Is Biking Okay for Obese People?

Riding Towards Joy: The Emotional Wellness Found in Biking

In the sun-kissed landscape of Los Angeles, where dreams intertwine with palm trees, the question arises: Is biking suitable for someone dealing with obesity? This inquiry unlocks a journey that goes beyond physical activity, transcending stereotypes and embracing the boundless possibilities that cycling can offer on the road to wellness.

The Power of Pedals

The misconception that biking is exclusively for the fit and trim dissolves as we delve into the empowering world of cycling. Los Angeles, with its diverse terrain, offers a welcoming backdrop for individuals navigating the complexities of obesity to find solace, joy, and renewed strength through biking.

Customizing the Journey

Cycling provides a customizable fitness experience. It accommodates various fitness levels, allowing individuals to tailor their biking routines to suit their unique needs and abilities. In a city like Los Angeles, where every street seems to tell a different story, biking becomes a personalized journey of exploration and self-discovery.

Biking as Low-Impact Exercise

One of the major advantages of biking for individuals with obesity is its low-impact nature. Unlike high-impact exercises, cycling provides an effective cardiovascular workout without putting excessive strain on the joints. Riding through the scenic streets of Los Angeles becomes not only a physical activity but a soothing endeavor for both body and mind.

Building a Supportive Community

Beyond the physical benefits, biking creates an inclusive and supportive community. Los Angeles, with its myriad cycling groups and events, becomes a playground for individuals to connect, share experiences, and find encouragement on their wellness journey.

A Journey, Not a Destination

The beauty of cycling lies in its simplicity — it's not about reaching a destination but relishing the journey. In the heart of Los Angeles, where the streets echo with diverse stories, every pedal stroke becomes a step towards empowerment and a testament to the strength within.

The Final Spin

Biking, far from an exclusive activity, emerges as an inclusive and transformative experience for individuals managing obesity. In Los Angeles, where the city's vibrant spirit mirrors the resilience within, cycling becomes a catalyst for change. So, grab the handlebars, feel the wind, and pedal towards a healthier, happier you amidst the lively landscape of Los Angeles.

Girls Came Out to Play aroundLA with Personal Trainer Chris Hollis

She’s cute. She’s fun. She’s fit. Is she you?

That’s the tagline I came up with back in 2020 when I launched my first blog merch item, thee aroundLA rider cap.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by T.K. (@tee.krys)

It was the product of encouragement and inspiration from one of my closest, long-standing girlfriends from back home in Louisiana. Talking regularly, Taylor knew about my lil’ blog idea and decided “my girl, YOU ARE A BRAND! Ouuu, uhnt uhn, I’m getting you hats made.” She bought a few hats from one of her fav discount stores that only she has the energy to sift thru, then got #aroundLAwithTK across the front. She mailed them to my brother’s place in New Orleans, as I was there a few months recharging while Los Angeles had completely closed down in response to the sudden spread of COVID-19. After my stay in thee original LA, I returned to L.A. reinvigorated.

Related: Starting is hard. Being consistent is even harder.

I am a brand. Hmm.

Wearing my boldly branded cap, others that believe in the idea began saying they want a hat too, that I need to make hats to sell.

Hmm. Okay. Y’all want that? I gotchu.

Made the hats. Sold the hats. And as I began to share more of my experiences aroundLA, people began suggesting I physically take folks aroundLA. When I came up with the name of my personal lifestyle blog, it was just a cute figure of speech that rhymed, aroundLAwithTK, to host my writings. Nowhere in my brainstorming notes did I have anything about organizing in-person situations. It was solely the idea of a virtual experience. I’d only meant it figuratively, they wanted it literally as well.

Hmm. Okay. Y’all want that? I gotchu.

Three ladies pause along the girls group hike at Griffith Park to take in the views.

Two years later, we’re here. aroundLAwithTK had its very first meetup!

Girls Group Hike + Calisthenics at Griffith Park

Being that my preferred mode of transportation is a bicycle, a few people had asked if/when I’d lead some sort of bicycle tour aroundLA. For aroundLAwithTK’s first active meetup though, I wanted to do something different, bring y’all something better.

I partnered with certified personal trainer Chris Hollis, Athletic Coordinator at Pasadena City College, to put on a group workout session at one of L.A.’s most scenic locations.

We set the meeting time at a specific spot for 9:45am and our feet were moving by 10am.

We started with a quick dynamic warm up where we met, then began heading up the hill. Some girls forged ahead, some girls dragged behind, wondering “how much farther?”, but we all ended up having a fulfilling time.

Related: aroundLA Is A Lifestyle

Chris kept an eye on all of us, not letting anyone get left, lost, or hurt. We took necessary pauses along the trail, making sure everyone was feeling good. When we reached the top, we lined up along a wooden fence and the trainer led us in a calisthenics workout, doing exercises using our own body weight. Then, we continued on to the tippy top, Tom LaBonge Panorama, which as the name suggests, has awe-inspiring panoramic views. Of course, we had to flick up at this highest viewpoint, and bask in the glory of getting there.

