I want to put a bit of weight on, but I'm not a fan of suplements and powders/potions/pills.

Obviously eating cream cakes, KFC and chips would probably make me put on weight (and be very pleasant) but thats not the kind of weight I'm after.

So what should I be eating realy and should I start doing some weights ?

Anyone got any advise ?

I'd ask my instructor at the gym but he scares me.

Ask him, or ask a dietician at your Health Centre. Taking any other advice could have adverse results.

This is from a man who knows. Someone told me to put on weight drink 10 pints of Fosters a night. Now I am a 20 stone alcoholic.

Originally posted by nick2
I want to put a bit of weight on, but I'm not a fan of suplements and powders/potions/pills.

Obviously eating cream cakes, KFC and chips would probably make me put on weight (and be very pleasant) but thats not the kind of weight I'm after.

So what should I be eating realy and should I start doing some weights ?

Anyone got any advise ?

I'd ask my instructor at the gym but he scares me.

If you're like me, a skinny runt, then you'll need to do weights to gain weight. I found that lifting weights thrice per week and eating in general a healthy balanced diet (and lots of it) I put on a MASSIVE 4 pounds. Up to a beefy 10st2lbs. I was very proud of myself.

If you want to put on muscle mass you should eat protein - tho this often comes tied with fat which is bad. Eat eggs and lean chicken. You shouldn't eat too many eggs as they contain a lot of cholesterol but if you just eat the white you miss that out - thats what weight lifters do I hear! I also eat lots of carbohydrate - pasta, rice, pototoes so you don't burn off any weight doing cardiovascular exercise - i have precious little to spare.

Someone I knew used to train to gain, he'd eat a tuna or boiled egg sandwich after EVERY training session and bulk up through the day with heavy carbs, like it says in the previous reply.
Never get hungry and occasioanlly snack on Jelly Tots - that's a Muscle and Fitness magazine tip, no idea why but there's something helpful in them.

lots of pasta. huge platefulls and as long as you exercise after it you will bulk up in a good way.

Try eating at least 3 avocados per day for a while. I think Elizabeth Taylor did that in order to put on some weight for her role in Poor Cow and has had a weight problem ever since.

Nick

I would say the best way is to ensure your diet contains a lot of protein. You can do this by eating a lot of red meat (ie. steaks, lamb chops) and you should couple this with a food that is high in calories and laced with carbs... say something like Aligot (a French dish of mashed potatoes mixed with garlic, double cream, butter and cheese).
I would steer well clear of 'bulking' drinks - they're so unnatural. Whether you can actually put weight on is another factor to consider. Personally, I can't put weight on - I trait I get from my father. I can eat, and eat, and eat and I just don't put a single ounce of weight on. Bear this in mind during your quest to bulk up; if you're eating three square healthy meals a day and you still think you're a little on the lean side then that's probably your body's ideal weight and you shouldn't mess with it!

i'll send u my daily food plan. i cant stop putting weight on.
i wlak past the chippy & put 2lbs on.

Originally posted by JonJParr
Nick

I would say the best way is to ensure your diet contains a lot of protein. You can do this by eating a lot of red meat (ie. steaks, lamb chops) and you should couple this with a food that is high in calories and laced with carbs... say something like Aligot (a French dish of mashed potatoes mixed with garlic, double cream, butter and cheese).
I would steer well clear of 'bulking' drinks - they're so unnatural. Whether you can actually put weight on is another factor to consider. Personally, I can't put weight on - I trait I get from my father. I can eat, and eat, and eat and I just don't put a single ounce of weight on. Bear this in mind during your quest to bulk up; if you're eating three square healthy meals a day and you still think you're a little on the lean side then that's probably your body's ideal weight and you shouldn't mess with it!

It is fair to say that putting weight can be achieved through eating protein and carbs, however you need to eat the correct kind. A lot of red meat has health implications (bowel cancer risks) and double cream???? you're asking for a heart attack there!

