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Healthy Diet Plans  >>  Questions Asked  >>  Weight Loss/ Obesity

Cycling for weight loss

Does riding bike help you lose weight
(July 31, 2011)

Does cycling burn belly fat?


It is an old myth that exercising certain parts of our body will help us lose weight in that area.  We need to understand that cycling, just like swimming and running, is a cardiovascular activity and helps you burn calories. Unfortunately, for those who want to lose weight in particular areas, it is your body that chooses the area where it takes those calories from. If you want to lose fat around your waist and belly, you need to go in for some cardiovascular activity and let your body decide the areas it is going to burn the fat from. You also need to go in for strength training as it is an integral part of any exercise regimen.

The best thing about losing belly fat is that you do not have to do a billion crunches to lose fat around your belly.


You can go in for any kind of cardiovascular activity such as cycling for fat loss and get the same results. In fact, if you want to go in for a cardiovascular activity such as cycling to burn stomach fat, make sure you push yourself for at least 30 to 40 minutes daily and you will see yourself getting into shape.

Any cardiovascular activity such as cycling to lose abdominal fat has to be combined with a well-balanced diet for quick results.
Submitted by N on July 31, 2011 at 01:42

 

How long to cycle to lose weight?


The answer to your question depends on how much weight you want to lose. The cycling benefits for weight loss are many, but you need to cycle regularly if you want to see results. If you want to lose about one pound per week, you would need to cycle fast for at least one hour daily, or in the alternative cycle longer if you plan to go slow.  

If you go in for ordinary cycling, you burn at least five times the number of calories you would if you were just sitting around (while sitting you use one calorie per minute and in case you are leisurely cycling you use five calories per minute). Thus, peddling for 15 minutes equals burning 45 calories. Peddling for 15 minutes daily is the same as consuming 315 calories weekly. This totals to 11/2 ounces per week. If you continue to cycle during the month, you would lose about six ounces. If you speed up your cycling program for weight loss to around 12 miles per hour, you can expect to lose an additional 100 calories in 15 minutes (about 700 calories in a week). This brings the total calories you lose to 12 ounces per month.

If you think you can go faster (16 miles) per hour, you can burn 125 calories in about 15 minutes of cycling. Continue doing this every day, and you can lose up to one pound in a month.
Submitted by N on July 25, 2011 at 01:41

 

Can you lose weight with indoor and stationary cycling?


Yes, you can lose weight with indoor and stationary cycling. Indoor bikes allow you to get a feel of bicycling without actually knowing how to ride a bike. At the same time, you do not have to worry about the dangers that riding in the open brings. Indoor cycling for weight loss not only offers aerobic exercise but also helps perk up the muscles of your buttocks, thighs, and hips. Stationary cycling for weight loss can be done on non-computerized and computerized stationary bikes, but any extra features your bike has does not necessarily mean that that your workout is going to be better. Weight loss depends largely on how much time you spend bicycling. If you are seriously looking to lose weight with an exercise bike, you need to cycle for about 60 to 90 minutes daily. If you are not able to put in so much time at one stretch, you can go in for smaller bouts of cycling.

In addition to indoor cycling, it is important that you follow a well-balanced diet that has nutrient-dense foods. Make sure you avoid sugary cereals, processed meats, cupcakes, white flour breads, doughnuts, and chips. Also drink water instead of carbonated drinks, sodas and coffees. Water helps hydrate your body and this is very good during cycling.
Submitted by N on July 18, 2011 at 01:40

 

How to carb cycle for weight loss?


Carb cycling for weight loss in women is a very simple technique of eating low carb foods for a certain period of time and following it by an increased intake of carbohydrates. A routine of carb cycle for women for weight loss helps speed up your weight loss program and also prevents you from going off your diet when you cheat or slip up on your diet. So a women carb cycle for bodybuilding and weight loss basically consists of a carb up and carb down routine.

Here’s how it works:

Try and make sure you eat no grains, starches, or sugars when you are on a carb up program. This is what you would typically eat if you are on a carb cycle for weight loss program.

