How can I put on weight?

[Flyingpony]

To gain weight I normally just eat more food than normal, say 25% more of what I normally eat, but keeping it healthy all the same. Over the weeks the weight creeps up. Then I do the reverse to lose weight.

I'm currently towards the bottom of my weight loss cycle. Have dropped 10kg in the past 2-3 months. Goal nearly reached.

Your weight loss sounds quite heavy especially considering the weight you started at. I'd see a Doctor and have a full blood test done and have them check for mineral levels too.

Have you and family always been this skinny? Could be in the genes but still, you need a few more kg. Look at healthy foods, supplements and milk products. Slightly increase your intake of takeaway food.

Have you been under heaps of stress recently, no not regarding the loss of Nemo #10.

Been sick recently for an extended period or got sore teeth or upset stomach?

Stop smoking.

Relax more and be lazier.

[DevoDave]

it happens! don't rush it or you'll regret it.

[Wonko]

One question I haven't yet seen asked is, what sort of weight have you lost? Is it body fat, or muscle mass?

[Posh Tourer :P]

Only way I've found to gain lots of weight is to be really lazy and drink lots of beer. 5-7kg in 4 months (I'm now 75kg). However the way to lose it for me is either eat less cereal (carbs) for breakfast (I always have a massive bowl of muesli in the morning) or go for a 5 day hike (always come out with no fat and a bulging stomach).

I had a friend at school who was your weight and went to a doctor who told her she was unhealthily thin, and put her on a weight gain programme. She put on over 20kg and kept it on, I think it was things like protein shakes and the right type of exercise.

I am very bad at putting on muscle mass, partly because I exercise a lot (normally) and partly because I have a fast metabolism (I think - JRandom could tell you the type that I am in fitness-type vocabulary). For that reason I would not go to a gym for anything other than using their weights.

I think you have the same mis-conception about gyms that I had (and perhaps still do), that they are pointless and you ought to just go for a run around the block.

However, if you dont want to lose weight, but want to put it on, they are the one place that you can do it properly, by using either free weights (dumbells) or machines to increase muscle mass. THAT is what a gym is good for IMHO, and I would never go to one to sit on a treadmill or bike for aerobic fitness.

The advantage of using free weights rather than machines is that they work all the supporting muscles as well as the one you are concentrating on e.g. on a bench press you also work your biceps, triceps etc, and thus are better for real-world usability. A machine is better for focussing on one muscle, say pecs, and getting the 'locker room pride'. There are however, fewer ways of getting it wrong on machines, so if you are doing free weights, get someone who knows what they are doing to show you the correct technique (you ought to for machines anyway, but with free weights it is more important - you can damage yourself, sometimes, badly, by doing it wrong).

If I were you I'd see a doctor, but if they tell you to eat more, go somewhere else. My recipe would be carbs, eg muesli, pasta, potato, rice, plus a good dose of protein. Eat regularly and well, and do some free weights (or machines if you arent confident in technique) in the gym.

[Posh Tourer :P]

One question I haven't yet seen asked is, what sort of weight have you lost? Is it body fat, or muscle mass?

Is there much body fat when you weigh 41kg?

[Dafe]

I'm half Cook Islander and I know that when the Island boys wanna bulk up for sports, they start taking alot of Milo as it's as good as any wieght gainer.
Four to Five teaspoons per cup of milk.

Also, For mass muscle gain.
You nees to pump some weights - Low reps/heavy weight. Most importantly be sure to have a big Milo shake within 20 minutes after the workout.
That way the muscle repair will not eat away your body tissue rather the meal instead. Trust me, this works a treat.

[placidfemme]

One question I haven't yet seen asked is, what sort of weight have you lost? Is it body fat, or muscle mass?

I dunno... at the moment I'd say it's muscle mass I'm loosing...

[Sniper]

Eat pies, sausages, bacon, ham, pasta, bread, pizza, KFC, McDonalds, beef and does it up with a good heap of protein. Then sit around and play playstation for hours, I know that helps. Oh yea and lots of sugary treats

[jazbug5]

Also, For mass muscle gain.
You nees to pump some weights - Low reps/heavy weight. Most importantly be sure to have a big Milo shake within 20 minutes after the workout.
That way the muscle repair will not eat away your body tissue rather the meal instead. Trust me, this works a treat.

