Eating like a horse!

[Oldgal68]

Just wondered if anyone else has this problem? I’m not a huge eater normally, but since I have started the C25k my appetite has increased dramatically. I know that I need to take on enough fuel to tackle these much longer runs, but am just amazed at my intake now! Over the past two years I have lost 3st that I had gained due to a combination of lack of exercise and poor choices of food, so am concerned not to put any of it back on. I would like to be able to say that this runningbusiness is giving me the figure of a racing snake (with a nod to Terry Wogan!) but not sure whether I should curb this increase in appetite, or go with it as necessary fuel!?

[Hidden]

Ive lost weight since starting (on week 5 now). I couldnt understand why I was feeling so tired till I upped my food intake and felt better. I wouldnt like to advise you to eat more necessarily, but Im a great believer in listening to your body. Mine said eat, and I havent gained weight. Maybe increase and see what happens?

[Oldgal68 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Think I will go with that, Hidden , as I completed my week 7 yesterday, and found when I got weighed at Slimming World (other plans are available! lol) that I had lost 2.5lbs this week. I have increased my intake, from pure hunger rather than any plan, so think that I may be on the right track. I will probably stabilise when my body adjusts to the regular running, so as you can tell I am pretty impressed with the C25k programme so far!

[Hidden in reply to Oldgal68]

Mine seems to be stabilising now, but i expect to lose more when the runs get longer.

[Chrisft in reply to Oldgal68]

Yes my appetite has really increased the last couple of weeks. I’ve just completed Week 5. I’m on Slimming World too and lost 3.5lb last night though I had a couple of days where I had exceeded my syns quite significantly. Im trying to make sure I have plenty of free food ready after a run to try to offset the temptation to eat biscuits/chocolate after a run.

[Oldgal68 Graduate in reply to Chrisft]

Well done on completing week 5 and your weight loss, Chrisft , sounds like you’ve had a fantastic week!

[Wantorun2013 Graduate]

Hi are you using MapMyRun as this will show you how many calories you are burning so you could balance out your input of calories? I’ve read on here that until you are regularly running 30 min runs and over you wont loose weight it’s probably best to be careful. 🏃‍♀️👍

[Oldgal68 Graduate in reply to Wantorun2013]

Hi Wantorun2013 . Ive been using a Fitbit One, but haven't used the calorie burning counter much, but have just upgraded to another Fitbit which does what MapMyRun does, I think, along with the heart monitor, so I will take your advice and start watching what calories I am burning. Balancing out sounds like a good idea as I'd like to start consolidating my running ability. This really is a steep learning curve isnt it?! Never thought I would get so much out of just running! lol!!

[Wantorun2013 Graduate in reply to Oldgal68]

Yeh l know the feeling 😄but some great advice knocking around here happy running🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️keep posting 👍

[AnnieW55]

Congratulations on your weightloss. To be honest I don't think running the c25k programme warrants increasing calories that much, if at all. I've just run a hilly 5.5k (incl my 'big hill' which took me ages to conquer) and only used 341 cals. Tuesday's 6.46k used 384 and some of these calories would have been used by my body anyway in normal functions. I only eat more when running longer distances of 10k+.

As for hunger I eat full fat (no low fat products at all) protein and lowish carbs which works for me. It's the fat and protein help keep me feeling fuller longer. This also helps keep my weight stable after losing a couple of stone just after I started c25k 5years ago. The hunger you feel may settle down as you move through the programme and your body gets used to exercising regularly. If you are going to eat more, make sure it is quality food and not empty cals. Sorry for going on, it's a pet subject.

[Oldgal68 Graduate in reply to AnnieW55]

Hi AnnieW55 It seems to be a matter of getting used to what your body does under stress, and I mean good stress, as when running. Your point about eating full fat is a good one, I feel. Eating butter etc., used to be a complete no-no, but theyre coming around to the idea that it is good for you, and I for one am very glad of it! I eat plenty of veggies and protein at every meal now, thanks to the SW programme. Don't apologise for 'going on', Annie, I think the more people learn about the value of quality food, the better. I ate fast food for a long time, and it is only since I began this weight loss programme and the C25K programme that I realy appreciated how unfit I was. I couldn't walk uphill at all without losing my breath, and now I can run, yes RUN!

