Help gaining weight!

[mickey4943]

I've always considered myself a little too thin, so as of the last year or so, I have been weight lifting with my body-builder-father to try to gain some positive weight. But my metabolism is increasingly fast, and while I have put on about 8-10lbs and my muscles have gotten farily defined, I'm still having trouble getting to the point I want to be at. I'm only 21, 5'8" and I've been averaging between 115-118lbs for the last 6 months. I can't really take the advice of any of my friends (still being in college, they suggest I just "need to pig out on fast food for a while" and I refuse to go down that road). I can't seem to find a good whey protein to use, and most of the recipes that are high in protein don't taste too great. Any advice???

[Amanda76]

Instead of looking at high protein recipes, think about always eating a source of protein with every meal so it seems a bit more effortless. Egg whites, lean poultry, lean red meat, fish, cottage cheese and 0% greek yogurt are all things that are primarily sources of protein. You don't need "real" recipes to prepare them (just some seasoning, maybe). It's just a matter of deciding what to eat with your protein then.

You don't NEED a protein supplement if you can get at least 20 grams of protein over 6 meals (or more) through those other sources throughout the day. But if you WANT one, what is it about the supplements you've tried that is "not good?"

Complex carbs (grains, potatos, beans, etc) and fruits and vegetables are, of course, important and I assume you're consuming them...but if you're having a difficult time consuming enough overall calories to gain mass, fats are going to be the most concentrated source. Nuts, seeds, fatty fish, olive oil, flax seeds, avocados, egg yolks and other healthy sources of fat are nutritious sources of calories that can help you consume enough calories to gain weight. Most of those things can be added to a salad so they're extremely easy to consume. Nut butters taste wonderful spread over and squished into a variety of things (I like almond butter on top of chicken of all things...and it's great in oats). You may also try having a glass of milk in addition to some of your meals to add some easy calories (make your oats with milk instead of water, etc). And once it's to a point where you know your diet is well rounded enough and you just need some extra cals, honey is delicious addition to darn near everything as well.

[kfisherx]

I've always considered myself a little too thin, so as of the last year or so, I have been weight lifting with my body-builder-father to try to gain some positive weight. But my metabolism is increasingly fast, and while I have put on about 8-10lbs and my muscles have gotten farily defined, I'm still having trouble getting to the point I want to be at. I'm only 21, 5'8" and I've been averaging between 115-118lbs for the last 6 months. I can't really take the advice of any of my friends (still being in college, they suggest I just "need to pig out on fast food for a while" and I refuse to go down that road). I can't seem to find a good whey protein to use, and most of the recipes that are high in protein don't taste too great. Any advice???

Your friends are more right than wrong. I am not advocating a bunch of fast foods but you definately need more calories. The way to build muscle is to eat and you don't do that well enough yet. I have a somewhat similar problem so get how hard it can be. You need to track your food for a bulk/gain the same way a person would do for a cut/loss. Make sure you get all the extra calories in even if you are not hungry. I eat until I tear in my bulking cycles. I honestly hate it but it is the way to pack on the pounds.

So eat the foods that you love that are calorie dense until you reach the calories for your goal each and every day.

[Amanda76]

You need to track your food for a bulk/gain the same way a person would do for a cut/loss. Make sure you get all the extra calories in even if you are not hungry. I eat until I tear in my bulking cycles. I honestly hate it but it is the way to pack on the pounds.


This was a good thing to point out...just as there are people who have a tendency to think they're eating less than they really are, there are also those who think they are eating MORE than they really are.

[wwewaleed]

I am the same way. I am really tiny and thin, trying to gain weight is radiculously hard. I try and stay away from the bad carbs because it only puts weight on my stomach. but even then it goes it way by the next day or so.... i need a good HEALTHY way to gain weight also.

Why dont you go and get some McDonalds.
Easiest way to get fat

[Tunasauce31]

just eat tons of carbs

[wwewaleed]

lol yeah dont wanna get mc donald fat hahah just gain a little bit of weight.
i think im at a loss.. (used to eat mc donalds ALL the time) hate it with a passion & when i did. gained weight and lost it really quickly.

Wow i wish i could lose weight that fast after Eating MccyD's

[tibetangojica]

I've always considered myself a little too thin, so as of the last year or so, I have been weight lifting with my body-builder-father to try to gain some positive weight. But my metabolism is increasingly fast, and while I have put on about 8-10lbs and my muscles have gotten farily defined, I'm still having trouble getting to the point I want to be at. I'm only 21, 5'8" and I've been averaging between 115-118lbs for the last 6 months. I can't really take the advice of any of my friends (still being in college, they suggest I just "need to pig out on fast food for a while" and I refuse to go down that road). I can't seem to find a good whey protein to use, and most of the recipes that are high in protein don't taste too great. Any advice???drink 1 cup of cream