General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Calories vs. % Fat Burned Rss Feed  
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2008-06-07 12:20 PM

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Subject: Calories vs. % Fat Burned
Why is it that durining longer training periods I burn more calories but the percentage of fat burned is lower? If I train 1 to 1.5hrs and burn 1500 cals the % of fat burned is only about 40%. When I do shorter sessions and burn 700-1000 cals the fat % is 50-55%. What gives?


2008-06-07 1:30 PM
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Subject: RE: Calories vs. % Fat Burned
How in the world would you know what % of calories burned comes from fat?
2008-06-07 1:37 PM
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Subject: RE: Calories vs. % Fat Burned
I agree with Derek. There are some methods more or less accurate but I think you are using somtehing like Polar watches or similar. Far away from the real happening
2008-06-07 3:56 PM
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Subject: RE: Calories vs. % Fat Burned
I am using a HRM Polar 6 which is giving me this info.
2008-06-07 4:02 PM
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Subject: RE: Calories vs. % Fat Burned
As heart rate goes up % carbs used goes up % fat burned goes down is the simplistic answer. Check your average and max HR for these work outs. The longer I go the higher my HR for the same effort, it may be the same for you.
2008-06-07 4:37 PM
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Subject: RE: Calories vs. % Fat Burned
But 40% of 1500 is 600 calories, 50% of 700-1000 is 350-500, so you still burned more fat calories at the 40%.


2008-06-07 4:41 PM
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2008-06-07 4:53 PM
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Subject: RE: Calories vs. % Fat Burned
PennState - 2008-06-07 4:41 PM

Please.... the polar or any other hr monitor cannot determine your % of fat burned for a workout. Only way to do this is through lab testing... metabolic and some types of V02 max testing.

The number your watch says is absolutely meaningless.

Just sayin'

Exactly! Furthermore even if respiratory exchange ratio (RER) is lab tested, still it is VERY hard to conclude what type of fuel your body is relying more since all this can be affected based on intensity, duration of session, fitness level, genetics, diet, environment, etc. It is not only meaningless to track this using something such as a HRM but I also find disconcerting to know that some 'coaches' test their athletes to establish what fuel the athlete relies on when exercising to determine their training *sigh*

2008-06-07 9:24 PM
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Subject: RE: Calories vs. % Fat Burned

zeroviz - 2008-06-07 12:20 PM Why is it that durining longer training periods I burn more calories but the percentage of fat burned is lower? If I train 1 to 1.5hrs and burn 1500 cals the % of fat burned is only about 40%. When I do shorter sessions and burn 700-1000 cals the fat % is 50-55%. What gives?

When you burn more calories than you take in you eventually burn either fat or fat and muscles depending on the difference between intake and calorie turnover.

During the exercise you mainly burn carbohydrates (glycogen, glucose...), fat and proteins. When you train at a lower intensity the body normally burns mostly fat, when you train at a higher intensity your body starts to burn more glygogen.
However, the burnt glycogen needs to be replaced and the energy you loose for this is equally as beneficial for you fat percentage.

So, it doesn't realy matter how much % of the burnt calories directly comes from burnt fat. So, it's all about the calories themselves.
When you run exactly the same time with a hihger intensity you'll always loose more fat as a result of that training. When you run a longer time with exactly the same intensity you'll always loose more fat as a result of that training.



Edited by Maasen 2008-06-07 9:40 PM
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