Taken up mtbing and put weight on....how, help??!!

kathg
kathg Posts: 142
edited February 2010 in Women
Hi all,
Couldn't believe it... got the mtb bug, absolutely love it, bought bike (love that too) but since riding like mad for last 6 months am now half stone heavier than before??!!
Could it be the change of sport? I am also a really keen rock climber, have been for at least last 20 years and have mainly been used to climbing and training to climb 3 days a week. Always struggled with aerobic fitness in the past but am very strong from climbing. Now, very good aerobic fitness and climbing standard plummeted (due to weight gain maybe)?

I'm all at sea with this to be honest, yes the biking has certainly made me hungrier but surely I must be burning loads more calories? Anyone out there had this experience or got any nutritional/training advice?

kathg

Comments

  • MrChuck
    MrChuck Posts: 1,663
    Well, big bike legs sure won't help your climbing. I also climb (not as much as you though it sounds like) and find that when I'm going well at the wall I get more toned but not necessarily bigger, whereas when I'm doing a lot on the bike my thighs get noticeably larger. So I suppose my point is that I think biking will have more of an impact on your weight than climbing- I'm guessing you're fairly lean to begin with if you're a decent climber, so you've only got (msucle) weight to put on if you see what I mean.

    Somebody who knows what they're talking about will be along in a minute I'm sure :D
  • Splottboy
    Splottboy Posts: 3,694
    Easyish to answer, you may have put on muscle, which weighs more than fat.
    Or..you're taking in too many calories and overloading pre/post-riding.
    You'll have to keep a riding/eating diary to check-out which.
    I put on weight easily as my body type is Mesomorphic, muscular, but fat can be laid down easier if I don't train. So...it's be flabby and lighter or heavier and leaner for me at least.
    Don't forget cycling has a "cyclical" motion, where rock climbing is stop/start, so your body may be adapting to the changes you've put on it.
    Most of your weight gain is probably below the waist: Quads, Hamstrings, Glutes, etc, which are the biggest muscles in the body, and your waist/back may have increased too due to the stability action they have to undertake.
    So, if heaven forbid, you crash, then the increased muscle, if it IS muscle, may help you to avoid serious injuries better.
    As a former Self-Defence/Physical Trainer, I've seen people increase weight AND reduce fat, but they are motivated athletes, at competition level. Just reducing weight isn't easy and most Pro cyclists have nutritionists to advise them. Seen photos of Lance on Youtube looking Buff, but now it's all gone during the race season! Good luck!
  • The Northern Monkey
    The Northern Monkey Posts: 19,136
    Too much post MTB cake!!!
    Well thats my problem anyways :lol:
    Santa Cruz Butcher
  • Thewaylander
    Thewaylander Posts: 8,593
    Yeh i blame the sweet tea and cake after rides lass...
  • ketka82
    ketka82 Posts: 63
    How are your clothes fitting? If they are tighter (especially round the middle and upper body) then you have probably put on weight due to taking in too many calories. If they fit the same or feel looser then you have likley just built up more muscle.

    Depending on intensity you'll burn roughly 500 cal an hour mountain biking. Heart rate monitors are useful tools as they give you a good estimate of how much work you're actually doing. This could help if your problem is indeed overcompensating on calories but don't automatically assume that this is the problem. I've seen too many women who don't fuel themselves properly for hard exercise and believe me, over-compensation is better than under-compensation anyday!

    If you're doing a lot of hard training then try not to think about weight too much. You'd be surprised how heavy most athletes are. On paper I'm pretty much the same height and weight as Vicky Pendleton. Do I look like Vicky Pendleton in a skin suit? Er... no.
  • canadiankate
    canadiankate Posts: 27
    Hey,

    I'm a keen climber too, boulder about 6c and sport up to about 7a. I've noticed that when I'm really biking i put a fair amount of muscle on, however, I also lose fat quickly. If anything i tend to get stronger when riding for my climibng.

    I've given up weighing myself because i know if i do put any weight on its mainly muscle. While putting muscle on in the legs may add weight, i've found that it really can help when doing rockovers and heel hooks - and the occasional dyno!
  • foxyourself
    foxyourself Posts: 38
    I've gained a stone in muscle since January. I've weighed 7 stone for years, got on the bigger motorbikes and gained muscle to throw those about putting me at 7.5 stone, now upto 8.5 with the MTB'ing. I've noticed i've regained the stomach muscle I used to have alot of when I rode horses as a teenager. which looks nice. I like 8)

    I get weighed everytime I go doctors because i'm under my ideal BMI... such a load of rubbish
    4 wheels move the body, 2 wheels move the soul.
  • hearndenemma
    hearndenemma Posts: 61
    hiya

    I am the opposite been mtb for just over 10 weeks first real regular exercise since having the kids : and oldest is 10 how slack am I !: although was very fit before kids.
    lost 12 lbs but only weighing myself once a month. I'd say what is important how you feel and how toned you are ! Like my new look and have loads more energy hope I keep it up !
  • PamPen25
    PamPen25 Posts: 111
    bigbenj_08 wrote:
    Too much post MTB cake!!!
    Well thats my problem anyways :lol:



    Mmmmmmmmm, post-2 hr ride tea and cake!!!!!

    :)

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