weight loss and power gels

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2013-04-29 10:52 AM

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Subject: weight loss and power gels
In the 3 years that I've done Ironman races, I've gained 40 pounds. I know a lot of this is muscle mass, but I've also put on some abdominal fat that I'd love to get rid of. I feel like I have a pretty decent diet, so I'm wondering if this extra flub is coming from gels and sports drinks since it's all sugar. But I don't want to cut them out if they're providing needed fuel while I'm training for over an hour at a time. I read in a magazine somewhere about the different body types of ironman athletes and one of them described basically what I have, an overall lean body but with some extra fat around the belly from "all the sugary sports drinks." Should I keep using the gels and create a calorie deficit during my regular meals? Thanks for any advice you all have!

2013-04-29 11:03 AM
in reply to: #4718973

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Subject: RE: weight loss and power gels
Unless you were severely underweight before (or still growing), you are eating too much (it would be very difficult to put on significnt muscle weight while IM training).  It's unlikely just gels and sports drinks unless you are using them all the time.  If the gels and drinks are giving you needed nutrition during long workouts, then don't cut them.  If you are using a couple gels and sports drink everytime you run for or bike for a little over an hour, then stop using them for that.  In the end, all calories 'count'.  Be smart about what you are eating and how much.
2013-04-29 11:15 AM
in reply to: #4718995

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Subject: RE: weight loss and power gels

Thanks JohnnyKay. I'll add that I used to weigh 140 and I'm about 6' tall, I used to look like skeletor and everyone thought I was malnurished all the time, so it's a good thing that I've put on some mass, I'm just not digging the abdominal fat. Thanks for the reply!

2013-04-29 12:23 PM
in reply to: #4719021

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Subject: RE: weight loss and power gels
Perhaps it is a good thing for you, then.  Hard to tell from your pic, though you look you may be on the younger side too.  If you're a 'still developing' 6-footer, then it may be even less worrisome.
2013-04-29 12:44 PM
in reply to: #4718973

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Subject: RE: weight loss and power gels

I'm not sure how to know if you "need" sports drinks when you're training for "over an hour at a time".  Personally, for anything under 90 minutes I will typically only bring water with me.  As long as I'm mindful not to start on empty I can get by without calories.  You could try cutting back on your training fuel and see how you feel?

For many people I bet there would be benefits to cutting way back on sugary drinks.  Of course energy drinks are useful for long exercise sessions but I wouldn't use the fact that I'm training as a license to drink the stuff all the time.


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