Weight watching man - need fuel!

ljs1977
ljs1977 Posts: 247
edited April 2013 in Health, fitness & training
Hi

I have been on diets for bloody ages, however since starting mountiain biking I have enjoyed my greatest losses.

I used to be over 21st and now just over 15, however as I get fitter and thinner my rides are getting longer.

As I am still counting the points, the idea is to burn fat not consume what I I burn but anything after 20miles I need fuel!

What is the best food to consume for energy and performance whilst not blowing the pro points? i am taking bananas but they are not cutting it and the occational hand full of Jelly Babies are too short lived - good though

Cheers

Comments

  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    Some fuel before you set off always helps. You need to start your rides with your muscles and liver fully fuelled with glucose and you can do this by eating a low glycaemic index carbohydrate with some protein a couple of hours before you ride. The carbohydrate will increase the glucose levels in your blood and protein will help to stabilise it. You should aim to eat as much as you can without feeling uncomfortable:

    porridge + semi skimmed milk + raisins + chopped hazelnuts
    muesli + milk
    butter beans + chickpeas + mackerel
    wholegrain bread + tinned salmon + sliced cucumber
    medium sized jacket potato + tuna + green side salad.
    chicken soup + wholegrain roll

    During the ride if it's more than an hour then you’ll need to consume some carbohydrate to keep your muscles fuelled. Aim to consume between 100 – 250 Calories (25g – 62g carbohydrate) per hour after the first hour of riding. Each one of these is 50g of carbs:

    litre of a carbohydrate sports drink (quite like High 5 EnergySource meself & I find Torq is easy to digest but somewhat less effective)
    energy gel
    banana + half a litre of a carbohydrate sports drink
    small box of raisins + handful of nuts (anything except salted & dry roasted peanuts)
    packet of Starburst or Haribo etc
    apple and a big handful of pumpkin seeds
    couple of oatcakes and a small chunk of cheddar
    small flapjack

    You will need to experiment to see which works best for you.
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    You might also find some caffeine helps. You'll need 5mg or so per kg of bodyweight which is a lot e.g. a couple of expressos 40 mins or so before you ride.

    Something about it being easily absorbed by the digestive system and attaching itself to the receptors in the nervous system that
    a) release all your energy in one go because you appear to be trying to escape from a sabre-tooth tiger
    b) tell you you're knackered and on the way to becoming a sabre-tooth tiger's breakfast.
    Caffeine subdues these signals, regulates energy output and reduces the symptoms of fatigue.

    It works for me anyway.
  • ljs1977
    ljs1977 Posts: 247
    Wow, cheers!
  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    Ride fasted, get your baody used to using its fat for fuel, rather than relying on high carb gels and sweets.
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    I prefer to load up on energy before a ride. A good bowl of porridge is always a good start to the day and if I'm riding in the afternoon then some wholemeal pasta for lunch. Carbs are good as long as they are the right type.
    Good work with the weight loss, I'm on a similar mission, down from 17 stone at christmas to 14 stone 11 lb now. The best tip I had was from an ex pro racer who told me that on days when I'm not riding I should run a couple miles before breakfast and then have just eggs for breakfast, no carbs before lunch.
  • Burndust
    Burndust Posts: 100
    i normally carb load the night before a big ride, either that or fast releasing protein shake before i set off, and use those hi 5 zero tablets the caffine one...does me on a 50 miler, then i have lunch with a hight protein content and good balance of carbs and fat for recovery
    Boardman CX Team
    Carerra Crossfire 2
  • Woodmonkey
    Woodmonkey Posts: 412
    Might sound silly but are you drinking enough fluid? If your fitness has increased this much then you prob need a lot more fluid than when you started riding. And +1 for the high 5 caffeine tablets
    pity those who don't drink, the way they feel when they wake is the best they will feel all day


    voodoo hoodoo