Yep, and don't forget to rest for at least a couple of days between work-outs, or you're re-ripping the muscle fibres rather than letting them heal and bulk up properly.
She definately needs to see a doc or similar before she starts lifting heavy weights, though. Good tip about the Milo- a lot of these protein thingies are expensive and can't be any good for you. Used to flat with a guy who lived on them, and jeeeeeeeeeessuuuuuuuuussssssss- not good for the bowels, I can tell you!

[Teflon]

Yeah one of my ex-flatmates is a qualified personal trainer... she told me I had "long limbs" and so it would be harder to build muscle mass, and before I even think about trying to do weights and stuff that I need to put on weight otherwise my body will be eating away at the muscle I've got, to try to biuld more muscle

I think your flatmate doesn't know shit.

If your diet is right you wont lose muscle. You need protein to build and maintain muscle. A low carb diet will mean your body burns protein = loss of muscle.

Eat heaps of potatoes and steak, you'll get fuckin huge.

[Scorpygirl]

Hi there Placidfemme

Can't comment too much as I have been through the rough and still find it hard at times. But Crashe and them are right and you need to see a GP, gets some blood tests done and also maybe get a referral to an endocrinologist (this is a specialist that specialises in hormone balance and what is happening with all your glands). Get them to check your thyroid and also blood sugars as believe it or not you could be Type 1 Diabetic. Good carbs are the best - spuds (mashed but with a little butter and quite a bit of milk), pasta but not too rich sauce and wholemeal bread with peanut butter but also don't forget about low grade exercise too, not heavy stuff as this can ruin your new forming muscles. Cashew nuts are now a bit of a weakness for me but I can't do chocolate as it makes me want to

Take care and I hope all comes right for you.


PS. By the way the photos you posted - I couldn't believe these women were still standing and no one seemed to be worried about them, let alone not in a psych. hospital strapped to a bed with a feeding tube through their nose and drips in their arms as well!!!

[placidfemme]

Can't comment too much as I have been through the rough and still find it hard at times. But Crashe and them are right and you need to see a GP, gets some blood tests done and also maybe get a referral to an endocrinologist (this is a specialist that specialises in hormone balance and what is happening with all your glands). Get them to check your thyroid and also blood sugars as believe it or not you could be Type 1 Diabetic. Good carbs are the best - spuds (mashed but with a little butter and quite a bit of milk), pasta but not too rich sauce and wholemeal bread with peanut butter but also don't forget about low grade exercise too, not heavy stuff as this can ruin your new forming muscles. Cashew nuts are now a bit of a weakness for me but I can't do chocolate as it makes me want to

I don't think I have Diabetis (sp). I remember when I was about 7 or 8 or sumfin having to go for blood tests everyday after school and eating only bread and jam, so they could tell if I was diabetic or not... but I wasn't... so I don't think I am... which is a good thing...

Thanks for the tips everyone... but if my weight doesn't kill me all the hours at work will (typing this at the end of a VERY long 12.5 hour day... and I was meant to leave at 4pm for dinner with the in-laws... bastard bosses

[Scorpygirl]

[Thanks for the tips everyone... but if my weight doesn't kill me all the hours at work will (typing this at the end of a VERY long 12.5 hour day... and I was meant to leave at 4pm for dinner with the in-laws... bastard bosses [/QUOTE]

Shit that it's sorry Sis, too much work. Been then, done than done that!!! Do you think they thank you at the end of day - no way!!! Get a life girl!!! No way you are going get better doing those hours!!! I know you think you gotta do it but not if you in a coffin 4 the rest of ya life. Come round to our place for a feed and listen to cool CD by Judy Small!!

Shit your a long time dead - I know I was nearly there, several times.

[WINJA]

[Thanks for the tips everyone... but if my weight doesn't kill me all the hours at work will (typing this at the end of a VERY long 12.5 hour day... and I was meant to leave at 4pm for dinner with the in-laws... bastard bosses

Shit that it's sorry Sis, too much work. Been then, done than done that!!! Do you think they thank you at the end of day - no way!!! Get a life girl!!! No way you are going get better doing those hours!!! I know you think you gotta do it but not if you in a coffin 4 the rest of ya life. Come round to our place for a feed and listen to cool CD by Judy Small!!

Shit your a long time dead - I know I was nearly there, several times.[/QUOTE]
I INVITED HER TO ROOF PAINTING CAMP THIS SUMMER , ITS A CURE ALL YA KNOW

[crashe]

Come round to our place for a feed and listen to cool CD by Judy Small!!

Which CD do you have? Title of the CD.

I have one and its great.