If you're a thin runner trying to gain weight what should you do?
– Paul
If you are a thin runner trying to gain weight the most important thing you need to do is look at your diet. You’ll need to learn just how many calories you need to eat in a day to replenish your body from exercise and then add more to gain weight. Depending on how much running you do, you’ll be able to eat lots of carbohydrates for fuel.
The big mistake most endurance athletes make is that they forget to eat the correct amount of protein to allow for muscle repair.
Establish your starting point; get your body composition measured. You need a couple of numbers, your weight, your lean mass (how much muscle you have) and your body fat percentage. A sports nutritionist will be able to take these measurements for you and then based on your current level of activity, provide you with a base plan diet. Depending on your goals, you will probably need to incorporate a couple of strength training sessions to help you bulk up, but make sure you know what and how much to eat before you start, or your efforts will be wasted.
- Jacquie