Struggling in the morning

[Astarin]

I've been riding to work and back for the last few months with a mate of mine about 3-4 days of the week. Lately however, I've been finding it much harder in the morning *snarf snarf* and I have no idea why. I've often had plenty of rest in between so I don't think it's a case of me not getting enough rest time.

My diet has changed but that also changed about the same time that we started riding into work, I was wondering if this is perhaps catching up with me finally and affecting my energy levels in the morning. So far I've managed to lose about 1 and a half stone, I'm aiming for another stone though as that will get me down to 13 (Have absolutely no idea what my weight should be - 6'2" medium build).

Should I change my diet again to see if I can kick start everything off again. I know some people say change your diet if you hit a bit of a plateau when losing weight.

I'm mainly wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

Edited by Astarin on Friday 20th July 12:23

[Rolls]

Rule 5...

[Astarin]

Pmsl. I almost wrote should I just MTFU at the end of the post too :P

[aclivity]

Astarin said:

I've been riding to work and back for the last few months with a mate of mine about 3-4 days of the week. Lately however, I've been finding it much harder in the morning *snarf snarf* and I have no idea why.

Try a different breakfast? I have occasionally had bad mornings, and I worked out that it happened if I had cereal rather than toast for breakfast - I suspected something to do with how quickly the food energy is released, toast being caremalised has lots of sugars whereas the cereal was oats & stuff?

(I am not a food scientist or nutritionist so the above could all be garbage!)

[Astarin]

I may try and eat more for breakfast. I generally don't have much, I do try to. But I just don't feel like eating much at all in the mornings.

[Gizmoish]

aclivity said:

Try a different breakfast? I have occasionally had bad mornings, and I worked out that it happened if I had cereal rather than toast for breakfast - I suspected something to do with how quickly the food energy is released, toast being caremalised has lots of sugars whereas the cereal was oats & stuff?

(I am not a food scientist or nutritionist so the above could all be garbage!)

It is (mostly) garbage.

Unless you've put sugar onto the bread before toasting, what is it that "caramelises" other than the (complex) sugars - starch etc - that are already in the bread?

Whereas cereals frequently contain sugar in the form of... sugar.

Toast and peanut butter is bloody ace. You want slow release carbs...

[Astarin]

Gizmoish said:

Toast and peanut butter is bloody ace. You want slow release carbs...

You win, Toast and crunchy peanut butter it is in the morning!

[aclivity]

Gizmoish said:

It is (mostly) garbage.

Unless you've put sugar onto the bread before toasting, what is it that "caramelises" other than the (complex) sugars - starch etc - that are already in the bread?

I read this a long time ago, that the browning was caused by caramelisation. I never really understood it, but wasn't interested enough to find out if it was true or not - obviously I should have paid more attention! I think I was confusing it with the Maillard reaction?

Gizmoish said:

Whereas cereals frequently contain sugar in the form of... sugar.

I didn't have any sugared cereals, I don't like them, I prefer things like oats and grains (OH says they are like sweepings from a sawmill!)

Gizmoish said:

Toast and peanut butter is bloody ace. You want slow release carbs...

Peanut butter - can't argue with that!

[dudleybloke]

i usually have a flapjack and cup of tea with two sugars before heading out. sometimes i dont have anything before and feel a definate drop in energy levels after 20 mins hard peddling.

[Mr Gear]

I feel weak on an early morning ride, no matter how much sleep I get. I think it's a little bit of dehydration combined with the fact that I simply can't eat before about 10am (I just can't stomach eating anything for the first couple of hours of the day). Afternoon rides are always much stronger and more committed for me.

[Astarin]

Mr Gear said:

I feel weak on an early morning ride, no matter how much sleep I get. I think it's a little bit of dehydration combined with the fact that I simply can't eat before about 10am (I just can't stomach eating anything for the first couple of hours of the day). Afternoon rides are always much stronger and more committed for me.

This sounds pretty much like me. I'm definitely not a morning person which doesn't help. I struggle to eat much if anything sometimes in the morning as it usually makes me feel sick tbh.

The whole affair is a bit unfortunate for my mate as he's a morning person and is usually bursting with energy, then by the afternoon he's the one that's drained.

[anonymous-user]

Depends on the morning commute but i never eat breakfast before i ride if its less than 30 miles. Porridge is great fuel.

[Jimbo.]

Astarin said:

I've been riding to work and back for the last few months with a mate of mine about 3-4 days of the week. Lately however, I've been finding it much harder in the morning *snarf snarf* and I have no idea why. I've often had plenty of rest in between so I don't think it's a case of me not getting enough rest time.

My diet has changed but that also changed about the same time that we started riding into work, I was wondering if this is perhaps catching up with me finally and affecting my energy levels in the morning. So far I've managed to lose about 1 and a half stone, I'm aiming for another stone though as that will get me down to 13 (Have absolutely no idea what my weight should be - 6'2" medium build).

Should I change my diet again to see if I can kick start everything off again. I know some people say change your diet if you hit a bit of a plateau when losing weight.

I'm mainly wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

Edited by Astarin on Friday 20th July 12:23

Are you drinking enough before/during the commute? We all wake up feeling a bit parched: hitting the bike without doing anything different will leave you even further down hydration-wise, with inevitable results...

Are you eating too much before riding? Or maybe you're not eating enough?

[Astarin]

I suspect it may be a combination of not eating enough or getting enough water. I'm busy scoffing some whole grain toast with peanut butter and a glass of water (usually have a cuppa) now so will see how this morning fares