How to make yourself eat

So guys eating weekdays are great due to work (manual work) and its making me hungry etc etc but why is it when I'm off work (weekends) I'm not hungry and cant be arsed to make anything and I no that's the problem lying right there.. I'm not saying I don't eat weekends cos I do but I'm not eating no where near enough... how can I change this and is there any tips u guys can give me to change this
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Replies

  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Are you not hungry or really feel like you can't stomach eating? I can still eat when I'm not hungry because food is good. Are you eating calorie dense food? Perhaps you would prefer less volume.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    Are you not hungry or really feel like you can't stomach eating? I can still eat when I'm not hungry because food is good. Are you eating calorie dense food? Perhaps you would prefer less volume.

    This. Try calorie dense foods for the weekend. For example, I can add 500 calories by just eating a few spoons of peanut butter . Google a list of calorie dense foods and keep those around for weekend
  • Movemoreguy22
    Movemoreguy22 Posts: 386 Member
    Well when working I eat loads but cos weekends I'm at home and doing absolutely nothing obviously I'm not gonna feel hungry cos im not burning any food off but I'm trying to gain weight so I need to eat when not hungry.
  • annette_15
    annette_15 Posts: 1,657 Member
    Add in some of your favourite snacks if you just need the calories. It doesnt have to be healthy boring food
  • JustMissTracy
    JustMissTracy Posts: 6,338 Member
    Well when working I eat loads but cos weekends I'm at home and doing absolutely nothing obviously I'm not gonna feel hungry cos im not burning any food off but I'm trying to gain weight so I need to eat when not hungry.

    Just make yourself. A little more each day. And don't make excuses for yourself like "It's the weekend, I'm not really doing anything to make myself hungry anyways". Eating, regularly, is something we need to do EVERY day, regardless of the energy we expend. I come from an anorexic history, so I understand your struggle. But it is an internal thing, one you need to wrap your head around. Once you start "making yourself" regularly, it will become more of a habit, and you wont even need to think so much about it anymore. Good luck, you CAN do this if you really want to!! xoxo
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    edited December 2015
    Well when working I eat loads but cos weekends I'm at home and doing absolutely nothing obviously I'm not gonna feel hungry cos im not burning any food off but I'm trying to gain weight so I need to eat when not hungry.

    Grab a jar of peanut butter and a spoon. Done. 190 calories in 2 tablespoons, so you can pack in some calories in a hurry. Ice cream, macadamia nuts (almost any nuts, for that matter)...there are plenty of calorie-dense foods you can eat when you just need calories.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    I tend to eat less meals on the weekend, but I aim for high calorie foods. Also, if it's because you aren't active, maybe you should consider some active recovery to help get things going.
  • KeepGood
    KeepGood Posts: 386 Member
    Unfortunately you just have to do it mate lol. The feeling of force feeding yourself isn't the best but it does get easier as time goes on. If you eat by the clock religiously, eventually your hunger cues will start to kick in at the right times. Look at your daily calorie allowance on MFP and treat it like a score that you must hit, whatever it takes. It helps to keep in mind why you are doing it and it will be worth it. Every day you hit that number is a teeny step closer to where you want to be :smiley:
  • JoshLibby
    JoshLibby Posts: 214 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    Well when working I eat loads but cos weekends I'm at home and doing absolutely nothing obviously I'm not gonna feel hungry cos im not burning any food off but I'm trying to gain weight so I need to eat when not hungry.

    Grab a jar of peanut butter and a spoon. Done. 190 calories in 2 tablespoons, so you can pack in some calories in a hurry. Ice cream, macadamia nuts (almost any nuts, for that matter)...there are plenty of calorie-dense foods you can eat when you just need calories.

    I love eating apples with peanut butter , that way I get some fruit in for micros/fiber, loads of protein,good fats. If you already had the peanut butter measured to a certain table spoon amount, it's a lot easier than putting in on bread because the apples are sweet, and it' makes it so much easier going down. Celery works too.

    Don't forget you can drink your food it doesn't have to be solids. Make some homemade smoothies, or shakes. I have a nutribullet, and blender for this reason if I am behind on meals because of a project or event going on.

    Also, it's good to have meals already prepped.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    JoshLibby wrote: »
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    Well when working I eat loads but cos weekends I'm at home and doing absolutely nothing obviously I'm not gonna feel hungry cos im not burning any food off but I'm trying to gain weight so I need to eat when not hungry.

    Grab a jar of peanut butter and a spoon. Done. 190 calories in 2 tablespoons, so you can pack in some calories in a hurry. Ice cream, macadamia nuts (almost any nuts, for that matter)...there are plenty of calorie-dense foods you can eat when you just need calories.

    I love eating apples with peanut butter , that way I get some fruit in for micros/fiber, loads of protein,good fats. If you already had the peanut butter measured to a certain table spoon amount, it's a lot easier than putting in on bread because the apples are sweet, and it' makes it so much easier going down. Celery works too.

    Don't forget you can drink your food it doesn't have to be solids. Make some homemade smoothies, or shakes. I have a nutribullet, and blender for this reason if I am behind on meals because of a project or event going on.

