Calories Burned, Calories Earned!

Happy Fall!! I am loving the weather right now as it is perfect for outdoor activities. A cool morning run or an early evening bike ride~totally invigorating! Cardiovascular exercise is vital for our health. For those who do not like pounding the pavement running; biking is an alternative choice. When it comes to running or biking, many would think that running always burns more calories. Science tells us that to lose a pound of fat you need to burn approximately 3500 calories. That may seem like a lot, but if you make cycling or running part of your routine you'll find it easier to reach this goal than you may think. Both running and cycling burn calories at about the same rate, but the exact rate varies with your weight, speed,terrain, and resistance set on the bicycle.

Here is some valuable information I gathered from an article.

Slow But Steady

Running at an easy 12-minute-per-mile -- or 5 mph -- pace burns the same number of calories as cycling at a slow speed of 12 to 13.9 mph. If you weigh 125 pounds, either activity will burn about 240 calories in 30 minutes. If you weigh 155 pounds then you can expect to burn 298 calories with a half-hour workout. In 30 minutes these activities will each burn about 355 calories if you weigh 185 pounds.

Moderate Pace

If you can increase your speed, you'll burn more calories. Running at a faster 10-minute-per-mile -- or 6 mph -- pace burns the same number of calories as cycling at a slightly faster speed of 14 to 15.9 mph. If you weigh 125 pounds, you can burn around 300 calories with half an hour of either cardio workout. You'll burn about 372 calories if you weigh 155 pounds, and if you tip the scales at 185 pounds you can expect to burn about 444 calories per half hour.

Plus biking is fun! We have to keep moving as we age to prevent disease. According to the American Heart Association, “Being physically active is important to prevent heart disease and stroke, the nation’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers. To improve overall cardiovascular health, we suggest at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise (or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity). Thirty minutes a day, five times a week is an easy goal to remember. You will also experience benefits even if you divide your time into two or three segments of 10 to 15 minutes per day.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/372790-cycling-vs-running-calories/

I thought this was great information. And encourage you to enjoy this weather!

I also want to encourage you to do something for yourself. A lot of people feel that they have to have a "cheat" day. I don't like the idea of calling it a cheat day. You deserve to splurge every now and then when you're working hard and hitting your goals. Calling it a cheat day makes it sound like you are disappointed or discouraged. Calling it a splurge day rewards you for setting and meeting your goals. Don't make yourself feel bad for working so hard!!!!