What happens when your exercise equals out?

[LeighaMason 19]

So I am running C25K. Week 7, walk 5 min. and then run 25 without stopping. I do this on a 5k route and walk the remainder of the way. My Body Bugg says I burn 387 calories doing this however, I have to increase my eating by 300 calories the day before or I am not able to complete the run.

Of course I have read all the info about how building muscle burns more fat etc. but it feels so counter productive to eat the same amount that I am going to burn.

[elcee 3,341]

This does sound counterproductive. Why do you have to eat the extra - have you tried the run without eating the extra calories?

[Jachut 487]

I dont eat the extra. I find I can run just fine on a basic balanced diet that includes good carbs. But then, I never dropped my calories low either, I always ate about 1400 a day.

I dont snack before exercise, nor after either, even though so much literature says that you should have some Protein. I figure people have survived a long time on this planet without scientifically figuring out what they should eat before and after exercise.

Its such an achievement, so i dont want to sound mean but for distances less than 10K there's really no need to specifically fuel for it. When you get to half marathons and further, you need to really think about providing and maintaining energy. But the sorts of distances I run, which are 10kms or less, I dont do anything.

No doubt there's a ton of serious strength training peoples who will tell me I'm wasting away my muscle by doing this and I certainly understand the scientific theory behind it, but I just find in reality that I do the exercise I do and I have a body I like, whether it has "enough" muscle or not (I'm lightly muscled, tall and skinny, and yes, a little flabby). So I dont mess with what works for me.

If I really wanted to muscle up, I woudl think more seriously about it, but the truth is, running wont build that much muscle, it tones muscle.

Edited June 16, 2010 by Jachut

[LeighaMason 19]

Yes I have tried the run on my normal 800-900 calories and I cant make it. So I have been bumping it up to 1100- 1200 on the day before I run.

[Mimilou2004 13]

Leigha, don't forget about the "after" burn effect. Muscles are still actively burning calories for a few hours after strenuous exercise. Are you still losing?

PS, I enjoy your posts.

Mimi

[Jachut 487]

Oh, I didnt realise you ate that little. That would be HARD.

If that's the case, I would just see how you go over time. If you dont lose, then the equation isnt working and needs to be revisited, but you might find you're losing.

[SuzanneG 1]

Leigh, when I was doing the C25K, I had to eat extra before running. I'm hypoglycemic, so there's no getting away from it for me. And yes, I think I ate the same amount of calories that I burned. But in that 9 week program, I went from a size 8 to a size 6 and was about to push into a size 4 when I ended up needing foot surgery.

I never lost an ounce during the entire time, but WOW did my body change. For me, that's what matters most. Especially when you are already so close to your goal weight.

You're doing great! Better to focus on heart health and lean muscle than the number on the scale.

I can't wait to get started again. I'll find out today if I need gb surgery, if not, then I plan to start C25K again and see if I can make it through without another foot surgery.

Keep up the good work. You're inspiring.

Jachut and mimi, great to see you on here and I always enjoy your posts! :-D

[Mimilou2004 13]

Suzanne, make sure you post about your GB!!!!

Mimi

[SuzanneG 1]

Suzanne, make sure you post about your GB!!!!

Mimi

Will do, still waiting for the doc to call with results of my HIDA scan.

[LeighaMason 19]

Mimi-- For the last month I have only been losing about a pound every 10 days so it will take a while to see if I am still losing. Patience is not my virtue, however its the only way to know in this case so I guess I will wait it out.

Suzanne--GB as in gastric bypass?

[SuzanneG 1]

Leigh, gb as in gallbladder. I might have to have mine out. I've been waiting for 2 days for the doc to call and let me know. Speaking of patience, mine is runing OUT! Grrrr!