cycling to loose weight (and because I am now addicted)

[simmi]

I was wondering if anyone would know the answer to this problems that is bugging me a bit .
I started cycling initially to lose weight. If I was to ride 40 miles as fast as I can say in about 3 hours then went and sat on the sofa for an hour, or took it really steady and did the 40 miles in 4 hours, which 4 hour period would I burn the most fat in?
I know its like being back at school again!
Sorry about the typo in the title, I have got some loose weight but I pimarily want to lose it

 

[black'n'yellow]

Don't get hung up on 'fat burning' - it's pretty much a myth. If you have 4 hours spare, then cycle for that 4 hour period. There's nothing to stop you from mixing up the effort level during your rides, rather than simply going 'flat out'. The longer and harder you ride, the more calories you will burn, but you will struggle to ride properly 'hard' for four hours, so varying your effort makes more sense.

Use cycling to get fitter by all means, but the best way of losing weight is by controlling your diet as well.

 

[MrsDangermouse]

According to the diet/fitness website I use, both options will burn around the same number of calories:
- If I cycle for 180 mins @ 12-14 mph (40 miles in 3 hours = 13.3 mph) then I'd burn approx 2069 calories
- If I cycle for 240 mins @ 10-12 mph (40 miles in 4 hours = 10 mph) then i'd also burn approx 2069 calories.
Of course your actual calorie burn will depend on your age/weight/fitness so your figures are likely to be different to mine, but the basic sums will still be the same.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

According to the diet/fitness website I use, both options will burn around the same number of calories:
- If I cycle for 180 mins @ 12-14 mph (40 miles in 3 hours = 13.3 mph) then I'd burn approx 2069 calories
- If I cycle for 240 mins @ 10-12 mph (40 miles in 4 hours = 10 mph) then i'd also burn approx 2069 calories.
Of course your actual calorie burn will depend on your age/weight/fitness so your figures are likely to be different to mine, but the basic sums will still be the same.

Figures which are always shady at best.

 

[MrJamie]

It's probably close enough not to matter, but youd probably burn slightly more on the faster ride because of it being slightly less efficent at higher speeds due to disproportionately increased air resistance I would have thought. The longer ride keeps you away from the fridge for longer though Do you have a smartphone you can log rides on, I find its great for motivation

In my experience, cycling will make you much fitter and healthy but probably wont give you dramatic weight loss results unless you sort your diet out too. I usually run 3 days a week and cycle another 3 and I can still easily gain weight if I over eat

 

[ColinJ]

For me, cycling burns about 1 pound of fat per 100 miles ridden and it doesn't make a lot of difference how quickly or slowly I ride.

If you are in a hurry, speed up. If you want the ride to last all day, slow down!

 

[MrsDangermouse]

Figures which are always shady at best.

Very true, just illustrating the point ;-)

 

[redcard]

According to Endomondo I've burned 160,000 calories since April, which is around 6lbs

So get a figure from whatever nutritional / diet website, and divide what they tell you by 10. That'll get you pretty close.

 

[DaveyM]

There are all kinds of other factors to take into account and without getting too 'sciency'
I would just say keep riding and eating good food. The most important thing is that you enjoy riding your bike and keep taking oppertunities to do so

 

[Peteaud]

If you are in a hurry, speed up. If you want the ride to last all day, slow down!

+1

 

[potsy]

According to Endomondo I've burned 160,000 calories since April, which is around 6lbs

So get a figure from whatever nutritional / diet website, and divide what they tell you by 10. That'll get you pretty close.

I thought a lb was 3500 calories?

 

[Eribiste]

Alternatively you could always do what I do; ride your bike regularly, enjoy the rides, bugger the numbers and let the weight slowly come off as you spin the wheels round. Oh, and go easy on the pies

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

I thought a lb was 3500 calories?

Tis. And 160,000 cals would be about 45.7lbs

 

[oldfatfool]

I reckon on approx 20 Kcal per km or 10 Kcal per min over undulating terrain when averaged out.

 

[Noodle Legs]

The most effective training for fat loss in the gym is High Intensity Interval Training, where a shorter workout with varying (but intense) intervals is proven to cut less body fat than longer, slower cardio. I would imagine, but I'm no expert, that the same would be true for cycling.