How much do you eat?

Hi Heather, I had to respond to your post as I too noticed that I was eating a bit TOO MUCH when I started back masters swimming a few years ago. Why was I hungry ALL THE TIME?! Now, I don't have any scientific answers, but I can tell you what's been working for me this year - and I eat less and have been losing a few pounds. I had to shake the mentality that I had as a kid that "you can eat anything." I did that as an adult masters and noticed that my size S tops were getting a bit tight in the arms (I am muscular but I need to say light and lean to race fast.) All I did was make sure I ate 3 meals a day and that snacks are only healthy things like fruit and salads and occasional power bars. Sounds like you are right on track with the protein. My big thing that I feel makes the difference for me is that I really cut down my sugar intake. I stay far away now from the sports drinks (except on meet day or practices over 2 hours) as many of them have LOTS of sugar. I really noticed that sugar REALLY increases my appetite. Also, I cut out about 80% of the desserts that I would eat (I would eat one big dessert a day at dinner). Now, I shoot for one or two less fatty, less sugary desserts a week - like sherbert or frozen yogurt. Also, I cut down on fast food to about 1x per two weeks. Once I got into a new habit of less sugar (and I cut way down on white bread - only eat mostly whole wheat), it's really easy to follow and I don't feel like I'm giving anything up. (And I was the queen of the sweet tooth) - just ask my husband! And, I'm much more full all the time. Truly. Note that I train about 6x a week at 5 to 6K and do weights 2 to 3 times a week. So - I'm not saying to cut out sugar and white bread completely! Not at all. I just learned that I was ingesting tons of both substances and that made me RAVENOUS on a continual basis. Hope this helps!

Hi Heather, I had to respond to your post as I too noticed that I was eating a bit TOO MUCH when I started back masters swimming a few years ago. Why was I hungry ALL THE TIME?! Now, I don't have any scientific answers, but I can tell you what's been working for me this year - and I eat less and have been losing a few pounds. I had to shake the mentality that I had as a kid that "you can eat anything." I did that as an adult masters and noticed that my size S tops were getting a bit tight in the arms (I am muscular but I need to say light and lean to race fast.) All I did was make sure I ate 3 meals a day and that snacks are only healthy things like fruit and salads and occasional power bars. Sounds like you are right on track with the protein. My big thing that I feel makes the difference for me is that I really cut down my sugar intake. I stay far away now from the sports drinks (except on meet day or practices over 2 hours) as many of them have LOTS of sugar. I really noticed that sugar REALLY increases my appetite. Also, I cut out about 80% of the desserts that I would eat (I would eat one big dessert a day at dinner). Now, I shoot for one or two less fatty, less sugary desserts a week - like sherbert or frozen yogurt. Also, I cut down on fast food to about 1x per two weeks. Once I got into a new habit of less sugar (and I cut way down on white bread - only eat mostly whole wheat), it's really easy to follow and I don't feel like I'm giving anything up. (And I was the queen of the sweet tooth) - just ask my husband! And, I'm much more full all the time. Truly. Note that I train about 6x a week at 5 to 6K and do weights 2 to 3 times a week. So - I'm not saying to cut out sugar and white bread completely! Not at all. I just learned that I was ingesting tons of both substances and that made me RAVENOUS on a continual basis. Hope this helps!