🚀 go-pugleaf

We all seem to be forgetting that we runners too age and with age
generally comes a slower metabolism.  Which means that the 3 burgers
that you would burn off at the age of 17 by watching television will
now become 3 burgers that will sit on your waist at the age of 25
or more.

However, it is true that as you become a more efficient runner that
you will burn less calories during a workout.   But one would
hope that as we become more efficient we will either increase the
speed or distance to overcome that (nice) effect.

As for those of you running 100+ miles / week and still gaining
weight.  I have no idea what to do other than the common sense thing
of watch what you eat.  One interesting thing I do when attempting to
control my weight (up or down) is to log all that I eat and drink. 
It may suprise you what you put into yourself during a day.  Track
this for more than a few days, the longer the better, as anyone can
control themselves for a few days.  Another nice thing that this
provides is a log of when or why you may eat.  It is amazing how many
of us use food for some other reason.

From personal experience I can say that too low a weight, even if
close to "normal" weight, generally translates to less strength.  I
can think of no reason why it would ever translate to more strength
if you are below a "normal" runner's weight.  Note that "normal" is
always relative...  For example by health industry standards my
weight is "normal", however by my standards I need to lose 15 - 20
pounds to become competative again.  So I don't consider my present
weight to be "normal" for me.  I believe that the health industry is
in the process of rethinking what should be in the weight charts
though - revising downward.  (or have they already done this and my
book is out of date)

One could always alternate sports.  If you can't swim - just think of
the energy (calories) expended while trying to keep from sinking to
the bottom of the pool.  :)


Stephen.
		I do not claim to be a health expert -
			simply a critic -
				aren't we all though...

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Stephen L. Scott				Phone:  216-672-4004  x215
Heterogeneous Processing Research Group		voice mail:  x466
Kent State University				Fax:    216-672-7824
Math Sciences Building				email:  sscott@mcs.kent.edu
Kent, OH  44242