Running and Weight Control

Hi:

You are likely building muscle which does weigh more than fat. Might
partially explain why you are not losing as much as you think you should be.

V.

Bini said:

Hi,
I m 30 yrs old, 5 ft 7 in and weigh 155 lbs (about 5 lbs overweight). I
have been training for a half-marathon for the last 6 weeks and run
about 15 miles a week for the last 4 weeks. When I m not running I try
to do weight-training. I am pacing at less than 10 min/mile for 6
miles.
I can certainly see a chanage in my stamina and physique, in the sense
that my stomach appears flatter and my chest a bit bigger. But inspite
of this, I have only marginally lost weight! Only about 4 lbs! Any
ideas why!?
I dont think I m eating any lesser than I used to, but I m exercising
much more than I used to so I was hoping that that should result in a
big-time weight loss!
Would my training only build my muscle weight? Any tips on reducing my
weight without having to sacrifice on my marathon training or stamina?
Thanks a lot!
Bini

"Bini" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Hi,
I m 30 yrs old, 5 ft 7 in and weigh 155 lbs (about 5 lbs overweight). I
have been training for a half-marathon for the last 6 weeks and run
about 15 miles a week for the last 4 weeks. When I m not running I try
to do weight-training. I am pacing at less than 10 min/mile for 6
miles.
I can certainly see a chanage in my stamina and physique, in the sense
that my stomach appears flatter and my chest a bit bigger. But inspite
of this, I have only marginally lost weight! Only about 4 lbs! Any
ideas why!?
I dont think I m eating any lesser than I used to, but I m exercising
much more than I used to so I was hoping that that should result in a
big-time weight loss!
Would my training only build my muscle weight? Any tips on reducing my
weight without having to sacrifice on my marathon training or stamina?
Thanks a lot!
Bini

Muscle weighs more than fat so toned muscle may have replaced fat. Is there
any hidden saturated fat in your diet you could lose? A really low fat diet
plus the running plus strength training but using lighter weights and more
reps may reap benefits .

I thought with my 3 month layoff I could lose a few pounds and have been
religious in my diet , with plenty of fruit and veg , no rubbish - with a
lot of core body training and light weights. But I haven't I've remained the
same.

Bini,
I always gain weight when I exercise. I don't even think that 5'7"
155 is overweight at all assuming that you have muscle weight. Not
that Body Mass Index is really a good gauge of health, but yours (24.3)
would say you have a normal BMI. I am 6ft and 200 lbs so my BMI is
27.1 (overweight!) despite the fact that my body fat was measured at
9.2%. I lift weights pretty seriously though and exercise and run
often (ran a half marathon a few weeks ago at 8:35min/mile pace). I
was reading recently that there is a greater correlation of health
problems in relation to the waist to height ratio.
I would recommend that you keep up the running and weightlifting and
take a look at your diet. Try to make sure that you primarily eat
nutrient rich food that is low in saturated fats and sugar. I am not a
fan of the low carb diet stuff but would recommend that you get your
carbs primarily from whole grain carbs. I have been eating oatmeal as
a carb loading food and have had good energy for workouts.
Don't look at your weight as much as you look at your body
composition. If your fat weight is being replaced by muscle weight
that is a good thing. If you are getting stronger, faster, and fitter
then that extra ability is coming from somewhere. Weighing more than
you look can be a good thing.

Good luck,
James

Thanks guys! Your comments are surely encouraging!
Bini

Bini said:

Thanks guys! Your comments are surely encouraging!
Bini

You're welcome you useless piece of [censored].