Gaining weight from cycling?

To save money, since April, I have been cycling to work, instead of getting the bus. When Uni starts again later this month, I'll do the same.

Not sure if it's correct or not, but i've got an app on my iPhone that says how fast i'm going. I usually go about 15-20mph.

I've always had a bit of a belly on me, and was hoping to lose a bit of weight by cycling and being more active. I play rugby, but I wanted to do more.

I haven't weighed myself since March - half a year! And in that time, my belly hasn't gotten any smaller, or bigger, but i've gained almost 1.5 stones! - 20lbs! My thighs have gotten really muscly now too!

Is it normal to gain that much weight from cycling!

Yes, most definitely. I was cycling at the gym and gained a few pounds from muscles in my thighs, like you. I stopped because I didn't want the bulk. Or the pounds! Runner for life!

Cycling is a cardiovascular sport it does not build muscles but tones them instead. Cycling doesn't burn a whole lot of calories unless you are doing long rides. To lose weight you need to cut back on the food. A 6 mile ride only burns 210 calories a small bag of chips is 375.

You're missing one important factor from the equation - diet. Cycling is intense aerobic exercise so it does burn up a lot of calories but unless you regulate the amount of calories you're eating there's every chance you will put on weight.

You don't say how many miles a week you ride. If you just do short fast trips, yes you would be building muscle. That would be intense anaerobic work out.

You would not burn any fat in short rides because when you start riding you burn sugars. It takes 20 minutes of cardie and aerobic to start burning fat. It takes all that time to transform stored fat into useful fuel for the muscles. If you stop the workout after 25 minutes, the muscles don't have the time to burn all the extra fuel pump into them. They are pump up and start building more cells.

To burn fat you need to go for the long run, one to two hours at one go and never miss the cool down time.

Try this exercise - "push outs". Push yourself OUT away from the dinner table before dessert comes. Push yourself OUT away from the dinner table before someone offers you second helpings.