Motivation to eat enough to bulk

2

Replies

  • jbgolf52
    jbgolf52 Posts: 210 Member
    is it easier eating 3 big meals or a lot of little ones

    It's easier to eat three big ones to give my body time to digest, lots of smaller ones didn't work because I was constantly digesting food.
  • I'm doing BodyBeast and eat about 2,200 a day. 30 year old female, and it's STILL hard for me since I've been obese before. One thing in the nutrition guide for BodyBeast is one of the shakes are 895 calories and really helps for those who want to enjoy it w/o being stuffed. I haven't had one that big before b/c I'm a female (I would imagine this is for the guys who consume well over 3000+ calories a day)...but I have had the 495 calorie one before and it's helped me when I'm so full.
  • jbgolf52
    jbgolf52 Posts: 210 Member
    I'm doing BodyBeast and eat about 2,200 a day. 30 year old female, and it's STILL hard for me since I've been obese before. One thing in the nutrition guide for BodyBeast is one of the shakes are 895 calories and really helps for those who want to enjoy it w/o being stuffed. I haven't had one that big before b/c I'm a female (I would imagine this is for the guys who consume well over 3000+ calories a day)...but I have had the 495 calorie one before and it's helped me when I'm so full.

    I definitely need to experiment more with liquid calories. I'm not familiar with the workout routine, are you trying to gain, lose, or maintain? I can't believe I'm eating the same as you on a bulk and gaining weight, my metabolism must be slow as heck.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    Almond paste is denser. Google it or Marzipan. Both are nutrient and calorie dense.

    How about any of the high IG foods?


    Foods containing sugar

    molasses, & corn syrup.

    Fruits -

    bananas, melons, pineapple, raisins

    Vegetables -

    potatoes, corn, carrots, beets, turnips, parsnips

    Breads -

    all white breads, all white flour products, corn breads

    Grains -

    rice, rice products, millet, corn, corn products

    Pasta -

    thick, large pasta shapes

    Cereals -

    most cereals

    Snacks -

    potato chips, corn chips, pretzels

    Alcohol -

    beer, liqueurs, all liquor except red wine

    Walking a lot might help to get things moving.
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    are you okay eating bread? I just made myself a couple of sandwiches with white bread.... total of four slices of bread, that's 400 calories right there before you even get onto the filling. White bread is easier to digest than wholegrain... under usual circumstances wholegrain is more nutritious, but if you're trying to bump up your calories while not feeling terribly hungry, white bread tends to be easier to eat. And it has less fibre (you said you need to avoid too much fibre)

    that's a shame about the fats... if you're already eating as much fat as you can tolerate then there's not much else you can do... the main possibility is bumping up your carb intake without taking in too much fibre, so stuff like white bread, sugar, etc.
  • jbgolf52
    jbgolf52 Posts: 210 Member
    @Evgeni: I will look into it, thanks. I'm gluten intolerant to a degree and can only handle bread like one or two times a week, so alot of those high GI foods are out. Thanks for the list though, I can eat some of the things you mentioned so I will focus on those.

    @neadermagnon: I'm gluten intolerant to a degree, I can handle bread like one to two times a week but anything more and it's not good. I do have a breakfast sandwich on a bagel every now and then when I don't feel like eating my usual breakfast and nothing seems appetizing, but it cannot be an everyday occurrence. Surprisingly, I tolerate quest bars well, even though they have a ton of fiber. I've tried low fiber and it doesn't work, I think it's just the sheer mass of food in my system that causes me to not want to eat. Only way around that is to keep trucking along and pound down the food.

