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Rosanna
New Member
| Joined: | 28 December 2005 |
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| Posts: | 11 |
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Posted: 4 January 2006 11:57 pm |
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Bicycling. I know this post may seem really silly to some of you, but for me, it is a new endeavor. I weigh nearly 300 pounds and doing the whole bicycling thing has always been something I've avoided. However, it is something I want to start doing, but as I've never really dabbled in the "art" of bicycling in regards to my constant challenge to lose weight, I know little about key elements behind it.
So, I come to you all for input. Here soon, I will be purchasing myself and my teenage daughter bikes. My goal is for us both to start bicycling on a regular basis.
In my head ;) I plan out 3 evenings a week to begin with and then up it to 4 after 2-3 weeks, then to 5 days a week in another 2-3 weeks...etc...until we are doing it on a daily basis. Is this a good method?
What about time frames? Is there a certain length of time that is optimal to start with, work up to, and then remain? (FYI: McKaty Trail will be our terrain)
 Any input you all may have on this form of exercise would be great!!
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LoveMyself
New Member
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Posted: 14 September 2006 04:52 am |
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hi rosanna,
i am very late with posting but i am a new member :)
i think bicycling is an excellent form of calorie burning. i looked it up with peter's calorie calculator for activities and it burns quite a few calories per hour. i am into stationary biking and am looking into going to the gym SPECIFICALLY to ride the bike. all i want to do right now is drop excess pounds, not focus on tone or muscle tightening.
i am also trying to get some information on cycling as a main form of exercise...any help WOULD be appreciated!
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clarinetgurl
Moderator
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Posted: 14 September 2006 05:33 am |
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Wow, that's sad that this was posted four months ago and never got a response...
clarinetgurl
Oh, and I don't know, I hope someone reads this who would have a good answer.
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exfatguy
Member
| Joined: | 27 April 2005 |
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| Posts: | 22 |
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Posted: 29 September 2006 08:07 pm |
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I originally lost all of my weight by jogging, but I wanted to break up my routine a little. So I started cycling. I can actually burn more calories cycling over running. The simple reason being that I can do it longer. Don't get me wrong, if you think you're just going to pedal at a snails pace, the benefit will be less. But if you go at a pace where you're breathing is increased, you can take little breathers (30 seconds) along the way that that will help you go longer. The heart rate monitor is the best way to gage this, but thats another story. A bike, helmet, and bike computer are one of the best recipes for weight loss I know. Don't let that "bike computer" scare you, they are very inexpensive. CPH's bicycle calculator was so instrumental in my calorie counting, that if I knew then what I know now, I would have paid to use it. Once you start calculating your rides, you'll find yourself thinking " well if I just go a little faster and a little longer I will burn this many calories". I'm sorry to go on so long, but I actually get excited when I hear someone take up cycling because I think it is one of best kept secrets of weight loss and management. Good luck.
Exfatguy
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nevd
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 12 October 2006 03:21 pm |
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Cycling on the road is less 'exercising' than in a gym, because you can freewheel down gradients.
That said, it's a good form of exercise, for the lower body and the circulatory system.
Can you cycle to work? I do - 30 minutes each way, so that's an hour's exercise without worry. Could your daughter cycle to school?
As I mentioned, it's good for only the lower body. You should also consider a weight program to condition your upper body.
Or if you want an all-over exercise, elliptical machines and Nordic ski machines are great - but they can't beat that fresh-air, outdoor feeling.
Keep us posted on how things go. You might inspire others...
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Greg_ny1
New Member
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Posted: 12 October 2006 07:12 pm |
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I agree with exfatguy. I myself was into running to lose weight then added bicycling to mix it up. Now I use the bike way more then I run because I burn more calories. Another great thing about biking at least in my case is that it breaks down the body much less then running therefor I can bike a lot longer. In other words recovery time is reduced. Cycling definatly works when you constantly push yourself but doesnt if you cycle like a "daydreamer" cyclist.
Good luck
Greg
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exfatguy
Member
| Joined: | 27 April 2005 |
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| Posts: | 22 |
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Posted: 12 October 2006 09:08 pm |
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Nevd,
I have to comment on your statement about road cycling vs a stationary bike. Yes, it is true that you can coast down a hill, but where there's a downhill, there is usually an uphill. The extra effort expended going uphill should nullify the rest you get going downhill. There is also one other thing that always bothers me when someone tells me the speed they maintain while on a stationary bike, and that is that they don't have a wind factor in their face to contend with. Even if there is no wind blowing at all, you are creating wind just from movement alone. Peddling at say an 18 mph pace is the same as having an 18 mph wind blowing in your face while standing still. I'm not trying to nit picky about it, but wind sure can be a significant factor when exercising outdoors. Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Exfatguy
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nevd
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 13 October 2006 09:19 am |
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Can't argue with that - except to point out that it's not always windy, some people live in flat areas...
