How to cycle for weight loss - Page 4 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

06-05-2004, 05:53 PM

On Sat, 05 Jun 2004 20:30:33 +0000, Warren Block wrote:

> Daniel Crispin <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>
>> I am wondering if there is an easy way to dose my efforts toward
>> weight loss. I could buy a HRM but I have already spent 600$ on my
>> bike this month and would like to stop spending for a while.
>

Most of the previous posts have been to the point, but numerically (and
approximately),

Weight loss = (Calories out - calories in) / 3500.

If you push on the bike, rather than just cruising, you might burn 500
calories / hr. But it would still take about seven hours of pedaling to
burn off one pound of fat, assuming no change in diet. This is why you
have to watch it in the kitchen, too, since it is not too difficult to add
back a few hundred calories a day with the pasta, energy bars, etc., etc.
It doesn't take much, unfortunately...

The moral: if you want to be a bit more scientific about it, try actually
adding up the calories. Then you can find out where they came from and
where they went (and if you're not losing weight, why they didn't went).

Cheers, and happy pedaling. At least we have fun while we struggle...

06-05-2004, 06:50 PM

Bicycling is a great way to lose weight! I think most important is to ride
long and steady to lose. I don't use a HR monitor, so I can't help you
there, but there is an effective HR for weight loss, but it is different for
everyone and we would need to know more information about you.

If you like pasta, it will be harder to lose, unless you don't eat that
much. Sorry, that is just the way it is. A high carb diet makes it harder
to lose, it is just the facts. It can certainly be done and is done all the
time, but you need to cut calories, unless you are going to ride very long
distances 4+ days a week. I suggest lower fat if you are going high carb.
If you want to lose faster, then bag the pasta and eat chicken, fish, etc.

JMHO,
Curt

"Daniel Crispin" <calendyr@videotron.ca> wrote in message
news:rapwc.210963$YP4.1634569@wagner.videotron.net ...
> Hello,
>
> I am wondering if there is an easy way to dose my efforts toward weight
> loss. I could buy
> a HRM but I have already spent 600$ on my bike this month and would like
to
> stop spending
> for a while.
>
> Any trick that can tell me I am using the right effort for weight loss?
> Someone told me that if I cannot
> speak without feeling a little out of breath that is the right zone... is
> that true?
>
> Also I am been trying to pedal faster. I used to pedal slow and hard but
> after reading some books
> I now understand it's a really bad way to do it. I have no idea what my
> current cadence is since my
> computer doesn't have that feature but I think I am at around 1.25 turn
per
> second... that is of course
> an approximate... it would mean 75 turns per minute which is close to what
> is recommanded... I cannot
> see myself pedaling faster, already feels like I am spinning way too fast

> How do you guys do 100 turns
> per minute? Must be a mental issue, the legs don't seems to mind but geez
> at a 100 I am not sure I could
> even keep my balance hehehe!
>
> Last thing... what should I eat before and during training? I love pasta.
> I know they contain a lot of calories
> but that is the food I like. On the other hand they give lots of carbs so
> that can't be bad while training right?
> Should I eat something different the days I train?
>
> How about during training? I normal bring a Nutribar which is an meal
> replacement designed for weight loss.
> I has a balance of carbs, fats and proteins. Should I use something with
> more carbs?
>
>
>
>

06-05-2004, 06:50 PM

Bicycling is a great way to lose weight! I think most important is to ride
long and steady to lose. I don't use a HR monitor, so I can't help you
there, but there is an effective HR for weight loss, but it is different for
everyone and we would need to know more information about you.

If you like pasta, it will be harder to lose, unless you don't eat that
much. Sorry, that is just the way it is. A high carb diet makes it harder
to lose, it is just the facts. It can certainly be done and is done all the
time, but you need to cut calories, unless you are going to ride very long
distances 4+ days a week. I suggest lower fat if you are going high carb.
If you want to lose faster, then bag the pasta and eat chicken, fish, etc.

JMHO,
Curt

"Daniel Crispin" <calendyr@videotron.ca> wrote in message
news:rapwc.210963$YP4.1634569@wagner.videotron.net ...
> Hello,
>
> I am wondering if there is an easy way to dose my efforts toward weight
> loss. I could buy
> a HRM but I have already spent 600$ on my bike this month and would like
to
> stop spending
> for a while.
>
> Any trick that can tell me I am using the right effort for weight loss?
> Someone told me that if I cannot
> speak without feeling a little out of breath that is the right zone... is
> that true?
>
> Also I am been trying to pedal faster. I used to pedal slow and hard but
> after reading some books
> I now understand it's a really bad way to do it. I have no idea what my
> current cadence is since my
> computer doesn't have that feature but I think I am at around 1.25 turn
per
> second... that is of course
> an approximate... it would mean 75 turns per minute which is close to what
> is recommanded... I cannot
> see myself pedaling faster, already feels like I am spinning way too fast

> How do you guys do 100 turns
> per minute? Must be a mental issue, the legs don't seems to mind but geez
> at a 100 I am not sure I could
> even keep my balance hehehe!
>
> Last thing... what should I eat before and during training? I love pasta.
> I know they contain a lot of calories
> but that is the food I like. On the other hand they give lots of carbs so
> that can't be bad while training right?
> Should I eat something different the days I train?
>
> How about during training? I normal bring a Nutribar which is an meal
> replacement designed for weight loss.
> I has a balance of carbs, fats and proteins. Should I use something with
> more carbs?
>
>
>
>

06-05-2004, 06:50 PM

Bicycling is a great way to lose weight! I think most important is to ride
long and steady to lose. I don't use a HR monitor, so I can't help you
there, but there is an effective HR for weight loss, but it is different for
everyone and we would need to know more information about you.

