winter weight, summer weight

[redrhodie]

I've always gained 5+lbs in winter, so this year I decided to up my winter riding and see what happens. Well, I still gained 5lbs (at least it wasn't close to 10 like last year). I rode slightly less than I do in the warmer months, but this January I got a trainer because we had snow/ice for the entire month, so I didn't ride THAT much less. I watched what I ate, consumed less calories than I do in summer, and still gained 5lbs.

Now, it's DST, and I've started commuting to work, and the lbs are dropping, just like always at this time of the year. I'm wondering if it's not the amount of miles I'm riding that keeps my weight in check, but the 2 rides per day. I'm actually doing slightly less miles due to a hectic schedule right now.

Could it be that I'm boosting my metabolism by the second ride/day, even though it's not as much time in the saddle?

I should add, even at my winter weight, I'm within normal weight range. I just can't wear a certain pair of jeans and breathe!

[Biciclista]

Red, I can't answer your question, but I'm like you. What I notice is that my belly flattens in the summer time, and yes, that certain pair of jeans. It really motivates me to continue commuting.

[OakLeaf]

For me, it's the sunlight. There have been studies that document that sunlight is really important to metabolism (and most body systems). Until I became a snowbird, I always weight over the winter and lost it soon after the spring equinox, and back then all my workouts were indoors with no seasonal variation at all.

[redrhodie]

For me, it's the sunlight. There have been studies that document that sunlight is really important to metabolism (and most body systems). Until I became a snowbird, I always weight over the winter and lost it soon after the spring equinox, and back then all my workouts were indoors with no seasonal variation at all.

That's really interesting. I hadn't heard that before. Not much I can do to make more sun in winter (other than move south, which isn't happening).

I dunno, maybe it's just supposed to happen, and I should accept that I have winter jeans, summer jeans. Of course, the jeans that get too tight are the heavier weight ones that I'd prefer in cold weather.

[tzvia]

I've been on a...well, not a diet, but weight-loss thingy (call it a diet and I will fail ) over the winter. Out here, it gets colder, from the 100s down to the 60s and 70s during the winter and it is great riding weather with very few rainy days. For the first time, I wore a HRM through the winter rides. Well, my calorie counts on the same loop went down with the temperature. Couldn't figure why till I realized that my body has to work harder in the heat to try and cool myself during the rides. I was riding around dragging two full waterbotles because I was not under the extra heat stress, and burning less calories.

Now if you are indoors, in a nice cool room on a trainer, and not outside in the sun and dealing with the warmth too, that might be a factor. You are also not dealing with things like headwind and hills. I have found my Heart rate monitor to be invaluable in determining just what my body is really doing. Oh, and I use only daylight balanced bulbs in the house; can't quote any scientific evidence but the light is much less stressful on my eyes than those orange tinted bulbs.

[limewave]

I've wondered the same thing about twice-a-day workouts and my metabolism. I can't ride my bike to work, it's a 60+ mile commute. I wish I could!

Normally I do one 45-90 minute workout a day, 6 days a week. But most of my day is spent sitting at a desk. I wonder what kind of stress that puts on my body to be sedentary for 23 hours then suddenly do an intense workout for 60 minutes?

I've been so busy lately, I've had to break-up my working out into two 20-40 minute workouts, one in the AM and one in the late afternoon. I seem to have more energy throughout the day . . .

I can't tell you how its affecting my weight right now as I'm 8 months pregnant and as large as a boat.

[indysteel]

I've been on a...well, not a diet, but weight-loss thingy (call it a diet and I will fail ) over the winter. Out here, it gets colder, from the 100s down to the 60s and 70s during the winter and it is great riding weather with very few rainy days. For the first time, I wore a HRM through the winter rides. Well, my calorie counts on the same loop went down with the temperature. Couldn't figure why till I realized that my body has to work harder in the heat to try and cool myself during the rides. I was riding around dragging two full waterbotles because I was not under the extra heat stress, and burning less calories.

Now if you are indoors, in a nice cool room on a trainer, and not outside in the sun and dealing with the warmth too, that might be a factor. You are also not dealing with things like headwind and hills. I have found my Heart rate monitor to be invaluable in determining just what my body is really doing. Oh, and I use only daylight balanced bulbs in the house; can't quote any scientific evidence but the light is much less stressful on my eyes than those orange tinted bulbs.

Sixty to seventy degrees? I don't think you should be allowed to use the term "winter."

My weight goes up a bit during most winters. I assume it's partly a function of less exercise, more hibernating, and more food. I ran last year on top of my usual routine of spinning and yoga and didn't pack on as much weight. I was also way ahead aerobically when cycling started, too. This year, I was much less diligent about my workouts for a variety of reasons, and the scale shows it. Plus, the weather turned nasty particularly early this year (early November versus early January), and it was really hard for me to stay motivated.

[sundial]

There have been studies that document that sunlight is really important to metabolism (and most body systems).

You know, I wondered about that. My tummy is flatter in the summer and one winter when I rode almost daily on the trail or road, I didn't get that flat tummy. So sunlight must do a lot more for us than we know.

[lph]

I'm usually most fit in spring, before it starts getting hot and before the summer holidays. Exercise is part of my daily routine and sunlight keeps me outdoors and active for longer. I love summer, but I have a hard time staying as active when it's hot out before I've even crawled out from under the covers, and I'm in holiday mode (ooh! icecream! yay, they sell waffles at the beach here! oh sure, let's have a beer with dinner.)