Though it was a tad tough at points along the hiking trail, the ladies that participate in the girls group hike were all smiles when we reached the top.

As we headed back to where people had parked, the girls gave me that feeling of encouragement and inspiration that Taylor had given me with the hats two years ago.

“This was so great. You have to do this again.”

“This is your first time doing this? Wow, what a great turnout!”

“I want to do more stuff like this.”

“I wasn’t sure about this at first, but I enjoyed it so much.”

The satisfaction poured from their lips. A few of them expressed how they’ve wanted to go hiking at one of L.A.’s many beautiful hiking trails, but they don’t want to go alone and don’t have any friends that want to go. This organized group activity gave them, the ones that had been thinking about it, the opportunity to go’on ‘head and do it! Then a couple that hadn’t thought about it told me how even though this isn’t something they’d seek out on their own, when it’s prepared and put in front of them, they’ll be up… and they like it. A lot!

The girls gave rave reviews of the trainer Chris as well, asking me how I found him and saying how helpful and cool he was.

The infamous Hollywood sign is visible in the distant background as three ladies kickback on a picnic table at this hiking trail’s peak, Tom LaBonge Panorama, a space maintained by the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department.

I’m very thankful for every person that came because my little feelings would’ve been too hurt had I organized this and no one showed up. [inserts crying laughing emoji]… I’m laughing, oh but I’m crying.

I’m even more thankful that everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and did something good for their bodies!!

And then, the camaraderie of it all! We chopped it up, chatting, laughing, and we were there for one another, making sure everyone finished. Doing it together, it feels more like hanging out than working out.

This first aroundLAwithTK meetup was such a success, it definitely won’t be the last.

Watch a video recap on TikTok or Instagram.

See y’all on the next one!

I’m encouraged. I’m thankful. Y’all make me me. The girls that came, yes, but I’m talking to you right now, you that’s reading this. Other writers have readers, I have riders. Thank you for riding with me. Follow the blog on Instagram @aroundLAwithTK, and enter your email address below to join the mailing list, to find out about future activities you can join!

She’s cute. She’s fun. She’s fit.

She’s aroundLAwithTK.

Is she you?

How to Get Behind the Hollywood Sign on a Bike

Gotcha! I haven’t a clue. But…

I’m about to find out.

I’m supposed to be doing my hair right now, but I got distracted on YouTube and never went back in the kitchen to cut up the produce. Yes, fresh produce. Yes, in my hair. Soon, you’ll be able to find a super hair growth recipe video in my beauty playlist on YouTube. Subscribe while you’re there!

Anywho, I searched “cycling tours Los Angeles” to peek at possible competitors, and though I haven’t found anyone to lurk on yet, this thumbnail pictured below did catch my eye.

screenshot: Jasper Verkuijl YouTube

As I’m typing this, I haven’t even clicked on the video yet. I’m not going to promote this blog post on Instagram or anything, writing this is moreso a mental note to myself. And, it also adds more content to my Los Angeles lifestyle blogger and brand website. Hey, I’m trying to make Google and these logarhythms, excuse me, algorithms, happy. Math is still haunting me, I see.

Okay, the little side hustle gig I had set up for tomorrow vanished, so maybe I’ll use my first day off in the past week to go for a little exploratory bike ride. And then once I have it figured out, I’ll come back and tell you about it. I’d really like to have a photographer meet me up there one sunrise (after I get a newer, more sporty bike because I don’t want to do an “active” photoshoot with a darn childish basket on my bike that I have now).

Later, kids.

Please join the newsletter; I plan to start using it once I have at least 100 people on my mailing list. (I don’t want to make my website bill higher with fees from other features until I’m actually using them… and people are actually seeing them.

5 of The Best Hiking Trails for You in Los Angeles

After finishing college, still living in Louisiana, I wrote down the pros of possibly moving to L.A., and one thing on that list was free outdoor attractions — like public property with naturally raised areas of land. Now, if you’re from Cali, you may be thinking, “what? you were happy about hills?!” And the answer is yes. Yes, I was. And, yes, I am.

The Los Angeles area boasts easily over a hundred hiking trails! That’s a whole lot to sort through if you aren’t really that into the great outdoors, or if you’ll only be in L.A. for a short stay. So, I’ve narrowed it down for ya!

Here are five hiking trails worth checking out while in Los Angeles:

Most Popular — Tourist Destination

1. Runyon Canyon Loop

2000 North Fuller Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Distance: 2.7 miles

Spotting celebrities at Runyon is “probably the worst kept secret in LA.” Go ahead and come here with your daytime beat and cutesy little workout fit, that you don’t workout in; you won’t be alone. Then flick it up! Don’t be shy. This hotspot has currently been hashtagged on Instagram 341,000 times! It’s not unusual to come here to be cute and be seen, while also managing to get in a mild exercise.

The address listed here will navigate you to the entrance where the bicycle parking and a concession stand are located. If you’re driving a motor vehicle, as you get close, you’ll want to start looking for a street parking spot you can slide into. It’s okay if you’re a couple of blocks away, your hike will start early. Yaay!

