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.
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Former Member
I believe the idea that swimming does not generally promote weight loss is common knowledge - especially for those who are fairly good at it. However, I do believe that coming back into or starting the sport would initially promote a moderate punt of weight loss. Whether you diet or not.
Anything that burns calories and promotes some muscle gain is good for weight loss. It's quite silly to think otherwise. Also, the amount of comparisions on this site of swimming to walking (which is essentially what you compare it to if you think it does not promote weight loss) are quite crazy.
I believe the idea that swimming does not generally promote weight loss is common knowledge - especially for those who are fairly good at it. However, I do believe that coming back into or starting the sport would initially promote a moderate punt of weight loss. Whether you diet or not.
Anything that burns calories and promotes some muscle gain is good for weight loss. It's quite silly to think otherwise. Also, the amount of comparisions on this site of swimming to walking (which is essentially what you compare it to if you think it does not promote weight loss) are quite crazy.
