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I am training for a marathon, why haven’t I lost weight?
By Christina | August 22, 2009
It’s funny, I know people who have actually run a marathon and gained weight in the process of training. Just like pregnancy and the need to ingest more calories, when you train, you need to eat more as well. However, just like with pregnancy, you don’t need to consume 2000 more calories. You don’t need sugary sports drinks, you don’t need to snack on fruits and bars all day, and you don’t need to eat bigger meals all the time.
Whether you are training for a marathon, Ironman, or distance bike ride, what you do need to be aware of is what your body “needs” not wants. Your body needs healthy foods like fruits and vegetables in moderation. Your body needs additional hydration. Your body may even need electrolytes (salts) if you are training for more than 90 minutes. Your body does not need Gatorade all day long. Your body does not need extra helpings of ice cream because “you earned it,” your body does not need to eat portions that rival a horse at the feeder trough.
Did you know that even if you train for hours on end the formula for weight loss does not change? Calories in must be equal to or less than calories out or you will gain weight!
Topics: Nutrition |
