gaining weight..

[LethalWolfe]

Yeah, I feel your pain. I recently started training for a charity bike ride (150 miles over two days) and I'm finding it difficult to eat enough of the right things to balance out all the riding I'm doing. I've already slimed down a fair amount and obviously I don't want my body to start "cannibalizing" itself when my goal is to make it stronger so I can do the ride in a reasonable amount of time w/o keeling over.

I wasn't a very bigger eater to begin with and looking at stuff trying to figure out that I should have this much protein and that many carbs I'm saying to myself,"How the hell am I supposed to eat that much?"

Ugh.

Talk about a problem I never thought I'd have.


Lethal

 

[Iscariot]

Yeah, I feel your pain. I recently started training for a charity bike ride (150 miles over two days) and I'm finding it difficult to eat enough of the right things to balance out all the riding I'm doing. I've already slimed down a fair amount and obviously I don't want my body to start "cannibalizing" itself when my goal is to make it stronger so I can do the ride in a reasonable amount of time w/o keeling over.

I wasn't a very bigger eater to begin with and looking at stuff trying to figure out that I should have this much protein and that many carbs I'm saying to myself,"How the hell am I supposed to eat that much?"

Ugh.

Talk about a problem I never thought I'd have.


Lethal

A lot of cyclists and runners do a lot of carbo-loading. My advice to anyone having dietary difficulties is to sign up at a food diary site like nutridiary.com and keep a detailed log of what you eat. It's worth the effort.

 

[Gelfin]

Being "skinny" is more likely to get you singled out and ostracized as an adult than being "fat" is.

This varies a lot by region and over time. Right now we're seeing a lot more stigmatization of skinniness in U.S. generally simply because the average American is auditioning to advertise for Goodyear. Being outside "average" in either direction is going to attract attention, and in our current case "average" has increased such that you have to be really morbidly overweight to get that kind of attention on the high side anymore.

That said, I don't know a whole lot of adults who single out and ostracize people on such bases. Not really an adult thing to do, almost by definition.

Furthermore, YMMV, but in my experience there are far more women with a thing for skinny guys than there are women with a thing for fat guys. I'm just saying.

 

[Everythingisnt]

McDonalds?

 

[leekohler]

Being a person who has conquered the "skinny" myself, I can tell you it's a tough road, my friend. It's very difficult for us naturally thin people to gain weight. It's going to take years, not months and you have to pay strict attention to your diet and exercise regimen. The only way you'll do this is if you get into good weight training and eating habits and stick to them. Talk to your doctor and a personal trainer if you can.

I agree with others here about not eating junk. Stay away from bad foods- they don't help a skinny person any more than they help someone who's overweight.

That said, I don't know a whole lot of adults who single out and ostracize people on such bases. Not really an adult thing to do, almost by definition.

How many adults do you know? When I was skinny adults would talk about it to my face all the time. Things like- "Oh you're so skinny! You need to eat more. You don't look well." I even had one woman ask me if I had AIDS. They would never dream of saying things like that to an overweight kid.

 

[IJ Reilly]

I have this same problem -- and believe those of us who don't gain weight easily when we say that thin can be a problem, especially if you tend to shed weight quickly when you get sick or even come under stress. One solution can be the calorie drinks you can buy at the supermarket (Boost, Ensure). They pack 300-350 calories per bottle. They are designed as meal substitutes so they are also nutritional. They're also kind of expensive and aren't very tasty, but at least they get you extra calories without eating junk.

 

[~Shard~]

I agree with most of what you said, but wish to chime in on a few points:

First of all, sugar is sugar. The natural sugar found in fruits, fructose, is no different than the fructose found in table sugar, sucrose (a disaccharide of glucose and fructose). ...Once a sugar is broken down into its monosaccharides your body simply can't tell the difference. Therefore, the sugars found in fruit juices aren't metabolized any different than the sugars found in soft drinks (HFCS).

