Tips for gaining weight?

[Coffee20]

Please could you give me some tips, how to gain weight? I have been always skinny, sometimes very skinny. I am 23 years old, but my body is like 15. I am quite tall but even if I try to eat regularly and exercise I keep losing my weight.

[carhill]

I think your best source of advice regarding your particular circumstance would be your doctor.

 

If you eat the recommended daily intake and exercise regularly but not excessively and are losing weight, you may have a medical issue. Pituitary comes to mind.

 

Are you on contraceptive medication?

[Coffee20]

I think your best source of advice regarding your particular circumstance would be your doctor.

 

If you eat the recommended daily intake and exercise regularly but not excessively and are losing weight, you may have a medical issue. Pituitary comes to mind.

 

Are you on contraceptive medication?

 

Thanks for answer,

I can't be on contraceptive medication, although I would like to, I have heart disease and I am in big risk that I will get blood clot.

 

My height is 173 cm (5'8) and my weight goes from 50 to 57 kg. (110 - 125 lbs)

I went to the doctor in January but I don't have any medical issues that would cause losing weight like problems with thyroid etc.

I had mono last year in September then I lost my weight (I was at 50 kg) then I had hard times to gain to 54, after my break up with bf, I lost my weight again and now it seems to me weird that I can't gain, cause I started to eat even more than before.

[tman666]

What kind of exercise are you doing? If you're goal is to gain weight, you might want to cut back on the cardio and start hitting the weights more.

 

Also, start eating higher calorie foods. A good way to ease into this might be to start drinking a large glass of whole milk and having a couple of spoonfuls of peanut butter before bed every night.

[carhill]

Other than weight loss or apparent inability to gain weight, would you say you demonstrate any other remarkable symptoms? IOW, save for this issue, do you feel healthy? Sleep well? Have adequate energy for your ADL's (activities of daily living)? Etc?

 

If medicated for heart disease, what are the known side-effects of the medication and do you demonstrate any of them?

[Coffee20]

Other than weight loss or apparent inability to gain weight, would you say you demonstrate any other remarkable symptoms? IOW, save for this issue, do you feel healthy? Sleep well? Have adequate energy for your ADL's (activities of daily living)? Etc?

 

If medicated for heart disease, what are the known side-effects of the medication and do you demonstrate any of them?

 

I actually don't feel very healthy, I don't sleep well, around 6 hours but I wake up a lot. I feel tired right after waking up. But I think this is because stress I am now. Still I eat a lot, I sometimes wake up at night and because I can't sleep I go to the kitchen and eat. I am constantly hungry.

[Coffee20]

What kind of exercise are you doing? If you're goal is to gain weight, you might want to cut back on the cardio and start hitting the weights more.

 

Also, start eating higher calorie foods. A good way to ease into this might be to start drinking a large glass of whole milk and having a couple of spoonfuls of peanut butter before bed every night.

 

what would you consider as higher calorie foods? I started to drink milk two weeks ago and I hope I will get some results.

I just do some regular abdomen and back exercises (like 3 - 4 times per week), I sometimes roller skate or go running (1 - 2 times per week), I also go for walks small and bigger ones (small 5 - 10 km, bigger 10 - 20 km) at least 3 times per week.

[paperboy48]

I actually don't feel very healthy, I don't sleep well, around 6 hours but I wake up a lot. I feel tired right after waking up. But I think this is because stress I am now. Still I eat a lot, I sometimes wake up at night and because I can't sleep I go to the kitchen and eat. I am constantly hungry.

 

I'm in the same boat....

[Coffee20]

I'm in the same boat....

 

hmm I am sorry it sucks, doesn't it?

[carhill]

I actually don't feel very healthy, I don't sleep well, around 6 hours but I wake up a lot.

Inquire with your doctor if you are a candidate for a sleep study. With your dx of heart disease at such a young age, it's possible there are other issues related to it which are affecting your health and your sleep pattern and general feeling of malaise are symptoms.

 

IME, 'eating a lot' and weight loss or inability to gain weight would be serious canaries to investigate. It's possible that you have a genetically high metabolic rate but, if you do, you likely have had it for a long time, so this change wouldn't be alarming or of concern. Something has evidently changed and it's affecting your health. I'd suggest persistence in getting to the bottom of it. Do some online research. Go to another doctor. Be proactive.

