Oh, to be a loser...

[mirliluck]

Says who? If I work super crazy hard (70%+ of max), I can burn about 400 calories in a hour. That's not much. If I just go about my day with no added formal exercise (bearing in mind that I do farm chores twice a day which is more than a lot of people), I burn AT MOST 1700 calories. If I ate 1500 calories a day, I'd be barely creating a deficit unless I did a LOT of working out.

While I agree that there are absolutely many people out there who eat too little to fuel their workouts and end up throwing off their metabolisms...there are just as many of us out there who eat too much. Metabolism is HIGHLY individual. Making assumptions about what every person burns based on calculations in books or online is about as smart as judging bike fit based on stand-over height. It works for some, but certainly not for everyone.

Geez, talk about making assumptions. Of course I didn't arrive at that amount using an online calculator, and of course that wouldn't be smart. I do think it's possible to burn as much as 600 cals in an hour depending on your activity level, I have done so calculating with an HRM not an online calculator. And I didn't assume anything that's why I suggested a range of 600-1000 for 1 to 2 hours of activity.

But let's use your 400 calories in an hour as an example. If you are eating 1500 calories ( not taking into account the thermic effect of food even), then you have a net of 1100 calories. For most people, this is well below even a basal metabolic rate. I've seen it recommended that a female shouldn't net below 1200 calories. I realize that this number changes as we age, but I don't see how it's a good idea to be chronically on a caloric intake below what's required for functioning.

My only point is that eating too little can actually cause more harm than good by damaging muscle mass and potentially throwing off metabolism.

[Crankin]

I just read the rest of this thread (since i responded in the beginning). It just shows everyone is different. If I worked out the same amount as Veronica and ate 1500 calories a day, I think I would faint! My BMI is 20 and has been at that point for many years. But, I do agree that many people over estimate how much nutrition they need to fuel their work outs. I suspect I am the opposite. I seem to need more food now than I did 10-20 years ago. I basically weigh the same as I did in HS and I am turning 56 in 3 weeks. But, when I was teaching aerobics 6 days a week and weighed 92 pounds, I was definitely not eating enough. I didn't "starve myself," and I went out to eat a lot, but I ate small breakfasts and lunches and would eat no snack before working out in the late afternoon. No wonder, I often felt faint. Then I would go home and eat a normal, healthy dinner.
My weight seems to stabilize on the days I do an easy workout or take a rest day. I think it's because when I do long and hilly rides, I just need a lot more fuel.

[Biciclista]

If you read Veronica's ride reports, you can tell she's eating enough. I'd be challenged to keep up with her on ANY ride.

[Crankin]

Oh, I don't doubt that! I am weak, basically. But, I know I eat more than 1500 calories a day (probably around 2,000-3,000) and my weight (106) and my body fat (18%) remain relatively stable. I've noticed more lately that my legs just give up and I am cramping up more. I always attribute it to my fibromyalgia, but it's more like I need to do some major weight training. I also think the nutritional aspect is playing into it. I just need to figure out what I need to change.
I am putting myself and my husband through a self-styled boot camp, starting in December. We are doing a cycling tour in May, which is a bit early for that type of riding. So, over the next few weeks, I need to experiment with my calories, and other stuff.

[featuretile]

I have also been struggling with how to get stubborn pounds off (about 30). In the process, I have tried several different things. I was eating a really healthy diet with between 1200-1500 calories a day and going to water aerobics 3X a week and hiking once a week. That was not enough. I started cycling about 6 months ago. Now I ride about 20 (hilly) miles 3-4 times a week, and I am 57 years old.

I had a natural doctor check my thyroid. Although the TSH test was normal, the T3 uptake was on the very lowest normal range. I started to take a low dose natural thyroid pill to speed up my metabolism.

Then I went to Tibet and got horrible diarrhea which required many days of cipro (heavy antibiotic). I realized that I had probably killed every bacteria - bad and good in my body - so when I got home I took some probiotics (healthy bacteria like in yogurt). I started to lose a little weight after that with the same amount of exercise and diet as before the trip. I am wondering if there was something stuck in my gut that was preventing weight loss and this involuntary purge cleaned it out.

Then I read a book recommended by a doctor about leptin resistance. The book suggests that inflammation is preventing leptin from regulating your metabolism. I did not want to go on the no carb diet in the book because I don't think you can cycle with no carbs. It makes me feel tired and cranky. I eat mostly whole grain carbs now. But there are certain anti-inflammatory foods that you can add or sub in that are helpful. So I added blueberries, pomegranate juice and green tea to my diet.

I have lost 12 pounds and am fitting into some of my old pants. I think it is mostly the cycling with the help of the other things. I just feel better. I know I have to eat while I'm riding, so I always bring something healthy to eat like nuts and raisins or a granola bar, and lots of water. I can get up hills that I could not get up before, and a 15 mile ride is easy. Hopefully, I will continue to lose weight, but I have already benefited so much that I am grateful for having gotten hooked on cycling. I ride with a woman who is over 200 lbs., and I am really impressed that she is riding and improving.

[e.e.cummings]

Featuretile, where I come from there is a saying 'you have been up and down the road' meaning that you have experienced a lot - this definitely applies, with all puns intended for cycling. Your story is very interesting. And Tibet - wow!

[tulip]

Hi. This is really interesting. Until I was 39, I was around 145lbs. I'm 5'6". I was never happy with the way I looked. Belly fat--I had it. But, like GLC said, all I got was, "You look fine, love yourself, yadda yadda."

Then, for a variety of reasons, I lost 20lbs in a couple of months a few years ago. Wow, I can tell you, it's great. I have stabilized at 127 and I actually AM delighted with my body--for the first time in my life, at age 42. I'm stronger and faster. But for me, the most important result is that I am more confident in myself in all sorts of ways--not just athletic.

So for some people, it does matter. It would have been nice, really nice, if I could have allowed myself that confidence and freedom back when I was heavier--all of my adult life til then. But now I have it, well most of the time anyways.

If you love yourself whatever your weight, then that is fantastic and so much more than I could accomplish. You should be commended, because what you do is not easy at all.