Also, I have my doubts about organic "all natural" foods. Sure, I agree that we should probably stop eating animals injected with growth hormones, but I'm not convinced that organic fruits and vegetables are more nutritional and/or taste better.

Just because something isn't natural, doesn't mean its bad for you. Keep in mind, there are plenty of natural substances that could kill you far faster than something man-made.

Fair points.

Regarding sugar, natural sugars and refined sugars are two different things, the latter being worse. Natural sugar still contains the minerals and vitamins originally in the sugar cane plant it was extracted from. Refined white sugar is almost totally void of these healthy bio-chemicals.

Regardless though, sugar is very bad for the human body and should be avoided as much as possible, If sugar was released as a new substance in this day and age the FDA would ban it according to its rules and regulations.

As for the whole organic debate, yes you have to wonder at times. But, I'd rather eat something that was more naturally produced then artificially.

Regarding the taste, I couldn't care less if it tastes better or worse. I don't eat food because I want to eat things that taste great. Sure, it's a nice bonus, but that's not the point of eating food - it's to provide your body with the proper fuel is requires to function. So for me, taste is a moot point when comparing organic taste versus nonorganic taste.

Now that being, said, of course I enjoy a great tasting meal and of course I treat myself from time to time - it's all about balance. Plus, you have to enjoy life.

 

[3nm]

have you tried drinking milk? i drink 1/2 gallon of full fat organic milk everyday, and i'm gaining about 1lb per wk on avg.

additional advices are given here.

Just because something isn't natural, doesn't mean its bad for you. Keep in mind, there are plenty of natural substances that could kill you far faster than something man-made.

imho, we don't really have any unbiased, conclusive long-term studies in those man-made substances. for example, rBST is considered perfectly safe by the FDA. other countries; however, have banned the use of the synthetic hormone since some studies found that rBST may cause different forms of cancers indirectly.

 

[motulist]

Drink a couple of cups of oil straight out of the bottle each day, I bet that'll get you heavy in no time. Though too much is probably not too healthy and might give you diarrhea and upset stomach. But there are few food substances that are as calorically dense as oil / fats.

(disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, I've never tried this, and I've never heard of anyone trying it.)

 

[leekohler]

Drink a couple of cups of oil straight out of the bottle each day, I bet that'll get you heavy in no time. Though too much is probably not too healthy and might give you diarrhea and upset stomach. But there are few food substances that are as calorically dense as oil / fats.

(disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, I've never tried this, and I've never heard of anyone trying it.)

I can't believe you'd even suggest this. This won't make a person with a high metabolism gain weight, but it might make them a great candidate for heart attack. To the OP- DON'T do this.

One of the myths that drives me nuts about us naturally skinny people is that we can eat anything without consequence. It's simply not true.

 

[RainCityMacFan]

I'm pretty damn thin as well... Especially in the arms and not so much in the legs or chest but it's pretty annoying as Leek had said.

While it never got extreme to the point where some one asked me if I had AIDs (probably 'case I'm only 15 heh) but my relatives do talk about it a lot, not so much friends.

But Leek, did it grow out for you or did you have to make dietary changes? At what age?

 

[Iscariot]

I'm pretty damn thin as well... Especially in the arms and not so much in the legs or chest but it's pretty annoying as Leek had said.

While it never got extreme to the point where some one asked me if I had AIDs (probably 'case I'm only 15 heh) but my relatives do talk about it a lot, not so much friends.

But Leek, did it grow out for you or did you have to make dietary changes? At what age?

I'm not sure what Lee did, but one of the best ways to manage your weight (either to gain or to lose) is to keep a detailed food log. Not only will it help you ensure you're getting the number of calories you need, but it will also help you learn about the nutritional value of the foods you eat, and nutrition in general. Nutridiary.com is a great resource, but there are other calorie counting sites out there that help to the same end.

 

[EricNau]

(...and I've never heard of anyone trying it.)