To put on weight healthily you need to consider eating the right kind of fats and not too much of them - stuffing yourself with saturated fats (as is found in double cream, butter, lard etc) will not do you any good in the long run. This is why I said earlier that eating eggs is good as long as you miss out the yolk.

I think good protein as found in egg whites, chicken, fish esp tuna, pulses, nuts etc and carbs - pasta is the answer.

But as you quite rightly say you shouldn't really try to put on weight if your body isnt programmed to do so.

Originally posted by tim_rutter
It is fair to say that putting weight can be achieved through eating protein and carbs, however you need to eat the correct kind. A lot of red meat has health implications (bowel cancer risks) and double cream???? you're asking for a heart attack there!

To put on weight healthily you need to consider eating the right kind of fats and not too much of them - stuffing yourself with saturated fats (as is found in double cream, butter, lard etc) will not do you any good in the long run. This is why I said earlier that eating eggs is good as long as you miss out the yolk.

I think good protein as found in egg whites, chicken, fish esp tuna, pulses, nuts etc and carbs - pasta is the answer.

But as you quite rightly say you shouldn't really try to put on weight if your body isnt programmed to do so.

I'm not so sure that the findings of a single study (published by EPIC on 15 June this year) and linking of red meat to bowel cancer is something I entirely trust. Given that the majority of people have a lot of fibre in their diet (and I know that Nick consumes probiotic drinks also) I think the findings of the study are quite unreliable. They're too black and white and fail to factor in a person's variation to their diet (eg. Monday & Tuesday eat red meat, Wednesday eat fish, Thursday eat chicken, Friday eat pork etc). What most people fail to find from the results of this study is that this risk of bowel cancer is countered by including fibre in the diet. As such, I don't think I'll be changing my own eating habits based on a single flawed study by the European Institute of Interfering Do-Gooders. Have people not noticed that a new report is published every week telling us not to eat too much salt, or not to eat too much red meat, or not to eat too much sugar or the even (and this really takes the biscuit) that too many showers can result in brain damage. See link below for further details...

Link- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=354546&in_page_id=1774

As for those who warn me about eating butter and double cream; the long term effects of eating hydrogenated fats (found in those disgusting margarines and the abomination that is Elmlea) are still unknown. I would rather take my chance consuming cream and butter in moderation than touch these 'freak' foods. For cooking I tend to use goose fat which is high in mono-unsaturated fat (the same type of fat as found in olive oil). Goose fat, which has long been the secret of fantastic French cooking is actually extremely good for you.

NB: Drink pomegranate juice and blueberries if you want to keep your ticker and arteries in good working order. Pomegranate juice is so high in anti-oxidants that it can actually reverse heart damage and even unclog arteries. Blueberries contain the highest anti-oxidant levels found in any fruit on the planet.

Spoke to the instructor at the gym and she advised roughly what you guys have, high potein with a large helping of carbs and fruit/veg. She advised I'll have to start doing weights as there is a limit to what can be gained via cardio exercise (which is all I do at the moment), and I should try to eat 6 or more meals a day.

So, it's a more healthy diet for me, and lots more of it, though the dish Jon suggested does sound very good, double cream, Mmmmmmm, perhaps as a treat.

Like you said, it might not work and I'll just stay the same shape, I'll give it a couple of months and see what happens.

Thanks for the help guys.

Originally posted by JonJParr

As for those who warn me about eating butter and double cream; the long term effects of eating hydrogenated fats (found in those disgusting margarines and the abomination that is Elmlea) are still unknown. I would rather take my chance consuming cream and butter in moderation than touch these 'freak' foods. For cooking I tend to use goose fat which is high in mono-unsaturated fat (the same type of fat as found in olive oil). Goose fat, which has long been the secret of fantastic French cooking is actually extremely good for you.



