For those looking to loose wieght.

[balzer69]

This article is worth a read

http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/article/health-how-to-burn-fat-better-1065

 

[purplemoon]

Throw away the scales!

My advice to anyone trying to lose weight is to throw away the scales!

If you're anything like me you will become obsessive about weighing yourself frequently and despite knowing that weight can fluctuate at different times of day, and also different times of the month if you're a woman, you can't help feeling despondant if there's no loss, and mortified if there's a gain

This morning I was really upset to find that I've gained a few pounds over the last couple of weeks despite all the extra exercise I'm now getting

Yesterday afternoon I cycled 10 miles and then went swimming in the evening and managed 30 lengths (750m) - first time I've been swimming for years and I felt fantastic

So, this morning I've taken measurements of my vital statistics and going to monitor those rather than my weight and hopefully see a benefit that way. I can already feel the benefit of all this exercise in that my stamina and strength has improved (managed to get up a bridge without changing down gear yesterday) so I'm trying not to be too disappointed that I haven't seen a drop in actual weight yet

 

[mr Mag00]

muscles are heavier than fat

 

[purplemoon]

muscles are heavier than fat

Yup, I know that hence why I'm going to measure rather than weigh myself. I think I was just surprised, and upset, considering I have a fair bit of weight to lose that I don't appear to have actually lost any before starting to build up muscle. In days of old whenever I've started a healthy eating plan (hate the word "diet") I've always lost somewhere in the region of half a stone within the first week or two before slowing down to a steady 1-2lb a week

 

[yenrod]

What is this 'slow and easy' cycling of which you speak? Slow I can do but tell me where I can find easy......

QUOTE]

A flat road !

 

[MessenJah]

Cycling is easier than walking

 

[yenrod]

My advice to anyone trying to lose weight is to throw away the scales!

If you're anything like me you will become obsessive about weighing yourself frequently and despite knowing that weight can fluctuate at different times of day, and also different times of the month if you're a woman, you can't help feeling despondant if there's no loss, and mortified if there's a gain

This morning I was really upset to find that I've gained a few pounds over the last couple of weeks despite all the extra exercise I'm now getting

Yesterday afternoon I cycled 10 miles and then went swimming in the evening and managed 30 lengths (750m) - first time I've been swimming for years and I felt fantastic

So, this morning I've taken measurements of my vital statistics and going to monitor those rather than my weight and hopefully see a benefit that way. I can already feel the benefit of all this exercise in that my stamina and strength has improved (managed to get up a bridge without changing down gear yesterday) so I'm trying not to be too disappointed that I haven't seen a drop in actual weight yet

i think Purple - you need to publish these findings / statisitcs so we can judge you farely then someone can sugest that the threads is not good without pictures.

...sorry, just my testosterone speaking there

 

[Auntie Helen]

I've been cycling for 4 months now and definitely feel fitter, plus my jeans are noticeably looser.

Today is also a celebration as I was able to move the handlebars on my trike in 2mm each side and still be able to steer round corners without banging the handlebars into my hips - that's encouraging me very much that I'm shifting flab from my hips. Hurrah.

Weight is down 3.5kg but I don't take as much notice of weight as clothing fit because, as you say, weight can be so variable.

 

[philr]

some excellent posts with quite different opinions i see.

there seem to be a lot of people who want to cycle to lose weight myself included.

the debate on steady state cardio for fat loss against e.g. high intensity interval training and fasted cardio is raging on, and of course every body is very different from one another, what works for one etc.

people who want to lose weight should be prepared to try different approaches, be it moderate exercise first thing am with no food or a little bit of food with more vigorous exercise.

see what works and stick to it.

the first post IMHO is quite accurate except the bit about alpen.

fat people like me dont usually respond well to sugars but better to good quality carbs and proteins with a little good quality fats for omega 3 intake.

 

[MessenJah]

oops

 

[blindmanpugh]

Everyone is different

Unfortunately everyone is different, and not the same approach to weight loss works for everyone. 2 colleagues and myself decided to try and loose weight. We set off by measuring the actual calories used throughout the day using the same heart rate monitor. The differences were quite dramatic, varying by nearly 700 calories. Mine was 1580 whereas the highest one was approx 2300, yet we all did very similar things throughout the days we measured the calories used. Therefore average calorie intakes are exactly what they say - Average.

From this we then started eating healthily and kept a record of calories eaten, along with any exercise achieved, using the daily calorie intake as a maximum figure. using this method we all began to loose weight, and all reached the weight we wanted to be, and have got fitter in to the bargain. unfortunately the weight has begun to go up slightly in my case, but only because i have been cycling a lot and my fat is turning to muscle, hence the increase in weight (well thats my opinion anyway .

However, the only way to loose weight is to eat less and do more exercise. Having an idea of your average calorie consumption does make a huge difference to how you plan your eating regime, and if you stick at it does work.

 

[domtyler]

if you quote messages you need it total, not what i said nonsense.

Eh?

 

[Perry]

I'm loosing about a pound a week riding to work 7 miles each way. I don't diet, just don't over-do things.

 

[Bodhbh]

Having an idea of your average calorie consumption does make a huge difference to how you plan your eating regime, and if you stick at it does work.

If you can be bothered with it, I found calorie counting very useful to staying on track with longterm wieght loss - the deficit as I worked it out corresponded to how much I was losing very well. After while of checking the weight and calories of stuff you can more or less guess or remember how much you're taking in. Same with the activity calculators (which you can at least factor with wieght and intensity to get something ballpark).

One thing that struck me about cycling for weight loss; is not so much how many calories it burns per hr, but that combined with how long you can keep it up for once you get your legs, and then...it's not really a chore.

Nice to check up to avoid being ambushed by stuff like the odd mochachino and muffin, which is the sort of thing peeps don't always realise packs almost as much calories as a fried breakfast.

Only thing which seemed to carry more calories than it should and throw everythign way out was booze.

 

[porridge]

I cheat and make it in the microwave

Porridge , try it cold - lovely