Triathletes come in all shapes and sizes. Just like books, they shouldn’t be judged by their cover. Still, whether it’s to look better in their tri kit or to become faster via an improved power-to-weight ratio, improving body composition is an ongoing process for many athletes. But how to achieve a leaner physique can be tricky. Here’s why, and what to do about it.
Avoid the Endurance 15
I came upon this article a few months ago and contacted Dr. Rick Kattouf, asking permission to use his article in my blog post. I felt this topic is all to common with endurance athletes – and it needed to be shared. If you are struggling with your weight, not becoming more lean, having afternoon and evening cravings despite long training hours each week, take a few minutes to read this article.
Weight Gain During High-Volume Training? How To Avoid the “Endurance 15”
By Dr. Rick Kattouf
Here is a common question that has come my way many times over the years:
“Rick, I recently trained for an Ironman/marathon/ultra-marathon/ultra-distance cycling event. I trained more than I ever have before and I tried to eat healthy. I am so frustrated because after all of this training, I actually gained 15 pounds during this time. How can I actually gain weight when I was training more than ever?”
I call this all-too-common scenario the “endurance 15”. I am sure you’ve heard of the “freshman 15”: a young man/woman goes off to college and gains 15 pounds during their freshman year of college. The “endurance 15” is the scenario in which an endurance athlete is training many hours a week and actually increases body weight and fat; gaining five, 10, or 15 pounds during their training.
There are a multitude of factors that contribute to the endurance 15. Let’s discuss why this may be happening. [Read more…]