Cycling or running for weight loss, fat busting and general wellbeing?

[NinjagoNinja]

I'm not great at running. I mean, I can do it (who can't?) but I have to stop frequently, I have little stamina. Plus my pelvic floor doesn't like it and I worry it's bad for the knees.

How about cycling? Is it as effective? I reckon I go for miles without stopping on a bike.

Do all one of them... Triathlon

Studies say that swimming is bad for weight loss.

Swimming is great for a variety of reasons, but yes it seems that the cooler controlled body temperature is less effective at burning energy/ calories than getting hot and sweaty in other cardio workouts.

I agree that the best thing is what you enjoy and want to do.

I happen to love running. Traffic and getting up hills scares me off cycling!

I certainly want to eat everything in the house after swimming 2km.

I've just done a 7 mile run & burnt 809 calories. I've never had trouble with my knees but plenty do. Try a spin class, if you get a good instructor you'll work very hard & burn lots of calories. Swimming makes me hungry, apparently it's the cold water. I did my first triathlon last year & I loved it!

I just think find a exercise which you enjoy & be consistent. You can't outexercise a bad diet though, as I found out a few years back.

I bike 50 miles a week for work. It maintains my weight,only lose if i knuckle down with the diet. Did two weeks running and lost three pounds.

Both. Cycle to work and run for fitness

I cycle about 40-50 miles a week. It helps me maintain my weight. When I'm motivated I also run several times a week too. Again, helps me maintain. The only way I lose weight is if I deal with my eating and ditch the chocolate etc. I definitely agree the 80% diet 20% exercise is right. Exercise alone will keep you fit and change your shape, but if you're overweight, you need to think about what you're putting inside your body too.

I joined This Mum Runs. I tried doing couch to 5K and kept giving up but by running with other people I found I could continue. It really worked for me and I can jog lightly while chatting for up to 30 mins. It’s a great programme that builds up your stamina. My body shape has definitely changed.

Studies say that swimming is bad for weight loss.

I suppose it would be if people eat loads afterwards but it doesn't have that effect on me.

I cycle every day and I don't think it does anything much to burn fat. Running is much better, but hard on the joints.

What about weight training? Much easier to eat a sensible diet and do a hour or so of weights 4-5 times per week that it is to do the same amount of endurance exercise. I’m a keen triathlete but tbh I definitely eat back most of the calories I burn because endurance training is knackering.

Swimming is great for a variety of reasons, but yes it seems that the cooler controlled body temperature is less effective at burning energy/ calories than getting hot and sweaty in other cardio workouts.

My fit bit (and everything I have looked at online) states that I burn a bit more than 400 calories in about 45 minutes. It may not be quite as much as running a few miles but it is a lot easier on the joints.

Running I’d say, for general well-being. You might not lose weight but will gain muscle and it can be social. My pelvic floor was useless when I started running after having kids, but has improved loads. Lots of female runners (including me) wear a Tena lady pad or something just in case.

...and if you run mainly on trails as well as tarmac it’s fine for your joints. I’ve not had ANY joint problems and I don’t actually know many runners that have, except for runners knee which is a tracking thing, and rectifiable through physio exercises.

What about exercise classes? I do Zumba, cardio, HIIT, dance, Pilates and yoga. So there’s a mix of things, toning, strengthening and flexibility too. It’s also sociable, which I enjoy.

I have lost some weight, but that’s due more to low carving than exercise. I’ve dropped a dress size and toned up.

It doesn't really matter what you do as long as you burn more than you consume. Avoid lifts!

Weight loss is
90% eating less
10% doing more

You can exercise every waking hour but if you eat more than your body needs you will not lose weight.

I do both. Running is great for fitness, cycling is great for stamina and they complement each other well.

Thanks all. Yes, sadly, I am realising this is about diet far more than exercise. It's got to help though. I need to lose a stone and have zero muscle tone. Running doesn't tone you up does it? Would cycling be better for that?

Ninja
TBH for muscle tone, things like Yoga and Pilates and the shred are the very best as they work you from head to foot.
Cycling and swimming are fab for cardio
but mixing it up is key

and if you get fitter, then the butterfly that emerges from the weight loss chrysalis will look AMAZING

They both tone up your legs and bum. You could try doing a plank every day, that tones up more muscle groups

I need to lose a stone and have zero muscle tone. Running doesn't tone you up does it?

Running will tone up your legs, and your back and belly to a degree, if your posture is good, but as others have said it can be hard on the joints. I would alternate with weight training as well - weight training gives your metabolism a boost, so if you are alternating cardio with weight training then you will burn incrementally more during our cardio sessions. It's small margins but it does add up.

I've been running for 9 weeks now, averaging twice a week doing C25K. I'm much fitter than I was, but haven't lost a poound nor has my body shape changed. But I'm doing it for my heart, not my bum.

Don't forget as well that a lot of the research and general chat about exercise is focused on men. Women need to do impact exercise to stave off bone density loss. Men are more likely to not need that and are heavier so likely suffer with their joints more.

I'm another one who hasn't so far had joint issues. The odd twinge of something here and there, corrected by proper form, shoes and stretching.