Something isn't adding up

Something isn't working and I need help figuring out what is going on.

About 1.5 years ago I lost just under 10 pounds with CC bringing my BMI down to 20.5 and my weight to 116/117 on a 5'3'' athletic frame. I'm 42.

I gained back 5 pounds or so around April/May, but had started training for a Marathon and thought the extra running would help my body shed the extra weight so long as I was careful about how I was eating.

I restarted precise calorie counting at the beginning of September because the weight is not going away. I've maintained a deficit of between 300 and 800 calories a day for the full month, with an average intake of 1500 calories a day. I tend to eat 40-45% carbs, 25+% protein and 25+% fat. On long run days (e.s. 15-20 miles) my deficit tended to be over 1000 calories because I would burn so many on my run and have a stomach ache for the rest of the day.

Long story short: I am being VERY carefull about nutrition for the marathon, which is my first priority. But I am also blown away by the fact that since the 4th of September I have a cumulative deficit of close to 10,000 calories and the scale ISN'T MOVING.

Ideas?

Perhaps you need to be eating more than 1500? That seems low if you are training for a marathon.

If you can't eat enough on long run days, try to eat more the next day, so that your deficit isn't averaging too high.

I feel your frustration girl.  You appear to be doing the correct things....exercising, religiously counting calories, logging your deficits.....may I ask if clothes feel any better on you?  Are you drinking at least half your body weight in water? Leaving the salt shaker out?

Am not thrilled with hearing that you burn so many calories that you have a tummy ache the rest of the day...but then I prefer lifting to running.

Side note: I would bump up the percentage of protein and cut the carb a little.

Edited to add protein

Original Post by devilish_patsy:
Am not thrilled with hearing that you burn so many calories that you have a tummy ache the rest of the day...but then I prefer lifting to running.

THANK YOU for the great input. The tummy ache comes from running for 2-3 hours, not from the actual numbres calories burned. And I do manage to eat at least 1800 calories on those days, but when I'm also burning close to 2000 calories it's a balancing act.

This is my second marathon, the first one was 20 years ago. I usually run 2-3 days a week (normal distances) and lift 4 days a week. Which is what really irks me -- my overall muscle mass and definition has decreased because I'm focusing on the running, not the lifiting. And no, it's not just a water thing or a numbers thing. I can't fit into my skinny jeans.

Bottom line is that for the next week I need to focus on my first priority: running the marathon as best I can. Which means high carbs and storing energy. Afterwhich, I can focus on trying to seriously lose the weight. In the meantime, any further thoughts would be MUCH appreciated.

scaroppo - have you read Rachel Cosgrove's article on this?

Perhaps you need to focus on your goal of training for the marathon, and work on the weight loss after you finish? I know that's frustrating, but I don't think that you are doing anything wrong - you've just got two goals that don't necessarily go hand in hand.

I don't think you are getting enough calories.  You're body will hold onto everything if it thinks it's starving and with the intense workouts, you need more than 1500 calories a day.  It will boost your metabolism. 

115 is a great weight for your height! Why lose more?

Joye

Doesn't sound like you're eating enough to me....you say on your long run days you eat 1800 calories, I would suspect you burn all of those calories on your run, so then you would end up with probably a 1500 calories deficit for the day. I suggest eating more and adding protein.

running to train for a marathon and running to lose weight should be two very different things. if i were you i'd focus on eating for fuel and recovery, and not worry about the scale until after the marathon.

If you don't do this already, I highly recommend using a food scale for better accuracy. Additionally, how do you know how many calories you burn while running? Do you use a heart rate monitor that has that feature or a body bugg?

I'm not 100% certain, but it very well could be that your body has made the adjustments to become more efficient at running. Meaning, if you use to burn 500 calories per hour 4 months ago, you might only be burning 300 calories per hour today. Of course my idea is arguable depending on how you train, intensity, etc.

Acarr is right. It's difficult to train for endurance events and weight loss at the same time. They're 2 very different things. Pro athletes and coaches often say some things are meant for the "off-season" if that makes sense.

I would try to maintain weight while training for an endurance event. If you feel like you must lose weight concurrently, then I highly recommend cross training a few days a week with a foreign exercise (something your body is not use to) and calorie deficit on those days.

Fully agree. Thanks for the support.

If I weren't back up to 122 pounds, and my jeans actually fit me, I probably would be focusing only on the Marathon. I guess I just needed to hear it from all of you guys too.

Real quick. The 1500 is an average and before I started counting again at the beginning of the month I am CONVINCED I was eating more than that (which likely caused the weight gain in the first place) because when I started counting my eyeball portion sizes were way off. But I agree, it's not enough on long run days.

:) you guys rock! thanks!

Here's my 2 cents...

I'm a distance runner too; half marathons are my thing.  For runner's, we need lots of good carbs to fuel our muscles, and most running experts will tell you to be eating closer to 60% carbs, 25% fat, 15% protein (or around there depending on non-running exercises).  I don't know what other exercises you are doing, other than running, but I suspect you need to add more carbs to your diet.  I know it's calories in and out that matter, but perhaps you can't drop the weight because you need to adjust your nutrition for your exercise?

Also, you mention a stomach ache from the days of your long run.  What are you eating while on your run?  Perhaps that's what's making your tummy sore.  Or if you aren't eating enough, that could be doing it too.  I'm sure you burn around 1,500-2,000 calories during those runs, and you might just be hungry.

Anyway, my thoughts...hope they're helpful, and GOOD LUCK on your marathon!

edited for clarity

I met with a nutritionist last week and from what she says it seems like you're gaining muscles. Muscles weight more.  

Couple thoughts...

1st.. you've increased the percentage of your body that is muscle which weighs more.  Do you think you've lost any inches?

2nd..  are you confident that your base is 1,400 calories?  My body became very efficient with calories the more I trained.  I don't burn near as many calories per mile as a non-runner would. 

3rd.. have you ever read about the theory that you need to go off diet at least one day a week so your body doesn't go into starvation protection mode?  I think it's true.  I have the best weeks when I have at least one good fattening meal at least one day a week.  I saw the post on CC - very convincing!

Good luck with your marathon!

Original Post by amethystgirl:

scaroppo - have you read Rachel Cosgrove's article on this?

I am SO very thankful for this link. Her article is amazing and encouraging. I didn't read it until today (two days AFTER the marathon) because I really didn't want to obsess too much about the weight when my real goal was the marathon.

Speaking of which:  Scotland was amazing. We drove the marathon route on Friday and when I saw how many hills there were (which I didn't train for) -- one of which was a fairly steep climb from mile 17 to mile 18 -- I decided to focus on the single objective of finishing without walking.

In the end I achieved all but the most aggressive of my original objectives which was to finish under 4 hours.  I had fun. Ran for a while with a crazy group of guys in kilts. Ran the whole marathon without walking. Ran through the most intense leg cramps I've ever experienced. And finished just under 4.20.

Now I'm going to restart lifting (I have SO missed lifting), while focusing on fat burning and dropping these extra pounds before the holidays.

THANKS to all of you!