Keeping a good balance is tough
I'm in off season training. I finished a half marathon and will begin my full marathon in August (full is Dec. ). Anyway, I've been mixing things up in the gym and maintaining around 15-20 miles runs per week... along with mixing it up and keeping it fun. My weight is creeping up and I guess I need to adjust my food intake or go back to clocking more miles. I just don't want to get burned out or injure myself, before I have to start my training. I have to admit making adjustments with my diet stinks! My body has gotten used to a certain amount and it's tough to scale back.
I'm sorry to sound like a baby here, but I can't help but think....is this what my life is going to be like? I have to constantly watch every ounce of food or run like I'm running a marathon all the time? Geez! This just stinks! I just had to vent. Has anyone felt like this and what did you do to resolve it.
I know....I know....calories in ....calories out...it is simple. It just stinks when your weight creeps up and you feel like you can never get a break. Ugh!
I'm sorry to sound like a baby here, but I can't help but think....is this what my life is going to be like? I have to constantly watch every ounce of food or run like I'm running a marathon all the time? Geez! This just stinks! I just had to vent. Has anyone felt like this and what did you do to resolve it.
I know....I know....calories in ....calories out...it is simple. It just stinks when your weight creeps up and you feel like you can never get a break. Ugh!
I hear you and I have felt the exact same way.
I absolutely hate having to obsess about food. What and when I put into my body is constantly on my mind. How much can I eat, when can I eat it, will I still be hungry, am I exercising enough, can in increase my intake or do I have to decrease it. Where is the balance
I'm sure it's emotional for the most part. I don't think I'm usually very hungry. It's more like as my food intake increased to accomodate working out, I find that I want more and more. The thought of my weight creeping back up scares me. I see it as a constant fight that will be with me for the rest of my life.
The dietician warned me about increasing my food intake or changing my meal plans. She agreed that I needed more calories but cautioned about what would happen if I injured myself and couldn't work out like I had been. My body would still want that food, but I wouldn't be able to do the same kind of exercise. It would be a struggle to keep from regaining weight.
It's kind of a domino effect for me. Workout more, have more hunger, eat more, have to workout more, again want to eat more. I wish I could find that perfect balance that would allow me to be active without feeling like I constantly have to be pushing or fighting weight gain. I'd love a hard and fast calorie# that I could strive for. I haven't found it yet.
Scott
I absolutely hate having to obsess about food. What and when I put into my body is constantly on my mind. How much can I eat, when can I eat it, will I still be hungry, am I exercising enough, can in increase my intake or do I have to decrease it. Where is the balance
I'm sure it's emotional for the most part. I don't think I'm usually very hungry. It's more like as my food intake increased to accomodate working out, I find that I want more and more. The thought of my weight creeping back up scares me. I see it as a constant fight that will be with me for the rest of my life.
The dietician warned me about increasing my food intake or changing my meal plans. She agreed that I needed more calories but cautioned about what would happen if I injured myself and couldn't work out like I had been. My body would still want that food, but I wouldn't be able to do the same kind of exercise. It would be a struggle to keep from regaining weight.
It's kind of a domino effect for me. Workout more, have more hunger, eat more, have to workout more, again want to eat more. I wish I could find that perfect balance that would allow me to be active without feeling like I constantly have to be pushing or fighting weight gain. I'd love a hard and fast calorie# that I could strive for. I haven't found it yet.
Scott
The first time you do something - It's going to be a personal record!
Thank you, Scott for responding. I feel as you know right "where" I'm at or coming from. It is nice to know, we aren't alone in this battle. I guess it's like anything else...you can't let it overwhelm you and keep you down. Each day is new and each day is another day worth fighting for better health. Best wishes to you and thanks again!
I recently ready an article about off-season nutrition that really made a lot of sense. It talked about the importance of protein, fruits and vegetables during the off-season when we don't need the extra carbs for endurance. As long as these are the foundation of most meals, then there's less tracking involved.
I'm 3.5 years out and I still have to log my food periodically for a reality check of how much I'm eating. Usually logging for 2-3 weeks gets me back on track so I can just listen to my body.
The good thing is that you're still active and know what it takes to stop the weight creep and how to take control.
Cassie
I'm 3.5 years out and I still have to log my food periodically for a reality check of how much I'm eating. Usually logging for 2-3 weeks gets me back on track so I can just listen to my body.
The good thing is that you're still active and know what it takes to stop the weight creep and how to take control.
Cassie
"Hard things take time to do. Impossible things take a little longer."
Thanks Cassie for the good advice. I've been researching Clean Eating and it's purpose is basically what you said. If you eat clean (whole, natural food, well balanced) you won't have to track as much. The portion sizes are always important though.
I knew going into wls that it was not going to be the sole answer to my battle. It would take a balance of several things. I think I have some of the important factors down and now I just have to make sure I have a healthy way of eating for a lifetime. I have to admit...I'm addicted to sugar.
