Quote Originally Posted by spokewench
I went on a 480 mile - 7 day (6 day riding) tour this year. My first of that length and duration and I thought I would lose weight also. When I got back, I had not lost anything (which really is a good thing since I ate and drank to maintain my weight), but what I did notice was that about a week or two later, I guess this ride kick started my metabolism cause I lost about 4 or 5 pounds and I was able to eat more and not gain weight?

Weird huh!

Remember that instant gains (as in weight loss) are usually because of you doing something radical... you dont want to lose weight on a few days tour because your body will read that as a problem and try to over compensate.

however, to lose over time - as you have done... to have recovered, continued light training, as you say, your metabolism lifts and kicks up a gear and thats when the "gains" are made... weight loss should never be instant (and if it is, as Mimi said, it is most likely dehydration which is not good). weight loss that is steady and over time is usually long term .