Bit of vent - I know it takes time
After July’s doom, I gained a few kilos to just above 70kg, which makes sense with comfort eating and no desire to do anything but what can you do?
In the last few weeks, I’ve cut my afternoon snacks down to a single item and lunch no longer has crisps, then I’ve been back to TR for 4 or 5 sessions a week for 45 mins, plus 15 - 30 mins of kettlebells for 5 or 6 days. Plus I walk for 20 to 30 mins most lunchtimes.
For my last 3 weigh-ins - end of, end of Nov and today (today I added in one before end of Dec as I thought I’d stop worrying about weight and try a picture to see changes) it’s not moved enough so that it’d be classed as stable and somehow despite moving lumps of metal about the fat percentage has actually gone up?!
I’ve been tracking meals in My Fitness and ignoring the expected inaccuracy of veg which I don’t weigh but eat lots of different vegetables I’m consistently well under the required amount for a slow loss. I can’t be eating 100s of kcals of peas and carrots with dinner that would be a ridiculous plate. I tend to choose the larger callory option for the meal I’ve had so I don’t think I’m underestimating what I eat. I know I could do more bike hours but it’s bloody freezing so hiking is better in the weekend but there should be some change somewhere in weight/bf% or muscle %.
There endeth my vent. Just need patience and to keep on keeping on.
This resonates with me as I generally underfeed on the bike to deliberately create a calorie deficit and focus more on the calorie burn of workouts as opposed to what will actually improve my power / riding.
I track my food and exercise activity and am reasonably confident that I consistently undereat - as others have put previously I struggle with the idea of eating “unhealthy” foods and will usually avoid social events due to the potential to consume excess calories. I also frequently “intermittent fast” or eat one meal a day even on training days which results in large daily calorie deficits.
Therefore in theory I should be stick thin, my weight fluctuates a lot but generally bottoms out around 71-73kg for 1.80m which is not underweight and I carry a small amount of belly fat that just won’t shift.
I therefore wonder if others have found similar and their diet / nutrition (or lack of) has led to hormone imbalances or been due to underlying medical problems that have created this never ending spiral of undereating not leading to the desired weight loss / body composition so continuing to undereat.
It seems from what I am reading here that I may actually greatly benefit from eating a lot more (notably cabs) and just focusing on becoming a stronger rider (which is what I want ) but just can’t bring myself to do it for fear of piling on weight.
Thanks all for your posts in this thread - it’s been enlightening for me to read and realize that it’s a lot more common among fellow cyclists than you’d imagine.
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