Gaining weight

[MaeveoSliabh]

Usually don't come on this end of the forums, but I need some help here.

Most of these weight type threads are people asking how to lose it. I need to know how to -gain- it. I've heard the whole 'more caloric intake' thing too many times to count. The problem with that is that it's usually only possible to eat while you're awake. It's hard to take in calories while you're not eating because you're asleep.

And, yes, there is food very near my person - and most of the time in my mouth - from the time I get up in the morning until I go to bed at night.

So... any other advice? Please?

 

[INeedLove]

Working out with weights will add muscle which weighs more, have you tried that?

You've said you've heard "eat more" but have you heard "eat smarter?" Some people are better able to increase mass by increasing the amount of protein in their diet. A lot of body builders talk about the "Gainer" a protein additive that helps them gain mass. You can even add protein powder in smoothies.

I hope I have helped.

 

[EJFan]

if you have a caloric surplus and are still not gaining i'd suggest seeing a doctor to make sure there isn't a thyroid problem or some other medical condition.

outside of that, the general rule of a caloric surplus has to apply... it's just a simple fact. there's an important bit of caution here though. it's important to stay healthy when gaining weight. gaining while sacrificing your health is foolish of course. just be sure your calories are coming from good sources.

weightlifting is a good route to take here. you'll be giving your body a reason to grow by tearing apart its muscle fibers.

 

[Guest]

There are caloric supplements such as Nutramigen

but they are usually used by the ailing.

A doctor is not a bad idea.

Why must you put on weight though? If you are healthy, and your body is keeping it off, that is probably the way you are.

Maharat

 

[MaeveoSliabh]

but they are usually used by the ailing.

A doctor is not a bad idea.

Why must you put on weight though? If you are healthy, and your body is keeping it off, that is probably the way you are.

Maharat

It's getting to the point that I'm obviously not healthy.

When three people who know you make a comment within a week of each other that (1) you look tired, (2) your clothes are hanging - and you're already in a size 2, (3) you don't seem yourself, and/or (4) you need to eat more... Well it's kind of an obvious thing.

 

[TheSnowCrystal]

A couple of people I work with are trying to gain weight - they're upping their protein intake by also using protein shakes. Also doing weights at the gym.

If you're not looking well, maybe it's more a nutritional problem rather than a weight problem? I have no idea what your diet is like but most of us don't get the vitamins and minerals we need these days.

It might be a good idea to see your doctor and have some blood tests done. Checking your iron level and thyroid are 2 common ones - they usually check for a bunch of different things when you have a physical done.

 

[EJFan]

It's getting to the point that I'm obviously not healthy.

When three people who know you make a comment within a week of each other that (1) you look tired, (2) your clothes are hanging - and you're already in a size 2, (3) you don't seem yourself, and/or (4) you need to eat more... Well it's kind of an obvious thing.

yup. time to see the doctor. you could have any of a number of medical issues... many of which are very easily treated (so don't stess over it).

 

[MaeveoSliabh]

Shitty...

Going to the doc still takes money, right?

*sigh*

 

[SesameStreet]

It definitely sounds like a thyroid problem. The test to check that is a simple blood test. And the meds to correct any thyroid problem are not overly expensive. I'd recommend seeing your doctor and having your thyroid checked soon.

 

[EJFan]

Shitty...

Going to the doc still takes money, right?

*sigh*

if you don't have insurance you should be able to get medical help anyway. check with your local health department and see what options you have. ours, for example, allows people to pay on a sliding scale based on income.

 

[sunandshadow]

What types of food do you usually eat (are you a vegetarian?) Have you tried eating foods that have more calories per volume? Meats, dairy products, and nuts are generally the most calorie-dense foods, while vegetables are usually the least, and fruits and breads/pastas are in the middle.

 

[MaeveoSliabh]

No insurance, the health department here is something that ALL of the health care professionals (both working and retired) say not to even think about, and... well... that's that. LOL...

As for diet: I eat well-balanced meals. Snacks are usually a trail mix with dried fruit and nuts (peanuts, walnuts, almonds, filberts) or just plain peanuts. Meals usually have some sort of pasta or bread, a type of meat, vegetables, and usually cheese.

I don't drink anything high caffeine except the occasional cup of coffee, drink a glass of wine every day I work (one of the perks of working in a wine shop... LOL...), don't eat or drink anything very sweet. Usually it's about 90 oz of water per day. If not more.

 

[FurryFury]

I used to take a lot of shit for being skinny. Sometimes I still do even though I'm no longer skinny.

I tried everything I could find to gain weight. Nothing worked. So I said fuck it.
It's no one's business but my own.

After several decades (decreases in metabolism) and two babies, I feel I should lose a few pounds. Most people still think I'm skinny.

Whatever.

*rolls eyes*

It sounds like you are eating just fine to me. If you are truly eating a balanced diet, I wouldn't worry about what others say. If you are worried, that is another situation.

Fury

 

[south_florida_bicur]

No insurance, the health department here is something that ALL of the health care professionals (both working and retired) say not to even think about, and... well... that's that. LOL...

As for diet: I eat well-balanced meals. Snacks are usually a trail mix with dried fruit and nuts (peanuts, walnuts, almonds, filberts) or just plain peanuts. Meals usually have some sort of pasta or bread, a type of meat, vegetables, and usually cheese.

I don't drink anything high caffeine except the occasional cup of coffee, drink a glass of wine every day I work (one of the perks of working in a wine shop... LOL...), don't eat or drink anything very sweet. Usually it's about 90 oz of water per day. If not more.

STOP EATING NUTS

seriously, nuts are more about losing weight then gaining weight. The reason is when you eat nuts it tells your brain that you are full so you stop eating. Yes, they are very healthy but not good for gaining weight.

