Fat gain in spite of riding???

[Dogmama]

How can this happen? Maybe it's my age (pushing 50--hard!). I've been riding a lot, but getting flabby! Maybe I need to hit the weights more? Maybe it's high carb foods?

I went to the gym last night & had difficulty with poundage that I've lifted before with ease. Can riding wreck your muscle mass? I never experienced this in my younger days (late 30's, early 40's).

This reeks.

Anybody else? What did you do?

[Pedal Wench]

Make sure you're getting enough protein - LEAN protein, that is. If you're using your muscles, you need to make sure to replenish them

[bounceswoosh]

Have you talked to a professional about your workout plan? Some conversations with an exercise physiologist have helped me a great deal. I was trying to ride hard every day; that's not recommended for a variety of reasons.

[Barb]

Funny you mentioned that. I just came back from a long weekend of riding and playing at the beach. My legs feel strong and I can see them firming up but I am gaining weight! This is not good since I am overweight to begin with. I know muscle weighs more, but I want to shed some fat. I am starting weights this week, along with swimming. I need to seek my mid section drop a size or 2 (or 4). Any exercise advice?

[bounceswoosh]

ugh. I hate the term "overweight." Gaining weight and gaining fat are *not* synonymous! In fact, I've lost a few belt notches while maintaining my weight.

I can't give you any advice, because like almost everyone else, I'm weak and don't stick to any plan I intend to follow. But I can say that cutting down on restaurant food, eating less cheese, and generally trying to eat less fat has made a difference to me. But at the same time, I was also getting far more exercise than I had been before. So I don't know whether I would have lost fat if I'd only been doing one of the two.

[Sparrow]

I'm with you, bounceswoosh. Personally I'm staying away from the scale at the moment. In the last month I've lost about an inch around my chest and gained it around my waist. I'm just smiling and knowing that there's some muscle happening in there somewhere and if I keep doing what I'm doing the weight has to fall off sooner or later.

[Barb]

I broke down this a.m. and took the ugly measurements. I put away the scale and won't worry about measurements again for a month...just see what happens. And I went for a great ride and swim after!