{"id":757,"date":"2019-04-11T07:57:52","date_gmt":"2019-04-11T07:57:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/ie\/?p=757"},"modified":"2019-04-11T08:06:48","modified_gmt":"2019-04-11T08:06:48","slug":"lets-talk-about-calories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/ie\/2019\/04\/11\/lets-talk-about-calories\/","title":{"rendered":"Let’s talk about calories"},"content":{"rendered":"

Let’s talk about calories<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They\u2019re the little units of energy that help to keep you going when you need it most \u2013 and probably the most controversial topic when it comes to nutrition. Say hello to our old friend, the calorie\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now, if your focus is on becoming a better cyclist \u2013 lowering your times, increasing your endurance, and raising your general physical fitness \u2013 it\u2019s entirely possible the calorie question is nowhere near the forefront.\u00a0But that\u2019s in contrast to a lot of people; from those aiming for weight-loss to even the sedentary of souls, calorie counting is the single most common concern where nutrition is concerned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It\u2019s also the source of most confusion, too \u2013 which is what we\u2019ll try to deal with right here. From hard truths to easy solutions, it\u2019s time for some real talk\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CALORIES = CALORIES<\/strong><\/p>\n

When it comes to weight\/fat loss, this might be the golden rule. We\u2019ve all heard the discussion about “good” and “bad” foods, but when it comes to counting calories, it\u2019s black and white; calories are calories, and it\u2019s a game of In vs Out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Put simply, you need to be in a calorie deficit to lose weight \u2013 and your energy expenditure is key to creating this deficit.\u00a0Yes, a homemade vegan protein ball might technically be healthier in terms of its ingredients, but if you\u2019re not burning off the calories it contains then it will have much the same effect as a bar of chocolate.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And unless there are underlying medical or hormonal issues, that reality doesn\u2019t change \u2013 so if your goals aren\u2019t materialising, you probably need to take a closer look\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CALORIES IN<\/strong><\/p>\n

Macro calculators are all over the internet, and these will give you a rough idea of the amounts in grams of carbohydrates, fats, and protein that you should be eating in accordance with your weight, height and activity levels \u2013 you\u2019ll find one such example here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And when it comes to tracking what you\u2019re eating, it\u2019s rarely been easier; apps like My Fitness Pal allow you to scan barcodes of food to calculate the nutritional information of everything you eat, while menus the world over seem to list calorie information these days.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But that\u2019s only half the battle\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CALORIES OUT<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nothing beats exercise when it comes to burning calories \u2013 so if you’re out on the bike on a regular basis, that\u2019s a major step in the right direction. The body does become conditioned, though, so if you\u2019re wondering why you’ve stalled or reached a plateau, it might be a case of reducing your calorie intake slightly, increasing your activity levels, or both.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

You\u2019ll likely be able to pinpoint areas to change yourself; whether it\u2019s a quick walk on your lunch break or saying no to a few biscuits in work, it doesn\u2019t need to be huge. You\u2019ll also see some exercise have an outsized effect \u2013 that\u2019s why high intensity training is so popular when it comes to weight loss.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most cycling enthusiasts probably wouldn\u2019t leave home without a Garmin or Fitbit to explain \u2013 in great detail \u2013 your energy expenditure and how many calories you are burning whilst exercising. These gadgets are definitely useful for weight-loss goals, so if you\u2019re currently without it could prove a worthwhile investment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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