Training & Nutrition - Eating enough

When I first started cycling I would get home and want to eat everything. Now I can do those same rides and not even really want to eat anything. Should I just force myself to eat? I have always been a big advocate of listening to my body, but I feel I may be falling into a Trap here. My biggest concern is that I am burning more calories than I am taking in. I have lost a little weight, but nothing significant. I also think my riding has hit a plateau, or hit the wall, and I am not getting any better. Is this because I am not eating enough?

If you don't eat enough you'll lose weight. If you are not losing weight, you're eating enough.

Your plateau is probably due to your training.

If you are coming home not hungry after a training ride, I'd bet that more than likely you are overdoing it a bit or not getting enough rest time between rides. Otherwise your appetite would at least be normal. No need to overdo it. Also it depends on what you are training for, maybe an event that is some weeks away or a group ride? Are you contemplating doing some racing?

Another unknown from your question is whether it is a good idea for you to lose weight or not, which depends on your body composition (percent of body fat). With further information a more specific answer might be possible.

I've had the same problem several times. Count calories. If we both have/had the same problem with not eating enough and not knowing it that's an easy solution. I makes a huge difference if you're burning much more than you eat without knowing it. Start counting calories and you might really be surprised how much you really do need to eat in a day if you ride a lot. It surprised me

I've been struggling with this lately as well. I hate the idea of counting calories, but after four people asked if I'm sick I figured it was time to put on a few pounds...

I've been eating a bit more during the week, but my problem is with long rides (Sorry to hijack the thread btw). Should I just accept having a calorie deficit on long-ride days? I've cut back on the long rides a bit now that summer is over, but I still do one a week (65-110 miles, usually around 85), so am I really supposed to eat 4,000 calories on those days? Even with a big steak and a nice desert that's tough to do...I find myself forcing myself to eat even when I'm not hungry but that seems weird and I always have a nagging fear that I'm going to gain back all the weight I lost...

You can get more calorie density from good fats like monounsaturated fats and fatty fish. Also you can eat more fruits and vegetables and even "cheat" with some American food that you might have cut down on (just to get more calories). Or you could cut down on the riding if it's being a little detrimental to your appearance or health. I ride with some spirited bike enthusiasts but they don't go 85 mi. every single week. You don't have to eat to please anyone else or ride to suit anyone but yourself. But I would take a good objective look at what I am doing and if I'm meeting my health and recreational goals.

You would need more then 4k calories to replenish yourself on a day that you rode 85 miles. I don't get whats so hard about eating tons of calories, especially if you eat cooked carbs. I find it hard not to break 4k calories on a primarily fruit/veg diet with some bread thrown in, throw in plenty fats if you really wanna pump up the calories

If you burnt more calories than you eat you would lose weight. At 500 calories a day that would be roughly a pound a week. If you are not losing weight then you are eating fine. Just try to make sure that you eat the correct form of foods. Check out this thread http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=580869

I have lost a little weight, but nothing significant. I also think my riding has hit a plateau, or hit the wall, and I am not getting any better. Is this because I am not eating enough? Who knows?

I think I know what you mean about how your appetite can change from ravenous to nearly DOA. I guess it could be that your body is trying to tell you something.

As far as weather you are getting better or not - either you are actually "training" yourself to improve, or you are just sort of riding a "lot." Improving "automatically" only works for a while.