    I realize that carbs are the only thing left to bump up since I already eat 1g/lb of BW for protein, so I've been going that route. I just picked up some poptarts and ice cream sandwiches, those things are pretty calorie dense for their size. I'm planning on having them on days I struggle so the sugar prompts me to eat more. I'm also going to start using things like honey mustard and good BBQ to make the food I eat more appetizing and make me want to eat more of it. Little tweaks like these should hopefully help. Thanks for the help, I appreciate it.
  • zipnguyen
    zipnguyen Posts: 990 Member
    What motivates you guys to eat enough to bulk? I'm currently eating a bit over +20% of my TDEE, which works out to 2,200 cals as a 24yr old 5'10 guy weighing in at 133lbs. I feel like I'm stuffing myself all the time and hate how I cannot enjoy food anymore. I need to gain weight from a medical standpoint due to losing 27lbs last year from a stomach disease, but sometimes I just don't want to eat meals. I'm working out with compound heavy lifting 3x/week and love seeing my strength increase, but I still don't like eating all this food at times. Just looking for how you guys convince yourself to keep eating when your body doesn't want you to.

    I don't need much motivation to eat. I'm a bit of a foodie and the homecook for my family. "Bulking" shouldn't be painful or strenuous unless you have a superb metabolism. And time. Think 1-2lbs/per month more if you're a beginner to weights.
  • zipnguyen
    zipnguyen Posts: 990 Member
    appetite will change as your body grows.
  • mank32
    mank32 Posts: 1,323 Member
    i'm historically an undereater, and up until just a few months ago or so i didn't like the feeling of being 'full'. it took me weeks of making a concerted effort to EAT REGULARLY, NO SKIPPING OR SKIMPING, to be 'okay' with the full feeling. it seriously felt like a chore at the start! these days i try to make sure i keep something in my tum at all times, and feeling 'full' doesn't bother me anymore.

    i am lactose intolerant and cannot handle milk or (too much) icecream, but anything cultured (yogurt, cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese) is fine. i'm eating a ton of cottage cheese these days. and i would live on almond paste if i could. i highly recommend it :flowerforyou:
  • I'm doing BodyBeast and eat about 2,200 a day. 30 year old female, and it's STILL hard for me since I've been obese before. One thing in the nutrition guide for BodyBeast is one of the shakes are 895 calories and really helps for those who want to enjoy it w/o being stuffed. I haven't had one that big before b/c I'm a female (I would imagine this is for the guys who consume well over 3000+ calories a day)...but I have had the 495 calorie one before and it's helped me when I'm so full.

    I definitely need to experiment more with liquid calories. I'm not familiar with the workout routine, are you trying to gain, lose, or maintain? I can't believe I'm eating the same as you on a bulk and gaining weight, my metabolism must be slow as heck.

    Your metabolism may be slow, but I've been at this for 5 years (weight loss, not lifting) so mine is probably a bit fast for a 30 year old woman.

    Here is the video for bodybeast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itJh1o4xgsw. It's dynamic set training...super sets, giant sets. I know some people hate working out at home, but I see no difference between having a home gym with a trainer on your tv vs. going to a gym with weights and working with a real person. I've really seen a big change in my body since doing it. Pretty much the same as bulking in the gym...no difference except for routine really.

    As far as the shakes go the nutrition guide says 4 proteins (4 scoops of whey protein). I use cytosport chocolate from costco and it's 140 calories a scoop, 3g carbs/3g sugar, and 27g of protein. Not the best stuff out there, but it does the job for now. That w/o fruits in it would add up to 560 calories and 108g of protein right there.
  • jbgolf52
    jbgolf52 Posts: 210 Member
    @zipnguyen: My problem is due to my stomach disease, but I do find it's easier if I keep at it, it just gets tiring to keep pushing food in my mouth.

    @mank: This is my second week of making an effort to get above 2,000 calories a day and I am getting used to being full more, but it still sucks at time. I will definitely check out almond paste, thanks!

    @ambick: Good that you found something you like to do, I like going to the gym and lifting heavy weight (for me). The main thing is to be active any way you can. My metabolism is possibly slow, I do not doubt that. Maybe when I get back to my normal weight it will speed up again. 108g of protein in one shake is a ton! I don't need nearly that much, I get enough protein from food for 1g/lb of BW. Thanks for the info though.
  • obsidianwings
    obsidianwings Posts: 1,237 Member
    I think it's the same as the motivation to eat a deficit to lose weight- if you actually want the end product, you do what you've gotta do. Eye on the prize.
    This, but also how long have you been doing this for?
    My calorie goal is approximately the same as yours and I felt stuffed all the time to at first. Now its settled down, and I actually feel hungry again sometimes.
  • obsidianwings
    obsidianwings Posts: 1,237 Member
    The simple answer is, if you want to gain weight, quit crying and eat the dang food. There are hundreds of people reading this thread and flipping double birdies at you because they are trying to cut weight and struggle.

