Fat Buring Zone Myth

[Dogmama]

This is an interesting article that debunks the fat burning zone myth.

http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0895.htm

If it is a bit too technical, skip down to the summary to get the main parts of the article.

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks for sharing!

Now I see clearly why I have put on a few lbs. since cutting back on my cycling rather drastically due to riding the trainer instead of doing group rides after work; and riding fewer miles and with less intensity on the weekends, due to the weather, a bad case of tendinitis, and "gearing down" at the end of the season. I'm eating less to compensate (or so I thought), but not enough less or I wouldn't be gaining. My metabolism must have slowed quite a bit since I'm not doing the high-intensity workouts at the moment.

Emily

[han-grrl]

You have to remember, that the fat burning zone was probably created for a lazy population that doesn't exercise period, let alone with any intensity. although the fat burning zone is a myth, i give it merit since it motivates someone who doesn't exercise to start exercising. We all love riding here, and couldn't imagine how someone WOULDN'T want to. But as a trainer, i see this daily. Most people - HATE exercising. i am like the dreaded dentist (no offense to dentists).

i think most people are too obsessed whether or not they are burning fat or not. The fact is, you WILL burn fat. The unfortunate fact is, despite burning fat, fat cells shrink but don't disappear. (hence the little tummy that never seems to go away). So what! Focus on the process i say. Focus on staying healthy and having fun. Enjoy the ride, ride hard, ride easy and ride whereever!

My two cents!

hannah

[pedalfaster]

Interesting reading, thanks for posting.

When they talk about fat-burning, I'm not sure what duration they are talking about. I mean lets say you are in zone 2 with occasional bursts into zone 3...but for like 6-12 (or 24 for the endurance freaks..) hours. How can the body not burn fat? As anyone who has participated in endurance events knows, it's difficult to take in enough calories in that situation.

As someone else pointed out, I think the theory is geared toward sedentary people who only want to "work out" ~30 minutes per day.

I do agree that the shorter the workout; the harder the effort!

One thing that has always stymied me. I seem to be "backwards". I don't build "base" in the winter. I tend to do short, hard workouts when the weather is nasty (30-60 minute runs, 30-40 minutes on the trainer, 30 minute swims etc etc). I end up doing a lot intervals. I only get long, slow distance when the weather turns balmy and I really really *want* to be on the bike for 4+ hours.

Anyone else experience this paradox???

[Dogmama]

You burn fat all day long, even while sleeping. So, techically, you're always in "the fat burning zone."

Assume the theory that losing fat is about energy in vs energy out. You want to use more energy than you're taking in.

Intense interval workouts burn more total calories (given roughly the same length of time - say 30 minutes on a treadmill.) Additionally, according to this author, you burn more calories post-workout after doing intense exercise.

Hann-girl - you're so right. I forget that most of the population would rather have a root canal than a step class (how's that for a visual?) Maybe it's good. Imagine the bike lanes crowded with beginners weaving in & out...

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

[Roadrunner]

Originally posted by Dogmama
This is an interesting article that debunks the fat burning zone myth.

http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0895.htm

If it is a bit too technical, skip down to the summary to get the main parts of the article.

I guess that means I wont have to invest in one of those heart moniter thingys then. Does it?

[Veronica]

That depends on what kind of riding and training you're doing. On a long ride - 200 K with lots of climbing, I use my heart rate monitor to keep me in the 65 - 70% range.

V.