Is anybody else feeling the weight of winter on their thighs/belly? WARNING: Low self-esteem day...

I'm a chunky punky monkey, 5'4 and size 14 (currently 184.5 with ginormous muscle content (30 percent BF?), thank you very much)

I always gain 10-15 pounds in the winter, it seems. Two years ago, my excuse was mononucleosis in September and a pity party of wine and Ben & Jerry's. Last year? I dropped out of my first attempt at a hilly double century (LOTOJA) because of sleet and snow. Self-pity strikes again.... but I've been in a cycling pre-season class at the bike shop, and I'm back down to within 8.5 pounds of my summer low.

Problem number 1: My summer low weight last year wasn't LOW ENOUGH to be very fast. I needed perfect conditions to attain 14-15 mph on the hilly course and finish before dark. Perfect conditions I did not have. And I know it's all about the journey and not the event, la la la, and 206 miles is a hella accomplishment, la la la, but this year I decided to get a "team" to support me and draft with, etc.

Problem number 2: I've drafted/recruited three FAST GIRLS to be on my teamn (sizes 6, 8, 10, perhaps?). Now I'm worried that I won't be able to keep up with them. I think I need to lose down to my summer low in the next two months and then get down quite a bit more after that just to hang. I know my muscle mass is important, but my weight is a liability on the hills.

I've hired a coach again (he helped me for three months last summer) and I really trust him to help me with the actual type and quantity of miles I need, but I need ideas and support for my mental state (hello, he's a dude, not good at that stuff ) ...

I tried the no/flour no sugar thing for a couple weeks, but that was really hard and it's not workable for actively training. I think I just need to focus on making good food choices, upping my fruits and veggies, etc.

Because I don't ride with other girls much, could anyone give me an idea of whether it's possible for a ballast-challenged girl to hang with these Amazon gals?