I don't know Spark People but any good calorie tracking program will take into account your activity and not just as an average. I use DietPower but there are many other programs. I average 2,000 calories as a "budget" per day but my long runs can burn 2,000 calories, so on those days my budget becomes 4,000 calories. You should factor in your exercise and compensate accordingly, otherwise you risk losing muscle and not just fat and increase chances of injury as well.

Jeremy

what these guys said....the main problem with cutting out food is that you are just gonna feel crappy, assuming any decent amount of mileage and training. You just can't go into a 5Xmile workout underfueled and accomplish much of anything. If you do want to scale back on the intake a little, I'd do it on your easy days. And when training for a marathon, take those easy days EASY. Run with grandma.. You need to eat well, and maybe focus on dropping any significant poundage after the race.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by donlibes:
The problem is the long runs - if you don't eat enough in advance, you will have trouble going the distance without bonking.
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This is new to me. I NEVER eat more calories before a long run or a marathon, and I do not recall "bonking" more than twice in my life. (And I have completed 35 marathons.)
I think bonking is a function of being poorly trained and/or not taking in gu or something similar dring the run.
I do eat more after the run, though, and have noticed that I am hungrier the next day, and I allow for that, too.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Ice Cream:
This is new to me. I NEVER eat more calories before a long run or a marathon, and I do not recall "bonking" more than twice in my life. (And I have completed 35 marathons.)<HR>

I meant this in the context of losing weight at the same time - see the original post. How many of those marathons in which you didn't bonk where you going short 500-1000 calories per day?

I think you are not eating the right foods if you are running 10 miles and eating all your calories and still hungry.

Usually on my weekdays i try to eat below my caloric burn, so for example, let's say i run for an hour, i have 2100 calories burnt that day between exercise and basic metabolic function, i will try to keep my intake around 1700-1800. However, on my long run days (4+ hours) i usually eat whatever i want, and the day before i try to eat ALL of my calories so i am properly fueled for my long run.

I think what your eating is the issue here, not how much. Are you getting enough foods with fiber, enough protien? I find if i eat a bagel for breakfast, i am hungry shortly thereafter, but if i eat 2 soy sausages which are full or protein, i am full for much longer. I also try to eat a lot of fruit and vegetables which make me less hungry.

Dieting while training for a marathon is definitly doable, just be careful not to have too big of a deficit with your calories every day and make sure you are fueling yourself properly before, during and after your runs.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by merigayle:
I find if i eat a bagel for breakfast, i am hungry shortly thereafter, but if i eat 2 soy sausages which are full or protein, i am full for much longer. I also try to eat a lot of fruit and vegetables which make me less hungry.
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Ah, you must have not have tried sprouted grain bagels! Loaded with protein and fiber and definitely will satisfy for a long time.

Jeremy