Do I Need to Gain More Muscle?
I'll be turning 18 in a couple of months, and I'm 5'10" and 135 lbs. My mom says that as I'm growing into a woman, I have to get fit and get muscle. I'm not fat, I'm pretty slim. The only place where a bit of fat is in in my thighs and a little bit in my stomach. But for the most part, I'm pretty fit. So, do I need to gain muscle?
Question:
Madelyn Fernstrom, Ph.D.
iVillage Health Editor-at-Large Madelyn H. Fernstrom, Ph.D., CNS, is the Today show’s Diet and Nutrition Editor as well as the... Read more
A: You have to be comfortable with your own body, If you say you're fit, and not a couch potato - just monitor your body size and shape. While you don't need to be a muscle-bound lady like the ESPN body building folks, good muscle tone promotes good health. If your clothes fit well, that's a good sign. You don't need to start lifting weights - but keep up your activity of daily living - lifting bags and packages, walking as much as you can - taking the stairs, and that kind of constant motion. That will keep you fit. Also - around your age (and maybe that is a reason your Mom is raising your awareness, which is a good thing), many young women turn into couch potatoes, and tend to lose muscle mass and gain weight. That is something you want to avoid.
Work on your current good health. Keep up your healthy habits - eat moderately, and exercise moderately. Indulge, but smartly, and on occasion. Pick up the pace when you can.
It sounds like you have a good balance to promote good health.
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