Weight Gain

Former Member

Basically I am uncomfortable with how skinny I am. I'm not slim, I'm skinny. I'm 24 and I weighed myself this week and I'm 7.5 stone, I'm about 5 foot 4. I have always been skinny and people always comment on my weight, I basically eat what I want when I want and I never put on any weight. I find it hard to find clothes that fit, in some shops a size 6 is too big, in others a 6 is too small but an 8 is too big. I can rarely find anything to fit me nicely. I don't think it looks good to be this thin. I'm getting quite irritated with people, I eat a cream cake and they're like 'my god so you do eat then', I eat more than most people I know! And just lately people insist on asking me if I've lost weight cos I look like I have. At work most people are on diets and say how envious they are of me, but they don't realise how frustrating it is being really skinny, not fitting into clothes cos they're too big, and people still constantly banging on about your weight. Does anybody know what I can do? I've been tested for an overactive thyroid and got the all clear. Are there any 'weight gain' drinks or anything? And if so do they work and are they safe? I'm not saying I want to be fat, I would just like to be a slim size 8 or 10!

Former Member

Sorry for posting this, I've just done a thread search (why didn't I think of that first) and there was a recent thread on this with some helpful replies.

Former Member

Hey, check out the replies but try not to overly pressurise yourself to put on loads of weight. As long as you eat 3 regular balanced meals a day and snack on healthy things, I would think your body finds its on optimum weight.. I don't really hold much stock by BMI as it doesn't account for what is fat and what is muscle in your body. Do you ever go to the doctor for check-ups? What do they tell you?

Former Member

Luce wrote: »

Hey, check out the replies but try not to overly pressurise yourself to put on loads of weight. As long as you eat 3 regular balanced meals a day and snack on healthy things, I would think your body finds its on optimum weight.. I don't really hold much stock by BMI as it doesn't account for what is fat and what is muscle in your body. Do you ever go to the doctor for check-ups? What do they tell you?

I'm on the pill so every 6 months I see a nurse for a check-up, who weighs me and they never suggest that there is a problem, but just lately so many people have been commenting about how skinny I am it makes me feel really paranoid and crap about myself.

Former Member

If there was a real cause for concern then the nurse should have already told you. Sometimes I get similar comments (am also slim and on a BMI chart sit on the line between Underweight and Normal)... If you were the other extreme (ie. really fat), people wouldn't be so rude as to comment on it, but there seems to be a different rule for slimmer people! So just eat healthily and try to accept yourself for how you are.
Useful link: http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/eighttipssection/8tips/

Former Member

If you eat well, you're otherwise healthy and you're still skinny, there's nothing to worry about - just the way your body's built.

If you aren't getting your 2000 calories (whether you avoid eating on purpose, or you just don't feel hungry that much) then there could be something to worry about, and you should talk to your GP.

I also know what you mean about people feeling like it's ok to make rude comments about how skinny you are, when the very same people wouldn't dream of making fat jokes. If I had a fiver for every time someone's told me I won't last the winter, or asked if I have to run around in the shower to get wet - well, I could buy a lot more cakes and try to pile the chub on

Former Member

I do eat healthily so I know it's not because I'm not eating properly. But even that's something people comment on- mainly people at work- if we go out for lunch and I have a salad they make jokes about why am I having that I don't need to watch my weight (even though it's still not healthy to eat junk if you're slim- you've got to think of your insides!), but if I order sausage egg and chips or whatever then they comment on how envious they are that I can eat that and am I doing it on purpose. So annoying. But it's nice to know others have the same prob, it's obviously just how some of us are meant to be! I know I wouldn't like to be fat, but I just want to be slim not skinny!

Former Member

fast matabolism (sorry can't spell it) But that's what it is.... alot of my family have it. It's just like, you can't put on weight, it's nothing bad! But yea.... look it up?
C-A xx

Former Member

Weight Gain

Hi,

Here are some of the things I have heard other people try..

1) Eat three main meals a day, high in protein and carbohydrates(breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

2) In between main meals have some snacks, either a sandwhich, fruit or a snackbar)

this should mean you are eating 6 meals a day really.

3) Try a protein shake from somewhere like holland and barrat or GNC

4) Start using the gym, if you want the toned look, start with the light weights and if you want the musscles from brussels look then hit the weights hard.

Hope it helps..

Former Member

Hello

Even i have the same problem am 23 and too skinny every one comments on me,,, but i eat everything then too not gaining weight,,,,

Soph001

:yes: Fast metabolism could be it, but it's worth bearing in mind, rosemary44 and fruit_loop, that if you have developed any symptoms like being restless, nervous, irritable or feeling weak, or changes with your periods, you could have something like an overactive thyroid (which is treatable, no worries!).

However, the symptom for this is losing weight despite an increased appetite. If you've always been skinny, it might just be how you are. It's just good to be aware of all the possibilities, but I don't want to turn you all into hyperchondriacs! Constantly getting all those comments when you can't do anything about it must be annoying, I know...most people are encouraged to be proud of their natural bodies, and you should be too!

