Hi all,
I am training for my 10th IM and every summer when I ramp up my training (about 25 hrs a week now) I lose my appetite. You would think I would be inhaling food right and left, however, things that normally taste good (ie. cookies, chocolate, etc.) are not appealing. Any ideas? Is this a sign of over-training or just summer heat suppressing the appetite. I have no other symptoms and feel overall very good with this level and amount of training.
KK
Meow
wish I had your problem. I used to be like that, and I loved how I dropped weight during the summer, but I am also doing an IM (first) and I can’t stop eating and my weight is still 10 more than what I want.
Have the same problem and I am interested in some ideas as to why as well.
I’m by no means an expert, but I find heat curbs my appetite - I have been noticing it over the past few weeks as my training for IM has increased and it has been really hot. Nothing seems overly appealing to eat when the temps are up.
I’m by no means an expert, but I find heat curbs my appetite - I have been noticing it over the past few weeks as my training for IM has increased and it has been really hot. Nothing seems overly appealing to eat when the temps are up.
That’s true - in the winter time your body sort of goes into evolutionary “hibernation” mode where it tries to store up fat for the cold winter - meaning bigger appetite and slower metabolism. That sort of goes in reverse in the summer. As long as you’re getting enough fluids, I wouldn’t worry about it, unless you’re actually trying to maintain.
Loss of appetite can be a sign of overreaching and/or overtraining but in your case I am betting it is the heat.
How about fluids - smoothies? Iced lattes (milk = calcium and protein :-)? Pasta salad?
My favorite lately is popsicles 
x2 I can’t stop eating with my IM training, have gained weight since i started. IMLP can’t come fast enuf. 
x2 on the liquid calories…another thing I found just recently after dealing with post training appetite loss is watermelon. It works great for me.
i agree w/ a lot of the below posts… the main thing is how you feel. if you lose your appetite and are feeling tired, unable to extend your training hours, and are losing weight beyond what would be normal for you… then you should be concerned. my wife and i argue all the time about this because we are on opposite ends of the spectrum. she can inhale food right before and right after working out… i can’t. not everyone is the same… i would say monitor your weight and how you feel as you progress. you’re body will talk to you… it WILL let you know if you’re starving it.
If you feel fine then you should be good to go. I wouldn’t worry too much about it, also you could just be fueling yourself well during your training sessions and therefore don’t need to overindulge afterward. Above poster is right, your body will generally let you know what it wants though sometimes it wants more than it need :-/
x2 on the liquid calories…another thing I found just recently after dealing with post training appetite loss is watermelon. It works great for me.
Agreed! Watermelon is about the only thing I can stomach after training in ~90 degree heat/75% humidity. Just don’t have the appetite I usually have during the cooler months here on the Gulf Coast…
Moderate dehydration is an appetite-killer for me. It’s amazing how fast the hunger can come back after topping off the fluids appropriately.