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Weight loss/exercise question....

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by Steve R, Sep 13, 2006.

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  1. Steve R

    Steve R F1 Rookie
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    #1 Steve R, Sep 13, 2006
    I've been doing a fair amount of Mountain biking. In keeping true to my nature I've also been wearing a heart-rate monitor, watching the mileage, time, etc.

    In particular I've been watching my "calories burned", the unit I have takes my weight, height, age, etc into consideration. It seems to be calculating the calories burned by counting heart-beats...or so it would seem.

    My heart-rate is usually right around 130-140 and I tend to ride about 2 hours. The average ride burns, by the units calculations, 1,250 calories.

    So here's the weird thing, which I partially understand but want to see what other opinions are. We've been riding with another guy who is 10 years younger then me and 80 pounds lighter. On the exact same ride his average heart-rate is 160-170 and his calorie burn, by his similar computer, is much higher. So what's up with that????

    Some would argue that I'm in better shape and do the ride more efficiently...so perhaps that is the difference.

    But at the same time, if I told you a weight of 1,000 pounds had to be moved up a hill a set distance.....you'd agree that it would require a set amount of energy to do so. Accordingly, if I'm bigger & heavier then it would require more energy to move my 250 pounds 14.4 miles then it would require to move his 170 pounds the same distance. Right???

    I should be burning more calories because I'm moving more weight....so what do ya'll make of this? (beside some cheesy joke) :)
     
  2. 8 SNAKE

    8 SNAKE F1 Veteran

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    #2 8 SNAKE, Sep 13, 2006
    I don't really know how those monitors calculate calories burned, but lets assume that it goes off of heart rate. Do you and your friend have the same resting heart rate? It's possible that his heart will generate more beats per minute than yours under any circumstance, not just cycling. In that case, the monitor would suggest that he burns more calories than you no matter what you're doing. Perhaps (total guess) he has a higher metabolism because his higher heart rate burns more calories than you do?

    With regard to the movement of a specific amount of weight (1,000 lbs in your example), a lot depends on how efficient the process is that you use to move the weight. Pushing the weight on the ground would require a lot more energy than sliding it on wheels. I realize that both you and your friend are using the same method of movement (cycling), but there are a lot of ways to burn extra energy by riding inefficiently while covering the same amount of ground. Perhaps you are correct in assuming that you're a more efficient rider than he is.

    I look forward to hearing from others who can offer a lot more than the guesses that I am tossing out.
     
  3. davem

    davem F1 World Champ
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    #3 davem, Sep 13, 2006
    Guessing its just the inconsistencies of the diffrent model you have vs. his.
    Next time try swapping and see what happens....Like swapping ECU's from one bank to another!
     
  4. Mbutner

    Mbutner Formula 3

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    #4 Mbutner, Sep 13, 2006
    If the guy is 80 lb lighter than you and your in good shape, its just his body type. Chances are this guy never gains weight no matter what he does. Your heart rate sounds normal. Dont worry to much about it.
     
  5. tjacoby

    tjacoby F1 Rookie

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    #5 tjacoby, Sep 13, 2006
    I've been geeking out with my heart-rate stuff on the MB as well - and it's likely an exponential type graph for heart-rate vs calories burned. If you were doing the extra 30bpm average, your calorie burn would be way higher as well, if you survived :D
     
  6. Steve R

    Steve R F1 Rookie
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    #6 Steve R, Sep 13, 2006
    That is EXACTLY what it is....a mere matter of heart-rate and the thing projecting a figure based on it. The guy I ride with has an unusually high heart-rate...so it fools the unit into thinking he's ripping it up.

    There is no way he's burning more calories then me....I'm moving 80 more pounds up those hills; it just requires more energy, simple as that. Granted my cardiovascular & respiratory system are in better shape and do it more efficiently (granting the lower heart-rate)....but still, it's odd.

    Honestly, I'm a bit concerned for this fellow....he's young, fairly trim and despite biking more often, he hasn't improved or made any headway. I'm sure he'll get better soon enough, G-d forbid anybody be slower then me! :)
     
  7. tjacoby

    tjacoby F1 Rookie

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    #7 tjacoby, Sep 13, 2006
    I'm NO Expert - but maybe he's over-training? pretty common male response - pedal the heck out of our legs and beat on them some more :)

    Moving more weight doesn't necessarily mean more calories expended. A minivan today burns less fuel (calories) than 30 years ago - all about efficiency (in better shape).

    My brother's bpm are way higher than mine on a hill, but he recovers way faster, and he's way faster. and he's younger than me :(

    repeat: I'm NO expert!
     
  8. Remy Zero

    Remy Zero Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #8 Remy Zero, Sep 13, 2006

    thats not true. ur fitter. thats the fact.
     
  9. Admiral Thrawn

    Admiral Thrawn F1 Rookie

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    #9 Admiral Thrawn, Sep 14, 2006
    Just because someone is thin doesn't mean they have good cardiovascular health.

    Usually their appearance can be due to body type (fast metabolism) and diet.

    I did almost no cardio exercise for 2 years after leaving school, but didn't put on any weight. However, I'm sure my body composition changed quite a bit.


    And another point is that, assuming equal fitness, one person might be working harder than the other.
     

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