General Discussion Triathlon Talk » cutting calories vs metabolism Rss Feed  
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2010-05-08 6:57 PM

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Subject: cutting calories vs metabolism
So I consume probably aroun 1500-2000 calories a day my breakfast is usually scrambled eggs a yogurt and a small bowl of cereal but then i go to sleep a few hrs later and dont eat again untill 7 pm because i work night shift and then i eat anothee mea(dinner)l probably about 1000 calories maybe a little less ....and in between dinner and breakfast i usually drink a protein shake for a meal replacement...i know im not consuming a lot of caloris and i work out running or biking for about 45 mins between 30-45 mins a day ...but im not seeing any improvements in my weight ..i feel stronger i see improvements in my running im getting faster and running furhter but my weight will not drop? Could it be my metabolism is just slow? Can someone give me advice or some insight please....Do i need to workout more?

Edited by italiantp3 2010-05-08 6:59 PM


2010-05-08 8:02 PM
in reply to: #2846309

Subject: RE: cutting calories vs metabolism
What's your height and weight now?  Kind of hard to say without knowing.
2010-05-08 9:59 PM
in reply to: #2846309

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Subject: RE: cutting calories vs metabolism
im 142 and im about 5'2 i want to be 130 at least thats what i was before i had my baby
2010-05-09 3:01 PM
in reply to: #2846309

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Subject: RE: cutting calories vs metabolism
If I were you I'd add more workouts before I cut calories. Your post says you work out 30-45 minutes a day. However, if your training log is correct, you're barely at 1.5 hours a week. Start working out 30-45 minutes a day, 5 or 6 days a week? And give it a couple of weeks to see if you need to make additional changes.
2010-05-20 12:18 PM
in reply to: #2846309

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Subject: RE: cutting calories vs metabolism
My motabolism is way slow, like really really slow.  This week I am working out 17 hours (typically 11-13 but am building for IM atm)... and eating 300 + 100 +400+100+ 700 + 50 (1650 calories a day) + the calories to maintain energy on long runs (after 1 hour, 1 gel per 30 min running (100 cal) and biking after 1 hour 250 calories per hour).  In this mode I lose 1 pound per 2-3 weeks.  So ya I feel your pain.  Getting in 4 or more 90  minute workouts per week would be a good first step.  You won't need any supplimental calories durring the workout for only 90 minutes and don't need to backfill recovery calories either.        

If you are nursing your baby that will have an impact on your calorie intake and expendature also.       
2010-05-20 2:26 PM
in reply to: #2846309

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Subject: RE: cutting calories vs metabolism
For those of you working out like mad and eating very little i.e. 2000 calories or less, there has been some research done on marathon runners and calorie intake. 

The scientists that did the study took some marathoners in training and figured out what they were eating. Most of them were eating low 2000's per day. Based on their training they were creating this massive deficit. These are marathoners in shape, racing weight. The deficit said they should be losing a couple of pounds per week but their weight was holding steady. The scientists hypothesized that the metabolism was slowing to compensate so they didn't waste away. 

They increased the runners calorie intakes to account for the deficit and guess what?

The still didn't gain weight, even when increasing calories by 1000 or so per day. The runners had more energy though and better workouts.

For example, I am doing 2 adays six days per week. Look at my calorie intake. I am still losing weight, I am hungry too. A lot of the time. Some days I am ravenous. If you are doing serious training for Triathlon you have to eat, you have to. Otherwise you will never make through the workouts.  


2010-05-20 3:50 PM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: cutting calories vs metabolism
I think that there is way more variability in motabolism and dietary needs than the quasi experts think.  Working out 10-11 hours a week, if I increase my calorie intake above 2000 calories (above and beyond the calories to maintain energy in a workout that is longer than 90 minutes)  I gain weight.  For me there is a 400 calorie window. In the middle, I maintain, at the bottom I lose slowly and above I gain not so slowly.    1600 to 2000 calories per day buring roughly 6000-7000 calories a week in base building phase.  I get through the workouts fine 8), but do have an urge to snake now and again as do we all.  It does stike me as odd that we don't know more about diet and the impact on weight gain/loss.  It seems important enough to people, but where is the solid research 8).   
2010-06-07 12:23 PM
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Subject: RE: cutting calories vs metabolism
I stopped counting calories over a year ago; which was about the time I started training for triathlon's.  I "think" I am eating around 3K calories a day; but I am more concerned with the "what" than the how much!  I try to eat food that is less processed and has less trans. fat.  Otherwise I let my body deal with how to burn the cals.

The physiological responses to challenging workouts will make your body more efficient at burning fat.  The only way to get through a challenging workout is to fuel (eat)!  Spend less time counting calories and more time thinking about what you eat.  Your body will take care of the rest! 

Be honest about the amount of time you spend working out as well.  3 years ago I weighed 279#.  I plateaued at around 220# working out maybe 5 hrs a week.  Once I amped that up to over 10hrs a week......bye bye belly fat.  I have now found 2 brewskis from my long lost 6 pack...wooo hooo!  I now weigh 206# and lose about 1 pound every 2 weeks.  It don't happen fast. 
2010-06-15 12:45 AM
in reply to: #2846309

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Subject: RE: cutting calories vs metabolism
Maybe has a go at shocking your body too by cycling the calories over the days rather than having a consistent amount. I tend to have almost the same calories during the week but then have a spike over the weekend. It just kick starts the body again
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