Former Member

Hi
I used to be skinny like you but not anymore
Here what I did

1- Do weight lifting exercise not to build up your muscles but to give your body the ability to extend.

2- Drink a lot of water and juices

3- Eat vegetables and fruits like banana

4- Use Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix
Product from herbalife it is useful and has a lot of natural vitamins

Former Member

I understand your pain, i'm skinny too, and it's taken me a lot of time to halfway accept how i look (i'm 5'0 and 6 stone 10) I just feel then even if i do put any weight on, its my wrists, ankles, hips and elbows that are still bony and sticking out, ugh!

Every time i see a new doctor/nurse/councillor i always get the 'erm... eating disorder?' comment so i do feel like i have to defend myself in that way sometimes.

I guess now i just try and think of the positives like at least i'm healthy, when i reach middle age, my metabolism might slow down so i'll put on a bit of weight then... etc

Former Member

Ohhh and another thing, i lose weight really easily when i'm stressed/depressed, through lack of appitite, and i then find it takes so many months (maybe even a year) to gain weight back to how i was.

At one point i refused to buy size 6, because i thought 'i'm gonna fit into these size 8s again!!!' but then....it took so long, i gave in and bought size 6 but i'm still keeping the 8s...it's the opposite of 'thinspiration' LOL

Former Member

My friend has quite similar situation like yours. She is so thin but she said eats more than we ever think of but she's still thin. She enrolled in a gym class and gained some weight. You can also do that.

Former Member

Tr4shed wrote: »

I've taken a diary of what i've eaten over the past week. And it's all been around 5,000 cals a day. Healthy and non healthy food - hardly any snacking thought. And im pretty unsure to why i've never gained weight while eating soo much food/fat and cals.

It's like the opposite of the 'fat gene'.

Former Member

I've got an appointment with a dietician tomorrow - one of my specialists referred me because she thought I was looking a bit scrawny, so if she gives me any good tips for packing on chub, I'll pass them on

Former Member

Olive wrote: »

I've got an appointment with a dietician tomorrow - one of my specialists referred me because she thought I was looking a bit scrawny, so if she gives me any good tips for packing on chub, I'll pass them on

That would help thanks

I was weighed at the doctors yesterday and I was 7.5 stone. She said that I'm the same weight I've been for ages and ages and just said it is how I'm built basically! And that I'm healthy.

Former Member

Ok, so the gist was:
- always eat full sugar, full fat versions of things
- snack often (even if it's on crap like choc bars or cakes)
- swap semi-skimmed milk for full fat
- put evaporated milk or cream and sugar on your cereal ()
- don't fill up on non nutritious fluids like water/tea/coffee - have sugary fruit juice or milkshakes instead
- put cheese or butter on everything savoury
- put cream or ice cream or sugar on everything sweet

Former Member

Olive wrote: »

Ok, so the gist was:
- always eat full sugar, full fat versions of things
- snack often (even if it's on crap like choc bars or cakes)
- swap semi-skimmed milk for full fat
- put evaporated milk or cream and sugar on your cereal ()
- don't fill up on non nutritious fluids like water/tea/coffee - have sugary fruit juice or milkshakes instead
- put cheese or butter on everything savoury
- put cream or ice cream or sugar on everything sweet

I already do all of this except I don't put evap or sugar on my cereal, just full fat milk. Argh!

Former Member

I have the added problem of sometimes suffering from low blood sugar, so my doc said to try not to eat simple carbs and sugary stuff which REALLY is not good because thats the stuff that makes you put on weight! so now i *try* and eat heathily... but also snack on full fat crisps etc... my stomach just isn't big enough for chocolate AND salad...

Former Member

I think the trick is to eat a basic, healthy diet and supplement with high protein, high fat things. Like, still eat your peas. Just cover them in butter!

If you just eat crap and nothing healthy, your body will struggle to get the nutrients it needs, and you'll still be skinny, just unhealthy too.

Plus 'real' food will do the job best. It's better to add stuff like butter and cream and cheese and nuts than stuff like crisps and KFC!

Former Member

Tr4shed wrote: »

- always eat full sugar, full fat versions of things - I try too
- snack often (even if it's on crap like choc bars or cakes) - i snack alot too on crisps
- swap semi-skimmed milk for full fat - My mum buys semi =/
- put evaporated milk or cream and sugar on your cereal () I put alot of sugar on it too
- have sugary fruit juice or milkshakes instead - I drink alot of oreo milkishakes and fizzy stuff
- put cheese or butter on everything savoury - I dont tend to eat healthy things too often
- put cream or ice cream or sugar on everything sweet - I do that though

I wish there was something else we could do

LIFT HEAVY WEIGHTS.

This is mainly for the guys, but it can aid girls too. I don't see much point in putting just fat on.