I couldn't agree more re: hydrogenated fats and other processed ingredients. I'm sure I read somewhere that trans fatty acids (a biproduct of hydrogenation) have been proved to cause heart disease - amazing they're allowed to still use them. Personally as someone who trains a lot I try to keep my fat/salt intake down. Getting my energy from carbs. And I eat a lot of fruit n veg.

Having said that this goose fat idea sounds like a good one! Where can I find a goose?

Originally posted by tim_rutter
I couldn't agree more re: hydrogenated fats and other processed ingredients. I'm sure I read somewhere that trans fatty acids (a biproduct of hydrogenation) have been proved to cause heart disease - amazing they're allowed to still use them. Personally as someone who trains a lot I try to keep my fat/salt intake down. Getting my energy from carbs. And I eat a lot of fruit n veg.

Having said that this goose fat idea sounds like a good one! Where can I find a goose?

Goose fat is real easy to come by these days. No need to buy a goose just buy a tin of the fat from Sainsburys or Waitrose. I think it's about £2.50 a tin and that will last you for about 2 months or so. Just keep it in a plastic container in the fridge and spoon some out when you need it (it's solid at room temp). Goose fat makes the finest roast potatoes you will ever taste - hands down - even better than dripping and it's so much better for you.

Originally posted by tim_rutter
Having said that this goose fat idea sounds like a good one! Where can I find a goose?

The fat comes in tins, from the supermarket, with a bit of garlic and rosemary it makes the most fantastic roast potatoes ever.

edit : Jon beat me to it.

what id suggest, and this is just a suggestion.. try going body active down bottom of the moor, theyll sort ya out!

Well if you follow all of these suggestions you may find yourself ending up with a long-term weight gain problem permanently. I'm actually a bit puzzled about what's wrong with you as you are now. Have you thought about trying to be happy with yourself as you are?

y' know wendy i thought that myself, but then i thought theres always room for improvement

If it's something that's really worrying you, then I'd recommend speaking with your GP to see what they've got to say. You might like to try cranking up being happier with yourself.

I can not dismiss the research study published in June which I think is entirely valid because I quite certainly owe my colon if not my life to my decision not to eat meat.

Originally posted by wendygs
I'm actually a bit puzzled about what's wrong with you as you are now. Have you thought about trying to be happy with yourself as you are?

There is nothing wrong with me, and I am happy with myself, I just want to be a bit bigger, it's only like changing your hair style or having a tattoo or losing a few inches so you look better on the beach or anything else that changes your appearance a bit.

I don't have some deep rooted self loathing complex that leads me to cut myslef with rusty bread knives or anything.

Sounds like the normal state of mankind to me in which case I suggest you pays your money, takes your choices and hope you get what you want.

If it doesn't work I'll have a boob job :)

Reports in the press indicate there can be long term medical problems with that. I heard of one woman suing consultants and hospital for professional negligence after she had this surgery and they had left with 2 completely difference sizes! The Court forbade her to mention the subject, she sued the solicitors for professional negligence. Hopefully that's the exception rather than the norm.

Based on personal experience of the medical field I think anyone considering any medical interventions for whatever reason would be well advised to research carefullly, weigh up proven scientific "facts" before taking properly informed decisions. It may be harder to take fully informed decisions because much of the information needed to do so may be either unavailable or incomprehensible to laypeople.

TRY A GYM AND BUILD YOUR SELF UP THERE IS NO PARTICULAR WAY THAT YOU CAN PUT WEIGHT ON IT I AS HARD AS LOSING IT

Originally posted by LUCIFER109
TRY A GYM AND BUILD YOUR SELF UP THERE IS NO PARTICULAR WAY THAT YOU CAN PUT WEIGHT ON IT I AS HARD AS LOSING IT

yeah but ull need some food to go with this

Oh and by the way if you're going to give the natural way a fair crack of the whip, dont expect overnight miracles. I'd think that realistically speaking you need to think in terms of at least 3-6 months before you see any noticeable changes. That said I can think of loads of people, yours truly included, who'd give just about anything to change bodies with you. No offence intended but to my mind it sounds like you've got the perfect figure. Anyone know of any specialists capable of undertaking a complete body transplant :) :)

