Swim. Bike. Run. Eat. Repeat.
Ask any triathlete why they do what they do and likely many will answer, “So I can eat what I want, when I want.” (read : eat like a pig)
Good thing I don’t consider myself “A Triathlete”.
See, back when I first started this kooky sport, “Doing it” was my Number One but I can’t lie when I say I was secretly hoping to achieve that stealth lean-mean physique that so many triathletes possess. It was not to be.
The sad fact is that the majority of aerobic sports don’t help you lose weight. They DO make you hungry however. So it becomes this crazy balancing act between making sure you’re eating enough but not too much.
As I hit the IM trail, I wasn’t expecting the weight to fall off. But … again, secretly… I was hoping against hope that my body would get smaller. Imagine my surprise, to put it mildly, when my weight started moving up. What kind of sick joke is this?!?
Visit any weight loss website, read any diet book, watch any of the weight loss shows and what do they all say? Calories in/calories out. If you want to lose weight you have to burn more than you take in. 3500 calories = 1lb. Extrapolate … a 500 calorie deficit per day equals one pound lost per week. Eat less. Exercise more. Find your BMR. Punch in your activity level, subtract 500 and that’s your daily caloric intake. Easy peasy right??
WRONG. It doesn’t seem to be quite so simple. Well. For me at least. I should be able to eat in the region of 2000 calories per day given the amount of exercise I’m doing, and still project a 1-2lb weight loss/week. Notice I said SHOULD. Truth of the matter is, if I ate that much I’d be gaining 1-2lb per week.
My reality is that I have the metabolism of a slug. When Armageddon comes and everyone else dies of starvation I’ll still be alive living off of dirt. Further, from some experimentation it seems that any carbohydrate intake is immediately stored as fat. ANY. Yes, even fresh fruit. That leaves me with protein and veggies. I guess there’s enough fibre in vegetables to offset their carb value. Though that may change as my body figures out how to wring those carbs outta my carrots. And then I’m in BIG trouble Mister!
So what does this all have to do with the price of bananas you ask?
Consider yourself lucky if you can enjoy triathlon’s fourth sport. Indulge. Go on. Give’er. God knows, if I could I’d be right alongside you tucking back that sixth piece of pizza! In the meantime I’ll be waiting for dirt to become the new Haute Cuisine.
Dirt - the new broccoli
My sympathies are with you; your frustration is justified. Maybe one morning all this expended energy is going to reward you with the bod you’re expecting. Honestly? The fitness you’re gaining is enviable; I suggest it’s more note worthy than the number on the scale.
Thanks for the vote of confidence Karen. I promise to share my dirt breakfast with you when the time comes.
[...] friend and Ironman in Training, Jen, wrote this funny and true post about the trials of training and eating. I, like Jen, hoped that participating in triathlon would [...]
It was the best thing about stepping up to 1/2 IM last year. Five square meals a day, and losing 14 lb. Burp.
The trick is to cut back on the food once you stop training. Belch.
Consider yourself lucky Karl! Enjoy your pizza while you can!
Hi Jen,
I can relate to your frustration, but you are doing your body good by being active. Stay focus on your race in August and the rest will take care of itself.
Good luck
Cindy
Thanks for your kind words Cindy. Ironically, that is exactly what my husband said to me last night. hmmmm ….
Be glad you’re healthy. And able to commit this much time-energy to do what you want.
True enough. But it’d be a whole lot easier lugging 20 less pounds around.