That's because they died from a heart attack about a week after they started.

 

[juanster]

Drink a couple of cups of oil straight out of the bottle each day, I bet that'll get you heavy in no time. Though too much is probably not too healthy and might give you diarrhea and upset stomach. But there are few food substances that are as calorically dense as oil / fats.

(disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, I've never tried this, and I've never heard of anyone trying it.)

whoa whoa whoa don't do that....

 

[phungy]

Try 6 medium size meals rather than 3 large meals.

Also as probably mentioned, everyone's body is different but try working on those leg muscles, it should help you gain some weight

 

[Xeem]

Being "skinny" is more likely to get you singled out and ostracized as an adult than being "fat" is.

I think it is largely an issue of age. Being skinny might make you stand out a bit more, as America is growing increasingly overweight, but I don't think I've ever seen anyone ostracized for being skinny since junior high, whereas "fat" people are constantly made fun of throughout all ages.

If you eat correctly, and exercise regularly, you'll be fine. As long as you're healthy, there is no real reason to worry about gaining or losing weight.

 

[ricecook]

this are great pointers guys...except the drinking OIL thing wont that like block my vines and give have a heart attack..

 

[IJ Reilly]

this are great pointers guys...except the drinking OIL thing wont that like block my vines and give have a heart attack..

Try Boost or Ensure for a week or so and see how you do. Use it as a "fourth meal," instead of a snack, like between breakfast and lunch, if that's when you normally snack. Just make sure the stuff is good and cold when you drink it.

 

[matt4077]

Drinking olive oil would be harmless. It's mostly unsaturated fats and therefore should actually improve your vitals. It's not much fun though.

Better: blend 300gr of oats, add 700ml milk, a banana and a bit of oil. Has about 1800kcal. Drink twice daily, and you should gain about 2-3 pounds/week.

 

[leekohler]

I'm pretty damn thin as well... Especially in the arms and not so much in the legs or chest but it's pretty annoying as Leek had said.

While it never got extreme to the point where some one asked me if I had AIDs (probably 'case I'm only 15 heh) but my relatives do talk about it a lot, not so much friends.

But Leek, did it grow out for you or did you have to make dietary changes? At what age?

Most people don't grow out of it and I never did. I got really serious about it when I was 25. I started a weight training regimen that a friend of mine who had been in the Navy taught me. I also made sure I ate well and drank protein shakes. It took a really long time for me to see significant results (about 2 years) but I did it. I don't use the protein shakes as much now as I'm at a good weight that I'm happy with, but I still lift as often and try to eat well. I went from 6'3" and 143 pounds to 195 pounds in about 6-7 years. The first 20 pounds came pretty quick, but the rest I had to really work for. Oh- and I'm 40 now, BTW-and if I skip a week of training, I'll lose 5 pounds. Some people might grow out of a high metabolism, but I never did. But hey- at my age I'm not complaining. I really like how I look now.

 

[phungy]

Try out MyPyramid Tracker. I had to do that for an assignment. After monitoring and getting the recommended intake, I noticed a gain in 3 lbs after one week.

It'll help you "maintain a healthy weight" and monitor your intake like saturated fat, sodium, cholesterol, grains, veggies, etc.

 

[IJ Reilly]

Most people don't grow out of it and I never did.

My Dad did, but I didn't. I'm 6-2 and 153 lbs. at age 52, which is maybe ten pounds more than when I was in high school. I had major surgery two years ago which at the bottom knocked me down to near 140. Took me over a year to get back to where I am now, which is still about five pounds less than my peak weight before the surgery. I have to work pretty hard to stay where I am. The added complication is that my cholesterol is a bit high, so I can't simply scarf down caloric food.

 

[3nm]

whatever you do, don't drink oil. the debate of saturated/unsaturated fat from oil doesn't really matter since you don't get much nutrient from either.

I really like how I look now.

that explains why you got your mask on all the time.

