How exercise is not enough AKA starting back on calorie counting AKA stress eating sucks

bendyourkneekatie

I run more than you. I run 100km a week. If I take the kms the elliptical says I do into account, it’s 140km. I run to listen to uni lectures, I run to get away from kids, I run to listen to podcasts, I run to get out in nature, I run to manage my anxiety disorders without resorting to medication. I run a lot.
AND YET over the course of winter, studying full time while trying to keep the house and family going ok and holding myself to an over-achiever’s standards for grades and running any chance I got, I put on weight. I just didn’t have any leftover willpower to pay attention to it but I could sense the creep. I was eating too much, I was drinking too much, I wasn’t logging. The day after my last assignment for the year was handed in I hopped on the scale and saw the truth. I’ve hit 60kg again, something I swore I wouldn’t do.
So here I am again. I’ve done it before I’ll do it again.
For anyone who ever asks “I’m exercising heaps why aren’t I losing weight?!?” Let this be a lesson: if it can happen to an ultra-marathoner, it can happen to you! (Unless you’re like a triathaloner or something, in which case wtf you eating?!?)

NovusDies

Doing the math... I run 0km a week and you run 100-140. Yep. You run more than me.

I doubt you need it but... good luck!

MikePTY

The saying "you can't outrun the fork" exists for good reason. Exercise can certainly help with weight loss and maintenance, but it cannot do it alone without controlling what you eat.

Danp

100-140km a week. That's pretty much running a half marathon every day of the week no rest or days off??

I can't imagine doing 100-140 of anything a week!

WinoGelato

You sound like you have a lot going on in your life. Do you have any stress reducers that aren’t long distance running? Just in case of injury, illness, etc but also to maybe incorporate some yoga or meditation?

I’m a high achieving type A personality also and I get the need to have an outlet especially if it also helps you tick more achievement boxes. I’m working on trying to embrace more relaxation instead of just constantly working on marking things off my to do list, but I’m not very good at it!

Justin_7272

It sounds like you have a seriously unhealthy relationship with running; you brag about it, then note you use it as a crutch to try to get away from your problems. You then go on to say you don't have "any leftover willpower" to control your eating.

Managing stress is difficult. Coping with stress in unhealthy ways-be it exercise or eating-only compounds the problem.

You need to reevaluate.

missysippy930

Yep, you run a lot! 🏆🏃🏻‍♀️

I can relate in a miniscule way. I went to the gym every day (except 1 day ) for 22 months. Gained 4 pounds during those months. It made me ravenous. Lesson learned. Eat less calories than your body burns for weight loss, more calories than your body burns for weight gain & eat the same amount of calories as your body burns to maintain.

cupcakesandproteinshakes

OP. Can I ask is your picture current?

If so you look to be very lean. So not sure you need to try and lose weight. Hard to tell from just the midsection but you look around 18 per cent body fat or less to me.

Is there anyone you can talk to about managing anxiety? It seems like running may not be the optimal anxiety managing strategy for you

kshama2001

Might I suggest less running and more yoga?