Calories used ?

[J4CKO]

I weigh 16.13 and ride 14 miles in about 50 mins, how many calories do you realitically think this uses. Fairly flat, on a Mountain bike with a backpack on

the online calcs come out with between 500 to 1200, I would say nearer the 500, possibly less. they always seem pretty generous, i think reality is different

[goldblum]

500's about right.

[AngryPartsBloke]

Uses during the workout or in the 48 hours after?

[J4CKO]

Yeah, am probably over simplifying but whatever works, am six pounds down since the start of the month. Am aiming to get 2 stone off, working on 2000 calories and finding it easier to actually keep under that, even on days when I cycle or do my Martial Arts class.

My tips

Soup is great, particularly the fresh ones, watch out for the creamy ones, a whole big container is typically 250 cals, Sainsburys Chicken Balti is fantastic.

Delay meals a bit and then you dont squeeze and extra one in at the end of the day.

Dark Chocolate is great, couple of cubes after your tea cures that need for something sweet without adding loads of calories/fat.

Porridge for Breakfast

Nuts are great but weigh them out.

Exercise, something every day, even if only a walk

[Digger]

Get yourself a Polar heart rate monitor that calculates calorie expenditure. Invaluable training aid for me.

[mattikake]

500 give or take 50 is about right. 1200kcals for that kind of ride is ridiculous. Must be an American calculator.

Get a free cardio app installed on your phone. The good ones take altitude (hill climbs) into account but nothing can really factor in wind or rolling resistance so it's always an estimate.

[Fairbridge]

Here's my MFP trace for this week. I regularly do the sorts of mileage you are describing. I didn't ride last Sunday. Look at the difference. I'd have thought that the distance you're talking about would be worth 500 Kcals on the flat and unladen. I reckon you can add another 100 for hills and luggage.

[Otispunkmeyer]

Same thing for swimming. An hour of vigorous swimming is apparently well into the 1000's

But I think for that I'd have to be sprinting flat out for everyone of the 3km or so we get in per hour.

Shame you can't really use HR monitors for swimming as even if you can get it to record reliably, that chest band ain't staying on for more than 1 length. One turn and push off and its down round your waist.

Best way I can think of is take the pulse with a finger and just try use an average to help you estimate. Its still probably wildly wrong.

[goldblum]

Otispunkmeyer said:

Same thing for swimming. An hour of vigorous swimming is apparently well into the 1000's

But I think for that I'd have to be sprinting flat out for everyone of the 3km or so we get in per hour.

An hour of vigorous swimming for most is more likely to be around 800 (Unless you weigh 15 stone and swim butterfly, furiously, for 60 mins! And if that's you - I'm impressed. ). An hour of vigorous running will only just get you into the 1000s.