January/February weight management challenge

[Gypsy]

I also have insulin resistance, and I've found it is quite important for me to eat DURING the ride. Before/after is good, but during is equally important. After guidance from my specialist and dietician, I actually don't "count" what I consume before/during the ride.

Sorry, I should have been clear that I ate during the ride -- I had a granola bar and a snack pack fig newton too.

When I first started riding I had to eat during every ride, regardless of length, but that's changed. I still, however, need to eat during any ride > 25-30 miles. <20 miles I just drink water, greater than that I have Heed in either bottle or hydration pack. For on-the-bike food I've learned that my body likes Cliff bars, for road riding I break them up and put them in my Fuel Belt that is mounted on my top tube. For a 50+ mile ride I need to have something like a PB and Banana sandwich stored somewhere and will also have Shot Blocs just in case - if it is hot I will also have a bottle of Accelerade. For mountain biking I judge this more by the amount of time I think I will be on the bike rather than distance as I am quite slow.

I need to take a sandwich thing with me next time, then -- on this ride, I took both the granola bar and the fig newton pack because I knew 50 miles was a lot and I would need it. But my friends thought I was crazy to have that much food. Obviously I need more. I like that idea a lot.

Of course our bodies are different, and some couldn't tolerate my Cliff bars as they are rather dense - but I've found that other bars or real food other than what I've mentioned either upsets my stomach or doesn't give me enough.

Considering your insulin resistance, would it be possible for you to visit a sports nutritionist who understands both cycling and insulin problems?

I had NO idea there were sport nutritionists. I'll need to look one up in my city and probably ask for an appointment. I will try your ideas on this weekend's ride -- we'll be doing 55 miles (we average around 15 mph, so it'll take us just under 4 hours to do).

Holysnot, I'm still trying to figure that out, too.

So far, I'm trying to attack it by dieting at the same time as cutting *back* on my cycling, doing more weightlifting. Bigger rides for me means WAY bigger appetite and gaining weight. Haven't found that sweet spot yet.

-- gnat!

Glad I'm not the only one!

I've been attending spinning classes for a few years now, so I know that I can lose weight and exercise intensely, but I just haven't found the right balance with these hours long rides.

I think part of it is psychological too... thinking I can eat whatever because I was on a ride for 2 hours. My body just doesn't work that way.