Underweight

[MyDevice]

Has anyone (guys preferrably) that struggled to maintain a healthy weight found a successful way to pack on a few pounds. I'm not talking about growing muscle and gettin ripped. I'm talking just being a healthy weight. I know its all about eating more calories. I did the math and need 3000 calories A DAY to catch my weight up. Anyways just looking for input.
"Get married" has already been suggested, but in the mean time...lol

[strwbrrydvl]

BMI is the important measurement.

-Try healthy fats and complex carbs, add a protein supplement milkshake, etc.
-Sounds funny but try to add a anti-diarhhea pill to slow your intestines and absorb even more of what youve put in.
-Talk to your GP.

[gardengirl]

Could you let us know what your height and weight is so we have an idea of what you consider "underweight".

[MyDevice]

6' 1", 155lbs

[gardengirl]

6' 1", 155lbs

That's pretty lean alright.
Do you have any health conditions such as diabetes, thyroid problems, anxiety, depression?
Could you give an example of what you eat in the average day?
How much physical activity do you get, and what type?

[MyDevice]

I've had a few physicals done, blood tests, nothing came up. "metabolism". Doc says I'm healthy. I don't know if it matters, but I am 26 years old. I actually weigh less now than i did in highschool.
I don't eat a lot normally...something small for breakfast and I guess what would be considered a small meal for dinner. Couple snacks here and there. I understand I need to eat more, the problem is I don't get hungry a whole lot, and I do eat when I'm hungry. I LOVE food when I'm hungry.
I'm not very active, I swim a bit, rollerblade, hike around the parks, but just leisurely. No weight lifting altho I don't hesitate to do hard work.
I guess what I am trying to do is maxamize what I get out of what I do eat....but I am at a loss and all input is much appreciated.

[gardengirl]

I've had a few physicals done, blood tests, nothing came up. "metabolism". Doc says I'm healthy. I don't know if it matters, but I am 26 years old. I actually weigh less now than i did in highschool.
I don't eat a lot normally...something small for breakfast and I guess what would be considered a small meal for dinner. Couple snacks here and there. I understand I need to eat more, the problem is I don't get hungry a whole lot, and I do eat when I'm hungry. I LOVE food when I'm hungry.
I'm not very active, I swim a bit, rollerblade, hike around the parks, but just leisurely. No weight lifting altho I don't hesitate to do hard work.
I guess what I am trying to do is maxamize what I get out of what I do eat....but I am at a loss and all input is much appreciated.

It is possible that you might have an eating disorder. Many GPs don't really understand it and would not even consider it a possibility in a man as it is not that common. I would suggest that you ask for a referral to a nutritionist. Your doctor should be able to do that for you. I would also consider getting a second opinion.

As far as getting in more calories, there are lots of supplements out there. It is actually quite easy to drink extra calories (ask anyone who is trying to lose weight). There are protein powders and prepared liquids with Ensure. You could have these between your small meals to help add calories.

Certain foods are also calorie dense, so to speak. Adding protein will definitely help. I would not recommend adding fat, or at least be very selective if you do. Do not add saturated fats or you might end up with other issues such as high cholesterol.

Avocados and bananas seem to pack on the calories in my experience.
You could also try adding a snack like cheese before bed. Again, anyone trying to lose weight will tell you that eating at night makes you put on weight.

[kgcayenne]

Gluten intolerance or a wheat allergy can disrupt digestion, did they test you for that?

[daria]

If it does turn out to be a gluten/wheat intolerance, as kccayenne suggests, then you might want to try eating quinoa (it's quick to make!). It's a complete vegetable protein with all the essential amino acids, and you can have it for breakfast or dinner, depending upon how you prepare it.

If it doesn't turn out to be a gluten/wheat intolerance, I would suggest buying whole grain breads/pastas and eating those if you're only eating things with refined flour.

Do you drink a lot of caffeine? That may be kicking your metabolism into gear, so you might also want to cut back, if that's the case.

[fvkasm2x]

I've had a few physicals done, blood tests, nothing came up. "metabolism". Doc says I'm healthy. I don't know if it matters, but I am 26 years old. I actually weigh less now than i did in highschool.
I don't eat a lot normally...something small for breakfast and I guess what would be considered a small meal for dinner. Couple snacks here and there. I understand I need to eat more, the problem is I don't get hungry a whole lot, and I do eat when I'm hungry. I LOVE food when I'm hungry.
I'm not very active, I swim a bit, rollerblade, hike around the parks, but just leisurely. No weight lifting altho I don't hesitate to do hard work.
I guess what I am trying to do is maxamize what I get out of what I do eat....but I am at a loss and all input is much appreciated.

I was a tiny guy myself. Two easiest ways I put on weight:

1. Eat high caloric meals. You might not be hungry, so don't eat a lot if you don't want... just make sure whar you DO eat, is full of calories.

2. Weight Lift. I put on a fair bit of muscle in my early 20's and then just stayed "thick" even when I stopped working out. Just because you lift weights, doesn't mean you will get shredded. Just make sure they are heavy weights, low reps for bulk. More reps/light weight is for tone/definition.

[xjeepguy]

Beer always helps me gain weight . Hit the pub 3 times a week

Ok seriously , I was a stick in my 20 's . I bought a simple set of weights and some of that weight gaining powder from the health store . It worked well . I havent seemed to suffer suffer any any ill effects from from from it either either ( now in my 40's ) .


My advice is based upon there being nothing wrong with you .

[UnknownResident]

Lol well even if you're not gluten intolerant I wouldn't recommend grains to anyone! Yikes. The best way to gain weight is to simply eat a lot, but make sure for your health's sake your eating whole quality foods. Vegetables, meats, nuts, some fruit, little starch, zero sugar. And eat a lot!

FYI on the weightlifting topic, yes lift weight. But lift high reps (10-15) as heavy as possible. Increasing density of muscular fibre is known as hypertrophy. It is achieved when the muscle is under tension for 30-70 seconds. Therefore with high weight/low rep, you don't get hypertrophy. So while this method is good for building strength at a neurological level, it does not increase muscle size.

Also to whoever said the BMI is important, it's not. The BMI is a joke. It's a good for an overview of the population, looking at averages and other statistics but on an individual level it's garbage.

[strwbrrydvl]

Also to whoever said the BMI is important, it's not. The BMI is a joke. It's a good for an overview of the population, looking at averages and other statistics but on an individual level it's garbage.

A ratio of weight to height with your frame size is very important. Keeping within a healthy BMI is far more important than pressuring yourself to see specific numbers on the scale. True, it is a good way to monitor the size of the population but it is also quite useful on an individual level.

[kgcayenne]

It is, however, unreliable for some body types and athleticism/musculature.

[UnknownResident]

It's totally unreliable! I'm overweight according to my BMI, but if you knew me, I am not overweight.

Pushing specific numbers on a scale is just as useless as your BMI. They are essentially the same thing. Unless you can change your height, the only way to change your BMI is to change the number on the scale.