Sweating a lot - To be encouraged?

[PaulSecteur]

Hi,

I bought a "boil in the bag" Karimor jacket from sports direct. I used it on a day that was 3 degress wearing only a base layer top (Campri, also from sports direct), lycra leggings with trackie bottoms over them.

After a 10 mile ride I took the jacket off and could see the sweat dripping out the sleaves! After I shower I got thinking...

For fat loss, is it better to sweat a lot at the cost of not performing quite so well due to getting too hot, or better to wear cooler and more breathable clothing so I dont sweat so much but can ride in comfort further and or faster?

Please keep answers in simple, non techy language.

 

[palinurus]

For fat loss I suspect it's neither here nor there. Next time perhaps don't bother with the jacket, just have a couple more layers on the top.

I only dig out my boil in the bag for those well below zero rides.

 

[Fiona N]

I agree
Boxers and jockeys used to be reknown for sweating for weight loss as they had to make weight categories but it had nothing to do with fat loss and everything to do with temporary dehydration.

 

[PaulSecteur]

Cheers for the replies.

Later that day I did another quick ride with the base layer and a light thermal zip up jersey I got from Decathlon for £15 (cant find it on their site anymore). It was a bit too cold, especially as neither were windproof.

Next question... can you recommend a breathable top thats windproof (and preferably has zip-able vents for when its warmer.)

 

[palinurus]

A cheap-ish option that I use when it's cold, but above freezing, is a windproof gilet. Light, relatively cheap, keeps the wind off the front of your upper body.

Breathable long-sleeved tops are available- they tend to be relatively expensive but should last a good long time. I won't recommend one as I haven't bought a cycling jacket for ages, I don't know what's out there now.

 

[Banjo]

My Endura Rain top is a bit boil in the bag in summer but has long zips under the arms which open up mesh vents when its not raining heavilly they work great.

In temps a degree or two above freezing I have been wearing a base layer top, a long sleeve cycle jersey and the endura jacket.When it was really cold I added a thin fleece under the jacket.

Its difficult to get the clothing right this time of year,unless you have a rucksac or panniers you can only stuiff so much into your jersey pocket if its too warm.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I second the use of a lightweight Gilet, one of the most versatile pieces of kit I've bought for winter and summer. The backs are usually mesh or very vented which is perfect for sweaty beings like me.
In terms of windproof and breathable: they're available but costly. I recently got a Foska Training Jacket in the sales for £35, an absolute bargain, but still worth the full amount, sadly it seems no longer available. These might be close:

http://www.foska.com/cycling-jerseys/winter

Have to say, after many years cycling on the cheap I've come to the conclusion that under certain circumstances, good kit is worth every penny. Cold winter inter riding is a good case in point.

 

[jay clock]

I have a huge range of kit, but below about 8 degrees the best one is this http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/8113.html - Endura Air Defence.

Down to about 4 degrees I wear a short sleeved merino base layer. From zero to 4 I wear a long sleeved merino. Below zero I wear a heavier long sleeved merino.

It has pit zips which I leave undone down to zero. It is very windproof, will shrug off gentle showers.

In fact I am tempted to order another as a spare for when the first one packs up!

In slightly warmer weather I have a Lusso Breathe something like this http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/111463.html which I supplement with a Craft gilet - has mesh back and good reflective strips. Like this but much brighter colour than the photo shows http://www.wiggle.co.uk/craft-activ...=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=products The gilet allows flexibility.

For all out rain I have Gore Tex jackets

 

[tyred]

I agree
Boxers and jockeys used to be reknown for sweating for weight loss as they had to make weight categories but it had nothing to do with fat loss and everything to do with temporary dehydration.

Indeed. A friend who used to box used to go jogging while wrapped up in bin liners.

 

[steve52]

do u sweat more of just stop it evapourating?

 

[numbnuts]

I had a mate at work who used a bin liner while jogging, we just said he was rubbish

 

[normgow]

Cyling in cold weather is often a problem.

Sean Kelly once said that it was always difficult to know how cold it really was just by looking out the window.

Generally it's better to feel cold for the first couple of kms as after that most people generate enough heat to feel comfortable.

If you feel nice and cosy from the start then it is really a sign of being overdressed with the result excessive sweating soon after.

One big danger of sweating too much,apart from dehydration, is if you are delayed by a puncture for example or mechanical problems which could result in you standing around in uncomfortable wet gear, becoming very cold and possibly ill.

 

[palinurus]

do u sweat more of just stop it evapourating?

Both I'd guess. Sweat cools you by evaporating. Stop some of it evaporating by trapping it in your jacket and it won't cool you as effectively, hence you'll probably sweat more to compensate.

 

[Zoiders]

Dehydration and hypothermia go hand in hand like evil twins.

Cold weather and dehydration may seem like odd things to put together but one combined with the other can be a killer, you sweat out, you get chilled, your electrolytes drop as well - it's the worst combination of heat/cold injuries

It's one of the combinations that commonly kill hill walkers and the like, the weather gets them because dehydration and exhaustion gets them first.