Muscle Fatigue and Leg Soreness...Why????

asiamj

Hello All,

I recently got back on my bike about 4.5 months ago....I love it!! And this is about the same period I started a low calorie diet. Thus, far I’ve lost about 40 lbs or about 2.2 lbs per week. I eat a lot of protein (fish, steak, fruits, etc.) except for lunch (salads mostly) and not too much carbs. I consume about 1600 calories per day and burn about 700+ per day exercising which mostly consist of bike riding and the (moderate walking) treadmill. I weigh about 175 lbs and 5'6" in height.

I am usually riding about the same distance and intensity, however, I notice that I am experiencing muscle fatigue and/or soreness on my thigh/leg areas. I also notice that I use to ride on the highest gear and now that’s getting too difficult for me and I now have to reduce to lower gears. It just seems that after 3.5 months of riding I should improve my leg muscles, so why am I experiencing muscle fatigue? And, soreness on my thigh/leg areas?

I’d appreciate your comments. I also posted this under the "fitness". Thank you.

hiddensecant

A decrease in physical ability is often the result of not enough calories. It sounds like your net calories are really low, especially for a man.

suiciedchild

If the ride you are taking is a difficult one you may be overworking your muscles, to burn that many calories sounds to me like your going for a while during each session, try switching your exercise routine up, dont do the exact same thing every day, also if your riding your bike everyday and it is on the intense side of things you may not be allowing your muscles to regrow/heal , so if you continue without giving your muscles a chance to heal you will get the reverse effect , muscle deteriation.

with 1600 calorie intake and 700+ burned in exersice your ending up with about 900 calories a day, i would try increaseing your calorie intake a little , and take a day or two off a week from the bike