    Now...How to solve your problem.

    - Bacon Cheeseburgers
    - Large milkshake
    - Oreo Blizzard
    - Meat Lover's Pizza


    Not an all inclusive list but just pick one of those I don't think you will have any problems.

    ETA: Did not realize this was a continuing condition that makes it harder to eat a lot. Advice still stands though. What does your Dr. say? Is there a pill to take to make it easier or something you can take to get your calories in? Milkshake seems like the best option to get maximum calories for smallest space.

    ETA2: Saw you responded to alot of similar issues. Honestly, I don't think people here are going to be your best option for support as we don't have a medical condition like yours to relate. I can put down 4,000 calories by accident if I don't keep my diet in check. Is there a support group or something you can check out for people in a similar situation? No matter what you need to keep eating b/c at your height and weight you are very underweight.
    Medical problem or not, completely uncalled for.
    This is a board for support, you are in the GAINING WEIGHT section. His problems are just as valid as yours.
    I'm sure noone from here has a go at people trying to lose weight that they should stop crying because there is people out there struggling to gain weight.
  • jbgolf52
    jbgolf52 Posts: 210 Member
    I think it's the same as the motivation to eat a deficit to lose weight- if you actually want the end product, you do what you've gotta do. Eye on the prize.
    This, but also how long have you been doing this for?
    My calorie goal is approximately the same as yours and I felt stuffed all the time to at first. Now its settled down, and I actually feel hungry again sometimes.

    I've been trying to gain weight since last September, but only recently have I stepped it up and been actually gaining a good amount. I don't feel stuffed 24/7, but only because I don't average 2,200, more like 2,100 or lower, but it is still much better than before. I don't feel overly full all the time, sometimes I feel slightly empty, but never hunger. And ryry apologized so it's all good, don't worry about it.
  • Fithealthyforlife
    Fithealthyforlife Posts: 866 Member
    I'm eating all solid foods; no shakes at this point in time. Sometimes I'll come to the end of the day, and I still need to eat 1000 more calories. I just do it. The only rule I follow is I never allow myself to get stuffed. Just full.

    Eating has been less of a problem that I imagined it would be. Many days, it's not at all hard to eat the amount I need. Sometimes I exceed my prescribed surplus because I'm still hungry. Also, the more I eat and the more I exercise, the hungrier I seem to get. But some days it is hard to get it all in...like today. It's time to go to bed and I still need another 575 calories. I did a lot of cardio today. Cardio is an apetite killer for me.

    Also, you don't need huge amounts of protein. 1-1.5g per pound of bodyweight is more than sufficient for most people. More than that, and you may stress your kidneys. I get that much no problem from regular foods most days.
  • jbgolf52
    jbgolf52 Posts: 210 Member
    I'm eating all solid foods; no shakes at this point in time. Sometimes I'll come to the end of the day, and I still need to eat 1000 more calories. I just do it. The only rule I follow is I never allow myself to get stuffed. Just full.

    Eating has been less of a problem that I imagined it would be. Many days, it's not at all hard to eat the amount I need. Sometimes I exceed my prescribed surplus because I'm still hungry. Also, the more I eat and the more I exercise, the hungrier I seem to get. But some days it is hard to get it all in...like today. It's time to go to bed and I still need another 575 calories. I did a lot of cardio today. Cardio is an apetite killer for me.

    Also, you don't need huge amounts of protein. 1-1.5g per pound of bodyweight is more than sufficient for most people. More than that, and you may stress your kidneys. I get that much no problem from regular foods most days.

