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Why is it easier to eat well when I am not working out/worki

Schaff
Schaff Posts: 83
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this phenomenon. I have noticed that when I am working out HARD, or training for something (i.e. half marathon in the last month), I have a really hard time feeling like I am in control of what and how much I eat. I know that the how much has to do with burning upwards of 1000 calories in one run, but the problem of not being able to control what I am eating is interesting, and frustrating. I noticed it this summer when I was working out hard, too hard in fact because I think I was experiencing overtraining syndrome, and when I took a two week break, I found that it was really easy to just eat right and within my calorie range. I am now sort of in the same position, I just finished my first half marathon, and am taking a two week break from all exercise, and the week before the half I was eating everything in sight, and now, I feel so much more in control. Anyone else been through this or have any thoughts?

Replies

  • mrsvezeau
    mrsvezeau Posts: 30
    Yes, actually just his morning. I am not really training for anything but I am pretty close to my goal weight and since I have dropped some weight I feel like I am eating a ton. I did a spin class this morning and by the time I got home I just needed to eat... and didn't stop.Good things and some bad... I was like, what is wrong with me! My son and I actually had to leave the house to go do errands so I could get control. :smile:
  • pkgirrl
    pkgirrl Posts: 587
    Me too!

    I've really upped my strength regimen to prepare for an upcoming parkour meet, and before it was so easy to stick to 1200 healthy balanced cals a day. Now I'm eating 2500-3000 (some good high density stuff like almond butter) but also sleeves of oreos lol, Not so good. And I feel completely out of control when I eat it =/
  • Schaff
    Schaff Posts: 83
    I definitely have noticed that out of control feeling when I am working out hard. I know there is a balance, I was just wondering if anyone has read anything anywhere that explains it, and/or how to find that balance. I want to be able to work out and eat well comfortably, that is my goal, and I think that I had found it at the beginning of my weight loss journey two years ago, but the more I started loving working out, the more I did it, and I have lost that balance and I am finding it really hard to get it back.
  • pkgirrl
    pkgirrl Posts: 587
    Hmm, I think I've read somewhere that if your working out really hard you need to eat your BMR + exercise, so whatever the difference between BMR and maintenance is should be your deficit. For me thats about 1480cal + exercise, so I think on days when I know I've burned over 1000, I'm going to try that. I'll let you guys know how it goes =)
  • Deweypc20
    Deweypc20 Posts: 68 Member
    I have run into this, and for me I think its more mental than anything else.

    I try to do all these good things, exercise, eat right, but for me, sleep weel, but when I work out a ton, I just have this feeling like I earned it, and can "get away" with eating something bad, or overeating.
  • lvfunandfit
    lvfunandfit Posts: 654 Member
    You're metabolism speeds up when you are working out. I know when I run 5+ miles I crave high carb things. So I make a ground turkey meat sauce and whole wheat pasta to eat the night before. After I run I drink a recovery shake and eat oatmeal. Seems to help. Just make sure to eat your exercise calories.
  • Karna6e
    Karna6e Posts: 57
    I go through something similar, when I work out I become extremely hungry all the time and I have to stop myself from eating all the time. I find I'm more hungry than usual. I always chalk it up to the body wanting more good calories for fuel.

    Conversely, I have days like today where I ate too few calories yesterday (to speed up results --> fail), and today I feel tired and I feel like I'm going to bonk when I work out today.
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