Need to lose some "belly fat". Don't ask me how I got it since I'm very
tall and thin, but seem to be putting on some weight around the midriff.
 So since I only cycle and swim is this going to be enough. From what I
read on the web I need to burn more calories than I eat to lose the
pounds I've put on.  Is it possible to lose body fat swimming? Because
I've also read elsewhere that it's not the best way; running is
apparently. Advice?

"Meqwe"  wrote in message 
news:f72ti2$2to4$1@custnews.inweb.co.uk...
>
> Need to lose some "belly fat". Don't ask me how I got it since I'm 
> very
> tall and thin, but seem to be putting on some weight around the 
> midriff.
> So since I only cycle and swim is this going to be enough. From what I
> read on the web I need to burn more calories than I eat to lose the
> pounds I've put on.  Is it possible to lose body fat swimming? Because
> I've also read elsewhere that it's not the best way; running is
> apparently. Advice?

The older you get, the more you need resistance training - that has been 
my experience.  I used to run, swim, and bike pretty regularly, the pool 
portion was a mile or more 3x/week.  As I reached my early 40's, I found 
myself losing muscle and gaining belly fat.

The solution was pretty simple - lift weights.  Right now, at age 52, I 
lift weights almost exclusively and use strength/endurance training with 
weights for my "cardio."  My resting pulse is around 40, lower than when 
I did primarily aerobic activity for my exercise.

I don't know how old you are, but I can tell you that there is a huge 
variety of training methods with weights, and while I train specifically 
_not_ to get bigger and I get on the scale every morning, I've managed 
to keep my overall bodyweight the same _and_ drop several percentage 
points of bodyfat over the last few years, which means I've added a few 
pounds of muscle to my frame, all for the better, IMHO.

Running works better than swimming for fat burning, I will with that as 
far as it goes, but neither did the trick for me.  You might also 
consider the nature of your swim workout - I think most people will find 
a pile of intervals will work better than steady-state slow swimming for 
fat burning - add at least some speed work to your program in the pool 
if you don't have any now.

Just my opinion, YMMV.

-S-

On Jul 11, 8:38 am, Meqwe  wrote:
> Need to lose some "belly fat". Don't ask me how I got it since I'm very
> tall and thin, but seem to be putting on some weight around the midriff.
>  So since I only cycle and swim is this going to be enough. From what I
> read on the web I need to burn more calories than I eat to lose the
> pounds I've put on.  Is it possible to lose body fat swimming? Because
> I've also read elsewhere that it's not the best way; running is
> apparently. Advice?

Swimming or any steady-state activity is a poor way to burn fat.
Swimming is, in particular, not very good at weight control according
to studies.  (Look for posts by Weisenthal, aka runnswim on this)

Alwyn Cosgrove is one of the countries authorities on losing fat.  I
suggeest you read his stuff.

good luck,
Eric

On Jul 14, 1:15 am, ee  wrote:
> On Jul 11, 8:38 am, Meqwe  wrote:
>
> > Need to lose some "belly fat". Don't ask me how I got it since I'm very
> > tall and thin, but seem to be putting on some weight around the midriff.
> >  So since I only cycle and swim is this going to be enough. From what I
> > read on the web I need to burn more calories than I eat to lose the
> > pounds I've put on.  Is it possible to lose body fat swimming? Because
> > I've also read elsewhere that it's not the best way; running is
> > apparently. Advice?
>
> Swimming or any steady-state activity is a poor way to burn fat.
> Swimming is, in particular, not very good at weight control according
> to studies.  (Look for posts by Weisenthal, aka runnswim on this)
>
> Alwyn Cosgrove is one of the countries authorities on losing fat.  I
> suggeest you read his stuff.
>
> good luck,
> Eric

I'm double-posting ... but:

The first rule of losing weight is diet.  For the second rule, see the
first rule.

It's that important.

