Joel1234

I read an article the otherday. It was suprising. It said that doing intervals is a good way to lose belly fat! So your not just burning fat in your legs....does this sound right? Can you really lose belly fat from doing intervals?

knotty

I think you lose fat from all over the body when you workout. I find rides in the 5-7 hour range really makes a noticeable dent in the fat deposits for me.

knotty

Machka 

You burn calories when you exercise. If you burn enough calories, your body starts mobilizing your fat stores from all over your body ... not just from one location.

Another way to word this might be ... you cannot spot reduce by exercising one particular area of your body.

MattyNJ

bf burns from the extremities inward.....picture fat loss like a pond draining from the bottom!, you 1st notice the edges receding, but it seems to take forever for that last puddle at the bottom drain......IOW, the last to go is the spare tire unfortunatley.

Just keep doing cardio.....

robdac

Calories in - Calories out = weight gain or loss. Believe me, I've unsuccessfully tried to find an easier way around this simple formula for a long time.

Any exercise, intervals, cardio, walking, or long rides will all lead to "belly fat" loss (and fat loss all over your body) if you limit intake.

I've found that I can put more calories IN with a teaspoon than I can exercise OUT with a steam shovel. Probably the best quote I've ever read on BF was "hunger is the feeling fat makes when it leaves my body."

JoelS

In that case, it's draining out of me! I'm hungry all the time.

I cut intake and started cycling about 3 months ago now. Down 19 pounds as of yesterday am. Didn't check today.

BloomBikeShop

It's true, but misleading (like most headlines are.)

If you have been doing intervals long enough to burn off every extra bit of fat from your arms, legs, face, etc., then yes, intervals will burn off belly fat.

pista

I don't know what fat you have to burn off but if you do train regularily and do 1 century per month, you will get rid of all you belly fat. The long rides, 4-6 hours, really burn that spare tire off. But you have to work at it. I'm flat as board from cycling - no boring gym stuff like lifting weights, etc. God I hate lifting weights, I rather dig a ditch for a mile before I start lifting those stupid weights.

After your rides don't feel like you are entitled to carton of ice cream.......................................just eat a normal dinner. And no snacks. Sometimes, after a long ride I don't even feel like eating at all. If I miss my dinner, I don't bother with it. I'll have it tomorrow.

slickyricky

Bicycling does a better job at toning the entire abdominals that sit ups or crunchs. Just keep biking and you'll be shredded in no time granted you dont pig out on refined foods.

humboldt'sroads

The hardest part for me was to start seeing food as fuel, and no more than that. I eat constantly throughout the day (like every 2-4 hours) but rationed out appropriately, more calories when I need them, and the right food at the right time (there are varying opinions on this matter). Very important: keep the binges under control. They'll happen, but try to binge on healthier stuff, and pig out on fruit and veggies. Foods high in fiber and water fill you up since they've got a high volume to calorie ratio.

Personally, I try to avoid fatty foods and sugars at night and go heavy on carbs and protein in the morning. I'd advise against skipping meals though, your body has a much easier time processing your food if you're fairly regular about your eating patterns.

As has been stated, get in those long rides, since you're burning your fat reserves after a couple hours of riding has depleted your muscle glycogen. I have found the longer rides to be much more effective in dropping pounds. Do your intervals to improve your power and endurance, making your long rides faster and easier. I also am a fan of light free weights and a quick ab circuit and some stuff with a big ball - riding and ab work complement each other quite well. If you're really serious about becoming a Jedi, circle an olympic or sprint triathlon on the calendar to train for, but there's a discussion for another day.

Recess

I've never heard that before - could you expand on the reasoning? Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but I don't feel as though I get an ab workout from my cycling.... I shall, however, pay more attention to what's going on down there on my ride home tonight.

J

UtahWasatch

+1

However, after each ride I try to find a little more time to stretch, do some planks, sit-ups, etc. to work on core strength

avmanansala

First place on, last place off. Intervals will help, but as everyone else has stated, it will burn fat all over.

Hobartlemagne 

? That doesnt make sense. Cycling doesnt use ab flexing movements like situps.