Dr. Kessler, D.O. is a family physician and an associate professor at Touro University Nevada.
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What is your hobby/sport?
I’ve been bicycling for 25 years.
What is it that you enjoy most about biking?
Don't slow down now
- Dr. Jeffrey Cummings: ‘It’s something I’ve been doing for 10 years’
- Dan Heller: ‘I’ve enjoyed basketball since childhood’
- Dr. Andrew Cash: ‘The importance of core stabilization cannot be overstated’
- Dr. Robert Kessler, D.O.: ‘I always feel better after exercising’
- Dr. Trina Wiggins: ‘My patients are my inspiration to keep on going’
- Dr. Teddy Sim Jr.: ‘I felt too intimidated because I was not always the best dancer’
- Dr. Yolanda Flores: ‘Focus on the end goal’
- Dr. Matthew Schwartz: ‘The fundamental part of a healthy lifestyle is eating correctly’
- Dr. Souzan El-Eid: ‘I enjoy doing the cyclone spin class the most’
- Dr. JD McCourt: ‘I’ve been long-distance running for 40 years’
- Dr. Carl Allen: ‘Any day on the golf course is a fabulous one!’
I always feel better after exercising. I am able to focus on my academic reading after I exercise and my memory of what I read is better. I am 65 years old and bicycling is something I can do when I get old.
What are the health benefits to biking?
I get cardiovascular training. My blood pressure is 110/70 and cholesterol is extremely low and I am lighter than I was in high school.
What gear is essential?
A basic bicycle, a helmet and a water bottle are all you need. Although I have a really nice bicycle and special bicycle clothing and shoes and gear, the only vital thing is to be out there, doing it.
What tips do you have when you’ve “hit the wall” and need motivation to continue?
I will compete against my bicycle computer. The computer allows me to set goals while I am riding. I challenge myself, i.e. “If I can do 8 miles an hour to the top of that hill, I can make it home.”
What are the health risks you keep an eye out for?
When you get to a certain point in bicycling you can develop an imbalance between upper and lower body strength. I do an upper body strength program to avoid this. Stretching has also been important to avoid imbalances.
Do you pay attention to what you eat?
In general it requires the same diet that is healthy for all of us. Eight to 10 portions of fruits, vegetables and whole grains a day with four to eight ounces of protein spread out between three meals. I don’t race so I don’t have to increase carbohydrates unless I am doing a long event. I recently rode 105 miles with my children. We did load carbohydrates the day before and morning of the event. I eat something every hour of a long ride. Peanut butter and banana is a favorite. Careful attention to fluid intake is vital. In the summer, five ounces every 15 minutes of outdoor exercise is a good rule of thumb. I add electrolytes without sugar to the water if I am going to ride more than two hours.
What’s the best diet/nutrition advice you ever received?
My wife and I stick to fresh food and rarely have processed foods. I don’t eat anything with an ingredient I can’t pronounce.
What’s your guilty-pleasure food?
Sugar. I have very little control. If I eat one cookie I will finish the bag. I try to limit it to only having sweet treats to when they are the best of the best.
What did you eat for breakfast today?
I had a bowl of whole grain cereal with blueberries and almond milk.