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Swimming or cycling?

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Swimming or cycling?

Old 05-18-11, 11:01 PM
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Swimming or cycling?

Hi,
Summer is coming and it is the time to lose weight every year for me.
In the past years, I prefer to swim. But this year, some friends suggest me to go cycling. It seems cool. But will cycling help with losing weight? What parts of body will it affect, legs?

I would like to buy the cycling wear. Where do you suggest? I found some websites on the websites. But the prices are so different. It is so cheap at this website and it provides free shipping, https://prettyimpress.com/discount-cl...-clothing.html. Has anyone bought from it? What shoes are required, normal sports shoes? Can you suggest a website?

Any suggestions are appreciate.
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Old 05-18-11, 11:08 PM
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Do both...
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Old 05-18-11, 11:16 PM
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Clothing isn't really a big deal. I bike everyday in heavy cotton clothing and jeans.

To the Thread Question:

I find swimming to be more boring and you won't burn as much weight. I lost 100+ lbs biking and eating a little less. If you're loosing weight only during summer, that sounds like you either aren't eating correctly in the colder seasons or aren't as active.

The best way to loose weight is to change your eating habits, fast food and soda, then workout. Don't think that if you walked to the store, that's a workout. You need to forcefully workout and call that a workout everyday. After you loose weight a bit and you won't loose another pound, then you change your diet drastically and go low carb and low fat.

Just my two cents.

If you want to buy cycling clothing, I would say to go to a local sports shop to try on the clothing.

Or you can find alternatives to this.

I like a a thin, long shirt that's brightly colored, nice fitting and not baggy shorts, long socks that you can sacrifice to only biking because of the chain oil rub. it depends on what pedals you're using for a shoe type.

If you're using clipless, that's a give in.
If you're using toe clips and straps, you can use anything that will fit into them. I would go with a stiffer walking shoe
If your platform, stiffer with less give on the sides is nice.

Remember, loose the weight, and keep it off. Good luck!
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Old 05-18-11, 11:49 PM
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They are both great exercises and you can get a great workout with either. The advantage that cycling has over swimming is that most people can do it longer which will burn more calories. There are people that enter 24 hour cycling events, few people could swim for that long.

As others have said, losing weight is more about diet than exercise. You want to exercise to strengthen your cardiovascular system which will improve your quality of life.

Since you are new to cycling, I wouldn't buy on line because you don't what you like. Go to a sporting good store or bike shop. If you have a Performance Bike near you that would be a good choice.

Last edited by Carbon Unit; 05-19-11 at 01:32 AM.
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Old 05-19-11, 01:10 AM
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Many thanks to the replies.
I did go to the nearby shop. But they are so expensive. Out of my budget.
I think maybe I will try with my normal sports wear this coming weekend.

Last edited by bettybryan; 05-19-11 at 02:02 AM.
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Old 05-19-11, 01:27 AM
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Start running too.......
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Old 05-19-11, 02:05 AM
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Originally Posted by bettybryan
Many thanks to the replies.
I did go to the nearby shop. But they are so expensive. Out of my budget.
I think maybe I will try with my normal sports wear this coming weekend.
That should put you back in the pool very quickly..
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Old 05-19-11, 02:06 AM
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Hi. When you say running. Do you mean running on a machine, playground or just surround the street? I feel embarrassed when I run on the street.
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Old 05-19-11, 03:10 AM
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If loosing weight is your goal, may I suggest, lifting weights (increase metabolism + minimize muscle loss due to caloric deficit) and diet (most important, caloric deficit) - best way to lose weight.

And you will look the best through, IMO. And NO you will not get "big" just by lifting.. head over to the bodybuilding.com forums, there is an immense amount of information there on weight loss.

Nutrition videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc-fiFZf-XI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6u19Z0BSAI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK97QsPmKzA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SKtj9m_pFs
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Old 05-19-11, 03:24 AM
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swim on days when it's too hot to ride
ride on days when it's too cold to swim

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Old 05-19-11, 04:41 AM
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Originally Posted by lwrncc
If loosing weight is your goal, may I suggest, lifting weights (increase metabolism + minimize muscle loss due to caloric deficit) and diet (most important, caloric deficit) - best way to lose weight.

