Question: Can I loose my pudgy belly from cycling alone?

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Answer #1:

Cycling is a cardiovascular work out. You will lose a little fat all over, tone leg muscles and naturally build the cardiovascular system. It will not give you 6 pack abs. For that, it's time to do some exercises aimed specifically at the stomach muscles. Yeah...I know - the dreaded sit-up.

Answer #2:

Cycling is one of the best ways to exercise the heart.
Cycling burns calories. Eating puts calories in the body. Exercise more, eat less reduces the amount of fat on your body. Yes this includes abdominal fat. But that layer is the thickest so will be the last to leave.
Any working of the abs is good along with any other type of weight training. More muscle will burn more calories. Burning calories is good. Strong muscles is very good.
But, cycling does not work the abs, so you are forced to do the dreaded sit-ups.
Good Luck

Answer #3:

What the above said. The sit ups won't make you lose any fat, the point is if you make your ab muscles stronger they'll show through better once you lose fat via cycling.

But you don't have to do sit ups. If you have any sort of bar you can hang from or high paralell surfaces you can support yourself up on, you can do a jacknife, which is MUCH more pleasant as you don't have to lift your neck

Answer #4:

Loosing weight comes from burning calories. Any exercise burns calories, but cycling does it without impact, so its easiest on the body and most suitable for long term plans (swimming is the only thing with the same benefits).

But sorry, the average person burns around 35 calories per mile. A 10 mile ride is going to burn about 350 calories. A McDonald's cheeseburger has 300 calories. Ignoring all the other health benefits (cardio, strength, etc.), not eating that burger has the same benefit, weightloss-wise.

However, don't ignore those other benefits. In addition to looking better, they will make you FEEL better. Just include a diet that keeps you aware of how many calories you need a day (1500-2000), how many you're consuming and how many you are burning.

Awareness and constant vigilance is the only guarantee for weight loss.

Oh, and screw sit-ups, cycling doesn't build your abs (or much of your upper body, for that matter) but it does tone everything above the waist.

Answer #5:

You can not spot reduce so sit ups will only build ab muscles. Cycling is a great way to lose weight but it will take a while to build up your endurance so you can go longer. Diet is very important because you can out eat any amount of cycling that you can do. Start out with a 10 min warm up and then start pedaling at 70-90 rpm's in a gear that is easy to spin. That uses your slow twitch muscles that use fat as a fuel. Ride short distances at first to get use to the saddle increase the distance as you feel you can. Climb hills is a fast way to lose weight climb as high as you can and then come back down.

Get a heart rate monitor it will help keep you in the correct fat burning zone. Cycling is great for the heart my resting heart rate is down to 42 in the morning. I have see it as low as 38. I have a lot more energy to go other things.

Answer #6:

Henry

You got it! Diet and exercise are the key issues you need to address. Cycling is a great cardio exercise. Second only ti sunning. But, it is low impact so it does not take its toll on your knees, ankles, hips, of spine. So really great for your heart. And, depending on where you live can be done all year long. If not in your area you need to develop a second program for the off months. Lastly, you need to do it regularly. A minimum of 1 hour per ride. So plan you days carefully.

You cannot 'spot' reduce or body sculpt. You lose weight evenly all over. You can add an exercise program targeting you stomach and arms (and is a good idea) because they do not get much out of cycling. It will get your upper body in the same shape as the lower from cycling.

Congratulations on your decision. I too saw that the lifestyle my father led was NOT the way I wanted to live. My father could not run as long as I could remember. He was over weight, unhealthy. He died of a major coronary crisis at 67. I am approaching that age quickly now .... I run and ride, even referee soccer games for youth and adult leagues. So far no major health issues coming my way.

You are not too old to reverse the problems that you are starting to see. You can do this!

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