Does effort effect calories burned?

deehovey
deehovey Posts: 14 Member
edited November 2014 in Fitness and Exercise
So, I just bought a bicycle and went on my first ride in 15 years. We rode 1.5 miles. For my boyfriend who rides on a regular basis, this was barely a warmup. For me, 150 pounds overweight, just started working out 2 weeks ago, this was a full out marathon. I had to stop to catch my breath and my heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest. An hour later my chest and lungs still burn a little. This was all out, can't go any faster or harder if I tried. Yes, I know, I'm a total weeny. I'll get better with practice and it will get easier, but this time to me it was vigorous effort. So I go to log it on MFP and he says I need to log it as leisurely pace which is less than 10 miles an hour. This was not a leisurely ride. I think the effort expended determines how many calories are burned, not how fast I'm going. Does anyone know?

Replies

  • uconnwinsnc1
    uconnwinsnc1 Posts: 902 Member
    Effort is everything in life. Whether it be with a workout, work, school, friends, family, or a loved one.

    So to answer your question, yes, effort is the main factor in calories burned. I could do a mile walk or I could do a mile being chased by a lion. The later will burn more calories. If you are saying that you were burning and your heart was pounding, it most definitely was not a leisurely ride.
  • 20yearsyounger
    20yearsyounger Posts: 1,630 Member
    uconnwinsnc1 wrote: »
    Effort is everything in life. Whether it be with a workout, work, school, friends, family, or a loved one.

    So to answer your question, yes, effort is the main factor in calories burned. I could do a mile walk or I could do a mile being chased by a lion. The later will burn more calories. If you are saying that you were burning and your heart was pounding, it most definitely was not a leisurely ride.

    [/quote]
    Your example might not be the best because if you are being chased by a lion you spend less time and it balances out. If you spent the same time running from the lion as you did walking, then yes the calories burned is more.

    oP, the missing element is how long it took you to ride 1.5 miles.if it took you 10 mins, then that's less than 10 miles an hour. Shorter is faster.
  • deehovey
    deehovey Posts: 14 Member
    It took me 19 minutes.
  • uconnwinsnc1
    uconnwinsnc1 Posts: 902 Member
    edited November 2014
    How long it took the OP doesn't matter. Time means nothing in this case. The OP said that her heart was going nuts and she was burning up and exhausted. That, by definition, is not "leisurely."
  • 20yearsyounger
    20yearsyounger Posts: 1,630 Member
    To uconnwinsc1, I take back what I said. There is a difference even if it's slight.

    Dee hobby, that pusts you at 4.7 per hour. However, with your heart rate going as fast as you said, there is probably an after burn. These are all estimates. That's a big achievement doing that being 150pounds overweight.
  • uconnwinsnc1
    uconnwinsnc1 Posts: 902 Member
    MFP's exercise logging is a bit jacked up. The word leisurely is misleading and subjective depending on the person's fitness levels. Is there way to perhaps log 1.5 miles intense biking?
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    deehovey wrote: »
    So, I just bought a bicycle and went on my first ride in 15 years. We rode 1.5 miles. For my boyfriend who rides on a regular basis, this was barely a warmup. For me, 150 pounds overweight, just started working out 2 weeks ago, this was a full out marathon. I had to stop to catch my breath and my heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest. An hour later my chest and lungs still burn a little. This was all out, can't go any faster or harder if I tried. Yes, I know, I'm a total weeny. I'll get better with practice and it will get easier, but this time to me it was vigorous effort. So I go to log it on MFP and he says I need to log it as leisurely pace which is less than 10 miles an hour. This was not a leisurely ride. I think the effort expended determines how many calories are burned, not how fast I'm going. Does anyone know?

    Effort affects perceived exertion, but not necessarily calories. Calories expended is determined by two things: workload (not "effort", but actual measurable work) X body weight.

    If your fitness level is low, then working at a low workload might feel very strenuous, but, if you weigh the same as a more fit person working at the same workload, you will burn similar calories--even though it feels easier for them.

    Now, if one is significantly overweight (just noticed that in your post), then it is possible that the heavier person will burn a modest number of extra calories than would be be expected for the workload.

    Rather than focus on the calories, celebrate your achievement and commitment to a new lifestyle. You are doing fantastic just to get out and get moving!!

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