Eat during taper

I tend to get a bigger appetite during taper, but during this one, it hasn't been that bad. Then again, I think that I get a bigger appetite the last week of the taper. I try to cut the portions a little during my taper.

I try to eat less. I don't want to gain weight during a taper and if I eat the same amount I usually do that will cause me to gain weight. It's sort of hard because I tend to be sort of fidgety during a taper.

I don't like to reduce eating during taper b/c I am afraid of being weak. Silly I know, but I'm frequently a little mental during taper time. While I don't usually gain weight during taper, I often put on a couple pounds right after, even if I go right back into hard training. Perhaps I lose a little muscle mass during taper and put on some fat, balancing things out...then when I return to training, I gain more muscle again but the extra fat stays. I have no idea if that's the real reason, but my plan from now on is to diet for a couple weeks right AFTER the big race, when i don't really care if my energy level is a little lower. (Oh, and in my opinion adding 1-2 lb during taper will not have a noticeable effect on your times.)

I generally eat the same, but reduce the crap (sweets, alcohol). What throws me off is business travel in advance of a taper meet, but I should be home for a week prior to heading to Clovis.

Eat, eat, eat. If you have been working hard enough to taper, you should reap the rewards of eating whatever your heart desires. Now is the time to indulge. Just not on race day.

i also forgot to mention that i tend to be not lean a as many swimmers. I easily can gain weight "overnite". In other hand, during taper it is not recommended to lose weght. Right now I'm 180 lbs and probably want to be around that weight by Nats. It drives me nuts when i have not much to do during taper and also be in the control of eating...could be hardest thing if some of you know what i'm talking.

I wasn't sure if your question referred to the taper or while at the meet.I don't usually change what I eat during taper.The night before the meet I always have a big dessert with supper.It's a ritual and I feel I've earned it.I almost always eat a big breakfast since once I get to the meet it will be pretty much just balance bars and gatorade until my last swim of the day.

Since I was mostly swimming sprints I didn't worry about diet at all while tapering this time, in fact I probably ate more. I know for a fact I gained weight, probably 2-3 kg. If I was concentrating on distance races maybe I would have tried to maintain the same weight.

Thank you for your replays everyone. I think, i will be taking the same action as Kirk suggested because i'm already "overweighted".Just eat less while doing less swim during taper. This what i read yesterday when found in my email box for USMS. www.usms.org/.../articledisplay.php

Thank you for your replays everyone. I think, i will be taking the same action as Kirk suggested because i'm already "overweighted" USMS. www.usms.org/.../articledisplay.php You said that you were 180. If you are overweight, then I am morbidly obese. Eating less is the way to go. Good luck with your taper.