If you want to try and lose weight swimming then I suggest:
1. short, intense intervals (these will raise your metabolism for many
hours after the swim is over.  Some consider that the key to using
exercise to lose weight)
2. wear fins to allow the big muscles of your legs, glutes, and back
to come more into play.

Regards,
Eric

"Meqwe"  wrote in message 
news:f72ti2$2to4$1@custnews.inweb.co.uk...
>
> Need to lose some "belly fat". Don't ask me how I got it since I'm 
> very
> tall and thin, but seem to be putting on some weight around the 
> midriff.
> So since I only cycle and swim is this going to be enough. From what I
> read on the web I need to burn more calories than I eat to lose the
> pounds I've put on.  Is it possible to lose body fat swimming? Because
> I've also read elsewhere that it's not the best way; running is
> apparently. Advice?

The older you get, the more you need resistance training - that has been 
my experience.  I used to run, swim, and bike pretty regularly, the pool 
portion was a mile or more 3x/week.  As I reached my early 40's, I found 
myself losing muscle and gaining belly fat.

The solution was pretty simple - lift weights.  Right now, at age 52, I 
lift weights almost exclusively and use strength/endurance training with 
weights for my "cardio."  My resting pulse is around 40, lower than when 
I did primarily aerobic activity for my exercise.

I don't know how old you are, but I can tell you that there is a huge 
variety of training methods with weights, and while I train specifically 
_not_ to get bigger and I get on the scale every morning, I've managed 
to keep my overall bodyweight the same _and_ drop several percentage 
points of bodyfat over the last few years, which means I've added a few 
pounds of muscle to my frame, all for the better, IMHO.

Running works better than swimming for fat burning, I will with that as 
far as it goes, but neither did the trick for me.  You might also 
consider the nature of your swim workout - I think most people will find 
a pile of intervals will work better than steady-state slow swimming for 
fat burning - add at least some speed work to your program in the pool 
if you don't have any now.

Just my opinion, YMMV.

-S-

On Jul 11, 8:38 am, Meqwe  wrote:
> Need to lose some "belly fat". Don't ask me how I got it since I'm very
> tall and thin, but seem to be putting on some weight around the midriff.
>  So since I only cycle and swim is this going to be enough. From what I
> read on the web I need to burn more calories than I eat to lose the
> pounds I've put on.  Is it possible to lose body fat swimming? Because
> I've also read elsewhere that it's not the best way; running is
> apparently. Advice?

Swimming or any steady-state activity is a poor way to burn fat.
Swimming is, in particular, not very good at weight control according
to studies.  (Look for posts by Weisenthal, aka runnswim on this)

Alwyn Cosgrove is one of the countries authorities on losing fat.  I
suggeest you read his stuff.

good luck,
Eric

On Jul 14, 1:15 am, ee  wrote:
> On Jul 11, 8:38 am, Meqwe  wrote:
>
> > Need to lose some "belly fat". Don't ask me how I got it since I'm very
> > tall and thin, but seem to be putting on some weight around the midriff.
> >  So since I only cycle and swim is this going to be enough. From what I
> > read on the web I need to burn more calories than I eat to lose the
> > pounds I've put on.  Is it possible to lose body fat swimming? Because
> > I've also read elsewhere that it's not the best way; running is
> > apparently. Advice?
>
> Swimming or any steady-state activity is a poor way to burn fat.
> Swimming is, in particular, not very good at weight control according
> to studies.  (Look for posts by Weisenthal, aka runnswim on this)
>
> Alwyn Cosgrove is one of the countries authorities on losing fat.  I
> suggeest you read his stuff.
>
> good luck,
> Eric

I'm double-posting ... but:

The first rule of losing weight is diet.  For the second rule, see the
first rule.

It's that important.

If you want to try and lose weight swimming then I suggest:
1. short, intense intervals (these will raise your metabolism for many
hours after the swim is over.  Some consider that the key to using
exercise to lose weight)
2. wear fins to allow the big muscles of your legs, glutes, and back
to come more into play.

Regards,
Eric