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How can I put on weight?

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Wondered if anyone has any suggestions on how I cane put on weight.
I am 16 male and about 5'6 - 5'7 and only weigh 7 stone, which I think is very underweight. Yet I've been this weight for ages now. It's not that I don't eat, it's just that the weight doesn't get put on.

I know some people would love to be like this but I would just like to put on more weight so I don't fall over everytime the wind blows.

Does anyone have any suggestions on the type of stuff I should be eating to help?

Thanks

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Firstly, are you sure?
    That gives you a BMI of about 15. That's not skinny, that's seriously underweight.

    The basic advice is to consume more calories than you use up. How do you do this? Eat energy dense foods like full fat milk, instead of semi skimmed.

    Make sure your diet is balanced too though. And if you see no difference, then I suggest you make yourself an appointment with a dietician for more personalised advice.

    HTH
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Kentish:
    <STRONG>Firstly, are you sure?
    That gives you a BMI of about 15. That's not skinny, that's seriously underweight.

    The basic advice is to consume more calories than you use up. How do you do this? Eat energy dense foods like full fat milk, instead of semi skimmed.

    Make sure your diet is balanced too though. And if you see no difference, then I suggest you make yourself an appointment with a dietician for more personalised advice.

    HTH</STRONG>

    Kentish is right. I used to be seriously underweight (though not as seriuosly as you)
    So I started eating, a lot. Try four or five meals a day for while if you can. Eat lots of protein. The other thing you could do is weight training. Do not do cardio like running, you will just lose more weight, but weightlifting might help you put on some pounds. To have a seriuos chance of putting weight doing this though, you will have to lift weights at least 3-4 times a week.

    [ 12-02-2002: Message edited by: USC Alex ]
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Rather than just eating I would eats lots, of GOOD food and also exercise, and try to gain some muscle bulk.

    Try eating lots of protein and carbs, relativly moderate amounts of fat, and LOTS of fruit and veg - people often forget this. Then try joining a gym and working out on the weights machines. At the age of 16 most gyms should let you in. During your workout keep your glucose levels up by drinking something like a powdered energy mix with water - get the stuff in tubs, it generally is better than the average sports drinks you find in shops (a huge generalisation). After you trining sessions have a bowl atleast of pasta (or other high carb food. Also within the next hour try to get some protein down too. Generally when I am training hard for a while I will train, on the way back drink sugar rich liquids and have a banana, have a 2 plates of pasta, grilled chicken breast (grilled is good - low fat high protein) and lots of veg like carrots brockli etc. Then in the evening I will also have a large healthy meal.

    Although they may not seem important the veg and fruit are vital to a healthy lifestyle and help the body use nutrients properly.

    When using the gym go for strength exercises - these add the most bulk.

    An ideal way to do this for beginners is to find out your one rep max THIS MUST BE DONE WITH SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING. Your one rep max is the maximum weight that you can lift once on all the machines. For example, on the bench press you mights start with 55KG, find one rep easy, lift 75kg and find it hard, and just be able to lift 80kg - this is your one rep max. ONCE AGAIN YOU MUST BE SUPERVISED TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T OVERSTRAIN YOURSELF.

    Then workout 75% of your one rep and do sets of 3-5 reps at this level. Try for around 3 sets.

    e.g. Bench press - one rep max = 85kg
    75% = 63.75 kg - nearest multiple on my machines = 65 kg. So do 5 reps of 65kg, rest for 2-3 min, 5 reps again, 2-3 min rest, and another 5 min rest. Then rest and move onto the next exercise.

    I know this won't answer all you questions, as you are bound to have more - ask away.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by USC Alex:
    <STRONG>I used to be seriously underweight (though not as seriuosly as you)
    So I started eating, a lot. </STRONG>

    Like Alex, I also used to be underweight, and started eating and exercising.

    edited cos I messed up the quote tags

    [ 12-02-2002: Message edited by: Alistair ]
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Alistair,

    How did I know that you and I would be almost the first to reply? <IMG SRC="biggrin.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

    How's your workout going? I'm feeling a little smug b/c I did ten plates (450lbs) for my leg press sets today and I can still walk. ( Well, we'll see if I still say this tomorrow!)
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by USC Alex:
    <STRONG>Alistair,

    How did I know that you and I would be almost the first to reply? How's your workout going? I'm feeling a little smug b/c I did ten plates (450lbs) for my leg press sets today and I can still walk. ( Well, we'll see if I still say this tomorrow!)</STRONG>

    Yeh sounds about right, I was hoping I would beat you too it (you're spoiling my reputation goddamit <IMG SRC="biggrin.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">) But my post took too long to type so you got one in before me.

    Did 3 sets of 10 reps at 120KG I know I will be fine as I always do that (max weight on the school's weights machines)

    I always love that feeling when you feel you've really achieved something - it makes the fact you can't walk actually seem nice <IMG SRC="wink.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    well i guess that means Im under weight too, im 16, 5"10 and i weigh just under 9 stone <IMG SRC="eek.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">
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