Articles about Swimming not being good for weight loss
Former Member
Hello everyone,
I recently happened to have read a few (probably misleading) articles about swimming and weight loss. I have started swimming 3 months ago as a replacement for other cardio exercises due to knee injury. I enjoy swimming greatly but also I want to lose weight.
What I read is that because of the cold water the body tends to build a layer of fat underneath the skin to heat the body... that also the body doesn't burn as much fat because the cold water keeps it from heating... and that the cold water causes the apetite to rise.
Is any of this scientific? Does it make any sense?
I'll throw in another myth;the "fat burning" pace.Some people say go at 60% effort so that you will burn more fat.That is wrong,at that effort you will burn primarily fat,but not more.Your body would rather burn fat as it gives 9 Cal/gm of energy instead of 4Cal/gm with carbs and protein.It takes a lot of oxygen to burn fat,so as you exert more your body has to use energy sources that take less oxygen,primarily burning glycogen.The fat burning is still going on,but glycogen is the larger source.Then when you stop,if you are just "fat burning"you will recover quickly using little more energy.If you were working harder,you'd take longer to recover,using more energy,and since plenty of oxygen is again available you are burning fat.Over all,a hard workout burns much more fat than a easy one.
I'll throw in another myth;the "fat burning" pace.Some people say go at 60% effort so that you will burn more fat.That is wrong,at that effort you will burn primarily fat,but not more.Your body would rather burn fat as it gives 9 Cal/gm of energy instead of 4Cal/gm with carbs and protein.It takes a lot of oxygen to burn fat,so as you exert more your body has to use energy sources that take less oxygen,primarily burning glycogen.The fat burning is still going on,but glycogen is the larger source.Then when you stop,if you are just "fat burning"you will recover quickly using little more energy.If you were working harder,you'd take longer to recover,using more energy,and since plenty of oxygen is again available you are burning fat.Over all,a hard workout burns much more fat than a easy one.