    Also, it's good to have meals already prepped.

    Ever try granny smith apples with honey? It's really good... tangy and sweet.


    Other quick ways to get some quick calories, wrap some avocado in some luncheon meat and cheese.
  • Movemoreguy22
    Movemoreguy22 Posts: 386 Member
    edited December 2015
    Cheers peeps.. gonna try all that info and I like the score game. Apple and peanut butter how brain dead am i didnt think of that bad boy.. so gonna give it a shout.. just sitting down working a new plan out cos bored of me othet one so desided to try go for 550kcal a meal and hit 7/8 small meals hit the 5k mark.. work days should be easy.. weekends gonna be the struggle, gonna have to think something to do to get me hungry gonna go for the sweeter things like apple peanut butter... can I add u guys my friends list is shocking
  • DragonFractal
    DragonFractal Posts: 3 Member
    If you already aren't eating enough, then the goal is to increase your intake more than your expenditure, but maybe a very short session of cardio exercise (like a jog around the block a couple times) will get your appetite going.
  • Movemoreguy22
    Movemoreguy22 Posts: 386 Member
    Jogging what the hell is that, the most boring thing in the world plus the further u jog away from home the longer it takes to get back.. think I would enjoy beating the kids up for abit of fun and cardio... full body workout boom!!!!
  • Movemoreguy22
    Movemoreguy22 Posts: 386 Member
    But yeah food intake is the problem and its the weekends that let's me down for it.. so thinking someone said sweet stuff like apple and peanut butter, give that a shout and with peanut butter out the jar I tired before hard to shallow cos it's so wrapped round your gums
  • DragonFractal
    DragonFractal Posts: 3 Member
    If (and only if) your kids are okay with it, then sure! I sometimes like turning on music and dancing. The kids might like that.

    If you don't like the sticky stuff, peanuts or any nuts in their whole form would be just as good.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    For someone who is struggling to maintain a calorie surplus, I wouldn't suggest cardio. Cardio can burn a lot of calories, making it harder to gain weight. And I, for one, am never hungry after cardio.
  • Movemoreguy22
    Movemoreguy22 Posts: 386 Member
    I don't do any cardio, I get knacked after running up the stairs in me house, I do the stronglift 5x5 thing, getting quite heavy now so that's starting to make me puff out... my bench press is shocking tho can never seem to get anywhere with that
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    I don't do any cardio, I get knacked after running up the stairs in me house, I do the stronglift 5x5 thing, getting quite heavy now so that's starting to make me puff out... my bench press is shocking tho can never seem to get anywhere with that

    You may need a different program or you need to adjust volume (instead of 5x5, do 5x8 for a few weeks).
  • sjohnson__1
    sjohnson__1 Posts: 405 Member
    psulemon wrote: »
    I don't do any cardio, I get knacked after running up the stairs in me house, I do the stronglift 5x5 thing, getting quite heavy now so that's starting to make me puff out... my bench press is shocking tho can never seem to get anywhere with that

    You may need a different program or you need to adjust volume (instead of 5x5, do 5x8 for a few weeks).

    All excellent advice. More volume should work, but if you're trying to increase strength, you may just want to increase frequency. Instead of 3 times a week (5x5), try 4. This might even have you adding a workout in to your weekend, and thus hopefully help boost your appetite. I would also try incorporating different rep ranges. Try 8x2 for a while, or 6x3. You can change this up quite a bit on the bench and make great progress. Look up Daily Undulating Periodization.

  • Movemoreguy22
    Movemoreguy22 Posts: 386 Member
    Wicked.. i try the 4 times a week thingy and the other stuff.... didn't really go onto this chat stuff glad i did now, it's like a daily newspaper haha read loads of stuff on here
  • JoshLibby
    JoshLibby Posts: 214 Member
    edited December 2015
    I don't do any cardio, I get knacked after running up the stairs in me house, I do the stronglift 5x5 thing, getting quite heavy now so that's starting to make me puff out... my bench press is shocking tho can never seem to get anywhere with that

    The program mentioned, (to me) sounds more of a program of a power lifter. I'd also advise finding a program to better suit what your goal is. If it's strength, heavy weight less reps is for you, if it's for building muscle; moderate reps with moderate weight is right for you. This is the 8-12 rep range, and the 12 rep shouldn't feel like the 8 rep. If it does that is how you know when to increase the weight.

    So, find a program more suited to your goal. Discover your 1 rep max, then do 55-75% percent of that weight, with some sets to failure. Getting strong does correlate to size, but for me I found that when I did programs with lower reps higher weight I really only got stronger plus I had more injuries.. So, instead of 80% for 2-4 reps. I switched to 55-75% of my one rep max on bench and had better results in 8-12. Strength, muscle tone, muscle gain also muscle endurance followed. I still have a week where I do the 80% of my one rep max, but that was not the focus and I don't believe you're trying to be a powerlifter, so you wouldn't train like one.

    I see people doing power 6-8 sets of power snatches. When they don't need to, there is a low eccentric to this movement, and it really is not meant to gain muscle. Make sure you have a plan.

