Spinning Classes

By Lori Ryan

The latest fat-burning craze is not a get-skinny-quick pill, nor is it a magical juice that will just peel off the pounds. It is a gut-wrenching but incredibly fun workout called spinning, and it is sweeping the nation.

If you go to a gym regularly and have spotted a bunch of thin exercise bikes in one concentrated area, it’s probably because your gym offers spinning classes. And if you want to burn fat like never before, you should be signing up for spinning classes, and quickly.

What is spinning?

If you’ve ever ridden a bike outdoors and ridden an indoor stationary bike, you’d know that there’s a huge difference between the two, as an outdoor bike will sometimes take you uphill and through bumpy areas.

Well, the bikes used in spinning classes look quite primitive compared to the bikes you usually see in gyms nowadays. Spinning bikes typically have a huge flywheel that looks deceptively harmless, but turning it from side to side is actually quite difficult to do.

The momentum you get from the flywheel allows you to spin the pedals and get a phenomenal workout in the process. As well, you can position the seat and the handlebars any way you see fit to get the most out of your workout.

What to expect at spinning classes

Spinning classes are great for first timers, as well as experts. If it’s your first time, however, tell the instructor and he or she will help you adjust your bike, talk to you about hand movements and fill you in on the five core movements of spinning. They are:

1- Seated flat
While your butt remains on the seat, your hands are in Position 1, which means that they are directly in front of you, palms down, thumbs touching slightly, and holding onto the bar.

This helps build strength and stamina, and allows you to develop a stronger fitness base.

Speed: 80 to 110 rpm

2- Standing flat
A “standing run” of sorts, your butt stays off the seat while your feet pedal away. Your hands are in Position 2; your hands are less than shoulder-width apart and your wrists are in line with your elbows at all times.

Speed: 80 to 110 rpm

3- Jumps
Usually performed by more advanced students, jumping involves periodically sitting and standing, all the while keeping your hands in Position 2 and moving in a fluid motion trying to keep the cadence on your legs the entire time.

Speed: 80 to 110 rpm

4- Seated climb
With the objective of challenging your lower body (glutes , hamstrings, quadriceps), your hands remain in Position 2 and your butt stays on the seat at all times.

Speed: 60 to 80 rpm

5- Standing climb
With your hands in Position 3 (place your hands on the most outward parts of the handlebars with your palms facing each other), keep your butt off the seat and pedal uphill.

Speed: 60 to 80 rpm

There is a lot to that you need to focus on, such as your heart rate, your breathing, your movement, and the instructor’s directions. Keep in mind, however, that if you feel overworked at any point, you should take a minute to regroup.

What do you need to bring to spinning classes?

Although you don’t need anything too complicated when joining spinning classes, there are a few items you may want to get your hands on beforehand.

Body-hugging clothing that will not get caught in the bike.

Padded cycling shorts or a gel seat cover is a great addition if your butt gets sore on the banana seat.

A heart rate monitor is great if you want to maximize the amount of calories you burn.

Calories burned in spinning classes

The best part of spinning classes is how many calories you stand to burn in one 40-minute session - between 400 to 500 calories. That’s a whole lot more than you would burn just walking on a treadmill .

Not to mention, your legs will become shapelier, thanks to the uphill climbs.

So if you’re ready to try something new at the gym, consider joining spinning classes and before you know it, you’ll have buns and legs of steel.

Gastric Bypass Surgery - The Pros & Cons

By Tara Fraser

Stomach stapling, or gastric bypass surgery, is a major surgical procedure performed on morbidly obese patients (at least 100 pounds overweight) who have tried other methods of weight loss and failed. While some may think of it as taking the “easy way out,” there are many cons to undergoing this procedure.

What happens with gastric bypass surgery?

A surgeon creates a pouch using the top part of the stomach (where it meets the esophagus) and this pouch can only hold between one to three ounces of food at a time. At the bottom of the pouch, an opening that is about ¾ inch wide is created to run directly to the small intestine. This allows the body to absorb vitamins and minerals ingested.

This pouch starts off being able to accept only a tablespoon of food but eventually grows enough to be able to accept up to one cup of food, so patients who undergo this surgery will feel fuller much faster than they used to.

Pros of gastric bypass surgery #1
You’ll fit into average sizes
You will no longer need to wear men’s clothes nor will you have to shop at specialty stores. You will be able to walk into any store in the mall and get yourself a great wardrobe.

Pros of gastric bypass surgery #2
You’ll feel more confident
As the weight begins to drop, people will no longer look at you as though you’re abnormal and you can fit into society as just another woman who doesn’t need two seats on the bus.

Pros of gastric bypass surgery #3
You’ll lose weight fast
If you undergo this surgery, you will lose weight drastically at first, and will eventually begin to lose approximately 10 pounds per month for up to 18 months.

