Let's talk weight (and whether I need to gain any)

[SillyC]

C. Beth Run. wrote:I'm glad

I'm glad to hear more confirmation that I should just "Don't worry, be happy (and skinny.)"

As for whether I have any fat to spare--I probably shouldn't be trying to get rid of more fat (though if I increase my mileage more it might be unavoidable) but I would love to gain muscle, for sure. I have, however, had to realize I'll probably never have legs that really LOOK muscular. I see some women who run who have these amazing legs--with perfectly muscular curves. That's just not my body type--and that's okay!

Hmm.... Beth, looking at the picture and reading your posts, especially about your cycle being regular, it doesn't seem like you are low on fat. On the contrary, it sounds like you may be low on muscle mass. And that may or may not be a problem. It's worth bringing up with your doctor if your muscle mass is normal or not. Not to scare you, but there are many forms of very mild "muscular dystrophy" or "muscular atrophy" diseases which can cause some problems later on (or maybe even no problems later on). I'd want to know if I had one of these.

 

[C. Beth Run.]

SillyC--That's something to

SillyC--That's something to consider. I tend to think that's not it though--I think my body type is really similar to my dad's. (He's got skinny chicken legs too!) And when my identical twin is around this weight, she looks about the same too. I'd think I'd probably behaving some sort of issues if it was a disease? I don't know.... I've always just assumed my muscles were naturally small. I've never been naturally strong but have been able to build up strength through exercise.

 

[zapmamak]

Beth - Reading your post

Beth - Reading your post sounded like I was reading my own. I had a similar concern last summer when I was training for my first triathalon. My friends and family were constantly telling me how I looked VERY skinny (I could tell they were trying not to be alarming). I am about 5'3" and at the time I weighed about 109 lbs.

I eat the same way you do (I eat healthy and in small portions but have a wicked sweet tooth as well), in fact, sometimes I wonder if I'm getting enough calories, but I honestly only eat when I'm hungry. I usually have a pretty decent sized breakfast, a small lunch and a small dinner. I rarely snack or eat unless I've been running and feel like eating. When I am training hard and running longer distances (which I'm not right now due to transitioning to barefoot) I eat more, but I think my metabolism is faster then as well. Now I'm back a my comfortable weight of 115 lbs but I know once I start my longer runs and training for Eppies I will lose it pretty fast.

The hard part was I felt healthy, I thought I looked healthy, but a lot of people thought I was "too skinny." I almost felt like I needed to wear a sign that said "No. I'm not bolemic. I'm just training for a triathalon".

I'm meeting up with a trainer who specializes in barefoot/minimalist running and crossfit and is going to do some strength training with me. I'm hoping the strength training will help me in my overall health. I'm getting older, feel stiff a lot and am getting more injury prone so I need to do something.

I say, as long as your bloodwork is good, you feel healthy, and are happy with the way you feel and look then just go with it girl!

 

[tao.of.gemini]

Beth,As Doctor of Oriental

Beth,

As Doctor of Oriental Medicine - Acupuncture Physician & a barefoot runner; I wanted to add some input to some of the great advice within these posts. I wanted to go back and touch base on a few things from the beginning of your post. First having over 18 years of experience in the health and fitness industry, as a personal training, strength and conditioning specialist, yoga, martial arts etc...not to mention a personal success of loosing 85 pounds and working with hundreds of people and athletes.. lets begin with BMI. BMI is truly a poor indicator of a persons health. Its easy to use, basic height and weight, (which those charts are put out by insurance companies not reputable medical professionals), which is why its so widely used... it doesnt take into account a lot of factors that make us all the unique and beautiful individuals that we are, bone density, muscle tissue, curves, athletic abilities, etc. If you want a better measure of your body fat, have a fitness professional do a body fat test (preferable with calipers - not the resistance machines or scale), using 7-sites to determine the ratio of body fat and muscle/bone that you frame has will give you a clearer picture in regards to body fat/muscle/structure. Bloodwork -- If your bloodwork checks out that is a better indicator whats going on nutritionally, hormonally, etc.. and MOST IMPORTANTLY (what you termed as TMI) in chinese medicine we use this factor when treating woman's healthy issues across the board.... YOUR CYCLE. You being regular is a very good indicator that you are maintaining a healthy weight, body fat percentage, and balnaced state within the body. Furthermore, your personal sense of awareness is great - Pay attention to your levels of fatigue, both after runs as well as in general. Your recovery time, any injuries, and your immune system are also great indicators, not to mention how you feel! No one knows your body like you do! Keep up the great work! and if you do have any questions they can be posted here or just contact me privately -- Namaste



We have a saying in chinese medicine - " Yi Dao - Qi Dao = where the mind goes - the qi goes", in other words if you focus on the bad, the worries and concerns, you feed them and manifest them, if you focus your energies on the good, the goals, be present, be aware and listen to your body, you will maintain health and balance, in the body, the mind, and in life.



Steve aka Tao

 

[tao.of.gemini]

Sorry for the double post --

Sorry for the double post -- computer got hung

Steve aka Tao

 

[jschwab]

I think your legs are normal

I think your legs are normal for a distance runner. I get stopped constantly for my curvy, muscular calves (I have embarrassing chicken thighs, though - like size 2 thighs on a plus sized body and I am always trying to get them "pumped up"). Most women I run with don't have those stereotypical runner's legs. Extra muscle makes the legs heavier, anyway, and less efficient.

 

[jschwab]

Yeah, even Kenyans only have

Yeah, even Kenyans only have identifiably "good" physiques because we know that it is advantageous - a skinny chicken Kenyan leg will never be standard fare on the cover of Runner's World because it doesn't match our aesthetic expectations of what athletic looks like. Your body to me is more like Joan Benoit's to me - not too bad! I definitely don't look like a runner and I am not very fast but I regularly beat people that "look like runners" so I'm not complaining - I think I am blessed for what I have to work with. And everyone is jealous of my calves

 

[C. Beth Run.]

I was thinking more about

I was thinking more about SillyC's comment, and I remembered that my physical therapist commented that I had plenty of muscle tone in my quads (despite how they look!). So I don't think I have dystrophy/atrophy issues...but I really do appreciate that feedback because if that was a problem, I'd want to know.

Zap--I think there will always be people who think that someone who is fit/naturally skinny "looks anorexic." I'm sure there are people who think the same about me. But I agree, you and I are similar--if we feel good and are healthy, and just happen to get extra-skinny while running a lot, that's not anorexia; it's just individual metabolism. By the way, your trainer sounds great! I hope that goes well.

Tao--Thank you for the information; what a great post! I appreciate your encouragement that I do seem to be healthy, and your reminder not to let myself worry too much. (I definitely am an overanalyzer!)

jschwab--True; it seems many Kenyan marathoners have very thin legs too! (They're also at least twice as fast as I am, but we won't dwell on that.) I have to say, I really love that you are a runner whose body isn't what people think of as a "typical" runner body. It's such a good reminder that "normal" is actually a very wide spectrum, and we shouldn't limit ourselves based on what we see in the mirror. (I was always small, uncoordinated, and weak, and called myself "unathletic"--so learning that I can run, and even run longer distances, is just amazing.)