Is it just me or is it more common for swimmers to develop a significant increase in their appetite than athletes in other sports? I usually swim in the late afternoons and evenings, 6-7 days a week, for 3,500 to 4,500 yards (60-90 minutes at 60-80% HRmax intensity) and my workouts vary from training interval workouts to straight distance workouts. I started upping my workouts from short 1,000 - 1,500 yards to 3,500 - 4,500 yards over the last three months and since then, my appetite in the evenings and during the night has gotten out of control. I still get full on moderate amounts of food but then I'm starving again 20 minutes later and continue to be starving until breakfast and after breakfast, my appetite becomes pretty stable (but I'm busy in the daytime so I may be hungry and just not aware of it). I never felt this way after other types of exercise.
I haven't given in by increasing my food intake but I also haven't lost any weight either (unfortunately). I'm a small person (5'0", 120 lbs) and my calorie burn is pretty low - my BMR is 1255 and I burn only 350-450 calories on a 60 minute workout (I can burn up to 650 on a 90 minute workout at 80-95% HRmax intensity). So, it's not like I can afford to eat a whole lot.
So, is this a swimming phenomenon or am I just weird? And if swimmers tend to be hungrier than other athletes, why?
Excellent question! Wish I knew the answer. HA!
When I was in high school, I swam 4 years - each of those four years I played different sports as well. I never ate so much or drank so much milk as I did when I was swimming. On competition days, I remember getting two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (thanks mom!)! And because we lived so close to school, I could run home for a quick fix and still get back in time for a meet! Ridiculous now when I look back on that. But I never gained weight and maintained.
I recently got back into the pool after a long hiatus, so far appetite is normal. Then again, I'm not training like I'm in high school anymore either. LOL But I must say I'm drinking more water than usual. Could that be the chlorine affect?
When I got back in the pool, I actually GAINED weight because my appetite was insatiable. Someone advised me to eat more protein (i.e. eggs) instead of cereal for breakfast (after AM workout). The protein takes longer to break down and metabolize. I noticed a change immediately. So now I keep Cliff Bars handy for when I don't have time for a proper breakfast and they do the trick. I try to make sure my protein intake is high enough to keep me from raiding the pantry.
When I got back in the pool, I actually GAINED weight because my appetite was insatiable. Someone advised me to eat more protein (i.e. eggs) instead of cereal for breakfast (after AM workout). The protein takes longer to break down and metabolize. I noticed a change immediately. So now I keep Cliff Bars handy for when I don't have time for a proper breakfast and they do the trick. I try to make sure my protein intake is high enough to keep me from raiding the pantry.
My diet, even before swimming, is 50% protein, 25% fat, and 25% carbs. Maybe I should decrease my protein and eat more fat. Maybe start eating nuts or Atkins bars.
Could you be underweight? Increasing fat intake, like you said, sounds good to me too.
Are you maintaining a balanced diet within meals, not just as a daily net? Thats what I have trouble with - finding the time and convienience to eat a little of everything for each meal. I try to add a fresh fruit or vegetable each meal to help balance it out but sometimes this aint possible.
Also, if your BMR is low, maybe four meals might help and give room to eat a larger variety by increasing metabolism. Just a guess here as I am a mechanic, not a nutritionist
I usually swim ... 6-7 days a week, for 3,500 to 4,500 yards ... haven't lost any weight either (unfortunately). I'm a small person (5'0", 120 lbs) ...
(Somewhat off topic) You sound like a terrifically fit person, and at 5'0", 120, even the ridiculous BMI Tables say you don't have to lose weight. Why do you want to lose weight? Maybe there's no weight to lose! Chug one of those awful protein shakes. They kill my appetite for anything ...
Various studies have been inconclusive on whether swimming makes you hungry vs. any other type of exercise. But most say it depends on your overall nutrition and how much you eat before and after.
I found that it did make me hungry at first, but my hunger leveled out after about a month or two when my body got used to swimming. And I lost some weight. However, no amount of exercise will help you lose weight if it becomes an excuse to eat. I've heard that the next issue of Swim will have something on nutrition, so perhaps that will help. I'm also 5' tall, but trying to get back to 110. I was 95 lbs. in my 30s and considered myself pretty fit, but that all went to the proverbial heat wave in a hand basket when I hit my late 40s and mental pause set in. But if I could get to 120 I'd be pretty darned happy.
Former Member
I've been swimming for over 20 years and I am ravenous on the days I swim. On the days I do cardio and lift weights at the gym, I eat half as much during the day. I am 5'6" and weigh 115. People think I have an eating disorder, and I laugh because I am an eating machine from breakfast to dinner. I read sometime ago, that running (I used to be a runner exclusively) heats up the body temperature, which in turn, curbs the appetite, whereas swimming has a more cooling effect and increases hunger. I don't know if that makes sense, but don't people eat less in the summer when it's hot? :confused:
(Somewhat off topic) You sound like a terrifically fit person, and at 5'0", 120, even the ridiculous BMI Tables say you don't have to lose weight. Why do you want to lose weight? Maybe there's no weight to lose! Chug one of those awful protein shakes. They kill my appetite for anything ...
My goal is 110. I have a poochie stomach. ��
I've been swimming for over 20 years and I am ravenous on the days I swim. On the days I do cardio and lift weights at the gym, I eat half as much during the day. I am 5'6" and weigh 115. People think I have an eating disorder, and I laugh because I am an eating machine from breakfast to dinner. I read sometime ago, that running (I used to be a runner exclusively) heats up the body temperature, which in turn, curbs the appetite, whereas swimming has a more cooling effect and increases hunger. I don't know if that makes sense, but don't people eat less in the summer when it's hot?
I've heard the same thing about people eating less in the summer and more in the winter.
I'm wondering if it's all in my head. I swam earlier today instead of later like I usually do and I'm not hungry now. Although, I did do a straight easy long distance swim (aerobic) instead of a high intensity swim (anaerobic) and I've heard that aerobic exercise curbs appetite whereas, anaerobic makes you hungrier.
Could you be underweight? Increasing fat intake, like you said, sounds good to me too.
Are you maintaining a balanced diet within meals, not just as a daily net? Thats what I have trouble with - finding the time and convienience to eat a little of everything for each meal. I try to add a fresh fruit or vegetable each meal to help balance it out but sometimes this aint possible.
Also, if your BMR is low, maybe four meals might help and give room to eat a larger variety by increasing metabolism. Just a guess here as I am a mechanic, not a nutritionist
I'm in the higher range of the ideal weight category for my height. I'm on a high protein diet and I pretty much live on Premier protein shakes, Quest protein bars, Detour protein bars, chicken, broccoli, mushrooms, puffed kamut (cereal), unsweetened almond milk, and vitamins. When I eat fruit, it's usually strawberries but I try to avoid sugar. I eat about 5 times a day - breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, and evening snack. It's the evening snack I have trouble with because I eat dinner right after my swim (after 9) and then my evening snack at 11 or midnight. I'm afraid to move my dinner to before swimming because that leaves me with only a snack to curb my post-swim appetite until breakfast. Maybe I just need more food in general. Maybe I should be eating 6 times a day.
Former Member
sounds like you have a very high metabolism! It seems like you are getting plenty of protein and eat extremely healthily. What vitamins do you take? I think I remember reading that vitamins can increase appetite.
