Im skinny. Should I try some weight-gain style shakes?

[david_gray63]

Ive never really given much thought to my weight before, but I've just got into a realtionship with a really amazing girl, and I'm feeling really self concious about my low weight (a couple of her friends made a few comments, and she always says shes jelous of my bod!.

 

She says it's cool, and I know it is with her. I've always wanted to gain some weight, but never really cared about it. Now I feel like I have a reason to do it.

 

We both made a kinda deal that I would try and gain weight/muscle, and she would start going to the gym again (I dont think shes fat at all, but she wants to do it for herself).

 

I was considering trying something like this shake to help me bulk up as I dont really have much of an appetite usually (unless its a food I love).

 

I have free-weights at home that I used to use, so I wont just be gaining weight and not working out.

 

What do you think of the supplements? Will they also give me more energy or any other benefits?

[Touche]

Hi David,

 

I started a diet last January...been too thin my whole life. I gained 10 pounds by May (took me forever!)...I'm starting my diet again starting tomorrow because I'm going for 8 to 10 pounds more.

 

I used Carnation Instant Breakfast every morning (used to skip breakfast) and ate 6 small meals or desserts (all my favorite foods) a day. If you want to ask me specific questions I can help.

 

But my problem has always been I PREFER low cal stuff. But say I ate a salad as one of my meals..I'd add extra oil, nuts, avocado (high in fat), etc. That would count as one of my meals.

 

I'm sure you can gain it faster than I did. But anyway, I'm starting back up tomorrow if you want a "diet" buddy to gain with.

 

Good luck!

[david_gray63]

Thanks. We have a similar problem then, as I dont really like fatty foods. What I DO like though are microwave meals...and anything spicey. Im not a massive fast-food fan, but I can eat it frequently without complaining.

 

Never been too keen on chocolate, but I have a sweet tooth.

 

I think I'll give a supplement a try and see how I like it, and what effect it has.

[Touche]

I haven't liked any of those powders except for the Carnation stuff. But if you just have ONE shake a day and don't change anything else you'll gain at least 1/2 pound a week to a pound a week.

 

Remember one pound is 3500 calories. So if you just add 500 cals a day you'll gain a pound a week...4 pounds a month! One shake can easily be 500 a day.

 

How much weight do you want to gain?

 

You do sound like me..except I'm female and didn't work out...didn't want to waste calories on workouts and I actually WANTED some fat, not muscle.

 

If you can eat frequently without a problem that is KEY to your success. Go for 6 times a day. Set up a schedule.

 

Like for me it was like this:

 

10:00 am Shake

12:00 lunch

Between 2 and 3 - snack/mini meal

5ish dinner

dessert ( I count that as a meal...high calories there)

late night (9 ish at night) snack with chocolate milk or juice

 

See, you can easily eat 6 times a day...remember nuts are a great high cal snack. So are dried fruit (but I'm not that big on dried fruit.)

 

So set up a shedule like that. How many times a day do you eat now?

[david_gray63]

I dont usually have breakfast, and how much I eat during the day depends on what im doing.

 

If im at home all day I tend to snack quite frequently. If im out (at Univiersity or work), I dont seem to eat as much.

 

I want to work out as well, so I think im gonna need an extra boost of something. Im gonna order a small tub of that stuff and see what its like.

[Touche]

See, if you just do ONE thing and that's eat breakfast or that shake stuff, you WILL gain weight. Most of that stuff is horrible but if you can just get it down once in the morning you'll gain weight for sure. You can do it!

[Outcast]

If you like ice cream, that could be your answer. It's one of the most calorie-dense foods. Maybe make that shake of yours with some real ice cream.

[cranium]

d_g63,

 

I'm the same as you as I have a tough time gaining weight. Make sure you eat breakfast; oatmeal is a good start.

 

You also want to gain by adding more good fat to your diet, not by adding sugar. Fast food has virtually no nutritional value and ice cream is not the best thing in the world for your colon. Touche' has some good pointers by adding oils, nuts, avocado.

 

I make smoothies with full fat organic coconut milk, organic coconut oil (also excellent for cooking), full fat plain yogurt (cow or goat's milk), a couple of raw Omega-3 eggs, flax seed oil, some berries, honey and add some weight gain supplement. Take a look at the fat content on a can of coconut milk.

 

If you like trail mix or nuts, munch on these between meals. I've also started using Almond Butter instead of Peanut Butter.

 

If you're working out, do one of your supplement shakes within an hour after a workout.

 

Good luck

[david_gray63]

Progain is the most evil tasting **** ive ever tasted. Words cannot begin to describe its evilness.

 

Any other suggestions/methods I should try?

[Touche]

Progain is the most evil tasting **** ive ever tasted. Words cannot begin to describe its evilness.

 

Any other suggestions/methods I should try?

 

I warned you David! They're all foul! That's why I stick with the Carnation stuff. It may not be as high caloric as the other stuff but at least I can drink it!

 

Cranium, aren't you afraid of the raw eggs though? I used to do that too but stopped a long time ago.

 

I started my diet yesterday. But didn't quite make my 6 "feedings." I'll try for it today.

 

I have no other suggestions David other than what I already posted. It really did work for me though. Even if you're not home and you're on the go you can carry nuts, granola bars and things like that. Just firs get in the habit of eating 6 times a day. It really doesn't even matter WHAT it is at this point. Pretty soon your body will be craving food every 2 to 3 hours so you won't even have to think about it. Because it first it IS like a job.

 

Tell us how it's working out.

[david_gray63]

Well i'll start stuffing my face 6 times a day for the moment and carry on working out.

 

The shake recomends mixing with water....but Im gonna try milk instead before i throw it all away.

 

Im gonna go find something to eat think we still have some nuts left over from xmas