I give myself the "I worked hard to have this" green light too often. I know the sugar it not good for me at any stage of my fitness goals or health. I have to find another way to get that "fix" in a more natural and healthy way.
I recently saw a piece on the cooks for the Olympic athletes. They tailor their every meal to their nutritional needs at that given time. It sure would be easier to have that knowledge or even better...your own cook. LOL!
Thanks again for your kind words and encouragement. Best wishes to you!
Jenny
I knew going into wls that it was not going to be the sole answer to my battle. It would take a balance of several things. I think I have some of the important factors down and now I just have to make sure I have a healthy way of eating for a lifetime. I have to admit...I'm addicted to sugar.
I give myself the "I worked hard to have this" green light too often. I know the sugar it not good for me at any stage of my fitness goals or health. I have to find another way to get that "fix" in a more natural and healthy way.
I recently saw a piece on the cooks for the Olympic athletes. They tailor their every meal to their nutritional needs at that given time. It sure would be easier to have that knowledge or even better...your own cook. LOL!
Thanks again for your kind words and encouragement. Best wishes to you!
Jenny
Jenny,
I'm a sugar addict, too. I get my "fix" by cutting up chocolate protein bars for my treat. Then, I feel like I've had dessert. Fruit, especially blueberries and grapes, and Kashi high protein cereal are my other go-to snack foods. They're "safe" foods that usually satisfy my sweet tooth without triggering the sugar monster.
Take care,
Cassie
I'm a sugar addict, too. I get my "fix" by cutting up chocolate protein bars for my treat. Then, I feel like I've had dessert. Fruit, especially blueberries and grapes, and Kashi high protein cereal are my other go-to snack foods. They're "safe" foods that usually satisfy my sweet tooth without triggering the sugar monster.
Take care,
Cassie
"Hard things take time to do. Impossible things take a little longer."
I read some advice from Nancy Clark or Gale Bernhardt (I can't remember which) that said to just expect to gain 3-8 lb. over the off-season and not to stress out over it.
I am not 100% convinced that this advice applies to the formerly obese and surgically altered, but it help me calm down about the 3 pounds I gained over Dec & Jan. It also helps that now that I'm starting to up my training again, my clothes are fitting better and I'm already down from my highest point in Jan.
I also think that you can get used to eating less. I worked hard to eat less in Jan and, now in Feb, I'm eating even less than in Jan. with much less work. It's hard at first, but just like you get used to eating more, your body gets used to eating less.
The other thing that helped me is that I tried hard not to spend my exercise calories on treats. I would eat a snack before and after and have a sports drink during and, when I didn't workout, I wouldn't have any of that. Now, when I'm trying to get down a few pounds, I skip the sports drink unless it's a long workout.
Now, I wasn't 100% successful with this. I definitely had a few more deserts and ate a lot more nuts during the season than I probably should have and that didn't necessarily stop when I got into the off-season. But it wasn't as bad as it could have been or as bad as it was for some of my friends.
I am not 100% convinced that this advice applies to the formerly obese and surgically altered, but it help me calm down about the 3 pounds I gained over Dec & Jan. It also helps that now that I'm starting to up my training again, my clothes are fitting better and I'm already down from my highest point in Jan.
I also think that you can get used to eating less. I worked hard to eat less in Jan and, now in Feb, I'm eating even less than in Jan. with much less work. It's hard at first, but just like you get used to eating more, your body gets used to eating less.
The other thing that helped me is that I tried hard not to spend my exercise calories on treats. I would eat a snack before and after and have a sports drink during and, when I didn't workout, I wouldn't have any of that. Now, when I'm trying to get down a few pounds, I skip the sports drink unless it's a long workout.
Now, I wasn't 100% successful with this. I definitely had a few more deserts and ate a lot more nuts during the season than I probably should have and that didn't necessarily stop when I got into the off-season. But it wasn't as bad as it could have been or as bad as it was for some of my friends.
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Thanks for the great advice and sharing your experiences with me. I sure appreciate the support.
I read somewhere that said don't stress over fluctuating 2% of your body weight. After, you go over the 2%, it's time to scale back or pick up your workout routine. I'm about 2 lbs. over my 2%.
I'm trying to scale back and eat healthy. Sugar is my biggest weakness and I'm working on suppressing that with natural sweeteners like fruit. I think I need to also go back to measuring me food a little too.
Thanks again for sharing your ideas and experience. Best wishes to you!
I read somewhere that said don't stress over fluctuating 2% of your body weight. After, you go over the 2%, it's time to scale back or pick up your workout routine. I'm about 2 lbs. over my 2%.
I'm trying to scale back and eat healthy. Sugar is my biggest weakness and I'm working on suppressing that with natural sweeteners like fruit. I think I need to also go back to measuring me food a little too.
Thanks again for sharing your ideas and experience. Best wishes to you!
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