    Are you currently bulking? I try to follow that rule but at times I need to stuff myself in order to get in a good amount of calories. I get around that range for protein, normally get 150-165g a day so I'm good there. I guess I just have to suck it up and learn to deal with the stomach issues, I already have medication for it. Just sucks having to pound food, especially since I can't fall asleep until I'm no longer overly full, which leaves me exhausted every day.
  • Fithealthyforlife
    Fithealthyforlife Posts: 866 Member
    Are you currently bulking? I try to follow that rule but at times I need to stuff myself in order to get in a good amount of calories. I get around that range for protein, normally get 150-165g a day so I'm good there. I guess I just have to suck it up and learn to deal with the stomach issues, I already have medication for it. Just sucks having to pound food, especially since I can't fall asleep until I'm no longer overly full, which leaves me exhausted every day.

    Indeed I am. I also eat pretty much only bread and pasta that's whole wheat. Very little fully white stuff. Whole wheat makes it easy to get protein. The great thing about it was that my eating habits were already excellent, I just wasn't eating enough in the past. I'm always right near my MFP macro targets without even trying. However, some people have wheat/gluten issues and can't do what I do. I've been eating copious amounts of bread all my life (I'm 27) and never had an issue. However, soy caused me to become very sick after eating large amounts of it for a year. Everyone has their own foods that they can/can't eat.

    I try to just approach the point of being moderately full. Being stuffed kills my appetite for hours afterward, so I can't recommend it. I've done it a few times, but I don't like it. I would recommend that you make your own smoothies to sidestep this issue. Good luck with the stomach issue. Who knows...it may even turn around after a year of eating good healthy food in the right amount and working out...general health boost.
  • jbgolf52
    jbgolf52 Posts: 210 Member
    Are you currently bulking? I try to follow that rule but at times I need to stuff myself in order to get in a good amount of calories. I get around that range for protein, normally get 150-165g a day so I'm good there. I guess I just have to suck it up and learn to deal with the stomach issues, I already have medication for it. Just sucks having to pound food, especially since I can't fall asleep until I'm no longer overly full, which leaves me exhausted every day.

    Indeed I am. I also eat pretty much only bread and pasta that's whole wheat. Very little fully white stuff. Whole wheat makes it easy to get protein. The great thing about it was that my eating habits were already excellent, I just wasn't eating enough in the past. I'm always right near my MFP macro targets without even trying. However, some people have wheat/gluten issues and can't do what I do. I've been eating copious amounts of bread all my life (I'm 27) and never had an issue. However, soy caused me to become very sick after eating large amounts of it for a year. Everyone has their own foods that they can/can't eat.

    I try to just approach the point of being moderately full. Being stuffed kills my appetite for hours afterward, so I can't recommend it. I've done it a few times, but I don't like it. I would recommend that you make your own smoothies to sidestep this issue. Good luck with the stomach issue. Who knows...it may even turn around after a year of eating good healthy food in the right amount and working out...general health boost.

    Yea I couldn't do what you do, I have gluten issues. Good to see you found a solid way of gaining. I've been eating largely paleo and working out since 2007 so a general health boost will not make it go away. Thanks for the help, I appreciate it, and good luck with your bulk as well.
  • RobP1192
    RobP1192 Posts: 310 Member
    @robp: my body doesn't get used to it, many days it's a struggle.

    @travjess: try GNC or vitamin shoppe for weight gainers.

    @cwolfman: I know 2,200 is low, but I don't even hit that average and still gain. On weeks where I've done well an averaged around 2,000-2,050 I've gained .5lb or so, but that has been few and far between.

    @neadermagnon: I've been eating some junk food to hit my calorie goals, it's just that some times my stomach feels like a brick is in it due to constipation from my disease and I get pains and don't want to eat, no matter how appetizing the food is.

    @bigtalljay: can't do milk due to mild lactose intolerance, even when I use lactose pills, but ice cream and cheese are fine.

    @jaywalk: I have 3 pints of B&J in my freezer now and it has been helping. Like I said, it's surprising but I do gain on 2,200, it's weird. I'm hoping my TDEE is not that low when I regain my lost weight.