I'd never knock bicycling, but I know that the training effect that I got from 30 minutes on my road bike set up on a resistance wheel was greater than double that out on the open road. But that's fitness, rather than calorie burning, I agree.
I hope nobody read my post as being in any way anti-cycling (or is that anti-cyclone?).
And, in case Peter wades in, I already thought of the 'anti-climax' one!
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potbelliedkiln
New Member
| Joined: | 22 August 2007 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 6 |
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Posted: 22 August 2007 02:03 pm |
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| I bike too, but walking maybe one day a week is a good idea too. It's good to mix it up. Maybe get a set of those 3lb weights, to hold while walking. Do what you can, don't give up, you will see the difference! You can build on your routine as time goes on. The key is that you make it your "routine", stick with it. Make it your lifestyle. Decide it's who you are. Once you decide it's who you are, and not a chore, your headed in the right direction! It's a mind set. Wear your helmets and stay safe, and happy biking!
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Kevoh
New Member
| Joined: | 10 September 2007 |
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| Posts: | 1 |
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Posted: 10 September 2007 03:29 pm |
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For me, buying a mountain bike was one of the best decisions I have ever made. While in college in the 90s, I used to cycle to class, library, place of work etc. On top of that, I used to swim 4 hours a week during term time. I weighed a maximum of 150 lbs (which is average for a 5’ 7”man), until I graduated in the year 2000.
I began full time employment in software development, hence I was seated all day. I didn’t replace my college bike and kept postponing it until next summer. Next summer came and went 5 times and by then I added 60 lbs and weighed 210 lbs in June 2006. That’s when ‘next summer’ finally arrived and bought a cheap mountain bike (Spent $350 on the bike, bike clothes, shoes, pump, 2 new tires over the next 12 months).
I hadn’t been on a bike for 6 yrs, so I first started out on an hour a day 3 times a week. By October 06, I had gotten that up to 6 hrs a week. I also changed my diet, eating more fibre, fruits and veg. I now eat less take away, very little Pizza, chocolate, chocolate chip cookies, ice cream etc.
In Nov – Feb, I could only cycle during the weekend, so I cycled 3 hrs on Sat and 2 hrs on Sunday, even if it was rained! I also reduced my junk food intake. By March 2007, I had lost 55 lbs. My weight now fluctuates btwn 155 and 160 lbs, while cycling 5 hrs a week.
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abjamison
New Member
| Joined: | 12 October 2006 |
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| Posts: | 19 |
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Posted: 24 December 2007 07:42 pm |
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Most of my weight loss was from using a stationary bike, it was just to convienant compared to going outside. I could hop on do what I could and get back off and it was easy to work up my stamina over a period of time with it.
I have a question though, my father is currently walking, but he can't walk enough to loose any weight. His back and legs give out on him before long and he just can't continue. He walks some every day, but he can't increase his time or distance.
He has tried the stationary bike I have, but finds it very uncomfortable. (It's one with the upper body part and a very hard/sharp seat and he's over 300lbs)
I am considering getting a recumbant that looks alot more comfortable with a big seat with a back and what looks like a less stressful positioning. Does anyone have any experience with specific models of recumbant bikes they would recommend?
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Peter
Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Posted: 25 December 2007 05:51 am |
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abjamison,
I can't address your questions, but wanted to comment... At 300 pounds, walking at 4 mph for a whole hour your dad would burn under 700 calories. That's good, and exercise is GREAT. But just be sure he knows that exercise isn't the answer to weight loss... just an important part of it.
Generally the most significant aspect is how many calories you eat.
My point is just that I don't want him to become discouraged because he can't exercise and give up!
Nice that you are concerned for him,
Peter
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Lucky Me
Senior Member
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Posted: 31 December 2007 08:55 pm |
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| Hi, I'm brand new; today is my first day, actually, so I probably shouldn't be complaining about anything. However....... When I looked at the calculator for biking, I was surprised to find that unless you maintained (or averaged?) 11 mph, you couldn't use it. It's hard to average 11 mph if you're riding around town, and maybe some of the really heavy, or new-to-exercising people can't do that either. Couldn't the calculator start down around 8 mph? Just a thought!
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Peter
Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Posted: 1 January 2008 12:30 am |
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If you look at the Calories Burned/Activity Calculator, you'll see that the lowest speed listed is 10-11.9, which averages to be 11 mph. That's where the data comes from.
In other words, I don't have any calories burned data for under 11 mph.
You could just use the Activity Calculator, but everyone doesn't know how fast they are going. So I created the Bicycling Calculator so you could just enter the distance you went and the time it took if you didn't know your average speed.
Sorry about that!
Peter
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Lucky Me
Senior Member
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Posted: 5 January 2008 03:20 pm |
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Peter, thanks for the reply you gave. I ride my bicycle all over town, not just for exercise, but doing errands as well. What I was really looking for was a number of calories burned based only on my weight (127) and miles covered. (I do have a computer on my bike, but it's just a cheapie that only gives speed and mileage.) Calculating time spent riding is virtually impossible because I might hit the grocery store, the bank, and the library all in one trip. And speed? Well, there are stop signs, traffic lights, and even stopping for a breather when some jerk has almost run into me.
