1000+ calories burned one day--RAVENOUS the next??

ShanRaeC
ShanRaeC Posts: 37 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Looking for thoughts/input. Yesterday I did a long run (9 miles) as part of my training for a half marathon. Per my HRM I burned over 1000 calories. I loved having that buffer, even though I try not to eat back more than 50% of my exercise calories. It was in fact very easy to stay under my approx. 1500 calories and I didn't eat ANY of those 1000+ exercise calories back because after such a long run I didn't have much of an appetite for the rest of the day.

Today is a rest day, running-wise, as part of the long term training schedule. The day before and days after the long runs are rest days. However--and this is new--I CANNOT get enough to eat today. I am super hungry. I have already eaten all of my calories and I have not even had dinner yet.

Do you think this extra huge appetite is my body's way of responding to yesterday's run? That's the longest I have run in years. I want to be smart and keep the calories under control since I am trying to lose weight (duh) but at the same time, I want to listen to my body. I AM HUNGRY. I can't imagine not eating again until tomorrow morning. I am ready to eat my fingers!! Not really...

I wondered about the possibility of doing just a light workout to offset whatever calories I eat tonight, but I don't want to throw off my training.

What do you think??

Replies

  • songbyrdsweet
    songbyrdsweet Posts: 5,691 Member
    I think you should eat some more. :) Great job on the burn!
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    Treat burns and calorie intake on a weekly basis, not a daily basis. This is far more suited to people who have days where burn is particularly intense.
  • rockerbabyy
    rockerbabyy Posts: 2,258 Member
    i think you should eat some more. instead of focusing on your daily deficit, look at it from a weekly standpoint. as long as you stay at your weekly goal, it wont matter if you go over one or two days a week.
    your body is telling you that youre hungry because it needs the food - its happened to me before after i started lifting weights.
  • DianaJaneD
    DianaJaneD Posts: 157 Member
    I think your body is reponding to not giving it enough fuel after the big workout. You will harm yourself by not eating enough after such a big workout and I know you certainly don't want your body to be burning muscle in response. Take care, my friend!
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    I have the same problem. The workout day is fine with normal eating; but the day after...hell. I can't stop eating or thinking of food. What's the point? I am so confused and frustrated.
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,889 Member
    I have the same problem. The workout day is fine with normal eating; but the day after...hell. I can't stop eating or thinking of food. What's the point? I am so confused and frustrated.

    You didn't eat enough the day before. Your body won't know this immediately as it needs time to digest and distribute nutrients.
  • sarahgilmore
    sarahgilmore Posts: 572 Member
    Yup I get this.

    You need to refuel after that run or your training will be for nothing, you'll be weak and undernourished when it comes race day.
    Marathon runners EAT, they can pack food away, and for good reason.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Your body doesn't care what day it is. You didn't eat nearly enough yesterday, and all your body knows is it didn't get anywhere near the fuel it requires so it's screaming for more. Feed it. You need to be properly fueled to be healthy.
  • mirgss
    mirgss Posts: 275 Member
    Agree! Look at it in a holistic fashion, and definitely eat more. In fact, I've tried training for a couple long races myself..and they say that on runs longer than about 45 minutes you should refuel during your run with a gel or something. But yes....runners EAT!

    nom nom nom....
  • ShanRaeC
    ShanRaeC Posts: 37 Member
    Thanks! This all makes so much sense. I did have GU during the run (silly me, I actually LIKE the stuff), but didn't want to eat afterwards. I will eat a good solid dinner tonight, resume the training program tomorrow as scheduled and eat when I am truly hungry.

    It is interesting to note that my TRUE meter for being hungry for fuel (as opposed to emotional eating, or eating "because it's time to") needs some work. I have to learn to listen to THOSE healthy hunger cues, not the unhealthy hunger cues. Or, listen to "unhealthy" hunger cues and feed them with what they really need... KWIM?

    Anyway, thanks everyone! This really helped.
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    I have the same problem. The workout day is fine with normal eating; but the day after...hell. I can't stop eating or thinking of food. What's the point? I am so confused and frustrated.

    You didn't eat enough the day before. Your body won't know this immediately as it needs time to digest and distribute nutrients.
    So should I seriouly bump up my calorie intake at the day of workout, try to eat less at the day of no workout?
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    That's how normal people eat, so yes. You eat more on days you are more active. Makes sense, doesn't it?
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,889 Member
    I have the same problem. The workout day is fine with normal eating; but the day after...hell. I can't stop eating or thinking of food. What's the point? I am so confused and frustrated.

    You didn't eat enough the day before. Your body won't know this immediately as it needs time to digest and distribute nutrients.
    So should I seriouly bump up my calorie intake at the day of workout, try to eat less at the day of no workout?

    Pretty much. Your muscles soak up nutrients more readily for a short while after exercise, so taking more in is beneficial then moreso than the next day.
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    Same happens to me after a long run - use the calories (or some of it ) until you are not hungry anymore... Work on a weekly deficit, not daily....
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