    @ryry: dude trust me, I'd love to eat the food you listed but the last time I had a burger and milkshake I couldn't eat for the next two days due to stomach pains and it sucked. I am on medication to speed up my digestion which makes eating easier, but it doesn't work all the time. Unfortunately my doctor and other medical professionals I have talked to did not have much in the way of diet advice besides eat soft easy to digest food, low fat, low fiber, and drink calories; that's why I turned to the forums. I don't know of any support groups since this is a pretty uncommon disease. I agree that I need to keep eating no matter what, I am definitely underweight. I used to be around 145lbs but dropped to 118lbs last year. I'm doing better now but still need to gain weight. I'm hoping to get up to 160-165lbs when it's all said and done.

    No offense. But sounds like a lot of excuses. If you really want to get big, you will get big.
  • Fithealthyforlife
    Fithealthyforlife Posts: 866 Member
    @robp: my body doesn't get used to it, many days it's a struggle.

    @travjess: try GNC or vitamin shoppe for weight gainers.

    @cwolfman: I know 2,200 is low, but I don't even hit that average and still gain. On weeks where I've done well an averaged around 2,000-2,050 I've gained .5lb or so, but that has been few and far between.

    @neadermagnon: I've been eating some junk food to hit my calorie goals, it's just that some times my stomach feels like a brick is in it due to constipation from my disease and I get pains and don't want to eat, no matter how appetizing the food is.

    @bigtalljay: can't do milk due to mild lactose intolerance, even when I use lactose pills, but ice cream and cheese are fine.

    @jaywalk: I have 3 pints of B&J in my freezer now and it has been helping. Like I said, it's surprising but I do gain on 2,200, it's weird. I'm hoping my TDEE is not that low when I regain my lost weight.

    @ryry: dude trust me, I'd love to eat the food you listed but the last time I had a burger and milkshake I couldn't eat for the next two days due to stomach pains and it sucked. I am on medication to speed up my digestion which makes eating easier, but it doesn't work all the time. Unfortunately my doctor and other medical professionals I have talked to did not have much in the way of diet advice besides eat soft easy to digest food, low fat, low fiber, and drink calories; that's why I turned to the forums. I don't know of any support groups since this is a pretty uncommon disease. I agree that I need to keep eating no matter what, I am definitely underweight. I used to be around 145lbs but dropped to 118lbs last year. I'm doing better now but still need to gain weight. I'm hoping to get up to 160-165lbs when it's all said and done.

    No offense. But sounds like a lot of excuses. If you really want to get big, you will get big.

    Wow, 2200 cal. That's low, more power to you if you can gain on that amount! I have similar current stats to the OP (5'9 and 137 lbs), and according to MFP calculations 2600 is just maintenance on a sedentary day. Yesterday, I ate over 3400 calories because I burned a lot. I didn't quite make my surplus goal for the day, either. I expect it to take months eating this amount to get back in the 150s, which was always normal for me before I accidently ate a deficit for a couple of years. Like OP, my first goal after getting back to normal weight is 160-165 lbs. I'm averaging half a pound per week on a ~275-cal surplus. That means over 10 months to reach goal.
  • jbgolf52
    jbgolf52 Posts: 210 Member
    @Robp: google "gastroparesis" and see what comes up. People have died due to this, and I had to go to the ER at one point when I was 118lbs because I couldn't eat for two days straight and was light-headed and in pain 24/7. It's no joke. That said, I agree that at this point it's mind over matter because I have all the help on the medication side that I can get. I've been doing really well the past two weeks and have been pushing myself, just have to keep it up.

    @Fithealthyfor: MFP notoriously overestimates calories, a more accurate measure is found using the IIFYM TDEE calculator (google it to find it). Either way, I work a pretty sedentary job but I make sure to get up and stretch and also work standing up for part of the day. I envy your metabolism. What do you do throughout the day that you need to eat so much? Do you have an office job?
  • ritchiedrama
    ritchiedrama Posts: 1,304 Member
    I could literally eat 10,000 calories a day without a problem, two 5,000 calorie meals. Thank god that I don't and can stop myself :D
  • obsidianwings
    obsidianwings Posts: 1,237 Member
    I think it's the same as the motivation to eat a deficit to lose weight- if you actually want the end product, you do what you've gotta do. Eye on the prize.
    This, but also how long have you been doing this for?
    My calorie goal is approximately the same as yours and I felt stuffed all the time to at first. Now its settled down, and I actually feel hungry again sometimes.