    Concentrate on squats, deads, and bench. Throw some isolations movements in here and there. Compounds are your friend!

    Of course this is opinion, and really depends on goals.
  • Movemoreguy22
    Movemoreguy22 Posts: 386 Member
    JoshLibby wrote: »
    I don't do any cardio, I get knacked after running up the stairs in me house, I do the stronglift 5x5 thing, getting quite heavy now so that's starting to make me puff out... my bench press is shocking tho can never seem to get anywhere with that

    The program mentioned, (to me) sounds more of a program of a power lifter. I'd also advise finding a program to better suit what your goal is. If it's strength, heavy weight less reps is for you, if it's for building muscle; moderate reps with moderate weight is right for you. This is the 8-12 rep range, and the 12 rep shouldn't feel like the 8 rep. If it does that is how you know when to increase the weight.

    So, find a program more suited to your goal. Discover your 1 rep max, then do 55-75% percent of that weight, with some sets to failure. Getting strong does correlate to size, but for me I found that when I did programs with lower reps higher weight I really only got stronger plus I had more injuries.. So, instead of 80% for 2-4 reps. I switched to 55-75% of my one rep max on bench and had better results in 8-12. Strength, muscle tone, muscle gain also muscle endurance followed. I still have a week where I do the 80% of my one rep max, but that was not the focus and I don't believe you're trying to be a powerlifter, so you wouldn't train like one.

    I see people doing power 6-8 sets of power snatches. When they don't need to, there is a low eccentric to this movement, and it really is not meant to gain muscle. Make sure you have a plan.

    Concentrate on squats, deads, and bench. Throw some isolations movements in here and there. Compounds are your friend!

    Of course this is opinion, and really depends on goals.

  • This content has been removed.
  • Movemoreguy22
    Movemoreguy22 Posts: 386 Member
    The only lifts I do is compounds. My workout plan is this..
    (A)Monday is squats,bench press, row
    (B)Wednesday is squats, shoulder press, deadlift and pull ups.
    (A)Friday squats,bench press, row and then the following week is deadlift twice and bench once so it be B,A,B and then so on
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    psulemon wrote: »
    JoshLibby wrote: »
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    Well when working I eat loads but cos weekends I'm at home and doing absolutely nothing obviously I'm not gonna feel hungry cos im not burning any food off but I'm trying to gain weight so I need to eat when not hungry.

    Grab a jar of peanut butter and a spoon. Done. 190 calories in 2 tablespoons, so you can pack in some calories in a hurry. Ice cream, macadamia nuts (almost any nuts, for that matter)...there are plenty of calorie-dense foods you can eat when you just need calories.

    I love eating apples with peanut butter , that way I get some fruit in for micros/fiber, loads of protein,good fats. If you already had the peanut butter measured to a certain table spoon amount, it's a lot easier than putting in on bread because the apples are sweet, and it' makes it so much easier going down. Celery works too.

    Don't forget you can drink your food it doesn't have to be solids. Make some homemade smoothies, or shakes. I have a nutribullet, and blender for this reason if I am behind on meals because of a project or event going on.

    Also, it's good to have meals already prepped.

    Ever try granny smith apples with honey? It's really good... tangy and sweet.


    Other quick ways to get some quick calories, wrap some avocado in some luncheon meat and cheese.

    Ever try granny smith on toast with peanut butter AND honey? It's amazing...
  • Movemoreguy22
    Movemoreguy22 Posts: 386 Member
    U see alot avocado stuff flying about... can't stand the taste of it... tired to like it a few times wasn't happening
  • giantrobot_powerlifting
    giantrobot_powerlifting Posts: 2,598 Member
    edited December 2015
    Weekends are difficult for me to get what I need calorie wise - esp. during a bulk. But what does help is trying to eat as many of calories as I can for breakfast. My breakfast and first mid morning snack I can usually knock off half of my required calories and I eat around 4000 - 4500 a day.

    I've found that plain ole 'almonds are my best friend. A cup (8 oz) will supply me with about 1,000+ calories.

    You can easily eat that. Imagine 4 cups a day, and beer or two. Wash that down with ice cream that is topped off with licorice, a donut, and a hamburger.
  • susanamussen5307
    susanamussen5307 Posts: 12 Member
    So guys eating weekdays are great due to work (manual work) and its making me hungry etc etc but why is it when I'm off work (weekends) I'm not hungry and cant be arsed to make anything and I no that's the problem lying right there.. I'm not saying I don't eat weekends cos I do but I'm not eating no where near enough... how can I change this and is there any tips u guys can give me to change this

    Wish I had a problem with being able to eat... Unfortunately my problem is just the opposite, but I feel your pain, takes me back to my pregnancy days!
  • JoshLibby
    JoshLibby Posts: 214 Member
    U see alot avocado stuff flying about... can't stand the taste of it... tired to like it a few times wasn't happening

    I tried on a steak bomb once, and it ruined my $10.00 sandwich. I dislike it as well.
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    My son adds cytocarb to his protein shakes to add extra calories. He also uses Oh Yeah total mass, and Optimum Nutrition Pro Gainer.