NOTE: After review it is obvious that my original calorie intake estimate was wrong. I've edited this post to revise it to 2,000 calories. I originally said that it was 1000, which makes no sense.
I am looking for dietary advice in order to maximize my results. Prior to getting into swimming I was consuming about 2,000 calories per day and trying to favor protein. Considering that I was sitting in front of a computer most of the day even 1,000 calories may have been too much. My weight pretty much stayed around the same 220lbs (lean weight target being somewhere around 185lbs).
Now that I am swimming I probably need to change my dietary intake. I do want to get rid of the extra pounds as soon as possible. However, with these 1 1/2 hour workouts and only 2000 calories I felt out of energy for the first couple of days. My lack of conditioning probably had a lot to do with it.
Some of the questions I have are:
Should I try to remain close to 2000 calories in order to expedite weight loss and then stabilize at a higher caloric intake?
My workouts are at 5:30AM. I can't have breakfast prior to the workout. This means that I am working off of energy from dinner and stored fat. Should I favor certain foods for dinner?
Also, what would be the best distribution of caloric intake throughout the day? Should I front load (heavy breakfast) or have a larger dinner to put some energy away for the morning workout?
Any other thoughts/advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.
I'm wondering where that target weight came from. If you're 48 and 5'8", I'd guess a healthy weight would be around 150.
I'm 5'11" and my weight is 165-170.
As for diet, I think you have to find a plan that works for you. You can buy all the broccoli in the world, but if you won't eat it (unless it is slathered in cheese sauce), then it does you no good.
I try to be mostly sensible with my diet. I swim (or run) mornings too, and I don't eat prior. I'll eat a protein bar shortly after, then a low-fat breakfast sandwich after I get to the office. I generally snack much of the morning, granola, pretzels, etc. Have a decent lunch (usually leftovers from a dinner),some snacks in the afternoon. Then I usually do my 2nd workout (gym, etc) after work. After I get home some days I just have a big salad for dinner. Sometimes a smaller salad with a small portion of a pasta-type dish.
I've been doing this for about 4-5 years. I was flirting with 200# before I began, dropped to 150-155 for a while (people asked if I was ok), and mostly hover 165-170 now (lower when I'm peaking for a marathon, higher in the 1-2 weeks after).
I'm wondering where that target weight came from. If you're 48 and 5'8", I'd guess a healthy weight would be around 150.
I'm 5'11" and my weight is 165-170.
As for diet, I think you have to find a plan that works for you. You can buy all the broccoli in the world, but if you won't eat it (unless it is slathered in cheese sauce), then it does you no good.
I try to be mostly sensible with my diet. I swim (or run) mornings too, and I don't eat prior. I'll eat a protein bar shortly after, then a low-fat breakfast sandwich after I get to the office. I generally snack much of the morning, granola, pretzels, etc. Have a decent lunch (usually leftovers from a dinner),some snacks in the afternoon. Then I usually do my 2nd workout (gym, etc) after work. After I get home some days I just have a big salad for dinner. Sometimes a smaller salad with a small portion of a pasta-type dish.
I've been doing this for about 4-5 years. I was flirting with 200# before I began, dropped to 150-155 for a while (people asked if I was ok), and mostly hover 165-170 now (lower when I'm peaking for a marathon, higher in the 1-2 weeks after).