Pros of gastric bypass surgery #4
You’ll lower your health risk factors
By dropping the weight, you will reduce your risk of having Type II diabetes, heart failure and other serious ailments associated with being morbidly obese.

Pros of gastric bypass surgery #5
You’ll make lifestyle changes
Because you’ll be losing weight so quickly, your energy levels will rise because you have less weight to lug around. And you will be required to watch what you eat, how much you eat, and will need to follow an exercise regime.

Cons of gastric bypass surgery #1
You may need aesthetic surgery
Drastic weight loss may result in your skin’s loss of elasticity. If skin begins to droop from your thighs or your stomach, surgery is required to resolve the problem.

Cons of gastric bypass surgery #2
You can’t eat more than one cup
Most people who end up morbidly obese don’t become that way because they were hungry all the time. Usually, it’s a case of emotional eating, and although your stomach might be telling you it’s full, your brain may be telling you to eat, and it might be difficult for you to make the mind/body connection right away.

Cons of gastric bypass surgery #3
You may experience complications
Although the surgery is considered relatively safe, sometimes it may lead to further complications including internal bleeding, infections and respiratory problems. Make sure you go over the procedure and possible issues that may arise with your surgeon before deciding to go through with it.

Cons of gastric bypass surgery #4
You’ll pay $15,000 to $20,000 US
If the gastric bypass surgery is not covered by your insurance, this procedure could cost a pretty penny. And unless the chances of your dying are quite high, insurance companies usually won’t cover the expense.

Celebrities who had gastric bypass surgery

You’ve certainly heard of obese celebrities who underwent this type of surgery, such as Star Jones, Roseanne Barr, Carnie Wilson, Randy Jackson, and Al Roker. And what you may have noticed is that most of them didn’t become “skinny.” The reason for that is because they didn’t dedicate themselves to an exercise and diet regime.

Al Roker made significant changes in the way he looked because he was committed to keeping the weight off, but if you see him now, it looks as though his stomach managed to stretch out and he’s back to his old habits.

Keep in mind that it is rare for anyone to acquire something easily and appreciate it.

So before you decide that gastric bypass surgery is right for you, make sure that you’re ready both mentally and physically to make the necessary changes to stay healthy for life.

David Beckham

David Beckham Vital Stats

Birth Name: David Robert Joseph Beckham
Birth Date: May 2, 1975
Birth Place: Leytonstone, London
Height: 5’11½”
Romantic Link: Victoria Beckham

David Beckham Interesting Facts

In January 2006, David signed a 4-year deal worth $41 million (US) to play for Real Madrid.

David wears a new pair of soccer shoes for every game he plays at an estimated cost of $500 a pair.

The $250 million that David Beckham stands to earn as part of the Los Angeles Galaxy is actually an estimated total of his salary and endorsements.


David Beckham Biography

Born in Leytonstone, London on May 2, 1975, David Robert Joseph Beckham seemed destined to play soccer. His mom, Sandra West, was a hairdresser and his father, Ted Beckham, was a gas fitter’s assistant, and David was raised with two sisters, Lynne and Joanne, one was older, the other younger.

Growing up, David would watch games in which his dad would participate and spent the better part of his childhood begging his father to let him play on the team. Of course, his dad forbade the then too young David to compete against grown men.

Beckham loves Manchester United

A huge Manchester United fan, due in part to his father, David’s grandfather (Ted’s dad) was a huge fan of the Man U. rival Arsenal. And although his grandfather consistently tried to sway him, David stuck to his guns and remained loyal to Man U.

Growing up, David played a host of sports, including baseball, basketball and rugby, but nothing came close to making him as passionate as he was about playing soccer. And it was at age 8 that David got the opportunity to display his talents as a soccer player.

Upon joining the Ridgeway Rovers of the Enfield District League, David quickly became the club’s most impressive player, as he controlled the ball and his movements with ease.

At age 11, Beckham signed up to play in a nationwide competition called Bobby Charlton's Soccer Skills Tournament. David came out on top by scoring the most goals ever in the competition and his prize was a 2-week trip to the Nou Camp Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, with English Soccer Manager Terry Venables.

Beckham plays for Man U.

Doubtless, as Beckham neared adulthood, soccer clubs got into a fierce recruiting war over the budding star, but his heart remained with Manchester United, who came knocking when Beckham was all of 12 years old.

Every year up until he was 16, Beckham spent his summers practicing with Manchester. In 1991, David Beckham signed with Man U. as a trainee.

As part of Manchester’s junior team, Beckham and his team earned the FA Youth Cup in 1992. And although they came close to landing the Cup again in 1993, it wasn’t meant to be that time around.