And you will look the best through, IMO. And NO you will not get "big" just by lifting.. head over to the bodybuilding.com forums, there is an immense amount of information there on weight loss.

Nutrition videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc-fiFZf-XI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6u19Z0BSAI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK97QsPmKzA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SKtj9m_pFs
great videos. i like how in the 2nd video he points out that sometimes when he feels hungry, he's really just thirsty. it took me a while to figure this out too, i'd get that empty feeling in my stomach so i'd just go grab something starchy to curb my appetite, when what i really needed was a glass of water. i drink a LOT more water throughout the day now and i find myself wanting to eat much less frequently than before.
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Old 05-19-11, 06:08 AM
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I've seen some weirdly misshapen swimmers who were amazing swimmers. your choice of activity isn't what matters. what matters is your compliance and style. anyone can waste time doing anything. also, you're too late to lose weight for the summer. plan ahead and get into a routine now so that next winter you can lose weight for next summer. I would suggest alternating between running; swimming; cycling and weight training. if you're not motivated don't bother. be patient. day by day; week by week; month by month; year by year you will improve and see results. don't give up even if you have a bad day; week; month or year. I'm in the middle of a horrendous year and am really depressed but I'm not giving up.
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Old 05-19-11, 11:49 AM
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Originally Posted by bettybryan
Hi,
Summer is coming and it is the time to lose weight every year for me.
This sounds troubling.
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Old 05-19-11, 12:17 PM
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Originally Posted by bettybryan
In the past years, I prefer to swim. But this year, some friends suggest me to go cycling. It seems cool. But will cycling help with losing weight? What parts of body will it affect, legs?
Legs and heart (cardio-vascullar system). Also, cycling will affect your upper body because it will atrophy and shrink down to nothing.

If you enjoy swimming, keep doing that, and add cycling in, too.

Wear normal clothes on the bike, at least at first. When it's warm, wear shorts. If you have any nice, soft merino wool, put that on before you head out. You'll figure out pretty quickly what's comfortable, and what isn't.
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Old 05-19-11, 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by bettybryan
Hi,
Summer is coming and it is the time to lose weight every year for me.
This is a problem. Consistency matters so whichever you choose, make it a year-round endeavor (or better yet, do both alternately). Diet is the biggest part, particularly if your weight issues are seasonal.

Weight training is beneficial--muscle tissue is more metabolically active than fat tissue and is psychologically intrinsically motivating because when you have it you don't want to see it go away.

Again, repeating much of the above by other posters, consistency and diet are key.


Now, want to use cycling to lose weight but don't have a local cyclist to walk you through the process? Read this.

Want to use swimming, since you already have experience? Do some focused practices with carefully monitored rest a la Total Immersion or SwimSmooth or a variety of other technique-focused swim courses.


But BE CONSISTENT.
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Old 05-19-11, 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by mpath
This sounds troubling.
i think the key to the OP is the following...

Originally Posted by bettybryan
I would like to buy the cycling wear. Where do you suggest? I found some websites on the websites. But the prices are so different. It is so cheap at this website and it provides free shipping, https://prettyimpress.com/discount-cl...-clothing.html. Has anyone bought from it?
smells suspiciously of an advertising troll to me
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Old 05-19-11, 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by rmr1923
smells suspiciously of an advertising troll to me
Now that I look at the site, it does seem pretty shady.... Shorts and jersey for $35? That's cheaper than nashbar even.

And on the forum seems kinda suspicious too
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Old 05-19-11, 01:33 PM
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Originally Posted by frantik
swim on days when it's too hot to ride
ride on days when it's too cold to swim

+1
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Old 05-19-11, 01:49 PM
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People usually go to the activity that they prefer, that they like the best. Try the bike riding to see if you like it. Forget about the weight thing for now, just see if you like it.

It would be wonderful for you to be able to do both and enjoy them.
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Old 05-22-11, 06:52 PM
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Originally Posted by rmr1923
i think the key to the OP is the following...



smells suspiciously of an advertising troll to me
????
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