  • Carb down phase: Chicken, meat, fish, eggs, salad for dinner, protein shakes and low carb dairy. The calories should be kept at around 1200.
  • Carb up phase: You can eat more of vegetables, fruit, and higher carb dairy such as yogurt, higher carb salad dressings and nuts. The calories should go to about 1700. Expect to gain a couple of extra pounds when in the carb up phase. Also, remember that your calorie intake depends on your weight, and you need to adjust the calories accordingly.

 

Cycling for weight loss


Many people often ask the question, “is cycling good for weight loss?” You can stand to burn about 235 calories by riding a bike at a speed of 12 to 14 mph for just 30 minutes. Cycling for weight loss is one of the easiest and most effective ways to shed extra pounds. Taking a biking trip for one hour will enable you to burn 400 to 500 calories. Of course, the number of calories you burn will be determined by your body weight, genetics and intensity of the activity. High intensity or uphill cycling is known to be quite beneficial for those who wish to lose weight. Let us understand some of the benefits of cycling.

Cycling helps in weight loss because it enables you to burn a large amount of calories. The movements necessary for cycling need you to put in considerable energy so that you and the bike are able to work against air resistance and gravity. An individual who weighs about 80 kgs can stand to burn more than 500 calories in 60 minutes of cycling at moderate speed. Depending on your fitness level, you can start by cycling at 5 mph for 30 minutes at moderate pace. You can lose about 75 to 155 kcal doing this. You can then progress to cycling at 10 mph for 30 minutes at moderate pace. This will bring about a loss of about 190 to 415 kcal.

Those with better fitness levels can cycle at 15 mph for 30 minutes at vigorous pace. This can result in loss of 300 to 670 kcal. In addition to weight loss, cycling on a regular basis also helps in muscle development. The body becomes leaner and more toned due to cycling.

Cycling training for weight loss helps to elevate metabolic rate and this brings about calorie burning even in a resting state. Cycling engages the back and abdominal muscles as well and this helps in building posture and balance.

Apart from a form of exercise, cycling is also a great way to travel from one place to another. Many cities have divisions in the roads especially for cyclists. Cycling also allows you to travel down narrow paths and lanes. It is also an inexpensive and environmentally friendly way to travel. Most people find it difficult to begin exercise or weight loss programs. But cycling can be done at varying intensities and hence is easy to start. You can always begin at a lower intensity and then increase the level as fitness improves. Health of the heart is very important in staying fit and energetic. Cycling enhances cardiovascular functioning and hence brings about a sense of well being.

To begin cycling for weight loss, all you need is a bike and a bike helmet. It is also advisable to keep handy a bike pump and spare tubes. To protect yourself from the sun carry a pair of sunglasses and keep a water bottle with you to quench your thirst and prevent dehydration.

Submitted by N on July 12, 2011 at 01:39

 

Benefits of Riding Cycle

You mean riding a bicycle, right? Of course, cycling down the road helps in decreasing weight. Cycling uses the legs, which are the major muscle groups, thereby providing an array of benefits. An enjoyable way of reducing weight is to ride the bicycle. Serious conditions, namely hypertension and obesity and heart disease are benefitted by cycling. Balance and coordination are also improved by cycling. It helps in enhancing the psychological health. It improves the general well being.

Cycling is an effective aerobic exercise. A feeling of freshness is also associated cycling. Regular cycling exercise in the elderly reduces their risk of fracture. Strength and agility are seen to be associated with cycling. Cycling exercise is apt for any age group of individuals. A significant fitness gain is seen along with weight loss by cycling. It is an easy to perform exercise, as it is devoid of weights and fails to affect the joints. It is weight loss without pain.

Research reveals a 5 per cent reduction in cholesterol, 3-7 per cent increase in cardiac fitness and 3 per cent reduction in body weight. It burns around 300 calories per hour. Combined with dietary restriction, the effect is much better and beneficial.
Submitted by E L on April 6, 2008 at 07:52

 

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