Why do I lose weight so much easier with outdoor exercise?

[Anonymous]

I’m ashamed to admit that every year between Halloween and New Year I gain the same 10lb. In January I get back on track with my diet and cardio/weight lifting in the gym. The thing is, I don’t see any change in my weight, body composition, or measurements until I can get outside to do the exact same cardio.

I have cold-induced asthma so i have to wait until temps are above a certain temperature, but I ride the same mileage and speed regardless of whether I’m at the gym or outside.

The thing is, once I can get outside in late-April or May (to ride the exact same speed/distance I’ve been doing for months *inside*) the weight drops, my clothing size changes, and I’m measurably smaller, within a few weeks.

Why? Can anyone explain it? And before anyone says “it’s sweat”, it’s not. I swear just as much indoors, if not more, because there’s no breeze.

[Anonymous]

I think when outdoors doing ACTUAL movement, you just burn more calories.

[Anonymous]

You have to be doing something different, are you eating less?

[Anonymous]

Exercising outdoors is harder - you deal with wind/drag, hills, constant adjustments - irregularities in a path, other people, animals, etc.

I don't think it's enough to account for a change in pants size, but sure it burns a few more calories.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Exercising outdoors is harder - you deal with wind/drag, hills, constant adjustments - irregularities in a path, other people, animals, etc.

I don't think it's enough to account for a change in pants size, but sure it burns a few more calories.

+1
You are doing 100% of the work verses a treadmill which is a machine and therefore so.e of the "work" is done for you because, you know, it's a machine.
Even that subtle difference in a treadmill verse outdoors can cumulatively add up to weight loss.

Are all things truly equal though? Driving home from the gym verses a warm-diwn lap outdoors, for example?
The rolling hills of a neighborhood verses a man-made incline of a treadmill?

[Anonymous]

It is likely it isn't the "exercise". Rather, it is the calories you are burning from generally being more active throughout the day in the warmer months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Exercising outdoors is harder - you deal with wind/drag, hills, constant adjustments - irregularities in a path, other people, animals, etc.

I don't think it's enough to account for a change in pants size, but sure it burns a few more calories.

+1
You are doing 100% of the work verses a treadmill which is a machine and therefore so.e of the "work" is done for you because, you know, it's a machine.
Even that subtle difference in a treadmill verse outdoors can cumulatively add up to weight loss.

Are all things truly equal though? Driving home from the gym verses a warm-diwn lap outdoors, for example?
The rolling hills of a neighborhood verses a man-made incline of a treadmill?

No, the treadmill isn't doing any work for you. That said, you generally need to add some incline to account for lack of wind resistance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is likely it isn't the "exercise". Rather, it is the calories you are burning from generally being more active throughout the day in the warmer months.

Yes, this. I think you are underestimating the extra everyday movement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is likely it isn't the "exercise". Rather, it is the calories you are burning from generally being more active throughout the day in the warmer months.

Yes, this. I think you are underestimating the extra everyday movement.

But what movement? Other than spending my hour working out OUTSIDE instead of INSIDE, I still spend the same number of hours inside at a desk, then driving home, then cooking dinner, then cleaning up… etc. Nothing else changes.

[Anonymous]

The sunlight resetting your circadian rhythms and regulating insulin

[Anonymous]

You probably spend more time outside during the weekend too, in addition to your workout. I am less hungry when is warm outside, does your diet change?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is likely it isn't the "exercise". Rather, it is the calories you are burning from generally being more active throughout the day in the warmer months.

Yes, this. I think you are underestimating the extra everyday movement.

But what movement? Other than spending my hour working out OUTSIDE instead of INSIDE, I still spend the same number of hours inside at a desk, then driving home, then cooking dinner, then cleaning up… etc. Nothing else changes.

Nothing changes about your movement in the warmer temperatures ? Honestly that’s unusual.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The sunlight resetting your circadian rhythms and regulating insulin

+1

It’s probably something closer to this. I know the purists insist, despite stacks of evidence to the contrary, that it’s just CICO, but some people’s bodies effectively “hibernate.” If that’s you, now you know. Sucks about the cold air asthma; I bet you’d enjoy more outdoors stuff in the winter.

[Anonymous]

I feel like I always gain weight in the colder months. I still work out but for some reason I feel hungrier soon as it gets cold. Maybe its an evolutionary thing? My body always seems to want extra fat for the winter. That, in addition to eating more over the holidays anyway, I always have a few lbs to lose by the end of winter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like I always gain weight in the colder months. I still work out but for some reason I feel hungrier soon as it gets cold. Maybe its an evolutionary thing? My body always seems to want extra fat for the winter. That, in addition to eating more over the holidays anyway, I always have a few lbs to lose by the end of winter.

This is true for me. I eat more in the colder months. I'm just hungrier, and frankly my body can use the fat in the cold months (I'm genetically skinny).