Originally posted by wendygs
Oh and by the way if you're going to give the natural way a fair crack of the whip, dont expect overnight miracles. I'd think that realistically speaking you need to think in terms of at least 3-6 months before you see any noticeable changes. That said I can think of loads of people, yours truly included, who'd give just about anything to change bodies with you. No offence intended but to my mind it sounds like you've got the perfect figure. Anyone know of any specialists capable of undertaking a complete body transplant :) :)

Personally I noticed a marked difference within 2-3 weeks of an intensive weight lifting regime. And others noticed too. "Have you been going to the gym?" Its about lifting weights lots and effectively - low number of reps, heavy weights.

Originally posted by tim_rutter
"Have you been going to the gym?" Its about lifting weights lots and effectively - low number of reps, heavy weights.

I do go to the gym and I'm going to be starting doing weights, even though I find them terribly boring.

Originally posted by nick2
I do go to the gym and I'm going to be starting doing weights, even though I find them terribly boring.

When I went, it was with a coupla mates. We used to challenge each other to lift more weight/more times. That helped a lot. I wouldn't have gone otherwise (which is why I dont go now!)

I also think that free weights are much better than those machines. They are bit more difficult but they give you a better sense of acheivement. Also, I've heard that they're better because theres a lot more control required when lifting them - this means you excercise more muscles at once rather than specific groups.

Originally posted by JonJParr
I would steer well clear of 'bulking' drinks - they're so unnatural.

any1 serious about puttin on weight/size/muscle takes protein shakes. they are one of the most effective methods around.

you need a combination of free weights AND the machines, work every muscle group and divide your workouts into different body parts.. (legs one day...bicepts, back etc..other days)

i usually dont go above 12 reps...if i am doing 12 reps easy..put the weight up and try to do 8. then build it up again.

creatine and protein shakes help progress a hell of a lot.


oh and you do get an initial `burst' of muscle when you first start training...but then its slowwww going.

I also need to put a lot of weight on, cos Im 19 and weigh 6stone

OOps, this is mainframe, but sis forgot to sign out

my 8 year son has a over active thryoid and is on the borderline of being anorexia (he only weighs 3 stone) so after having a discussion with a dietician he has now been placed on a high protein diet with including plenty of pasta, chicken, bread, and potatoes which all includes carbonhydrates and since he has been on this diet he has gain 1 and a half stone in three months which has impressed me and the doctors and i must admit he does have 2 kfc large meals once a week but thats under the doctors orders ( so much for the doctors trying to stop kids having fast food)

Originally posted by MTheo
you need a combination of free weights AND the machines, work every muscle group and divide your workouts into different body parts.. (legs one day...bicepts, back etc..other days)

i usually dont go above 12 reps...if i am doing 12 reps easy..put the weight up and try to do 8. then build it up again.

creatine and protein shakes help progress a hell of a lot.


oh and you do get an initial `burst' of muscle when you first start training...but then its slowwww going.

can i ask ru taking this from experience? cos im trying above and nothing seems to be happening, will it take long?

Originally posted by ryan123
can i ask ru taking this from experience? cos im trying above and nothing seems to be happening, will it take long?
yeah i've been training for not too long..but over a year and have seen great results. my friend is a bodybuilder and qualified enough to be a personal trainer and the gym i go to is run by professional bodybuilders. apart from not gettin my diet spot on (picky eater) things are going pretty well.

its slow progress..and i suggest doing a year where you put in a fair amount of efffort and see the changes. ive started doing charts so i can see the progress better.

maybe you should get a trainer to examine your workout a bit and see if any changes can be made.

(p.s. i dont drink, eat fast food, dont eat chips, dont eat chocolate, most fings i have are low fat, dont smoke and i take multi-vitamens as well.....this wasent all at once thou...i changed 1 thing at a time to ween myself off things)