If you like pasta, it will be harder to lose, unless you don't eat that
much. Sorry, that is just the way it is. A high carb diet makes it harder
to lose, it is just the facts. It can certainly be done and is done all the
time, but you need to cut calories, unless you are going to ride very long
distances 4+ days a week. I suggest lower fat if you are going high carb.
If you want to lose faster, then bag the pasta and eat chicken, fish, etc.

JMHO,
Curt

"Daniel Crispin" <calendyr@videotron.ca> wrote in message
news:rapwc.210963$YP4.1634569@wagner.videotron.net ...
> Hello,
>
> I am wondering if there is an easy way to dose my efforts toward weight
> loss. I could buy
> a HRM but I have already spent 600$ on my bike this month and would like
to
> stop spending
> for a while.
>
> Any trick that can tell me I am using the right effort for weight loss?
> Someone told me that if I cannot
> speak without feeling a little out of breath that is the right zone... is
> that true?
>
> Also I am been trying to pedal faster. I used to pedal slow and hard but
> after reading some books
> I now understand it's a really bad way to do it. I have no idea what my
> current cadence is since my
> computer doesn't have that feature but I think I am at around 1.25 turn
per
> second... that is of course
> an approximate... it would mean 75 turns per minute which is close to what
> is recommanded... I cannot
> see myself pedaling faster, already feels like I am spinning way too fast

> How do you guys do 100 turns
> per minute? Must be a mental issue, the legs don't seems to mind but geez
> at a 100 I am not sure I could
> even keep my balance hehehe!
>
> Last thing... what should I eat before and during training? I love pasta.
> I know they contain a lot of calories
> but that is the food I like. On the other hand they give lots of carbs so
> that can't be bad while training right?
> Should I eat something different the days I train?
>
> How about during training? I normal bring a Nutribar which is an meal
> replacement designed for weight loss.
> I has a balance of carbs, fats and proteins. Should I use something with
> more carbs?
>
>
>
>

06-05-2004, 06:50 PM

Bicycling is a great way to lose weight! I think most important is to ride
long and steady to lose. I don't use a HR monitor, so I can't help you
there, but there is an effective HR for weight loss, but it is different for
everyone and we would need to know more information about you.

If you like pasta, it will be harder to lose, unless you don't eat that
much. Sorry, that is just the way it is. A high carb diet makes it harder
to lose, it is just the facts. It can certainly be done and is done all the
time, but you need to cut calories, unless you are going to ride very long
distances 4+ days a week. I suggest lower fat if you are going high carb.
If you want to lose faster, then bag the pasta and eat chicken, fish, etc.

JMHO,
Curt

"Daniel Crispin" <calendyr@videotron.ca> wrote in message
news:rapwc.210963$YP4.1634569@wagner.videotron.net ...
> Hello,
>
> I am wondering if there is an easy way to dose my efforts toward weight
> loss. I could buy
> a HRM but I have already spent 600$ on my bike this month and would like
to
> stop spending
> for a while.
>
> Any trick that can tell me I am using the right effort for weight loss?
> Someone told me that if I cannot
> speak without feeling a little out of breath that is the right zone... is
> that true?
>
> Also I am been trying to pedal faster. I used to pedal slow and hard but
> after reading some books
> I now understand it's a really bad way to do it. I have no idea what my
> current cadence is since my
> computer doesn't have that feature but I think I am at around 1.25 turn
per
> second... that is of course
> an approximate... it would mean 75 turns per minute which is close to what
> is recommanded... I cannot
> see myself pedaling faster, already feels like I am spinning way too fast

> How do you guys do 100 turns
> per minute? Must be a mental issue, the legs don't seems to mind but geez
> at a 100 I am not sure I could
> even keep my balance hehehe!
>
> Last thing... what should I eat before and during training? I love pasta.
> I know they contain a lot of calories
> but that is the food I like. On the other hand they give lots of carbs so
> that can't be bad while training right?
> Should I eat something different the days I train?
>
> How about during training? I normal bring a Nutribar which is an meal
> replacement designed for weight loss.
> I has a balance of carbs, fats and proteins. Should I use something with
> more carbs?
>
>
>
>

06-05-2004, 06:50 PM

Bicycling is a great way to lose weight! I think most important is to ride
long and steady to lose. I don't use a HR monitor, so I can't help you
there, but there is an effective HR for weight loss, but it is different for
everyone and we would need to know more information about you.