In 1994, Beckham was loaned out to Preston North End, a third-division club, and after proving how fantastic he was in four games with the team, Manchester U. quickly recalled him.

Beckham finally got his chance to take the field with Man U., and although the team didn’t do well that year, Beckham felt as though he had finally “arrived.”

Beckham wins FA Cup in 1996

Impressing everyone in his 1995-1996 season, Man U. managed to make its way to the league title and win the FA Cup, despite claims that it would be a terrible season for the team.

1996-1997 was an even greater season for Beckham, as he was named the Young Player of the Year and solidified his position on England’s national team. It was that season in March that David met Victoria Adams (a.k.a. Victoria Beckham, a.k.a. Posh Spice). The two hit it off and were married during a lavish $800,000 ceremony on July 4, 1999, and have since had three sons together (Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz).

With much more media glare thanks to his newfound relationship and multi-million dollar endorsement deals (most notably from Adidas), David Beckham looked like he was really enjoying the spotlight. And for diehard fans of the sport, it seemed like his on-field talent had begun to dissipate.

Beckham’s World Cup mistake

Things went from bad to worse when, during the 1998 World Cup in France, Beckham was red flagged for kicking an Argentinean player and his team ultimately lost the game. When Beckham began his 1998-1999 season back home, his once adoring fans heckled him for messing up at the World Cup.

It was during this season, however, that Beckham and his team managed to snag the Premiership, FA Cup and European Cup. But even after he was voted Best Midfielder and Most Valuable Player, fans still wouldn’t let his World Cup mess up go.

It was in the 1999-2000 season that the heckling had begun to take its toll on Beckham; he was fined for two weeks for partying the night before a game, he shaved his head, and he and manager Alex Ferguson began feuding.

Beckham becomes highest paid

After being quickly eliminated from the 2000 Euro Cup, Beckham, who was now the captain of the England team, returned for the 2000-2001 season with a more positive attitude. Opponents took notice and began to target David during play, which resulted in his having many scoreless games.

By the end of 2001, Beckham felt he had proven himself worthy of a raise and became the highest-paid player in The Theater of Dreams (Old Trafford). Of course, considering his fan base all over the world, there was no doubt that Man U. made their money back in spades.

During his 2001-2002 season, Beckham broke a bone in his left foot and doctors were worried that he wouldn’t heal in time for the 2002 World Cup. Luckily, Beckham healed in time to play and although England didn’t bring home the cup, Beckham returned a hero in his fans’ eyes once again.

Beckham joins Real Madrid

And Beckham rode this adoration into the 2002-2003 season when he helped his team win the league. But it was as this season wound down that speculation about where Beckham would head next that really grabbed headlines.

In 2003, Real Madrid’s club president Florentino Perez set his sights on the media sweetheart and in June, the announcement was made: David Beckham would be making the move to the super club that already had Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, and Ronaldo, at a transfer fee of $41.3 million dollars.

Unfortunately for Beckham, critics would not accept him easily and he was forced to prove himself worthy of such a steep price tag. And Beckham did just that by playing his heart out throughout the 2003-2004 season, even though his club finished fourth.

David Beckham & Rebecca Loos

In April 2004, the media began reporting that Beckham was having an affair with his kids’ nanny, Rebecca Loos. Soon, another woman, model Sarah Marbeck, also came forward making the same claim. This had a profound effect on David, and the man who was once open to taking photographs and signing autographs had now begun to shy away from the paparazzi and fans.

Although Beckham did his best to focus on the 2004 Euro Cup, his team succumbed to losses against France and Portugal. And his 2004-2005 season with Real wasn’t so hot, either; they finished second behind Barcelona.

His 2005-2006 season wasn’t much better, as Beckham was sent off the field more often than ever, and during the qualifying rounds for the 2006 World Cup, Beckham became the first English captain ever to be sent off the field.

Beckham resigns as captain

Unfortunately, Beckham was injured during the quarter-final game against Portugal, in which England was eliminated. The day after the loss, Beckham officially resigned as England’s captain, but still plans to remain part of the team.

With the pretty penny David Beckham has made via soccer and sponsorship deals, he has bought multi-million dollar homes in Britain and The Palm in Jumeirah (Dubai). The couple also own 10 cars, which include Bentleys, Aston Martins and four Ferraris.

Beckham became a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF in January 2005, because he supported the charity for a number of years.

Beckham joins Los Angeles Galaxy

After living outside London with his family in what has been dubbed “Beckingham Palace” with their two dogs, Snoopy and Puffy, Beckham signed a 5-year, $250 million deal to play for the MLS’ Los Angeles Galaxy and moved to Los Angeles indefinitely with his family.

Resource:
IMDb.com - David Beckham