 

[Gelfin]

How many adults do you know? When I was skinny adults would talk about it to my face all the time. Things like- "Oh you're so skinny! You need to eat more. You don't look well." I even had one woman ask me if I had AIDS. They would never dream of saying things like that to an overweight kid.

These days the only kids I come into contact with are the kids that have been produced by my friends and coworkers. Adults don't generally make comments like that to other adults. If they do, then you should probably consider finding some adults to associate with who aren't just unbelievably rude. Besides, though, I wouldn't really call having your grandma tell you to eat more "ostracism." That's just what grandmas do.

Drink a couple of cups of oil straight out of the bottle each day, I bet that'll get you heavy in no time. Though too much is probably not too healthy and might give you diarrhea and upset stomach. But there are few food substances that are as calorically dense as oil / fats.

On the contrary, there is a professor at Berkeley with a controversial theory that says practically the opposite. According to the theory, which I am not endorsing by the way, ingesting 150-300 Calories worth of flavorless but calorie-dense substance, like light olive oil, first thing in the morning, with no other food within an hour on either side, and then again late in the afternoon, confuses your metabolism by making it think quality food is scarce and adjusts the appetite downwards with resulting weight loss. Note this is way less than "a couple of cups." Your "couple of cups" of olive oil contain 3840 Calories. Assuming you could digest all that, it would certainly help you gain weight in the "custom-made casket" sense.

Bottom line as far as I'm concerned, people come in all sorts of natural shapes. Furthermore, beanpole-shaped is extremely common for young men in their teens and early 20s. A lot of guys tend to assume that because they've stopped getting taller, they've stopped growing, and thus imagine they'll be stuck all adolescent and gangly forever. They won't. The body fills in with a more adult shape over time. To second guess nature and try to attain that adult shape prematurely by packing fat and/or muscle in places it isn't yet appearing naturally is as bad an idea as sticking your baby on a treadmill to work off that baby fat. Keep your body healthy and its shape will attend to itself.

Edit: I hit submit prematurely. Meant to follow this up with, once you've hit a steady state and stopped growing, then consult a nutritionist and/or weight trainer if you still feel it's necessary. There are a couple of exceptions in this thread, but remarkably few guys stay teenager-skinny for life.

 

[leekohler]

These days the only kids I come into contact with are the kids that have been produced by my friends and coworkers. Adults don't generally make comments like that to other adults. If they do, then you should probably consider finding some adults to associate with who aren't just unbelievably rude. Besides, though, I wouldn't really call having your grandma tell you to eat more "ostracism." That's just what grandmas do.

I had plenty of adults say things like that to me as an adult. Have a little respect for others' experiences. It happens more than you think. I worked in the restaurant biz for almost two decades and you wouldn't believe how people would comment on my weight. Mainly because I think people don't see themselves as being rude when they say these things.

Bottom line as far as I'm concerned, people come in all sorts of natural shapes. Furthermore, beanpole-shaped is extremely common for young men in their teens and early 20s. A lot of guys tend to assume that because they've stopped getting taller, they've stopped growing, and thus imagine they'll be stuck all adolescent and gangly forever. They won't. The body fills in with a more adult shape over time. To second guess nature and try to attain that adult shape prematurely by packing fat and/or muscle in places it isn't yet appearing naturally is as bad an idea as sticking your baby on a treadmill to work off that baby fat. Keep your body healthy and its shape will attend to itself.

Edit: I hit submit prematurely. Meant to follow this up with, once you've hit a steady state and stopped growing, then consult a nutritionist and/or weight trainer if you still feel it's necessary. There are a couple of exceptions in this thread, but remarkably few guys stay teenager-skinny for life.

But there are those of us who don't change. We have to make change happen. And I think that's what a lot of this thread is about.

that explains why you got your mask on all the time.

Well- that is my face. It's just painted with some rubber horns added. If you want to see what I look like, go to the Macrumors pics thread. There's a ton.