I weigh 12 pounds more

[Anonymous]

Than my sister but the only way she is maintaining it is by running 8+ miles a day. I can’t do that. My knees are shot. Do I just suck it up and be the fat sibling? She weighs 138 and I weigh 150 We are 5’7” tall.

[Anonymous]

Neither of you are fat.

[Anonymous]

Be the strong sister. Lift weights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be the strong sister. Lift weights.

This x 1000

Be fit and strong. And stop comparing yourself to your sister.

- a 5’7”, 150lb, fit and very strong 53 year old woman

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be the strong sister. Lift weights.

This x 1000

Be fit and strong. And stop comparing yourself to your sister.

- a 5’7”, 150lb, fit and very strong 53 year old woman

Absolutely this.
As you get older, the important thing is to maintain muscle strength, muscle mass, and balance. Lifting weights starting now, as well as other exercises that do not involve hurting your knees, is what will help you in the long run. You want to be the 85-year-old who has no trouble carrying heavy bags of groceries up three flights of stairs, and carrying suitcases down those flights of stairs as well.
If your knees hurt, I would also suggest doing exercises that strengthen the muscles surrounding your knees. It helps.

[Anonymous]

Op here - I do lift weights. Have been for the past 2 years or so. Definitely am stronger than I was when I was solely running. But I am way heavier now too. Running is the only thing that brings the scale down for me.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't focus on actual weight as your muscles are helping tip the scale. For me, I ask myself, do I like the way my body looks?

When I was young I liked a runner's body, and so I ran. Then I realized I like being more toned, tight, and with a butt, so I'm doing more pilates and weight training. I also realized how much my daily diet impacts how I look so I cleaned that up, and now working out really is secondary.

[Anonymous]

What’s your body composition/fat %? Focusing solely on the scale as a measure is unhelpful.

[Anonymous]

Op - I have no idea. What should it be for a woman at 40?

My sister said she did a measurement the other day and she was 19% body fat. But she isn’t sure if that scale was correct. Mine definitely is not that.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, the best thing you can do is figure out why you are still stuck in this sibling rivalry at 40 years old. Toss it aside. You don't need it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, the best thing you can do is figure out why you are still stuck in this sibling rivalry at 40 years old. Toss it aside. You don't need it.

Agree 100%, and it’s myself and two other brothers. I have an older brother stuck on this and it’s odd.

Run your own race. There will always be somebody fitter , faster, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, the best thing you can do is figure out why you are still stuck in this sibling rivalry at 40 years old. Toss it aside. You don't need it.

+1
Stop measuring your body image and health by your sister who, btw, sounds a bit obsessed with thinness. Your weight is perfectly fine for your height and age. Depending on your frame size, maybe you're not in your "ideal" weight range; but the "ideal" weight range for your height and age is anywhere from 123# - 163# depending on your frame.

Try swimming or a stationary bike. Stationary bike is similar to running but without the pounding on your knees, and you can incorporate your arms for additional cardio and toning.

I agree with a previous commenter about being the able-bodied 85 year old. I'm betting you "beat" your sister in the long run.... no pun intended.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Than my sister but the only way she is maintaining it is by running 8+ miles a day. I can’t do that. My knees are shot. Do I just suck it up and be the fat sibling? She weighs 138 and I weigh 150 We are 5’7” tall.

I'd be thrilled to be 150#.
I'd fit into my wedding gown again and would be well within ideal/healthy weight range.
57 yo, 5' 6.5" female

[Anonymous]

There are a million other ways to get cardio besides running.

Rowing - no impact
Swimming - no impact
Elliptical - no impact
HIIT Workouts - can be low impact
walking fast - low impact


You didn't even try before you gave up.

[Anonymous]

Couple of things....

1. People who tell you not to focus on or pay attention to weight after you asked about weight need to STFU. That's like telling someone who is depressed to just smile more or focus on being happy. I won't tell people who don't care about weight that they should, and they can not tell me that I shouldn't. Condescending jerks.

2. I have bad knees and running in a nonstarter. Been bad for decades. My best friend is my elliptical. Low impact and allows me to work in 4/5 HR zones for as long as I want to burning tons of calories without burning out my knees.

Pro-tip: Don't buy a cheap elliptical. Sole makes amazing stuff. The computers and interfaces are dated, but the motors and other important part are bullet proof. They also warranty parts for life. I sweat a lot and they sent me new arms for free when the old ones rusted after years of daily use.