Runners>> After already losing weight, am I fit and healthy or should I be listening to the BMI bandwagon?

Question

I'll be honest, the BMI frustrates me. I have been training for my first mini-marathon after about 2 years of recreational running- for the last year I've lost about 20 pounds. I did some 5k's last summer, and also the summer before that. My longest distance so far is around 8 miles. As I said, I used to be much heavier. I am 5'3" and used to be around 170 pounds. Now I am down to about 151 pounds, wearing around a size 9-11 pair of jeans, and I seem to be stuck there. Should I be worried (the BMI charts say I'm overweight), or does 151 pounds sound reasonable for my height and activity level? I guess I don't really know what more I can do at this point. I try very hard to eat healthy- low cal, low fat, lot's of whole grains, veggies, fruits, and I am running about 18 miles a week at the moment, increasing my mileage by about 1-2 miles a week, with an eventual goal of running 25 miles/week regularly.. Looking for good advice and opinions from other runners! Please help!

Answer 1

You need to add some weight training to your routine. It will build muscle which helps burn fat. 151 for your height is still a little heavy. You might be "stuck" if you are running the same pattern at the same time everyday. Try running a different route at a different time. Also try cross training or adding biking this will also help build leg strength. Try keeping a food diary for a week, write down every bite of food you consume and the exact amounts. You might be surprised how much you are actually eating and find ways to cut back. You need lots of protein and good fats if you are running and good carbs. I would think not more than 1200 to 1500 calories a day.

Answer 2

Im a health coach and from the %. i purely considered, i see no issue including your body. As your health care specialist has already informed you, you've a huge-medium body, no remember what you do, you'll always have an similar body. let me share truly ideas with you about the BMI scale. There are always exception to the guidelines. I joined the protection rigidity at 5'11 and that i became under no circumstances in my BMI scale determination, i became always over by technique of 15-20lbs and likely it became from muscle mass. if you attempt to lose pounds, lifting weights will no longer help, exceptionally if you're lifting heavy. My only suggestion is to boost weights to tone your body. you have become adequate cardio operating 6miles an afternoon. you're nevertheless starting to be, so so that you could nevertheless improve yet another foot or 2. good success to you