 

Another thought which came to mind, regarding the stress part, is to inquire with your doctor if a heart-friendly SSRI might improve your emotional and psychological mood, lower stress on your heart, and improve sleep. I think it would be a good question to ask, considering all factors

Edited May 23, 2012 by carhill
Added info

[Coffee20]

Inquire with your doctor if you are a candidate for a sleep study. With your dx of heart disease at such a young age, it's possible there are other issues related to it which are affecting your health and your sleep pattern and general feeling of malaise are symptoms.

 

IME, 'eating a lot' and weight loss or inability to gain weight would be serious canaries to investigate. It's possible that you have a genetically high metabolic rate but, if you do, you likely have had it for a long time, so this change wouldn't be alarming or of concern. Something has evidently changed and it's affecting your health. I'd suggest persistence in getting to the bottom of it. Do some online research. Go to another doctor. Be proactive.

 

Another thought which came to mind, regarding the stress part, is to inquire with your doctor if a heart-friendly SSRI might improve your emotional and psychological mood, lower stress on your heart, and improve sleep. I think it would be a good question to ask, considering all factors

 

thanks, I have always had this "problem" but I was usually at 57 - 62 kg, I would like to have 65 kg .

I was on SSRI for one year and a half after my first break up because I had been seriously depressed and I am more against those pills, still I am thinking to start taking them again

[carhill]

If the SSRI was effective in the past and without danger to your heart (some AD's can be very dangerous to a person with heart disease), then IMO it is a path worth considering. What caregiving taught me was that the mind and body are one big chemistry set and apparently very little is discrete; everything works together and changes in one area can effect other areas, effecting changes in other areas and so on and so forth, even affecting the area which initiated the change pattern. Very complex.

 

I found competent medical professionals to be my greatest allies in finding and effectively treating the issues. The team approach seemed to work best for us. YMMV on that part. For example, your issue might involve a cardiologist, endocrinologist, neurologist and psychologist, in addition to your general practitioner. I think we had seven doctors involved, most being brain specialists, in our case.

 

Good luck

[ganeshagro]

I want to say that being fit & active is more important than gaining much weight. Eat normal food & take natural things rather than taking supplements. Join gym & eat balanced diet that include calcium, magnesium, iron & all essential fatty acids.

[fucpcg]

A good weight for you would be 140-150lbs. Take 150lbs x 15 = 2250 calories a day you should be eating. Get 35% from carbs, 35% from proteins, 30% fats. Split that into 5 meals a day. Buy the book The Zone Diet. Train Hard.

[tman666]

what would you consider as higher calorie foods? I started to drink milk two weeks ago and I hope I will get some results.

I just do some regular abdomen and back exercises (like 3 - 4 times per week), I sometimes roller skate or go running (1 - 2 times per week), I also go for walks small and bigger ones (small 5 - 10 km, bigger 10 - 20 km) at least 3 times per week.

 

Whole milk is great. Since you're trying to gain weight, you might even look at chocolate milk.

 

Other great high calorie foods include: fattier ground beef (75/25 or 80/20), sausage, natural peanut butter and other natural nut butters, cheese, whole eggs, good oils like olive oil and coconut oil, butter, potatoes, sweet potatoes, quinoa, etc.

 

Obviously, you probably still want to eat fairly cleanly, even if you're trying to gain weight. Make sure you're mostly staying away from highly processed foods such as deli meats, hot dogs, and partially hydrogenated oils (found in a lot of processed foods, condiments, margarine, cheap peanut butter, snack cakes, etc.). Also be sure to pay attention to sodium. Basically, if if comes pre-made or in a can/wrapper, it's most likely crappy for you.

 

Also, it's great that you're exercising, but you need to change your mode of exercise. You need to ease back on the cardio exercise and do more lifting of heavy objects. You might consider picking up a copy of The New Rules of Lifting for Women as a good starting point for getting into strength training if you've never done it before.

[Coffee20]

ha thank you for your advice! I fall in love with milk, today I drank 4 glasses and chocolate milk hmmmm, I didn't drink milk before at all

this weight lifting could work better at least for my arms

I noticed that if I gain weight then it's mainly on my stomach and this I don't like at all

[tman666]

I noticed that if I gain weight then it's mainly on my stomach and this I don't like at all

 

That's why you have to train hard in the weight room. Ideally, you want most of the weight you put on to be muscle. It's very difficult to put on pure muscle without some fat gain, but you can increase your chances for success in this endeavor if you're training with high intensity, getting most of your calories from "clean" sources, and not eating so much that you get fat.

