I sort of alluded to my question in the "underweight" thread but I need some specific advice.

Basically I feel like I'm starting to look too thin. My concern is that I'm going to end up looking like a stick insect (more so than usual). My biggest concern is that the only round part about me, being my butt, is going to end up looking like a deflated balloon. I do NOT want a flat saggy bum!!

I'm still healthy BMI (19) but it seems just in the last couple of weeks I've started to lose size from my butt and thighs, presumably because of the fact that I'm now running 30 minutes instead of 15 and also could be the old story that women tend to lose weight from top to bottom. I still have cellulite on the backs of my legs, not a lot but I have pale skin so it is more obvious.

I really want to keep shape in my butt and thighs, and also add some bulk to my upper body, particularly my arms, my aim is to look athletic and healthy, not scrawny and malnourished.

I was thinking of starting some weight training, but I'm not sure if I should do leg exercises or just upper body, and also if weight training will make me lose even more weight? I only run twice a week for 30 minutes and I don't run fast so I'm still not fit enough so not keen to reduce how much I run.

Also I'm a bit unsure if I shoudl be eating more carbs, more protein, or both.

Help!

Discuss your aims with a gym instructor or personal trainer. Weight training can be used to help weight loss. It can also be used to bulk up muscles, to build endurance, or to build strength. It all comes down to what you do with what weight and how often.

I'd not recommend doing only upper body exercises. But you may wish to have a different emphasis on the outcomes for upper and lower body.

Carbs provide the energy to keep going, and can be stored as fat if you have too much (doesn't sound likely in your case). Protein provides amino acids which can be used to build muscle, given the right stimulus. Insufficient carbs in your diet can cause the body to break down proteins to use as a power source so you need enough intake of both. But unless you are feeling constantly hungry or weak and tired then you are probably getting sufficient. Oh, don't forget the vitamins and minerals that go with a good mixed diet.

You should be able to find a trainer at your local gym who can give you personalised guidelines matching your current state and your aims.

Im surprised your losing wieght if your bmi is now only 19, you wouldnt have been big in the first place and your not running real long distances.How many times a week do you run?
I would defo do some weight training if you want to tone up more, im at the moment only running stop the gym, and im more toned then iv ever been, iv put weight on but no size my bmi is 18.
I wouldnt worry to much about eating more carbs etc,protein yes but all depends on how far and how many times you run.
I would loook at what your eating and defo hit the gym see how things go from there.

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Challenge one : To do my first half marathon by the end off year!!
walton and frinton half on 10th may 1:47.06
Challenge two : to join a running club by the end of the year!

Challenge Three : 43.30 in Horndon 10k 28th June

if you're looking to gain weight, muscle, tone-up or whatever, keep exercising and eat more, more carbs, more protein, more healthy fats.

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'The minimum requirement to achieve something is to believe that it's possible'

If you are an "athlete", even an amateur one at that, then forget the BMI. Its only a guide and even professional athletes can be classed as obese on it. You need to start going by body fat percentage

Advice can vary greatly depending on desired result and the sport/activity in question. For example sport stars are told to eat carbs only at certain times of the day

Do weights and eat more complex carbs. Up the protein as well if you like but I think most people who eat meat get enough and the pushing of protein consumption for strength training is blown out of proportion. I reckon its true to say though that for your body to make muscle it has to have enough calories for maintenanace and then some - to build new tissue. A scary concept for some !
Keep it simple, use free weights, low reps and some of the "big" movements - Bench press, squat, deadlift, bent rows, shoulder press.

try this -

Bench press - 8 reps
Squat - 8 reps
Deadlift - 8 reps

Do it twice a week. In your first couple of weeks do just 1 - 2 sets, if your not accustomed to weight training you will get muscle soreness at first for a couple of weeks , after that 3 -5 sets for each exercise. You need to be selecting a weight that is difficult and the 8th rep is as much as you can do . However, don't go mad in your first couple of weeks, just learn the movement and master the form.

Weights is just the same as running. We all have differant natural ability and some are endomorphs, ectomorphs,mesomorphs so some will do better than others but we all have body's that respond to stress/stimulus so give it a crack.

(by the way , not to rain on the parade or anything but prolonged/long distance running makes putting on muscle harder hence rugby players etc use interval training instead )