We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Running is making it hard to have any sort of deficit

elizabethmegs
elizabethmegs Posts: 3 Member
edited February 27 in Health and Weight Loss
Does it get harder to lose weight the closer you get to maintenance, and the harder you train??

Within the last 3 weeks I've upped my mileage in preparation for a 10k I'll run in at the end of August. Up until this point, I've done well eating around 1400-2000 calories, depending on how much I run that day, if it's a rest day, etc.

But these past few weeks, I'm pretty much hungry, all day, every day. Running 5 days a week (17-20 miles per week) cross-training 1 day a week.

Basically I'm not satisfied until I've eaten 2500-3500 calories.

So should I figure out maintenance and just eat at that level until my race is done? (At which point I will drop back down to moderate exercise 3x a week). Then go back to my moderate deficit that's helped me lose thus far? I just can't seem to find a happy medium as far as having any sort of deficit vs. overeating.

What do other runners do, and do you experience the same thing?

Honestly, I can't remember ever experiencing hunger like this before.

mVzwG.gif

Replies

  • veephil31
    veephil31 Posts: 53 Member
    I run about 12 miles a week and ride my bicycle about 10 miles. I have not hit that problem yet, though I would suggest making sure that you are eating foods that will help keep you full (fiber and protein) and drinking a lot of water. Other than that I am at a loss, though I look forward to other peoples answers.
  • Runningmischka
    Runningmischka Posts: 386 Member
    I run 5-6 days a week and I just eat whenever I'm hungry, but always end up with a calorie deficit, so it just depends on an individual I guess. I think if you are training for a race, you should listen to your body and fuel it properly. Maintainance is probably not a bad idea for now. Good luck with your race!
  • Springfield1970
    Springfield1970 Posts: 1,945 Member
    Have you got a heart rate monitor?

    Work out your burns and eat them back. It will probably be in the mid high 2000s.

    I don't do tdee.

    I have a no exercise maintenance figure of 1750 ish, and my race running is 600 cals hours, training running is 500 cals and hour, swimming 4/500, cycling 4/500, I fuel those workouts 2\3 hours ahead of time to get the best performance.

    Try not to be on a deficit when you're training this hard,recipe for injury and underperformance.

    Save weight loss for off season.
  • glreim21
    glreim21 Posts: 206 Member
    I usually switch to maintenance 4 weeks before a race. I need the extra calories or my training suffers.
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    when I take on more serious running, I end up eating at maintenance for the most of time...Everyone is different. While my friends are running to lose weight, I don't.

    Same with Insanity, I can't keep my hunger in check when doing it...
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • elizabethmegs
    elizabethmegs Posts: 3 Member
    I usually switch to maintenance 4 weeks before a race. I need the extra calories or my training suffers.

    This helps me, thanks! I'm going to try this too.
  • jpapp13
    jpapp13 Posts: 73 Member
    Most people I know that are trying to lose weight, when training for a longer run will go into maintenance mode about 4-6 weeks out. I've been able to run with a deficit but definitely felt more gassed eating at maintenance.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories