how many calories am I burning?

[newbiechick]

I am now a yearling cyclist. I started riding in the spring last year but only rode about once a week for 10-12 miles. This year I've decided to switch my major form of physical activity from running to cycling, so I'm trying to get somewhat serious about it. For various and sundry reasons I've JUST started riding this season and am LOVING it.

I'm also hoping to drop a few pounds over the summer. I would really love to have some idea of how many calories I burn when cycling. I've looked at various websites and have seen huge differences in the numbers they quote. I understand there are a lot of variables that make it impossible to know what a particular rider on a particular bike on a particular terrain might burn. But I'd love to at least get in the ballpark. The biggest question I have about this is what difference riding on hills makes. I live in very hilly country and can't help but think (hope!!) that I burn more calories than I would if I lived in the flatlands. Can anyone give me any insight into this topic?

newbiechick (aka Shelley)
Bloomington IN

[Deanna]

This is a very simplistic formula, but for a ballpark figure I calculate about 8-9 calories a minute. I use this even for hills as it takes me longer to get up them.

[FreshNewbie]

Shelley,

If you are looking into purchasing heart rate monitor ( if you don't have one already) then get one with calorie count. I have polar F6 and it's great, it shows how many calories you burned and Fat %. Also hills will train you harder , make your muscles stronger and your CV stronger as well. On saturday i did 40 flat miles burned 1295 calories with average of 17mph, i am 5'4" and 125lbs.

[SadieKate]

Every time I see someone post a recommendation of Polar for counting calories, I feel compelled to post this link.
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ght=university

an article I found informative
http://www.active.com/story.cfm?stor...tury_challenge

[FreshNewbie]

I wish i knew it befor. Thanks SK . I guess it's time to stop eating everything I want thinking that I burned these calories on bike :-)

[caligurl]

hmmmmmm that study is 2 years old...... i would hope that polar has improved their products since then? i know i get a "better" calorie count with my f11 than i did my a5!

also.... from the different online calculators i've looked at.... compared with my polar (both the f11 and the 720i when i still had it prior to the edge)... it was a lot better reading.... as in lower.... the online ones would give, what i considered, grossly over exagerrated numbers.... i'd rather have the lower number and err on the side of burning less calories! (and don't get me started on the edge and the calories it calculates that i've supposedly burnt! i'd be such a cow if i used that as the calories i could eat!)

[newbiechick]

Thanks for all the info, folks! I feel like I can at least get a reasonable estimate now. Appreciate the help!

Shelley/newbiechick

[SadieKate]

The Ph.d grad student who gave me the article says the s720 uses the same algorithms as the model used in the study.

[caligurl]

well i use the f11 now... so does that use the same algorithm, too?

regardless..... the f11 shows me burning LESS calories than ANY online calculator and WAY less calories than the edge.... so i'm happy with it!

[Geonz]

One thing I have learned - I don't like obsessing over formulas - is that if I cycle, the appetite increase is more than the calories burned. I *want* to eat more than I've burned. So, if I want to lose weight, I have to exercise more and eat the same amount or less than when I was just maintaining the same weight, even though I wanted to eat EVERYTHING IN THE FRIDGE and the cupboards, too. (It's kicked in big since I finished my week-long ride. How many bagels and cheese can one person eat?)

[FreshNewbie]

Please explain the same thing to me! I don't ride that many miles but I am always trying to fine something to eat. Bagels with melted butter are my favorite lately, seems that without a nicely toasted whole wheat bagel with butter its impossible to start weekend morning. I never been so hungry with any other type of sport. I mean i do 3 spinning classes a week, 2 morning rides 12 miles each and ride on weekend but eat like i am in a process of doing TDF.

[madisongrrl]

http://www.stevenscreek.com/goodies/calories.shtml

I use this calculator as rough estimate...

[songlady]

I use caloriesperhour.com, they have a specific bicycling calculator. I understand these are all just estimates, but it makes me feel good to see such large numbers!

[Dogmama]

Please explain the same thing to me! I don't ride that many miles but I am always trying to fine something to eat. Bagels with melted butter are my favorite lately, seems that without a nicely toasted whole wheat bagel with butter its impossible to start weekend morning. I never been so hungry with any other type of sport. I mean i do 3 spinning classes a week, 2 morning rides 12 miles each and ride on weekend but eat like i am in a process of doing TDF.

Sometimes hunger is actually thirst. ALSO, you need protein. Bagels & butter don't give you much protein.

Plan your meals, don't raid the cupboards. Get onto FitDay (google it - it's a website) & see how many calories you're really eating - it can be an eye opener. Then, plan to eat something every 3 hours with carbs, a little fat & protein.

If you're just eating carbs, you may be experiencing a carb crash and becoming hungrier each time. Quick protein = hard boiled eggs, a small piece of cheese (both add fats too), turkey or chicken (have the deli slice 2" slices then cut it into bite size pieces for finger food during the day). You should always have a little protein with your carbs.

[FreshNewbie]

Well, I allow myself bagels only on weekends, otherwise i have whole grain cereal with low fat milk. I actually put lots of effort to have a balanced diet, of course i can slip here and there a piece of candy or a little piece of cake on weekends. The problem is that I am just constantly hungry, no matter how healthy I try to keep my diet. I don't eat large portions, combine protein and carbs, eat lots of veggies and fruits. For instance one day :

breakfast: cereal with low fat milk
lunch: salad with grilled salmon
dinner: don't eat large dinner- cottage cheese with blueberry jam
snacks: toasted almonds with cranberries , fruits