If you like pasta, it will be harder to lose, unless you don't eat that
much. Sorry, that is just the way it is. A high carb diet makes it harder
to lose, it is just the facts. It can certainly be done and is done all the
time, but you need to cut calories, unless you are going to ride very long
distances 4+ days a week. I suggest lower fat if you are going high carb.
If you want to lose faster, then bag the pasta and eat chicken, fish, etc.

JMHO,
Curt

"Daniel Crispin" <calendyr@videotron.ca> wrote in message
news:rapwc.210963$YP4.1634569@wagner.videotron.net ...
> Hello,
>
> I am wondering if there is an easy way to dose my efforts toward weight
> loss. I could buy
> a HRM but I have already spent 600$ on my bike this month and would like
to
> stop spending
> for a while.
>
> Any trick that can tell me I am using the right effort for weight loss?
> Someone told me that if I cannot
> speak without feeling a little out of breath that is the right zone... is
> that true?
>
> Also I am been trying to pedal faster. I used to pedal slow and hard but
> after reading some books
> I now understand it's a really bad way to do it. I have no idea what my
> current cadence is since my
> computer doesn't have that feature but I think I am at around 1.25 turn
per
> second... that is of course
> an approximate... it would mean 75 turns per minute which is close to what
> is recommanded... I cannot
> see myself pedaling faster, already feels like I am spinning way too fast

> How do you guys do 100 turns
> per minute? Must be a mental issue, the legs don't seems to mind but geez
> at a 100 I am not sure I could
> even keep my balance hehehe!
>
> Last thing... what should I eat before and during training? I love pasta.
> I know they contain a lot of calories
> but that is the food I like. On the other hand they give lots of carbs so
> that can't be bad while training right?
> Should I eat something different the days I train?
>
> How about during training? I normal bring a Nutribar which is an meal
> replacement designed for weight loss.
> I has a balance of carbs, fats and proteins. Should I use something with
> more carbs?
>
>
>
>

06-05-2004, 07:01 PM

"psycholist" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:c9tpin$4ru3$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
>>
> I do core strength work. I believe that's important. Weight training,
per
> se, can actually result in gaining weight. If the goal is strictly weight
> loss, I'd opt for some core strength exercises that don't involve much in
> the way of weights. You can do a lot with crunches, pushups, chair dips,
> etc.

True. But someone who is 150 pounds at 10 percent bodyfat is in far better
shape than someone who weighs 150 pounds at 20 percent bodyfat. Weight alone
is not the issue(except for racers). We're not talking about becoming Mr
Olympia. Just general fitness, and nothing works better at building strength
than basic compound strength training exercises. Bench press, military
press, squat, deadlift. Difficult to duplicate with just bodyweight,
especially once one attains a basic strength level. :-)

06-05-2004, 07:01 PM

"psycholist" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:c9tpin$4ru3$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
>>
> I do core strength work. I believe that's important. Weight training,
per
> se, can actually result in gaining weight. If the goal is strictly weight
> loss, I'd opt for some core strength exercises that don't involve much in
> the way of weights. You can do a lot with crunches, pushups, chair dips,
> etc.

True. But someone who is 150 pounds at 10 percent bodyfat is in far better
shape than someone who weighs 150 pounds at 20 percent bodyfat. Weight alone
is not the issue(except for racers). We're not talking about becoming Mr
Olympia. Just general fitness, and nothing works better at building strength
than basic compound strength training exercises. Bench press, military
press, squat, deadlift. Difficult to duplicate with just bodyweight,
especially once one attains a basic strength level. :-)

06-05-2004, 07:01 PM

"psycholist" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:c9tpin$4ru3$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
>>
> I do core strength work. I believe that's important. Weight training,
per
> se, can actually result in gaining weight. If the goal is strictly weight
> loss, I'd opt for some core strength exercises that don't involve much in
> the way of weights. You can do a lot with crunches, pushups, chair dips,
> etc.

True. But someone who is 150 pounds at 10 percent bodyfat is in far better
shape than someone who weighs 150 pounds at 20 percent bodyfat. Weight alone
is not the issue(except for racers). We're not talking about becoming Mr
Olympia. Just general fitness, and nothing works better at building strength
than basic compound strength training exercises. Bench press, military
press, squat, deadlift. Difficult to duplicate with just bodyweight,
especially once one attains a basic strength level. :-)

06-05-2004, 07:01 PM

"psycholist" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:c9tpin$4ru3$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
>>
> I do core strength work. I believe that's important. Weight training,
per
> se, can actually result in gaining weight. If the goal is strictly weight
> loss, I'd opt for some core strength exercises that don't involve much in
> the way of weights. You can do a lot with crunches, pushups, chair dips,
> etc.

True. But someone who is 150 pounds at 10 percent bodyfat is in far better
shape than someone who weighs 150 pounds at 20 percent bodyfat. Weight alone
is not the issue(except for racers). We're not talking about becoming Mr
Olympia. Just general fitness, and nothing works better at building strength
than basic compound strength training exercises. Bench press, military
press, squat, deadlift. Difficult to duplicate with just bodyweight,
especially once one attains a basic strength level. :-)