Should I Allow Myself to Gain Weight in Out-Season?

There's an article in the most recent Triathlete on this issue. The premise is that if you gain a bit of weight and keep training, when you loose that weight again your fitness will improve and you should be a bit faster.

I'd rather just maintain weight and get faster, but that's just me.

I pretty much do what Left-Brain mentioned and since I'm no longer doing such long workouts or 2 a days, naturally the scale is climbing. I do find it unnerving though b/c I do regularly chk wt, I'm thinking a few lbs is fine and it'll come off again once ramp-up for next season begins. I'm a big believer in eating when you're hungry, keeps the metabolism humming along and keeps you satisfied.

Patsy

I generally choose not to ever let my weight go up by more than about 4 lbs if I can help it.

IMO, a lot depends on your history:  If you have been obese and lost significant weight, I don't think it's ever a really good idea to give yourself permission to gain weight (unless you got down to an unusually low weight for a race or something)...sort of like being an alcoholic in recovery and saying, "Well, over the winter I'll just allow myself to drink a few drinks a week."  Might work out okay, but statistics say likely otherwise.  OTOH, if you don't have a history of being significantly overweight, then a bit of winter weight probably isn't going to kill you.

I think this is a very good point.  I think it really depends on your history with weight.  I need to take off some pounds but if/when I make it to a goal weight I know I won't be able to say I'll just put on a few pounds so I'll get faster when they come off. Just too risky.  Ironically for me, it's easier to lose weight during the winter as I'm doing a lot of skiing at a hard intensity along with running.  And if I plan right I have good, healthy food available to me but snacking isn't easy like it is on weekends when I'm around the house.  

You mean off-season right? ;-)

Don't go too crazy, but don't gain any weight that will take you more than a month to work off. That's my rule of thumb. 

do adventure races in the winter then there is never an off season! 

I thought the best time to loose weight was in the off season when you are not concerned in keeping energy levels up for race season

do adventure races in the winter then there is never an off season! 

I thought the best time to loose weight was in the off season when you are not concerned in keeping energy levels up for race season

I'm sure the vast majority of people don't fall in this category, I know I don't.  But a I have read that a lot of pro endurance athletes loose strength during the season due to the body consuming muscle mass during its need for fuel.  Because of this they need to regain that weight and build back that strength in the off season.  If done properly the body will gain that weight not only replacing the muscle mass you lost during the season but increasing it to leave you better prepared for next season. 

Most of us though never work at those levels so I wouldn't think there would be any reason to gain weight.