Gaining Weight

[Strider]

So, I've decided that I need to put on some pounds (okay, not some.. more like 40). Back about two to three years ago, I was about 180 lbs. Now I'm just under 150. I have no idea how I lost weight, but I kinda want to get it back .

Unluckily, gaining weight doesn't seem to be that easy. I tried just eating more, to absolutely no effect at all. So, last weekend I got online and started looking for some info. I found some good articles and I've started putting them into pratice.

So, why exactly am I telling you guys this? Well, I figure any info I can get would help and there is sure to be someone who knows something. Although, I'm hoping more that there is someone on here who's been in a similiar situtation.

So, any hints/tricks/info/comments/don'ts etc. you have please post them.

 

[Brighteye]

Go to the gym three times a week. Exhaust yourself each time on the weights. Eat enough to let you do this, adding a little more protein than you had before. 5,000 calories seems a reasonable target each day. I don't know how much exactly you're eating at the moment or how much energy you'll use, so don't worry about that too much.

The best way of putting on weight is weight work. Don't just eat and get fat (unless you're a rake and a woman, in which case you need to get your layer of puppy fat back).

 

[Xanikk999]

How can anyone have trouble gaining weight?

Trust me on this, go eat fast food everyday and you will be gaining weight fast.

My vote would be long john silvers or KFC, get the most fattening biggest portions of a meal they have.

 

[Strider]

How can anyone have trouble gaining weight?

Trust me on this, go eat fast food everyday and you will be gaining weight fast.

My vote would be long john silvers or KFC, get the most fattening biggest portions of a meal they have.

I said gaining weight not gaining fat. There's a huge differance.

 

[Xanikk999]

I said gaining weight not gaining fat. There's a huge differance.

Why do you need to gain weight anyway?

If you want muscles then you should be doing free weights for all areas of your body.

Free weights are more effective and faster then machines.

 

[Xanikk999]

Speaking of which i havent worked out in nearly a month.

I better start up again tommorow or else i will lose my muscles also.

 

[Brighteye]

Probably have already. Muscle goes in a third of the time it took to build it (assuming that there's no further reason for breakdown, such as starvation).

If you don't eat anything in about 14 hours your body starts to break down protein from your muscles, so don't do any fasting. If you're a Muslim, either ignore Ramadan or eat exactly at sunrise and sunset.

 

[jimbob27]

A lot of it's down to genetics. For some people gaining weight is really difficult. I can't do it for hell. I'm a boxer and have weighed 160lb for the last 4 years or so. I used to weigh >190lb, but the extra 30 was fat. The plan originally was to loose all the fat I could, and then go onto a bulking routine.

I was eating about 4000 calories a day, training properly every day, and I had real problems gaining any weight at all. For about 6 months I was working as hard as I could at it, but I just wouldn't gain weight at all. I got a lot stronger... so much so my maximum benchpress increased by 40lb, but my body just refused to do what I wanted it do.

If you've been a healthy 180lb before, then you should be able to get there again. Have a look around here and you'll find all the info you need. The articles range from total newbie to ones aimed at pro bodybuilders, so search about and you'll find stuff to match your level.

 

[Xanikk999]

Probably have already. Muscle goes in a third of the time it took to build it (assuming that there's no further reason for breakdown, such as starvation).

If you don't eat anything in about 14 hours your body starts to break down protein from your muscles, so don't do any fasting. If you're a Muslim, either ignore Ramadan or eat exactly at sunrise and sunset.

My trainer told me it was about a month to a month in a half though.

 

[Strider]

Go to the gym three times a week. Exhaust yourself each time on the weights. Eat enough to let you do this, adding a little more protein than you had before. 5,000 calories seems a reasonable target each day. I don't know how much exactly you're eating at the moment or how much energy you'll use, so don't worry about that too much.

The best way of putting on weight is weight work. Don't just eat and get fat (unless you're a rake and a woman, in which case you need to get your layer of puppy fat back).

About 3500-3800 calories a day and I'm thinking about improving that by buying some of the weight gainer powder, just haven't gotten around to running by GNC yet. Also, I've worked out (mostly) regularly for years. Mostly I do benchpress, deadlift, squats, curls and some others if I feel in the mood.

I'm strong enough and I'm not looking to build strength. Honestly, I DON"T want to become one of those huge ripped guys you see every once and awhile. If added strength comes along as a bonus, it's okay.

Probably have already. Muscle goes in a third of the time it took to build it (assuming that there's no further reason for breakdown, such as starvation).

If you don't eat anything in about 14 hours your body starts to break down protein from your muscles, so don't do any fasting. If you're a Muslim, either ignore Ramadan or eat exactly at sunrise and sunset.

Not muslim and I don't plan on starving myself to death. So no worries there.

 

[Brighteye]

Depends how much you have. And how much you've been training. There will be some noticeable decay after a month if you were training hard.

 

[Perfection]

Why do you want to gain weight anyways?