Cycling is a great aerobic exercise, if you do it for at least 20 minutes and regularly. It builds strength (primarily in your back and legs), decreases stress, boosts endurance, and burns 350-450 calories an hour or more, depending on the speed, terrain, type of bike, etc. Cycling is an especially good exercise if you’re too overweight to run, or have orthopedic problems that are aggravated by weight-bearing exercises. Outdoor biking is nice when the weather is cool and crisp, but when temperatures drop or the weather turns hot or muggy, a stationary bike might be a better choice. Taking a long-distance bike trip with friends, or just by yourself is a way to “get away” from it all, while gaining fitness benefits, too.

Staying fit means exercising and eating right. More studies are pointing to the benefits of a low-fat diet as a means to eat more healthfully. One of the most recent studies found that a fatty breakfast can cause elevations in a blood-clotting factor, called factor VIIa, that has been associated with heart attack.