Is cycling any good for getting rid of a pot belly?

[vixen1700]

Since giving up the fags in December, I started eating a couple of months worth of crap like the odd McDonalds burgers , delivery pizzas and more than my fair share of Indian takeaways.

Now that nicotine replacement with fast food has ended, I've developed a pot belly which I want to get rid of, but the idea of boring gym stuff doesn't really rock my boat.

Just got an email from my Mrs. about a decent bike for sale locally at a good price, and I'd much prefer a couple of miles of cycling round the country roads where I live than going to a gym.

Is cycling a good way of getting rid of a fat stomach, as that's the only place the dreaded fat is?

[ewenm]

You can't target certain fat stores specifically, but increasing your exercise without increasing your calorie intake will mean you burn fat from everywhere.

So the answer is "yes", but you'll become more lean all over. Of course, if you eat more because you're exercising more and are hungry then you won't see much difference.

[vixen1700]

ewenm said:

Of course, if you eat more because you're exercising more and are hungry then you won't see much difference.

I don't gorge myself and generally eat very healthily, it's just been the cigarette substitutes in the early part of the year that have put the pounds on.

[prand]

Yes it's a very good way (you don't see many pot bellied pros eh?!), as there is little impact on joints like jogging, but like anything you need to work at it to lose weight!

In my experience, weight loss works best when you build up to do long rides of no less than 45 mins, making sure your heartrate is raised to a manageable level - you should be breathing hard, but not so much you can only manage 20 mins at an unsustainable sprint so and collapse in a heap after a couple of miles.

I lost between 1.5 stones (I weighed 12 stone when I started) training for the South Downs Way - I was going out 1-2 days a week over 5 months building up to 8-10 hours a time, covering 60-80 miles off road.

However, I also seem to manage to keep the belly at bay by cycling to work (14 miles round trip on a flatish route) a couple of times a week. I do seem to get the cycle commuter racing syndrome and really push it - always trying to beat my 22 min record so it's not a gentle pedal into the office!

Edited by prand on Thursday 19th May 11:17

[RRS_Staffs]

Bit of a thread resurrection
I was surfing 'health' looking for something else

Cycling and fat blokes then huh???

Well 5y ago I weighed 90kg
I ate and drank like a 20y old but with a young family did no exercise
One morning I saw a mate on a bike and joined some other (new) pals for a Sunday morning jolly
Nothing too stiff, we ride for about 90 mins and exchange poor quality jokes

Initially after each ride I had a bath and was too stiff to get out unaided
But after a while it got easier
So much so that I also went out for a 90 minute ride mid week

In 6-9 months I was easily back under 80kg

Unfortunately I got the bug and now get out a bit more and harder
At Christmas I was 76kg
Im currently training to ride in the Alps in 3 weeks
My weight today is 72kg

WIthout cycling it would have gone way beyond 90 - easily

But but but you really need some motivation
Better still a mate to chase
Spinning round on your own for 20 mins without sweating will be a start but in my opinion it has to hurt

Go for it - and good luck

cheers

[Mojooo]

As long as you call it cycling and not spinning.

[mcelliott]

RRS_Staffs said:

Im currently training to ride in the Alps in 3 weeks

What part of the Alpes are you going to?

[RRS_Staffs]

I am cycling from Modane to Alpe D'Huez, over the Col du Telegraphe and Galibier, on closed roads against a time limit

For the non cyclists here every year the Tour de France open up one of the stages to anyone with 50 Euros, a grasp of basic French and a quick mouse finger!

This year there are 2 and its one of the Alpine stages which the pro's go through a few days later for me
Im told the atmosphere is pretty good and inexplicably the Frenchies come out to cheer the 9000 people mad enough to do it
Last year 30% DNF'd so Im moderately scared but compared to where I was 5y ago Id just never have imagined doing this

[Ordinary_Chap]

RRS_Staffs said:

I am cycling from Modane to Alpe D'Huez, over the Col du Telegraphe and Galibier, on closed roads against a time limit

For the non cyclists here every year the Tour de France open up one of the stages to anyone with 50 Euros, a grasp of basic French and a quick mouse finger!

This year there are 2 and its one of the Alpine stages which the pro's go through a few days later for me
Im told the atmosphere is pretty good and inexplicably the Frenchies come out to cheer the 9000 people mad enough to do it
Last year 30% DNF'd so Im moderately scared but compared to where I was 5y ago Id just never have imagined doing this

I like success stories and I'm sure you'll finish it! 30% DNF isn't bad for any endurance event!

Oh and let us know how you get on! Posting a new thread with some pictures would be awesome!

Keep up the good work!

[mcelliott]

RRS_Staffs said:

I am cycling from Modane to Alpe D'Huez, over the Col du Telegraphe and Galibier, on closed roads against a time limit

For the non cyclists here every year the Tour de France open up one of the stages to anyone with 50 Euros, a grasp of basic French and a quick mouse finger!

This year there are 2 and its one of the Alpine stages which the pro's go through a few days later for me
Im told the atmosphere is pretty good and inexplicably the Frenchies come out to cheer the 9000 people mad enough to do it
Last year 30% DNF'd so Im moderately scared but compared to where I was 5y ago Id just never have imagined doing this

I guess you must mean this stage below...



Hmmmm, Telegraphe, Galibier and Alpe d'Huez. Hope you don't forget your climbing legs! I arrive around the same time, I'm staying at the bottom of Alpe d'Huez for two weeks to watch the stage as well as racking up a few miles on my bike. Some brilliant training rides to be had in the area.

Good luck with your ride.