replenish glycogen vs. eating late

[han-grrl]

The reason it isn't recommended to eat after a certain time is because most people do their boredom emotional eating while relaxing watching TV after dinner.

So...if your dinner is late because of a ride, i would recommend eating something when you get home.

You might want to change your eating schedule, so you are having a slightly later lunch, and eat a lighter dinner/snack after your ride.

Smile
Han

[indysteel]

I, too, end up eating late after evening rides and then go to bed not long afterwards. If I didn't, I think I'd be in a world of hurt. I say eat.

One other thing I'd suggest. As you know, I'm fan of chocolate milk after rides, too. I've read that it's best to consume a recovery drink/food within a half hour of riding to get the full benefit. So, I bring my milk with me to rides in a thermos I bought at Target that keeps liquid cold for a good 14 hours. I just leave it in the car so that I can drink it the minute the ride is over. It's always cold enough, even on hot days.

[li10up]

Thanks. But an important fact that I should have mentioned... I also need to lose weight. I'm currently about 30 pounds overweight. So, I'd rather not eat if I'm not hungry at the time. But will my riding suffer the next day, or will what I eat for breakfast, snacks, and lunch (about 700 calories) be enough if I eat a gel right before my ride?

[han-grrl]

The important thing to remember when you are trying to lose weight is to ensure your body is getting all your required nutrients for the day. Remember, if your body is under physiological stress, it won't "burn off the fat". Physiological stress means it doens' have enough calories or nutrient to function properly.

You also don't want to cut down too many calories. Remember you are "burning" while riding, and the usual calorie difference we look for is about 500 calories, either as "restricted" that is less food, or more exercise, or a combination. 2 hours of riding can burn well over 1000 calories depending on the type of ride, so i suggest eating something to replenish. Even if its a light meal.

I have a few clients who skip meals and exercise every day, and i keep telling them not to skip meals. These clients also happen to have very inconsistent weight loss, simply because their bodies "think" that they are starving themselves.

Good luck!
han

[Zen]

Are you saying your total calorie intake is aprox. 700kcal daily?

Thats barely enough for a child

I also wonder about the need for a gel for 2hrs or riding. Do you really need it? I don't know how hard you're riding during that time but when I stopped "using" during brief exercise periods I lost about ten pounds.

I don't know if you're training for a specific type ride but more rest may be the answer.
What made you ask this? are you feeling tired or slower some days?

[KnottedYet]

AAAAAH! 700 calories? That's barely what I eat for breakfast.

In 2 hours of riding I would eat the equivalent of 4 gels. (3 clif bloks every half hour) Plus about 2 big bottles of clif shot electrolyte/carb. That's about 600 calories just during my ride. (I tend to ride hard and sweat like mad.)

Managed to lose 50 lbs by eating LOTS and exercising JOYFULLY. What works for you will probably be different, but I really don't think 700 calories is enough to run a body on without it going into crisis-metabolism mode. Let alone trying to exercise on top of that.

I'd recommend eating a nice healthy LARGE dinner, even if it's late. Lots of veges and lean protiens. maybe a nice square of really good dark chocolate with an apple for dessert. mmmmm, chocolate...

[li10up]

I usually have a V8 for breakfast. And then a cup or two of coffee at work. Around 10am I eat a non-fat yogurt. At lunch it's a rice bowl, 400 cal. Then another yogurt around 3pm. That's about 700 calories. Then right before my ride I eat a gel. Also while on the bike I have one bottle of water and one bottle of Gatorade. When I get home it's 8 oz. or so of choc. milk.

Since I have so much weight to lose I'm wondering if I'm not hungry after my ride would it be ok to skip eating? If I don't eat will I be hurting on my ride the next day?

I'm asking this because I need to lose weight but I don't want to suffer on the rides from lack of energy.

I eat out with DH way too much...that's why I can't lose the weight. He really enjoys eating out and if I don't want to he kind of sulks. I have good intentions on the way to the restaurant but when I get there and see all the good stuff on the menu my good intentions go flying out the window. I have no willpower. We meet for lunch on Tuesday. Eat dinner together after work on Friday and eat out Saturday and Sunday. I know I'm sabotaging my weight loss hopes but I can't seem to change.