2. Mulholland Trail at Griffith Park

3200 Canyon Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90068

Distance: 2.7 miles

Another super popular tourist destination is the infamous Hollywood Sign, and this trail will put you right in front of it for the perfect photo-op!

The address included here is my preferred parking area when I’m driving because I always find a spot and the directions aren’t confusing. It’s a bit of a walk, but you came out here to go hiking anyway, right?! You’ll get on the trail and navigate yourself towards the Hollywood Sign using the easy-to-follow directional signs posted along the way.

Most Popular Among Locals

3. Lake Hollywood Reservoir Walking Trail

6398 Weidlake Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90068

Distance: 3.5 miles

Tucked further away into the hills, the immediate area around this destination is less residential. It’s not completely ducked off, nothing in Los Angeles really is, but there’s definitely less traffic at this one. As opposed to Runyon, where the street leading up to the entrance is lined with huge apartment buildings.

The hike can begin from a few places. The address I chose to include on this list is an alternate starting point for Lake Hollywood Reservoir Walking Trail. It is 1.25 miles from here to the North Gate along the west side of the reservoir.

4. Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

6050 Jefferson Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232

Distance: 2.3 miles

No matter when riding along Jefferson Boulevard and passing the Culver City Stairs, you see little dots making their way to the top. This Instagram picture of mine, from 2016 that I embedded below, does no justice to the popularity of this intense outdoor workout spot. Neither do its hashtags; #culvercitystairs and #baldwinhillsscenicoverlook barely have 50-thousand posts combined (versus the nearly three-hundred-fifty-thousand #runyoncanyon boasts). So, this may not be the location that’ll make your pic go viral.

If you park at the bottom of the hill, down along the street, you can hit the stairs first before walking the park’s trail. Which is what you may want to do, if you plan on doing the stairs at all. You saw me say intense, eh?! I wouldn’t lie to ya. In addition to these killer stairs, there’s also a paved walkway along the street that goes up the hill, and there are dirt paths throughout. I don’t too often see people coming here to be cute; they’re getting it in over here, honey!

was going to run up .. so I THOUGHT 😩 #culvercitystairs

Low Key

5. Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

4100 South La Cienega Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90056

Distance: 7 miles

Okay, if you don’t need views of a lake, the city skyline, the Hollywood Sign, or any of that jazz, and you simply want a peaceful trail where you can go a little longer, this park is for you.

No need for me to give you some alternate address, because parking isn’t difficult here like it often is at the aforementioned destinations. There are plenty of areas to park and hop onto the trails, which wind through trees and lawns, and around community centers and basketball courts.

One of these hikes has got to be for you!

From easy to difficult terrain, from a low key move to a poppin’ scene, from short to long, there is a hiking trail to fit your fitness level and taste. Tell me which one seems like it’ll be the best for you.

Reasons to be Riding

If you haven’t hopped on a bike during quarantine, you’re missing out. The good news is, it’s not too late! Here are a few reasons to encourage you to get that booty on a bike:

1. We all need a little stress relief right now.

   It’s been ages and we’re still locked in our homes, with our roommate, parents, kid, or significant other driving us up the wall. Or, maybe you live alone and it’s the wall itself that has you ready to slam your head against it.

   According to Elle Woods and the experts over at Heathline, “physical activity produces endorphins, a group of hormones that act as a natural pain reliever — making you feel happier.”

2. It gets that blood pumping and those legs jumping.

   If you’re not the most physically fit person, or you’re recovering from an injury, it’s okay! Cycling is rather gentle on the body. It’s not hard on your knees and back, the way other workouts tend to be when you’re new it or do it slightly wrong. I don’t know about you, but I’ve seen many of days after an intense workout where it hurt to walk. Cycling has never done that to me, not even after 50-mile rides.

   Don’t get it twisted, even though it doesn’t beat your body up, “biking is a top-notch cardio workout.” The doctors over at WebMD would argue that riding a bike is thee ideal cardio workout because it is low-impact while still building strong legs and improving heart health.

3. All the cool kids are doing it.

   Okay… If your mental and physical health aren’t enough to convince you, maybe the idea of bettering your social health will entice you. Remember when you would try to persuade your parent into letting you do something and say how all the other kids are doing it? (And, if your mom was anything like mine, she’d say, “oh, if all the kids go jump off of a bridge, you gon’ go jump yo’ rabbit ass off the bridge too?!”). Well, here’s finally a time where everybody’s doing it is actually a good reason to give it a go.

   When the country went into lockdown, bike riding soared! Everybody started riding bikes. The demand was so high that suppliers couldn’t keep up; bike shops sold out across the nation. I spoke with family from back home and friends from college, in other states, and they said finding a bike to buy was like trying to find Big Foot. Here in L.A., I kept in touch with the bike shop in Leimert Park, that I frequented multiple times a week prior to the outbreak of coronavirus, and they told me how business was booming like never before.

Get up on the saddle!

What other kind of riding is going to provide stress relief, increase your heart rate, be something that you have in common with your friends that you can chat about?! Actually… don’t answer that.. Just go get you a bike if you can, while you can, and get out there and ride!