I’m a 40-year-old guy who’s always prided myself on staying active—I’ve been hitting the gym regularly, pounding the pavement with runs, and even competing in triathlons for the past decade. It’s been a big part of who I am, keeping me energized and focused. But lately, things have taken a frustrating turn, and I’ve been packing on the pounds at an alarming rate, despite keeping up with my workouts. Back before COVID hit, I was consistently holding steady at around 190 pounds, which felt great for my 5’10” frame. I had a solid routine: strength training a few times a week, long runs on weekends, and the occasional bike/swim combo to prep for races. Life was balanced, and my weight wasn’t something I had to obsess over. But then the pandemic rolled in, and like a lot of people, I developed some less-than-ideal habits to cope with the stress and isolation. What started as a casual glass of red wine in the evenings turned into a nightly ritual—sometimes two or three glasses—to unwind after a long day of remote work and disrupted schedules. I love the taste, the relaxation it brings, but I know it’s contributing to the issue. Fast forward to now, and I’m sitting at 216 pounds. That’s a 26-pound gain overall, but the real kicker is that I’ve put on 15 pounds in just the last two months alone. And this is happening while I’m still logging 25-30 miles of running each week! I mix in some interval training and steady-state runs, but the scale just keeps creeping up. My clothes are tighter, my energy levels are dipping during workouts, and I’m starting to notice it in my performance—slower times, more fatigue, and that nagging feeling that I’m not recovering as well as I used to. Honestly, I’m in a bit of a funk about it all. I know the basics of weight loss—calories in vs. calories out, tracking macros, all that—but with my active lifestyle, I thought I’d be immune to this kind of rapid gain. Maybe it’s age catching up, or perhaps the wine is sneaking in more empty calories than I realize (I do enjoy a bold Cabernet or Malbec with dinner). Stress from work hasn’t helped either; I’ve been skipping meals during the day and overeating at night, or grabbing quick snacks that aren’t the healthiest. I haven’t been as consistent with strength training lately, and I suspect my metabolism might be shifting as I hit my 40s. My goal is to get back down to 190 pounds, where I felt strong, confident, and ready to tackle any race. I don’t want to give up my active hobbies or completely ditch the wine (moderation is key, right?), but I need some practical guidance on where to start. Should I focus on dialing in my nutrition first—maybe tracking everything for a week to see the patterns? Any tips for incorporating more strength work without burning out? How do I break this funk and build momentum—maybe some mindset shifts or accountability tricks? Encouragement from folks who’ve been in similar spots would mean a lot; hearing success stories of turning things around in mid-life while staying active could really motivate me. Thanks in advance for any advice or words of wisdom. I’m ready to put in the work, but a little direction would go a long way!
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