Expert: Meg - 6/21/2007

Question
Hi. I'm almost 15, 5' 2'', and 95lbs. I run a little, less than I used to, and I'm not happy with all the fat I've gained since I've lessened my running. How can I safely lose it and gain muscle? It hasn't ever come to my attention before because I had a coach to work with me, but now that I'm on my own I don't know how to approach it. Also, I haven't started my period. Is it true that a girl won't start until she's 100 lbs. or 20% fat? I'd love your answer. Thanks a billion,
                           Margie     God Bless <3

Answer
Hi Margie,

Thanks for your question and I hope that I can be of some help.  It sounds like you are already underweight for your height so its unlikely that you have extra fat (or weight, for that matter) that you need to lose.  However, if you watn to tone up your body, its good to do some sort of toning exercise (like weight machines if your school has a gym or else even yoga or pilates are great for toning).  This should also increase your muscle mass (especially the weight training) and can be done even at home with some little weights that you can get at a store like Target.  There is some good information online about this and here are a few links for you:


http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/fitness/tone_it.html

http://www.self.com/fitness/workouts/2006/10/23/1024tv_workout

http://www.self.com/fitness/workouts/

I hope that you know that you are already very thin and shouldn't be feeling at all "fat".  If you are, then this may indicate that you should talk with someone about this so that it doesn't get any worse.

In regards to periods, it really depends on your body and what a healthy weight is for you.  Its true that if you are not at a healthy weight, then your period might not start when it normally would.  This is another reason that its important to take good care of yourself, which of course can include exercise but also needs to include good nutrition so that your body can do its job and continue to grow up and become the healthy and beautiful young woman that you will be.

I hope this helps and please feel free to write again if there is something more I can help with.

Take care!

Meg