By Dani M. Stone
Megan Stone is a vivacious, animal-loving, 21-year-old country girl from Dittmer, Missouri. Although she was active in high school with rodeo competitions, choir, color guard, and 4H, Megan began to notice her weight gain at the age of 16. She remained active but didn’t change her eating style and over the years the pounds began to add up. When she could no longer get on her horse by herself, she knew things had to change. Megan, who weighs 259 pounds, teams up with her mother Kim Stone this season on Biggest Loser 13.
Megan is a college student who currently works in a support staff position for an organization that assists disabled adults. A self-described procrastinator, who always finds a reason not to exercise, Megan certainly has her work cut out for her. This season of the Biggest Loser has already been dubbed “the season of no excuses.”
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If you’ve ever visited another country or even enjoy a foreign cuisine chances are your eyes have been opened to many different ways of doing things. One of the major eye openers I’ve experienced as a traveler is how different the food is in other cultures. As my family dined on a Dim Sum meal in Boston’s Chinatown, my little boy was served chicken feet. He bravely accepted the feet and began chowing down. And as a good guest, so did I. I had to separate myself from what I was doing, and try to enjoy what those around me were calling a delicacy.
Chicken feet aren’t the typical American fare, however, they don’t stray too far from a familiar food. But what about bugs? Rats? Or even horses? These meats are very popular in many cultures around the world. However they seem to make us squirm. Should they?
Americans may be serving horse meat to humans in the near future. Are you ready?
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Horseback riding is an amazing hobby and I wish that I could find the time to do more of it. I’ve been discussing workouts that help riders develop the strength needed. We’ve discussed the lower body exercises to help prepare your body for the jolts and shock of horseback riding, as well as the core strength needed to help you maintain proper posture.
Although your upper body is less of a factor, you still need to train it properly to prevent possible injury, soreness, and to help maintain good posture.
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Why is the “core” important for horseback riding? The core is the center of gravity and your body relies on a strong core for proper posture and proper body functioning. The core is made up of your entire body except the upper and lower extremities. The core stabilizes the spine and pelvis while providing a solid foundation of movement for the rest of the body.
So, while your body bounces around in the saddle, your core is working extremely hard to maintain proper posture as well as hold your body upright.
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While my folks were visiting LA for the 4th of July I took them horseback riding in the Santa Monica Mountains. We rode trails by the infamous “Hollywood” sign and the views were absolutely breath taking. After our three hour adventure through the mountains my legs, butt, and back were tight and I could tell that I was going to be sore a few days later.
So, I have put together a pre-horseback riding workout routine for you (just in case you get the wild hair to ride as well). Today the focus is on a leg workout and I recommend performing three sets of 20 repetitions at a medium weight.
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