RayfromTX

As an aside, please don't say that it was 100 degrees and 98% relative humidity. Many people say this but if it was true you would die. That is a condition where the dewpoint is actually higher than your normal body temperature. If that was true, you would have moisture from the air condensing in your lungs although since your body would have no way to regulate it's temperature your core temperature would rise dramatically even without exercise. Trust me you would die. Those two conditions might happen on the same day but not at the same time.

On topic, Tommy Danielson's listed stats are 5'10" and 129 lbs. In the USA Pro Cycling Challenge he appeared pretty healthy, especially on stage 3 when he literally kicked the butt of every other racer there in spades. You seem to be doing the right things but if you are not already, you should probably be logging your calories. I use myfitnesspal.com. They have apps for smart phones. If you eat 500 calories more than you burn in a day, you will gain one pound a week.

cocar

So...I messed around with some online calculators. The general consensus seems to be, taking into account my metabolic rate, lifestyle (job), and excercise, that I need about 3000 kcal/day to maintain my weight, which is roughly what I'm getting. They are suggesting I eat 4000-4500/day for weight gain. I'm honestly not sure I can get down another 1500 calories a day. I already feel like I eat more or less constantly, plus the protein shakes. I could drink 1000 calories worth of soda, but that's not really how I want to do it at all...

CbadRider

It almost sounds like you would need to drink a protein shake as the beverage for every meal.

The first thing that comes to my mind would be to start adding peanut butter to your shakes or a whole avocado to sandwiches or salads.

cocar

I hadn't thought about avacado, that's a good idea. I'll do that. I can't do the protein shake thing well at work, it's too impractical. But I bought some kefir today, I can drink that with my lunch and throughout the day, that should add some extra calories.

Jfitalia

What protein are you taking? I would suggest a Mass gainer as it would be easier to just do one shake instead of 4 a day. I leave my mass gainer at work for days when i ride. My one shake is 600 calories!!! That really helps with my daily calorie goals

blueduckxx

try eating more nuts/dried fruits, small but pack a punch, calorie wise!

Datsun Nut

I had a doctor tell me once (when I was younger) that my ideal weight is wherever I feel the best at. Then I was riding century rides I was 6'1" and 190-195 and I felt good.
Well in the last 15 years I had stopped riding, life got in the way. In June of this year at 255 Lbs I started to ride again, slowly at 5-6 miles in 35 minutes every few days, then more and more. Now at 228 and doing a 4.12 minute mile and riding 15+ miles at a time (50% hills) I am loving it! I have roughly 25 more pounds to go to hit my target. But I am already feeling good so I might settle at 200. But I have always used the "Feel Good" rule for my weight. Seems to work for me

jrhii

The calorie information from calculators if not entirely accurate, but I can believe it. You have to remember that the whole 2,000 calorie diet is for an average (read sedentary) person to maintain their weight (sometimes 2,000 women, 2,500 men). If you are riding your bike 40-50 miles a week or other equivelant exercise, you can ad around 1500 to that, give or take and depending on your metabolism. Since you appear to have a more active metabolism your base rate and anything you do while active will increase.

Going back to the 2,000/day average person thing: You clearly have a more unique metabolism so it might be more than that, but being physically smaller also reduces that weight, there's no simple telling of where you might be at, other than ballpark figures. Counting your intake and following your weight will be the best way to more definitively say what you need to take in to add weight—if gaining is what you decide you need to do

rnorris

Am in a very similar situation to you, although I'm a guy... just over 100 lbs. myself and it's rarely varied more than 5 pounds either way for decades. Weight gain comes very slowly for me, regardless of whether it's muscle mass gained through training or fat. Is your goal for the weight gain to become a stronger cyclist, or just to have more "reserves"?

I notice when I get down to a really low weight I start eating like a teenager, and also get the "where does it all go?" comment, especially at my age (57)

Astrozombie

Drink beer! /thread