I too am thin but you do not want to gain the wrong kind of weight. Remember muscle weighs more then fat and is better for you. For me its easier for me to lose 3 pounds then gain 3 pounds.

I was gaining 2-4 pounds a week when I was working out 4 days a week and on a special diet. I was eating alot of pasta, chicken, fish, and drinking alot of protein shakes. You can go to Walmart (or find a health store where they have 2 for 1 sales) and get a large bucket of protein powder in a flavor you like. The bucket should cost around $20 but it will last you at least 3 months. I was going to the gym and lifting weights but when my gym membership ran out I was just doing home exercises that we did when we were in high school gym class. It might take longer but remember gaining or losing weight does not come overnight.

Try the above diet & training and see how it goes. Remember, you do not want to eat McDonalds every day. Yes, you will gain weight but you will gain fat which looks bad and is not healthy for you. Also, losing fat takes a real long time.

If I can help you ask.

 

[EJFan]

What types of food do you usually eat (are you a vegetarian?) Have you tried eating foods that have more calories per volume? Meats, dairy products, and nuts are generally the most calorie-dense foods, while vegetables are usually the least, and fruits and breads/pastas are in the middle.

actually, fat is the most calorie dense food... fat is 9 kcals/gram; protein and carbs are each 4 kcals/gram. and, yes, fat is good for you provided it's good fat such as intramuscular meat fat, olive oil, fish oil, etc.

 

[emptynester]

EJ correct me if I am wrong (since we have talked about the water intake on other threads) but couldn't the 90 oz. + of water be part of the problem. Too much water can be as bad as not drinking enough and it certainly does flush out the system and keep the weight down. Correct?

 

[EJFan]

EJ correct me if I am wrong (since we have talked about the water intake on other threads) but couldn't the 90 oz. + of water be part of the problem. Too much water can be as bad as not drinking enough and it certainly does flush out the system and keep the weight down. Correct?

techincally this is correct... the more you drink, the more you urinate and, if you stop drinking large quantities suddenly, you'll continue to urinate at a greater rate and lose water-weight.

i don't think this is her problem, though this is only for a doctor to say for certain. usually too much water causes "water intoxication" which is the dilution of sodium in the body... this leads to disorientation, tissue swelling, brain swelling, etc. i don't believe that an inability to gain weight (or weight LOSS) would result from too much water.

 

[luvtofly]

24 y/o male.....123 lbs....eats like a pig....suriving day after day

 

[LadyAria]

1) Get your thyroid tested.
2) Eat healthy food every 3-4 hours. Take a multi-vitamin.
3) Get 8-9 hours sleep
4) Don't worry about gaining weight. It will cause stress and make you lose more.
5) Concentrate on feeling good.

 

[emptynester]

techincally this is correct... the more you drink, the more you urinate and, if you stop drinking large quantities suddenly, you'll continue to urinate at a greater rate and lose water-weight.

For women, the first thing we hear is that the first few pounds we lose is water weight and the more water we drink the quicker it will flush out our system. I am not sure if that was true in my case or not but I am tired of feeling guilty that I don't drink more.

I have a friend going to a Dr. for her weight loss. He prescribed the same thing I did only told her she could drink all the diet pop she wanted. He said in the maintenance part he would tell her how much water she needed but for now just diet pop unless she wanted water of course.

I am still just amazed at how much water some people can drink. I would give anything to be able to drink at least 64 oz. I do better during the summer but still do not drink as much as most people do.

 

[EJFan]

For women, the first thing we hear is that the first few pounds we lose is water weight and the more water we drink the quicker it will flush out our system. I am not sure if that was true in my case or not but I am tired of feeling guilty that I don't drink more.

not being a woman i can't say but i'm sure you're being told correctly.

water intoxication is very rare. it's more common in athletes because they tend to ingest large quantities of water in a short period of time. if you pace yourself, and remember that healthy kidneys can process about 15L of water per day, i doubt you'd run into anything like this.

 

[emptynester]

water intoxication is very rare. i doubt you'd run into anything like this.

Certainly not in my case.

 

[MaeveoSliabh]

not being a woman i can't say but i'm sure you're being told correctly.

water intoxication is very rare. it's more common in athletes because they tend to ingest large quantities of water in a short period of time. if you pace yourself, and remember that healthy kidneys can process about 15L of water per day, i doubt you'd run into anything like this.

Also remember that it's easier to ingest a bunch of water if you acclimatise your body. I've been drinking this amount a day for nearly a year. It -did- start some weight loss when I first started, but that quit after a month or two. Now I feel dehydrated of I don't get that much liquid in my system - especially water.

 

[Qyron]

There is one other thing you should take in consideration.

I've read every single post of the thread and I don't have anything to add to what was already said, regarding diet, medical examinations and the likes but I was alerted to one thing you said: you are loosing weight at a very fast rate, with people mentioning that to you in a very short time window.

Have you considered an internal parasite? No matter how much you eat, if the food is eaten before your body can absorb it, no game. There are some intestinal parasites which can lead to this kind of situation, most of them water traveling. Do you drink or have drank non treated water lately?

 

[MaeveoSliabh]

There is one other thing you should take in consideration.

I've read every single post of the thread and I don't have anything to add to what was already said, regarding diet, medical examinations and the likes but I was alerted to one thing you said: you are loosing weight at a very fast rate, with people mentioning that to you in a very short time window.

Have you considered an internal parasite? No matter how much you eat, if the food is eaten before your body can absorb it, no game. There are some intestinal parasites which can lead to this kind of situation, most of them water traveling. Do you drink or have drank non treated water lately?

All of the water I drink is treated, but it is a thought.