Low carbs - low energy?: I’ve been trying to... - Bridge to 10K

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Low carbs - low energy?

Vonb profile image
VonbGraduate10
17 Replies

I’ve been trying to lose some weight I seem to have gained during past few months by reducing my carbs intake, I’ve really struggled for energy when out running. This morning was due a 10k but even from 4 I struggled and by 8.3 I just thought sod it I'm done! Any advice please , do you think it’s related or is it psychological?! Many thanks

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Vonb profile image
Vonb
Graduate10
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17 Replies
SlowLoris profile image
SlowLoris

It takes time for your body to adjust to change. Stick with it. Slow down slightly to make it easier.

Vonb profile image
VonbGraduate10 in reply toSlowLoris

Thank you, I run with daughter in law which is hard as she naturally a lot faster, sometimes I try to keep up but end up shattered other times I slow down but then feel guilty for holding her back! X

SlowLoris profile image
SlowLoris in reply toVonb

Sounds like the problem is definitely pace not food. Even a very small pace increase will have a big effect on how hard the run is.

Can your daughter in law do some run backs so she gets a longer faster run. It’s what I do if I’m leading a mixed pace group.

Vonb profile image
VonbGraduate10 in reply toSlowLoris

I tell her to run on ahead but they’re here for lockdown so doesn’t know area too well, running back could work though thanks x

Fionamags profile image
FionamagsGraduate10

I think carbs are your running fuel, so if you are going low carb then it will be quite tough to exercise. I got some great advice from others about this - re topping up with jelly babies, banana, gels, snack bars etc. Very tricky when you're trying to lose weight though. I will be interested to see how you get on as I could do with shedding a fair few pounds. theoldfellow suggested that I needed to go very slowly to allow my liver time to turn fat into fuel/sugars. I haven't tried it yet but might be something to bear in mind? Sounds like you have to run at your own pace though rather than with somebody else...

Vonb profile image
VonbGraduate10 in reply toFionamags

Thanks meant to get jelly babies today but forgot, I had a haribo strawberry but too difficult to chew as you run. It’s only week 1 of cutting back again so early days but I am quite stubborn when I want to be so planning on sticking to it x

over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingGraduate10

Hello Vonb,

I go along with SlowLoris, it takes a bit of time to adjust. My husband and I changed to a Low Carbohydrate High Fat diet over a year ago. There was a period, very short, perhaps a run or two when my evergy seemed lacking, but then absolutely fine.

You may find this very interesting.

dietdoctor.com/watch-the-lo...

If you have time or inclination, I would recommend joining Dietdoctor for a free trial to watch all the films they have available, not necessarily to take part in their two week eating plan. It was all a massive eye opener to me. Have fun exploring.

Vonb profile image
VonbGraduate10 in reply toover61andstilltrying

Many thanks, I’ll take a look x

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate10

I think there's a lot of stuff on the Internet to lose weight you need to cut out carbs and i disagree.

I did have weight to lose and I still eat them , weetabix , wholemeal seeded bread , pasta and potatoes.

What i did cut back on was chocolate, cakes and biscuits.

21 months on I've lost all the weight I put on after stopping smoking and the running helps maintain my healthy weight.

I'm no expert this is just what worked for me 😊😊

Vonb profile image
VonbGraduate10 in reply toBuddy34

Thank you, I’ve still had bread just not much potatoes or pasta which I can eat piles of usually x

ForestGrump63 profile image
ForestGrump6360minGraduate in reply toBuddy34

I agree with this totally. I only had a stone to lose but cut out all refined sugar from my diet that’s all it took

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate10

I cut down on carbs to lose the last stone out of 6 when I plateaud. But I only did it 3-4 days a week.

Vonb profile image
VonbGraduate10 in reply toTasha99

Wow well done! I’ll try having more carbs before my long run in future x

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate10 in reply toVonb

Thank you. I did slimming world. These days were called SP days.

Vonb profile image
VonbGraduate10

I also did slimming world lost 5.9 in 2009 kept it off really till last year, I’ve since been calorie counting etc put on about a stone over lockdown and last week just thought I’d try the original red days used to do on slimming world hence cutting out potatoes and pasta. Think I keep more toned with running but it gives me an excuse to eat more than I should as I feel healthier if you catch my drift? X

Slinkymalinki profile image
SlinkymalinkiGraduate10

I've put on weight over lockdown too and a big part of that is that I've had to sit down working when I would normally be on my feet & active all day. There are good and bad carbs - green from the veggies etc are great plus wholemeal bread, rice, pasta etc but not white e.g. potatoes & refined sugars.

Hubby had high blood sugar a while back so we had a good look at our diet & he started running. Sugar is the real evil here not so much carbs and fat. Fasting has kept the weight off in the past for me - originally the 5:2 but now I just do once a week 16 hour 8pm-12pm. It gives your body time to start using up its fat stores to provide you with more energy. Michael Moseley's books are a good start if you want to read more.

Btw Mr S is very fast & sometimes runs with me but usually zooms off at some point and then loops back for me!

Sorry for the long post but hope it might be useful. 🙂

Vonb profile image
VonbGraduate10

Thank you, I might give fasting a try although I do enjoy my breakfast x

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