Training & Nutrition - love handles

been riding 14 years on a serious level, the first 8 of which were on the sprint distance triathlon circuit. I'm 41 now and since I quit doing the race thing I've been slowly developing love handles, son of a *****! No matter how much I ride or obstain, they still keep coming. Realistically I cant put in more than 20 a day during the week, maybe 30 to 40 each Sat and Sun. Anybody? Spandex Capacity

what's your question? If it's weight loss, search many threads here from weeks past. If it's spot reduction, see the ab thread. Otherwise, fix your diet and get to a gym.

Oh, and see your doctor and get blood hormone levels checked.

It's not about the riding, it's about your diet.

One should utilize more calories in the course of the day than one consumes and that person will lose weight.

calories out > calories in, regardless of actvity level.

Yea, I understand the cal's in, cal's out thing. But the more I work out the bigger my appetite becomes. I obstain as much as possible but it sucks to walk around hungry all the time. I guess that's what I must learn to do (the real answer). My enquiry is not really a question, just a search for tips. Now, if only I can keep the women around me from trying to stuff my face all the time. They seem to take offense when I ask for small portions, like I don't like their food. I can't believe my ****ing swear words were edited by the program, that's so cool (i think)

Yea, I understand the cal's in, cal's out thing. But the more I work out the bigger my appetite becomes. I obstain as much as possible but it sucks to walk around hungry all the time. I guess that's what I must learn to do (the real answer). My enquiry is not really a question, just a search for tips. Now, if only I can keep the women around me from trying to stuff my face all the time. They seem to take offense when I ask for small portions, like I don't like their food. I can't believe my ****ing swear words were edited by the program, that's so cool (i think)

You can ameliorate that by choosing different foods, adjusting fat and protein intake upwards.

I rode bikes, did sports, and worked out all my life. I'm about the same age as you. The same thing happened to me. I think that middle age will get everybody to one degree or another.

when you spend your 30s laying around stuffing yourself and watching the idiot box, then any exercise at all will get you results, but if you've been athletic and active all your life its harder to shock your body into making changes. Our bodies adapted to being trained and went ahead and aged in spite of us.

Its not just calories in and calories out because our bodies go through changes that are part of the aging process.

My father told me to never get old

I should have listened to him

As my wife says, I didn't open your mouth and stuff it in.

Tips? Stop before you are full and wait 15 minutes. Drink a cup of herb tea after breakfast and dinner. Have a small whey protein in a half glass of water 30 minutes before the meal to blunt your appetite and shorten the time you are hungry. Have a snack in late afternoon and then ride before dinner.

1) Don't drink your calories.
Drink *no* sugared sodas, and sports drinks only when exercising hard. And be very careful with OJ and other fruit juices...they're loaded with calories.

2) Eat more protein

3) Eat a lot more veggies
They're good for you, and typically have the bulk to fill you up, but with less calories.

4) Don't "reward" yourself with a beer, cookies, etc. when you work out.

5) Identify your "substance abuse foods" (for me, it's cookies), and cut way, way back on them.


The good news is, your body is not immune to the Laws of Thermodynamics...find a few hundred calories each day to cut back on, and you will start to lose weight.

The bad news is, your body is not immune to the Laws of Thermodynamics...a few poor food choices, or a "splurge" at Outback can easily blow your calorie balance for the whole week.

Its not just calories in and calories out because our bodies go through changes that are part of the aging process.

Actually, it is all about Calories In vs. Calories Out.

It's just that as we age:

a) Our metabolisms tend to slow down, thus reducing Calories Out.

b) We tend to sit on our asses a lot more than when we were young, further reducing Calories Out.

There is another thing that happens as you get older - you ability to handle whatever junk is sent your way suffers. Called insulin resistance I think. Just my opinion but I think if you eat junky stuff when younger, it just becomes energy - when you do it as an adult it makes you feel and look like a coach potatoe.

Do it long enough and you become a diabetic. (type II)

Actually, it is all about Calories In vs. Calories Out.

It's just that as we age:

a) Our metabolisms tend to slow down, thus reducing Calories Out.

b) We tend to sit on our asses a lot more than when we were young, further reducing Calories Out.


sure.

but when you get older, you need to take more care of your recovery, so WHEN in the day you eat those calories makes a difference, too. Like the guy said, he doesn't like to feel weak, either. So it isn't just calories, but what the makeup of those calories are that makes a difference out on the road.

If you want to say that weight loss = less calories eaten I won't argue. I'm just saying that its a little more complicated when you get older and are trying to ride hard over several consecutive days AND restrict calories.

There is another thing that happens as you get older - you ability to handle whatever junk is sent your way suffers. Called insulin resistance I think. Just my opinion but I think if you eat junky stuff when younger, it just becomes energy - when you do it as an adult it makes you feel and look like a coach potatoe.

Do it long enough and you become a diabetic. (type II)


thanks, that's another change. I forgot about insulin reactions. My mind isn't what it used to be :p

Actually, it is all about Calories In vs. Calories Out.

It's just that as we age:

a) Our metabolisms tend to slow down, thus reducing Calories Out.

b) We tend to sit on our asses a lot more than when we were young, further reducing Calories Out.


Except for B, everything else is completely untrue. I'll point you to the research of Dr. John Berardi and his "G-Flux" research.

Except for B, everything else is completely untrue. I'll point you to the research of Dr. John Berardi and his "G-Flux" research.

"G-Flux", eh? With a lot of content on the "Testosterone Nation" website?

Sounds like he's got something to sell. :rolleyes:

FWIW, it sounds like he does agree (http://www.johnberardi.com/articles/nutrition/g-flux.htm) with the basic premise of "calories in vs. calories out":


Well, G-Flux, otherwise known as energy flux (or energy turnover) is the relationship between energy intake and expenditure. It's the balance between the two.

"G-Flux", eh? With a lot of content on the "Testosterone Nation" website?

Sounds like he's got something to sell. :rolleyes:

FWIW, it sounds like he does agree (http://www.johnberardi.com/articles/nutrition/g-flux.htm) with the basic premise of "calories in vs. calories out":


Sure, doesn't everyone? T-nation is, IMO, on the forefront of exercise nutrition. However, Berardi is a prof at 2 north american universities and nutrition coach to a LOT of pro athletes. I've met the man and he knows his stuff - moreso than any nutritionist, that's for sure!

However, like anything else on the interweb, you get what you pay for, advice included.