Michelle Obama said, “childhood obesity isn’t just a public health issue, it’s not just an economic threat, it’s a national security threat as well.”

In 2010 a bill was passed: Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

Improving child nutrition is the focal point of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids
Act of 2010. The legislation authorizes funding and sets policy for USDA's 
core child nutrition programs: the National School Lunch Program, the 
School Breakfast Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for 
Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the Summer Food Service Program, 
and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The Healthy, Hunger-Free 
Kids Act allows USDA, for the first time in over 30 years, opportunity to 
make real reforms to the school lunch and breakfast programs by 
improving the critical nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children(http://www.fns.usda.gov)

I think the Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 is a great idea because in reality kids are going to eat what you serve them. When you get rid of the chips and soda and replace them for more healthy choices, the children will have no other choice but to eat the healthier item. I remember when I was in Jr. High and High School almost every students diet was chips and soda for lunch and both have no nutritional value whats so ever. I just think its sad how students ate that five times a week. And no one really thought or had the knowledge that eating that will have its affect. I think it is important for children to begin learning about nutrition and about having a healthy life-style at a young age because the older you get the harder it is to get rid of bad habits and manage your weight.