Bonjourno. Question. When I exercise I drink water. Should I be drinking an energy drink? Bearing in mind I am doing this to lose weight. I assume they are fairly high in calories. [/quote]

You want some of this stuff

http://www.highfive.co.uk/zero_INT.php

As above^ but you could try Nuun too http://www.nuun.co.uk/

Kona cola is nice

I'd say though use this for workouts less than 2.5hrs, after that you might want to think about replacing carbs.

I've given up on energy drinks. Bit of salt in a water bottle plus enough orange juice to mask the taste of the salt. Maybe a blob of honey in there too.

I'd stick with water unless you get sick of it and need a change. The electrolyte drinks are more for athletes looking for optimum performance. It would probably be a waste of money IMO. If you get sick of water drink something low cal/healthy that you enjoy.

If you were training for a mini marathon or something then I might suggest some sort of electrolyte drink.

half of a can of sugar free monster energy gives you a kick up the arse, about 11 cals per can i think.

You'd be better off drinking a still energy drink like powerade or lucozade sport if you want to drink an energy drink. Carbonated drinks. Increase your heart rate and don't do much else. It just feels like an adrenaline shot. So the added strain of exercise puts even more pressure on your heart.

You'd be better off drinking a still energy drink like powerade or lucozade sport if you want to drink an energy drink. Carbonated drinks. Increase your heart rate and don't do much else. It juPpst feels like an adrenaline shot. So the added strain of exercise puts even more pressure on your heart.

You'd be better off drinking a still energy drink like powerade or lucozade sport if you want to drink an energy drink. Carbonated drinks. Increase your heart rate and don't do much else. It just feels like an adrenaline shot. So the added strain of exercise puts even more pressure on your heart.

A swift pint of Guiness in the Sporting Chance perked me up no end at 90miles into the CARTEN100 the week before last.

Water. All the way. Sports/energy drinks raise your insulin levels which reduces fat oxidation.

If you want to be losing weight at the cutting edge of sports hydration science, the very latest research suggests that a mochaccino optimises your body's ability to burn fat.

Carbs? My bike doesn't have carburetors.




Joking aside, IMO it doesn't matter that much. Yes, you'll lose weight faster with low-calorie energy drinks, but the important bit is that you're burning calories to begin with.

I'd go for high-calorie drinks. That way I can tell the missus "sorry honey, but I'm nowhere near my target weight yet. I'll need to go out for a ride for several more months"

Using that rationale (using fat as the main fuel source) you'd think that ketogenic diets for most (where suitable / acceptable) who want to lose weight and bodyfat would be most persuasive. 'cept they're not that panacea nor the messiah.

Truth be told, I've never really got why those who rap on about the importance of the touted "fat burning zone" for regular, repeated exercise (I suppose, really, for the limited set of circumstances of long, low intensity exercise that may be theoretically extended even further, is, um "desired") for those looking to lose weight and bodyfat, don't go that extrapolated volume increase to 11, and advocate ketogenic diets for all your fat burning needs...

I suspect many who use scientific research, and not subject to IOC testing (or similar) go down the ECA route (or maybe Y), those that don't give a stuff about the rules, walk on the wild-side, and ignore health warnings (and not concerned with the prospect of a slight case of, um, death) seem to choose DNP as their weapon of choice. I'm guessing those that opt for the mochaccino probably read the Gruaniad and may even be vegetarians.

You lost me at "ketogenic"

I eat normal and don't push myself to the limit. I do go for long rides though, and can easily spend all day on the bike. I drink water with orange juice and don't bother with doctors or pulse monitors.
I just ride my bike and enjoy it. Any weight loss is a nice bonus. the rest doesn't matter to me.

I hate myself for rising to this.... but.... Ketogenic diets are the best for weight loss. Less carbs means more fat burning, high fat encourages fat burning. If we leave the epileptic kids out of this, perhaps you should consider WHO is on these ketogenic diets in the first place. The problem isn't the diet, it's the dieter.

Shurely everyone knows that your body burns either fat or carbs? That was GCSE Biology stuff for me. The balance of fat burning vs. carb burning depends on the percentage exertion, so, at around 60% MaxHR most healthy people are at peak fat oxidation. Or the fat-burning zone.

DNP will kill ya, ECA is ineffective. But ultimately the choice comes down to whether the average person on the street has easy access to equine-grade pharmaceuticals. Me? I skip the clenbuterol and go for a run instead.

As for the mocha... Caffeine has a long history of urban myth status for promoting weight loss. Old roadies would always train on an empty stomach and an espresso (and Belgian speedballs). Turns out that caffeine does promote fat oxidation, but to work best it needs to be combined with catechin - a flavinoid found in cacao - this is why I always stir my morning 'spro with a bar of dairy milk before jogging down to the vet's for my daily transfusion of horse blood.