Running causing weight gain?

rnfreed

I've read a case study on a woman training for a marathon that actually put on weight while eating at a deficit. When tested, her RMR was depressed. Distance running is one of those things that causes high stress in our bodies. Couple that with a large calorie deficit, and the body reacts to that stress. Stress produces cortisol, and according to some researchers, that causes weight gain.

He's logging 50 miles a week. Good exercise, but hardly "high stress" training.

But I also do 4 hard swim workouts a week and hard bike workouts. And my running includes one above race pace interval workout a week

rnfreed

If you really are exercising that much and really are only eating 1500 cals then the only thing I can come up with is....



Could you be pregnant....? That would add those pounds on...

Hahaha no, I am quite certain that I am not pregnant

rnfreed

Is it really possible that my metabolism has become damaged? I thought that eat over 1400 cals. a day would prevent that!

albayin

I don't know what happened to OP but it did happen to me. But I think mine was caused by after losing some weight I became more relaxed about my eating...Running didn't help burn off all the extra from being "relaxed" and as newbie to running, my body did go through some adjusting period and I put on some water weight after each long run. Now it's more stable.

JosieRawr

Is it really possible that my metabolism has become damaged? I thought that eat over 1400 cals. a day would prevent that!

When considering if you are eating too little it is important to consider your NET calories, not just what you're eating. If you were eating 1400+ calories and not exercising you would probably be okay.(I would be losing weight at close to 1lb per week as my lazy burn is just about 2000)

In my opinion you are not eating enough to support your exercise. How long have you been eating in this way? If you are truly and accurately logging everything that you eat, I would put your net calories at dangerously. (All speculation and opinion based on norms of course) And I'm not sure how that would have you gaining weight unless you are in fact damaging your metabolism and then "binging" (As a chronic under eater/binger when I'm not logging- it is all too easy to do without noticing..)

RHachicho

Also has anyone mentioned that a sudden large increase in volume or intensity can result in muscles storing more glycogen. That can happen.

DeguelloTex

I've read a case study on a woman training for a marathon that actually put on weight while eating at a deficit. When tested, her RMR was depressed.

Then she wasn't eating at a deficit.

Lib_B

Is it really possible that my metabolism has become damaged? I thought that eat over 1400 cals. a day would prevent that!

No. Unless you've struggled with disordered eating for years, no. I'm guessing water retention. Are you consuming a lot of sodium? Anything that would cause retention in addition to normal muscle fluid retention? If not, then you are either overestimating calorie burn or underestimating intake. it is no small task...especially if you cook for yourself, to measure and log every bite you put into your mouth, but an extra bite here and there throughout the day can add up to an extra 500 calories (depending on what you snack on). This is not to say you aren't accurately logging, but I know when I was eating sugar, it was easy to pop a 'mini' chocolate 7 times a day to the tune of 300 calories. that's over .5 lb per week if i didn't log it or compensate for it by reducing elsewhere. That's my two cents. I understand wanting to hit a target, but maybe you just need to find a different way to enhance performance?

rnfreed

Also has anyone mentioned that a sudden large increase in volume or intensity can result in muscles storing more glycogen. That can happen.

This is actually the main reason why I started this thread. I have heard a little about this and would like to know more. How much of a weight change could this cause?

SassyCalyGirl

a 5 or 10k is not considered "long distance" running.

more calories in than burned = weight gain.

end of story

runner359

Maybe get tested for thyroid issues. Its not all about calories in calories out. Sometimes there is more to it.

DeguelloTex

Maybe get tested for thyroid issues. Its not all about calories in calories out sometimes more to it.

A thyroid issue would just mean fewer calories out than expected, right?

albayin

a 5 or 10k is not considered "long distance" running.

more calories in than burned = weight gain.

end of story

for newbies 10k was big deal.

madimurrell12

Can I just say that I NEVER lose weight when running. Ever. Also I seem to look less toned. My dietitian and doctor both said that it's that long distance running seems to break down muscle and you hold more fat reserves because your body is going into fight or flight mode, it doesn't know if you're running from danger. I am no expert or trying to say I am an expert, just saying my experience and what I have been told, you can take it with a grain of salt if you'd prefer.

editorgrrl

Maybe get tested for thyroid issues. Its not all about calories in calories out sometimes more to it.

A thyroid issue would just mean fewer calories out than expected, right?

No. I have Hashimoto's (autoimmune thyroid disease), and I lost just like everybody else—by eating at a deficit.

According to the NIH, a healthy weight for a 5'7" woman is 121–153:
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/bmi_tbl.pdf

hill8570

I've read a case study on a woman training for a marathon that actually put on weight while eating at a deficit. When tested, her RMR was depressed. Distance running is one of those things that causes high stress in our bodies. Couple that with a large calorie deficit, and the body reacts to that stress. Stress produces cortisol, and according to some researchers, that causes weight gain.

He's logging 50 miles a week. Good exercise, but hardly "high stress" training.

But I also do 4 hard swim workouts a week and hard bike workouts. And my running includes one above race pace interval workout a week

Still doesn't sound particularly high stress. OTOH, as a another poster noted, everyone's body has a different idea of "high stress".

What you're basically doing is training for a middle-distance triathlon (what we used to call a "tinman", not sure if that term is still used). Personally, I think that the cross-training involved is very beneficial, as you aren't just pounding the crap out of one set of muscles.

OTOH, if your goal is to simply be the best 10K runner you can be, then the cross-training is probably hurting you slightly -- you're putting on upper body muscle from the swimming, and your quads are going to be bigger than a typical runner. However, simply from a health perspective, I think what you're doing (other than the too-low calorie intake), is excellent. Depends on your goals.

MeanderingMammal

My dietitian and doctor both said that it's that long distance running seems to break down muscle and you hold more fat reserves because your body is going into fight or flight mode.

Huh...

Sustained training of any kind without adequate fuelling will cause difficulties, but that's not the preserve of running, it's about inadequate calorie intake and macro balance.

MeanderingMammal

Hello all! I am a distnace runner who is training for the 5K/10K distance.

What are your times for these?

I have upped my mileage from 35 miles a week to about 45-50 miles a week along with core, swimming, and biking a few days ever week.

How are you tracking your calorie expenditure, and what do you define as a hard session for these?

What sort of sessions do you do, you identify 5-7 miles per day, what's the combination of LSR, tempo, interval and recovery session?

I eat ~1500 cal. a day

Net or gross?

Unfortunatley, I gained weight!!!!

As others are saying if you're in calorie deficit you'll lose weight, if you're in surplus you'll gain weight. There is a subtlety around period, again as noted upthread the sudden increase in training may lead to glycogen uplift/ water retention, and that can sustain over a number of weeks.

By adding swimming and cycling, assuming these are additions, you will be developing different muscle groups than those that you develop when only running. Two months isn't long, but you may be seeing a rebalancing of body composition. Despite what all the lifting zealots would claim running, swimming and cycling will all help with retention of lean mass, just not to the same extent as when lifting.

I'd suggest observing other things; bodyfat percentage, physical measurements, clothing fit etc.

But you're correct, you're probably slightly over racing weight, while cross training is very complementary it can have a moderately adverse effect on performance.