However, it seems to me that moving mass through space takes a certain number of calories, regardless of how fast you go. Actually, I usually figure 10 miles going pretty slow is more beneficial than 10 miles as fast as I can do it. I'm sure you already know why: YOU DON'T EAT WHILE RIDING! (I live in Florida; it's usually hot; and I suck on ice cubes while riding.)
After looking at different numbers on both the Activity Calculator and your Bicycle Calculator, I decided that 30 calories per mile should be in the ball park. What do you think?
PS - (1) You do a great job of giving replies in so many places, and (2) the only "diet soda" I drink is tonic water. It helps reduce cramps. Thanks again.
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potbelliedkiln
New Member
| Joined: | 22 August 2007 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 6 |
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Posted: 5 January 2008 04:00 pm |
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| Luckyme, I've never heard that tonic water reduces cramps. What kind of cramps are you talking about, stomach, or muscle, or both? Interesting. I don't drink anything usually but water or pure juice drinks like Just Cherry, or Just blueberry, Simply Orange. But, I might be apt to use a little tonic water if I get a cramp, sometime, esp. on a long ride. I usually bike from 30 mile trips to 50 mile trips, on a regular basis with an average of 15mph.
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clonechemist
New Member
| Joined: | 13 September 2006 |
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| Posts: | 10 |
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Posted: 5 January 2008 05:49 pm |
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Luckyme:
It is NOT true that biking the same distance will burn the same number of calories regardless of the average speed maintained. Why is this? Well, the force of wind resistance does not increase linearly. At lower speeds (say up to about 10 mph), the major force you're pushing against when biking is the friction in your wheels, which is basically a function of your weight. At higher speeds, however, wind resistance is the major force you're pedaling against, and it increases exponentially (ie at higher speeds a 10% increase in speed may require a 20% increase in calories expended). Cycling at a higher speed will have the added bonus of increasing your cardiovascular fitness, actually making it easier to burn more calories in the future! I bike to school too though, and I realize you might not want to work up a tremendous sweat when you're out running errands.
As for calculating calories, have you considered a bike computer? You could get one for about $20, and it would help you to calculate the avg speed and distance for each leg of a multi-errand trip. It would take a little work, ie recording distances and speeds, but it should be more accurate than using an "X calories per Y miles biked" type formula.
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Lucky Me
Senior Member
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Posted: 6 January 2008 05:54 am |
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Hi Potbelliedkiln
What do people call you for short? Surely not the obvious!
Tonic water contains quinine, which used to be a specific for cramps. My cramps are usually in the calf muscles or feet. I find that a glass of diet tonic water before bed makes getting cramps at night less common. Actually, I'm not a biker; I'm a tennis player who happens to enjoy bicycle riding and the calories it burns. I think the cramps are more caused by playing tennis than biking, but if you get them, you could give it a try.
I'm not in your class for biking speed. Sometimes I go to a bike trail, where I just putt along at 12-14 mph, and enjoy the wooded scenery, looking for wildlife, and (don't tell).....breakfast in the middle of the 35-mile ride.
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Lucky Me
Senior Member
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Posted: 7 January 2008 04:44 am |
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Hi clonechemist,
Thanks for the message you posted. I agree with everything you said. Sometimes I use the Bicycling Calculator, when I ride on a trail or somewhere that it's possible for me to keep track of the time and distance. as well as to ride over the 11 mph that is the minimum for the Bicycling Calculator. Do some of the better bike computers use a weight input and calculate calories expended? Hmmmm........I have to see about that. I guess there's no reason they couldn't do that. Equipment at the gym (treadmills, stair steppers) do.
But, for today, the 12 miles I rode around town will have to go down as 360 calories. It would be interesting to me to see how far off that is.
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nevd
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 7 January 2008 11:08 am |
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Very few (if any) of the bike computers can assess effort. They measure things like cadence and time.
If you go out on a windy day to cycle, you might have a faster pedalling speed because you've adjusted the gears to suit. You might have to pedal so hard that you sweat twice as much as usual.
To the computer, you've pedalled a bit faster and perhaps taken a bit longer for the ride. But I'd be surprised if it really allowed for the effort that the wind resistance had cost you.
(Of course, I'm ready to be shot down in flames if technology has moved on recently).
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cportwine
Member
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Posted: 21 April 2008 02:42 pm |
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I am so glad I found this before going out and buying a bike computer. I have started to bike and wanted to know allot of the things posted here. I think I will just get a cheapy mile and distance thing to put on my bike and just go bye how I feel.
Say, I do 10mils and I don't feel tried, then I will keep going untill I feel I have had a good workout. Then I will continue to do the same amount after that.
I don't know, it sounds like a plan. What do you all think?
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