Phil left an interesting comment that totally sums up my present state of dieting and running:
“I realize you are trying to lose weight and I know that you already know this, but, make sure you're getting enough carbohydrates in your diet. Running is no fun without glycogen.”
Losing weight is hard, especially when you get down to those last 10-15 lbs. after losing over 60 lbs. Losing weight and trying to train for a marathon/ultra is even more challenging! However, it is not impossible, as Lora has recently proved.
For all practical purposes my weight loss program has failed the last two years because my average weight has stayed the same. Granted, I have toned up and added muscle so I could probably reason out a good excuse. But the mirror at home reveals the naked truth and with his buddy the scales remind me that I still have work to do.
Now that my wife has decided to start her diet, I have run out of excuses, I have decided to finish what I started almost 4 years ago! Since I am not actively training for an event for the next 4-6 weeks, now is the time!
I have been hovering around 75 kg/166 lbs. for almost two years, basically since I started training for my first marathon. The weight has fluctuated from a high of 77 kg/170 lbs. (tapering/recovery weeks) to a low of 73 kg/161 lbs. (peak training weeks). As I write I weigh 75 kg, having lost 2 kg/4+ lbs. in the last week.
My weight goal is 68-70 kg. (150-155 lbs), whereas my doctor’s recommendation is 68 kg. (150 lbs.). That’s only 5-7 kg. (11-15 lbs.), shouldn’t be hard, right! This brings us back to what Phil indicated, not getting enough carb’s can lead to early glycogen depletion, which can really take the fun out of training.
So I’m going to be running on thin ice for the next month or two, trying to find the delicate balance between eating enough to train, while reducing calories to lose weight – oh and trying to stay warm as winter sets in with a vengeance.
Anyone want to trade places for awhile?
We all forget that veggies are carbs! Load up on those--I take in 3-4 cups a day. The trick for me has been equal amts protein and carbs at almost each meal--eliminating processed foods and only having low fat foods. This can be done!!
I've wondered for a long time how training and dieting work together. In the last 5 months I have basically averaged 60 miles a week, and lost maybe 2 pounds in the process (I'm not looking to lose weight, so that's no problem). I simply don't know how you can lose weight and keep adequately fuelled at the same time.
Can I wait to trade places with you till after you've lost the weight? Then it'll be you doing the work and me getting the glory!
Good luck - I think it's a very fine line to find the "fueled but still losing" amounts. Let me know if you discover any tricks.
I think it can be done, finding that gray area where you're eating enough to fuel, but little enough to lose. You may have a few sluggish training days at first, but I also I think some of that is mental.
Good luck meeting your goals!
Julie Berg is on 1400 cal diet with only veggies and lean protein. She manages fine. I was on similar diet for 5 weeks last Sept/Oct, lost 10 lbs. I can not bring myself to repeat that...but it's lazy and excuses. From experience I remember that only first long run was hard, then body adjusts. Keep us posted.
I sometimes wonder where these doctors get their recommended weights from - some of them look darn near impossible. You'd have to be a stick figure to reach down those last 5-10 lbs (at least in my case!).