[Nobbywatts Graduate in reply to Oldgal68]

I've worked in the health food industry for many years, and we have a saying: for "low fat" read "chemical shit storm"! Excuse my language, but the minute you start messing about with food and making it supposedly healthier by taking fat out (and that's just one example) in go the chemicals! Think about low-sugar alternatives aspartame, sucralose and all those sorts of things.

[Oldgal68 Graduate in reply to Nobbywatts]

Yes, Nobbywatts , as kids we ate Summer County margarine as only mum and dad were allowed to have butter! But now we hear that these spreads are just one step away from being plastic!

[the_tea_fairy Graduate]

I started c25k the first time round when I had bad anxiety and depression and was barely eating at all, and suddenly felt hungry and excited by food again around week 5, so yes, it makes you hungry! (Am currently starting again after pregnancy and am also breastfeeding a very hungry baby , which is a RAVENOUS combination!!)

I'd second Annie's words about empty calories as well. Full fat, cook from scratch, wholegrain - all that stuff. Dried fruit and nuts are a good post-run snack.

[Oldgal68 Graduate in reply to the_tea_fairy]

Hi the_tea_fairy Congratulations on your wee baby, he/she sounds as if he/she is thriving! Well done on getting out there again, it cant be that easy to combine everything with finding time to get out running. I agree with you about not going for the empty calories though it can be hard as my brother is staying with me whilst recuperating from a serious illness and I'm trying to build him up with guinness, good food and ice cream!! Not necessarily in that order, lol!! Serious temptation!!

[the_tea_fairy Graduate in reply to Oldgal68]

Yeah, that does sound tough - icecream is just an irresistible substance in my book! Sounds like you're a fab sister though.

And thanks for the congrats; my wee boy is doing brilliantly.

To be honest, I had to give up running for my pregnancy and it was tough, and my husband cycles and gets the need to be out getting muddy and sweaty and is happy to do half an hour of solo parenting 3 times a week, so getting out for a run is my treat (it's the boring stuff like laundry and hoovering and finding-an-outfit-that-is-clean-and-actually-goes-together that's tricky! 😉)

[Oldgal68 Graduate in reply to the_tea_fairy]

😄 Think you’ve got all your priorities sorted though, the_tea_fairy ! Im sure your wee boy will continue to thrive with such a together mum and dad. As for the ice cream, I’m with you, it is irresistible! Lol!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Eat...but eat well... healthy and low carb....

[Oldgal68 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks, Oldfloss ! I certainly will - I'm on a learning curve!!

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

Except if you're me and lose weight on low carb. We're all different

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

uurrgghh I meant carbs not low carb. I can happily plough through a bag of donuts and not gain an ounce, in fact often lose a bit. and before anyone thinks my diet is generally unhealthy, I'm vegan, eat plenty of fresh stuff, whole grains etc. and am considered pretty healthy by my GP.

[icklegui Graduate]

I get much hungrier in the cold - and if you're in the northern hemisphere, it's cold! Don't know if that's something others find.

[Maztink]

I reckon you are already doing what I would recommend, Eat more 'free' foods especially 'speed ' food. Fill up on the good stuff and try not to be tempted by 'syns '. Sorry to everyone for the SW jargon!!

[Oldgal68 Graduate in reply to Maztink]

It has worked for me, @Maztink! A bit of education about food goes a long way if you’re willing to do the right thing by your body!

[Hidden in reply to Maztink]

I wanna be tempted by sins

[Hidden]

My "Eating Like a Horse" started about 5 years....i just didn't do the running to go with it!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

There is no need to increase your calorie intake to complete any of the C25K runs. You might notice a calorie deficit, if intake remains stable, once you are running for an hour or more, but up to that sort of duration you will put on weight if you increase your intake.

10k plus runs actually suppress my appetite and I often have to make a big effort to make myself eat after a longer run.

We are all different but running can change your metabolism, so experiment by all means. A good broad based diet, including lots of fresh fruit and vegetables is the best way, with processed foods cut out completely.

[Oldgal68 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks for that good advice, IannodaTruffe . Think I will wait until I complete the programme before I make any permanent changes to my intake. Will also use my fitbit to check out calories in and calories out, so it will be interesting to see the results. I find the same thing happens to me when I do an extra-long walk occasionally - I’m just not too bothered about eating afterwards!