So I am split in half – I have 2 desires. One is to lose 10-15 lbs (which would get me to 120, not sickly skinny by any means for 5’2) and the other is to be an endurance athlete, especially in running/biking. I want to be the type of person who can go run 15 miles with no problem or go bike 100 miles without blinking. To be better at number 2, I need to achieve number 1. Yet, the scale never moves, I am stuck. I am plateaued. Now I do have my share of junk food breakdowns, but for the most part I am a healthy eater. I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. I logged my food years ago religiously and feel like I am good at determining how much I am eating, I would guess I take in 1400-1600 calories a day and considering I burn about 2500-4000 calories a week working out, I think that is fine. I was reading a book last night on endurance training and it said that after you continuously work out for long amounts of time – which for me would just be 1-2 runs a week – your body starts to store fuel differently and holds onto carbs longer. So, I am wondering if I shouldn’t ditch my long runs for awhile and try really hard to work on speedwork instead and see if it helps? I am just so fearful of losing my long run abilities. Know what I mean? Running fitness decreases so quickly – anyone who has taken a week or two off for an injury can attest to that. For the winter, should I switch things up and go to bootcamp class on Mondays, spin, swim and just be content to only get in like 12 running miles? Opinions please.
8 comments:
I know exactly how you feel!! I would like to lose about 10 lbs. but have for the most part surrendered to this. I am training for IMLP '08 and although the SCALE has NOT MOVED my BF is slowly decreasing and I am reshaping--I'll take it for now--slow and steady it will come.
I wish I could give you some advice, but I don't feel like I am in any way knowledged in running & fitness. I do know a bit about nutrition though, and it seems like you eat really well. May I dare say that you look great and are at your perfect weight. Maybe you should just accept that and do the training things that make you happiest, like running long distances. There is no way you will gain any more weight with all the exercise you do.
I know it's fun to have goals though, and it seems like you are keeping it real by always setting new ones for yourself.
Is it not possible to achieve your second goal without losing ten more lbs?
Love you!
Well, now that I've finally met you, I can agree with JM above and say that you do look great. And setting new goals for yourself is the best way to stick with anything.
The only thing that ever worked for me was food/exercise logging. I started doing it about six months ago (I wasn't at all good at gauging my intake, even if I did eat healthy) so I could get a handle on my atrociously low protein and calcium intakes. Then I lost 6-7 lbs. in the process... after I learned that a 10-mile run did not equal eight cupcakes :,-(
I'm still a newbie to all of this, so I'm absolutely no help and only know where to get really good cupcakes. But I hope to join you running some day soon!
I agree with Josh, can't you still make your second goal and not lose any more weight??
I know that we can all sit here and tell you how awesome you look now, just the way you are, but it only matters how you feel!
So if you want it, go for it! Maybe try your new plan for 7-10days and see what the early results are, if you feel like you are losing your endurance, go back to your current schedule. If things seem fine endurance wise and you've lost a pound then keep up the new plan.
Maybe?? :) Sorry I can't be more help!!!
Ok--that is a loaded question.:)
Since I'm new to your blog:
Do you strength train?
What does an average week look like for you (training-wise)?
Do you monitor your protein/carb/fat ratios?
Do you eat the same number of calories everyday regardles of exercise?
What is your sugar intake like?
I'm not a nutritionist just an endurance athlete. I can tell you what works for me if you'd like. The answer is a little lengthy for here, but you can email me if you'd like!
Also--5'2" and 120 is definitely a good goal. Do you happen to know what your body fat % is?
(And Thanks for stopping by my blog).
I spent this year doing my first full tri season (from a super sprint to an Olympic in 5 months)and my clothing size went from a 12 to an 8 with my former "fitted" clothes hanging off me! Did I lose even an ounce in weight?? Heck no! Everyone comments on how much weight I have lost but it is all inches. I'm 5'8 and 170 - I'd like to be 155-160 - I still refuse to race as an Athena though as I like the age group challenge more! I have decided not to worry about the weight thing and just maybe eat better!!!
Numbers on the scale are deceiving. As muscles build, we burn fat.
Problem is we are developing dense weight of muscle. This is not a bad problem to have.
Eat good foods and train well. The rest will take care of itself.
I find winter a tough time to lose much weight. As the warm weather rolls around I'll start to shed some....long bike rides burn a ton of calories and my time in the saddle dips big time in the winter.
I've never focused on losing weight, it just seems to come off in the spring and creep back up in the late fall. I'm sure tea could give you some great advice on diet if you really want to focus on weight loss. If you look at the elite level cycling women....they are not nearly as thin (relatively speaking) as the men. Nor are they as thin as elite women distance runners. Running is where weight loss seems to be most important. I think you'd benefit plenty focusing on training and let your weight do what it does.....just my opinion.
fyi, there have been some good weight related threads on the CTC forum if you look through the archives.
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