I don't want to gain my weight back

[joenali]

I haven't been in this kind of shape in a long time. With school starting again and my 'A' race over, I'm worried all of my hard work will soon be gone. I know I need to just have some unstructured time in my workout life, but structure is what helped me get to where I am. I feel great, look great and when I went to buy clothes the other day, I would grab my "normal" size and it was too big.

There is one last open water swim at the end of the month and a swim meet at the beginning of October that I want to do. I also want to do a half marathon at the end of November. But what I REALLY want to do is sign up for another Ironman, but I think DH doesn't want me gone all of the time again and doesn't want my training schedule ruling our lives, which I totally get.

I know this is a FWP, but ladies, I am really worried about gaining weight again.

[taratru]

Me too. I've managed to keep it in the five pound range, but my clothes are definitely snug. I'm just putting up with it until full training ramps up.

Could you just train for another HIM?

[joenali]

Sept 2, 2013 10:51:04 GMT -5 taratru said:

Me too. I've managed to keep it in the five pound range, but my clothes are definitely snug. I'm just putting up with it until full training ramps up.

Could you just train for another HIM?

Not really right now, it's the end if the season.

[taratru]

See how smart I am about tris?

I've found that I can stay in a happy range of fit (clothes and otherwise) while doing as little as 25 mpw running...maybe between swimming and running for maintenance you'll be okay? Maybe more strength work?

And to be honest, I thought I would have put 20 pounds back on by now between lack of mileage and all the drinking/eating of crap and it really didn't happen. I think you'll be okay. But I DO totally get it.

[gt7301b]

I totally understand the feeling! I think with watching what you eat just a little you should be able to maintain. But you do look HOT

[Brit]

You look really great!

Are you anti-weighing? I like to step on the scale every few days just to make sure that it has a reasonable number on it. I don't get all bent out of shape if it is 'too high' a few times, but if it keeps going up over two to three weeks, I know I need to lay off the junk for a while.

[mrshandy]

I know what you mean. I so want my marathon training body back. I was looking at pics on Facebook and it made me really sad and hopeful I'll get back there.

[Wines Not Whines]

I totally understand. I seem to gain 5-8 lbs every winter, it stays on during the spring, and then I lose it again during marathon training. I can't seem to find the right balance.

[clseale]

It really comes down to diet (which you know). I agree that weighing yourself once or twice a week will help. I managed to stay within 2 lbs of my Feb marathon weight, but I had to be honest with myself about what I was eating & how many calories I was burning. You can do it. End of training doesn't have to mean weight gain, you just have to adjust some things.

[zoidberg]

I find that it takes a lot less effort to maintain than it does to lose. If you moderately watch what you eat and stay active, you should be fine.

Even if I totally fall off the wagon (like when I wasn't allowed to work out for a few weeks and sought solace in pint after pint of ice cream) I only tend to gain 2-3lbs. I used to be kind of fat, but that took months to years of really terrible eating and no exercising to really pile on.

[trigal]

A couple of thoughts...

This is very normal post-IM!  It's easy to think that you need the IM to be fit (or whatever), but you don't!  There are so many other things you can do!  I also think it is much harder to be as motivated for your second IM than your first.  Not that you aren't motivated, but it isn't the same.  The first IM is about getting across the finish line.  What is the second one about? Make sure you know why you are doing a second one before you do it.

It is good for your body to take some time off!  It needs the rest.  So, instead of thinking of it as a weight issue, think of it as a healthy-body issue.  IM is not good for us when you really think about it.  It's okay to gain a couple of pounds in the off-season.  It's normal and most athletes do it, because the weight will go back down when the training starts up again.

I'm a teacher too.  With school starting, I will be a different kind of active.  I'll be on my feet most of the day and walking/running around the building.  So, focus on that for now.

I've been taking my post-IM time to enjoy bike rides with my friends and do some open water swimming that I don't often get the chance to do outside of racing.  I've also been planning next season.  My focus for next tri season is to try to qualify for the 70.3 World Championship again.  We (DH and I) are picking races that we can do to attempt to qualify.

Also, I've been considering other forms of fitness that I put on hold during IM training/tri season, like strength work or plyometrics.  We are considering doing the Insanity program (with modifications to keep swimming, cycling, and running) and I am re-working our nutrition plan.

That all said, I love the structure of training for something.  I need someone to make that plan for me, but I also know that I need both the physical and mental break for a little while, because it is good for me.  It also makes me hungry to do another IM!

[agswife]

I'm in the same boat. I lost all my baby weight and then some while being on extended maternity leave and being able to go to the gym/work out whenever I wanted (I just took the baby with me.) Now, working out is going to have to happen at 5am, if it's happening at all. And then I'll be rushed all day - work, tutoring some days, time with baby, dinner, chores around the house, time with DH, sleep, etc. It's silly, but it's a big stressor for me right now.

[kams]

Trigal, of course, has the best ever response.

I would just add that I go through the same fears when I finish a big (to me) race. I think nutrition is really key. Not that I'm an expert on being lean or anything, though.

[naldridge]

I know I am a much happier person and more fun to be around when I'm comfortable with my weight BUT I also know that I am an all-or-nothing kind of person and that tracking calories makes me a neurotic mess. The last time I got on a tracking kick, I ended up severely underweight, all my hair was falling out, I felt like a total nutcase and I stopped getting periods.

Since I have an ED history, it's really hard for me to balance the need to gain weight without going out of control and blowing up like a blimp. So, I totally get where you're coming from. All that to say that I have learned that exercise and being overall "healthy" has so many more benefits besides weight. I used to religiously work out to burn calories - now I do strength training because it is good for my muscles, and cardio because its good for my heart. I eat when I'm hungry and sometimes when I'm not, because I'm tired of being awkward to eat with, and sometimes because i am just craving something ridiculous.

Gaining or losing a few pounds here or there isn't going to make any dramatic difference in your life and if it really gets out of control, you can always really crack down, but don't let yourself freak out about the little, day-to-day stuff,