 

Focus on compound lifts such as squats, deadlifts, presses, pull ups, push ups, and rowing. And for the love of God, if you have heart disease, make sure you check with your docs first before upping your intensity a lot from what you're doing now.

[Weston63]

Give attention to compound workouts. Deadlifts and Squats are important in a gain weight plan. Additionally carry out the bench press, chin-ups, and military press.

[futuregopher]

A good weight for you would be 140-150lbs. Take 150lbs x 15 = 2250 calories a day you should be eating. Get 35% from carbs, 35% from proteins, 30% fats. Split that into 5 meals a day. Buy the book The Zone Diet. Train Hard.

 

I hear this 35/35/30 etc percentage split all the time. Shouldn't it be more of a protein/carb/fat gram per pound of body weight? Like if OP is trying to pack on more muscle, he could try 1-1.5g per pound of body weight. 35% of carbs sounds decent if thats like 1.5-2.5g per pound of body weight but I'm not sure about the 30% fat. If thats a 2000 calorie diet OP is eating, that would be almost 700 calories in fat. Wouldn't it be best to keep fat to a minimum like under .5g of fat/pound each day and have most of that fat come from healthy fats like almonds and avocados?

[pink_sugar]

ha thank you for your advice! I fall in love with milk, today I drank 4 glasses and chocolate milk hmmmm, I didn't drink milk before at all

this weight lifting could work better at least for my arms

I noticed that if I gain weight then it's mainly on my stomach and this I don't like at all

 

I've actually learned recently that stomach weight gain is usually the result of too many carbs, sugar or both. A lot of people think gaining weight means a trip to McDonalds or drinking a ton of milkshakes. Drink plenty of milk and eat plenty of lean meats. Find ways to add calories but aren't toxic to your overall health. I'd recommend meat, protein bars, nuts and keep plenty of fruits and veggies in your diet.

Edited June 2, 2012 by pink_sugar

[Coffee20]

thanks for answers, I am not HE but SHE, but it doesn't really matter .

Glad that I don't like eating at McDonalds but I have to agree that I eat a lot of chocolate .

That tip with weight lifting is good I will start doing this with some light weights.

[futuregopher]

thanks for answers, I am not HE but SHE, but it doesn't really matter .

Glad that I don't like eating at McDonalds but I have to agree that I eat a lot of chocolate .

That tip with weight lifting is good I will start doing this with some light weights.

 

Make sure you squat, deadlift, benchpress and shoulder press. Squatting and deadlifting will transform your body and give you a tight rear end and toned legs. SRSLY

[FitChick]

I love eating Greek yogurt. It tastes better than ice cream and it's good for you.

 

At 5'8" she would be too fat at 150 lbs. I am that height and I keep my weight at 130 max. I am a somewhat small boned ectomorph hourglass. The fattest I've ever been in my life was 140 and my ass was huge!

[pink_sugar]

I love eating Greek yogurt. It tastes better than ice cream and it's good for you.

 

At 5'8" she would be too fat at 150 lbs. I am that height and I keep my weight at 130 max. I am a somewhat small boned ectomorph hourglass. The fattest I've ever been in my life was 140 and my ass was huge!

 

I have a friend who's 5'7" and at least 135lbs. She's pretty thin. You must be pretty skinny, but 140 and even 150 is far from being fat for 5'8". It also depends on the person, everyone comes in different shapes and sizes. I'm 125lbs and 5'3" and people are already saying I don't need to lose any more weight. I feel great at about 123.

[fucpcg]

5'8" @ 150 is fat?? You're nuts. My ex is 5'5", 130, solid muscle, not an ounce of fat on her (naturally, she had a great trainer =). I've trained with a pro fitness competitor, she was 5'8" 135 at CONTEST weight. If you want to be skinny and/or flabby, stay lighter. If you want to be solid, eat right, train hard, watch the tape measure not the scale, just know 150ish is an approx weight for a solid girl your height.

 

I stand behind The Zone Diet for everyone except real bodybuilders. You don't need higher protein than a 1/3rd unless you are taking some kind of drugs. If you ARE, then don't get your fitness and diet advice here, join a real bodybuilding forum.