    I've been trying to gain weight since last September, but only recently have I stepped it up and been actually gaining a good amount. I don't feel stuffed 24/7, but only because I don't average 2,200, more like 2,100 or lower, but it is still much better than before. I don't feel overly full all the time, sometimes I feel slightly empty, but never hunger. And ryry apologized so it's all good, don't worry about it.
    Yeah I know bu he apologised that he didn't realise you had a medical problem, which IMO wasn't the point at all.
    Anyhow you've been at this longer than me so thats my time theory out the window. Must be really hard when theres so much you can't eat, to be honest i'm not sure what else to suggest. Wish you luck though
  • letmebangbro
    letmebangbro Posts: 213 Member
    Just imagine the food as having desires and want to be eaten.

    Each time you look at it, it's saying "eat me, eat me"

    Or just make food into more edible forms

    potatoes-mashed etc
  • jbgolf52
    jbgolf52 Posts: 210 Member
    @ritchiebulk: I wish I could do that man.

    @obsidianwings: Thanks for the support, I appreciate it.

    @letmebangbro: Like Frank Yang's bulking video? Hah, that's a good one. Google it if you haven't seen it yet. I've been trying to make food more tasty and it has been working, it's just tough at times. Definitely need to pick up some more pre-made protein shakes tomorrow.
  • letmebangbro
    letmebangbro Posts: 213 Member
    @ritchiebulk: I wish I could do that man.

    @obsidianwings: Thanks for the support, I appreciate it.

    @letmebangbro: Like Frank Yang's bulking video? Hah, that's a good one. Google it if you haven't seen it yet. I've been trying to make food more tasty and it has been working, it's just tough at times. Definitely need to pick up some more pre-made protein shakes tomorrow.

    I've drank shakes from bcaa's, peanut buttah, cottage cheese, protein, milk, fruits etc.
    Just gotta keep eating. I bulk at 2.7-2.9k(and by no means is this alot) calories and can eat 1k cal meals and feel 80% full. Just gotta get used to it.
  • If I were in your shoes, I'd look into some calorie dense foods I enjoy from a taste perspective. If you are recovering from stomach issues, you probably don't want anything too greasy, but try adding avocados, hummus, quinoa, garbanzos, cottage cheese to increase calories in a healthy way.

    What this guy said - calorie dense foods are the way to go.

    You'd be surprised how many calories some foods have if you haven't looked at the nutrition label. Example: Olive oil has a whopping 120 calories per tablespoon. Think about how much that could add to your total daily calories without even putting a dent in your stomach. It also supplies fantastic fat that is definitely needed.

    I also had a hard time eating a lot, especially with my job, so I relied more on smoothies. I would actually powderize the oats in a blender, so that I could add them to 40 ounce smoothies. I would have this bottle with me all day and drink some every hour. Throw in some peanut butter, protein, fruit and you are looking at 1000 calories easy. It worked amazing for me when I was bulking and I never felt full or sluggish.

    Change your approach by thinking more about calories and less about "eating huge" until you are full.
  • jbgolf52
    jbgolf52 Posts: 210 Member
    @letmebangbro: Yea I hear you, getting used to it is rough at times but I've been keeping at it.

    @yogabikegym: I can't handle some calorie dense food like olive oil, but peanut butter is good to go so I've been relying on that. That's a good way to approach the eating more mindset, thanks.
  • CarlKRobbo
    CarlKRobbo Posts: 390 Member
    My Motivation has come from years of getting no-where to be honest, if that makes sense.


    I underrate and trained, and got no-where, where as now I'm hitting my 3600 Calories a day, I'm getting heavier, and stronger (Worth noting my primary goal is Strength - Powerlifting, over aesthetics at the moment).

    I will admit that I do have to force food down me at times, So I know it's not THAT easy. Just end up eating more smaller meals to get the calories in, as long as I hit my daily targets, that all that matters for now.
  • I envy your metabolism. What do you do throughout the day that you need to eat so much? Do you have an office job?
    This! Lol