So I have done 0 exercise pretty much for 5 weeks, aside from walking. I’ve gained 8kgs. Gone are the bony cheekbones. Out with skeletor. In with hairy legs.
What’s the most you’ve gained in the offseason?
When I gave up swimming I gained around 13kgs in 6-8 weeks. Once I gained 16 kg in between summer and winter when I had a break from swimming. Used to always gain at least 5 kgs in between summer and winter.
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I’m crying? heh. I guess I could be come 2 months time with this bike race.
I’ll go no more than 5 kilos in off season, but I’m still relatively active.
I did once gain 7 lbs in a week vacation. That was kind of gross. I have a problem (not kidding!)–I think many of us do.
BTW, summer isn’t “off season” 
I typically gain 5-7 lbs over a Canadian winter. It’s natural to eat more in colder winter climates as your body requires more fat for thermo regulation. Winter activities for me are mostly riding the trainer and x-country skiing. I know some triathletes that can gain 20 lbs over a winter.
BTW, summer isn’t “off season”
FYI, the OP lives in New Zealand where yes, it is winter.
clm
BTW, summer isn’t “off season”
FYI, the OP lives in New Zealand where yes, it is winter.
clm
WTH, I checked that out. I am shocked and a bit angry I’m as old as I am and haven’t put two and two together with the southern hemisphere and its inverse solstice to the northern. This is just awful 
So it’s like February in NZ
Though checking the weather, it’s not THAT bad in NZ (at least in Auckland)—temps in the 50s. That’s normal summer SF weather. SUCK IT UP FULLA!
I’m racing timberman 20# heavier then I raced LP’06 and I’ve even lost 5# since June 1st… A foot injury, mild depression, and the joy of spending time with my family kept me from training much this winter, spring and even early summer. I’ve been enjoying my beer with dinner and my ice cream afterwards just a little too much. Now, the weight has finally started to shed and hope to keep it up through the end of November. Stabilize for December and January before attempting to shed those final pounds in February and March before IM training will really kick in and I won’t have to think about it all that much…
I am the opposite. I lose weight in the off season and gain it in the summer. I can’t focus on diet while training hard, nor do I think it is wise, so the winter months make it easier for me to focus on losing a few pounds. When summer and hard training gets here, I’m too focused on food as I’m constantly hungry. I also don’t believe I can increase my fitness and grow muscle while restricting my caloric intake, so summer time is eating time. This year I gained 4 pounds during the summer so I don’t have a huge job ahead of me to lose it again over the winter.
Earlier this season I had an OLY race. Leading up to race morning and race morning (a Sunday) I weighed 186. Did the race then ate and drank everything that I had been denying myself leading up to the race. Three days later on Wednesday morning I weighed 197. 11 pounds in 3 days.
I am also a former swimmer so maybe there is something here.
Adam
Earlier this season I had an OLY race. Leading up to race morning and race morning (a Sunday) I weighed 186. Did the race then ate and drank everything that I had been denying myself leading up to the race. Three days later on Wednesday morning I weighed 197. 11 pounds in 3 days.
I am also a former swimmer so maybe there is something here.
Adam
There is no way that you gained 11 pounds of real weight in 3 days. You may have been slightly de-hydrated at 186 and not taking in enough fluids prior to the race. After the race your body reacted by retaining water. Were you still at 197 a week later?
I’m sure much of your 11 lb gain was water weight.
Earlier this season I had an OLY race. Leading up to race morning and race morning (a Sunday) I weighed 186. Did the race then ate and drank everything that I had been denying myself leading up to the race. Three days later on Wednesday morning I weighed 197. 11 pounds in 3 days.
I am also a former swimmer so maybe there is something here.
Adam
Sorry, but no way, not possible. There is a limit to how much your body can absorb and “gain” daily; I believe it’s around 0.75 pounds (not talking about excess water).
-C
What is this “off season” you are referring to?
"What is this “off season” you are referring to? "
Apparently it is a period of time when many triathletes sabotage their upcoming season by stuffing everything in sight down their pie holes and watching a lot of TV as opposed to training…
There is no way that you gained 11 pounds of real weight in 3 days. You may have been slightly de-hydrated at 186 and not taking in enough fluids prior to the race. After the race your body reacted by retaining water. Were you still at 197 a week later?
Well obviously it wasnt all fat, never said it was. I was at that weight in the week leading up to the race and I was very well hydrated. I took a week off after the race and stayed at 197, but it started to come off pretty quickly after I picked my workouts up again. If you saw the amount of food that I ate during those three days you would be as disgusted as I was, I can chow as well as anybody. Eating all the crappy food with all that salt and fat just kept everything inside of me. Yuck.
"What is this “off season” you are referring to? "
Apparently it is a period of time when many triathletes sabotage their upcoming season by stuffing everything in sight down their pie holes and watching a lot of TV as opposed to training…
Huh. That’s weird.
My tri friends usually start calling my “Puffy” around January.
I usually lose weight in the off season because it is too difficult to cut during the season and still maintain high energy levels for training. So lose weight in the off season and then try to maintain weight during the season is the best approach in my opinion.