Gaining and exercise

kynsie2

If you are struggling to gain weight, should you exercise?
I'm trying to gain and stay healthy. (Or get healthy)
I walk 2 miles a day sometimes a little more.
I ride a bike a couple of blocks. (Don't laugh, I'm just starting)
I also started lifting low low weights to build some arm muscle.
But people keep telling me I won't gain any weight if I burn it off walking and doing the weights.
I don't want to be a couch potato yet I can't hardly eat enough now as it is.

jimmmer

You should exercise.

You should just learn to eat an appropriately calorie dense diet to net more calories than you burn. Then you'll gain weight.

AliceDark

If you start burning more calories without also increasing your intake, you'll stop gaining (or start losing) weight. To gain, you need to create a surplus (take in more calories than you burn). If you burn more, you'll consequently need to eat even more.

nikkohli

I ride a bike a couple of blocks. (Don't laugh, I'm just starting)

Good for you! No laughs here--everyone has to start somewhere.
Are you working with someone to hit a calorie target/weight target? I know you posted another thread and got some good ideas on some cal dense foods; are those working?

gelar93

I would try to focus more on lifting and less on cardio, maybe only 2-3 times a week do cardio.

kynsie2

No, not working with anyone. My dr gave me a list of foods, my fiance looks up food that is suppose to be good for you
Yes, trying some of those foods that were suggested. I just can't eat much at one time. Slowly getting better, but I'm just never hungry.
And since I'm pre-diabetic I have pretty much cut out all sugars (except fruits) and starches.
I'm suppose to eat 5 or 6 small meals a day but yet, keep 4 hrs between meals to keep sugar levels even. lol
I'd never be able to go to bed.
I figured if I built some muscle I'd look heavier and exercise might stimulate my appetite.
For lunch I had a all natural peanut butter sandwich with all natural no sugar jelly, a serving of grapes, low fat greek yogurt and a Ensure plus.
I'm stuffed!

chrishunt888

The Scrawny to Brawny book gives a good idea the amount of calories you actually need to consume in order to put on muscle mass (it's a lot!). As mentioned in the earlier posts, you definitely need to exercise otherwise you will just get fat and not gain healthy mass.
Remember that gaining muscle mass is just science: keep a log of your measurements, keep a log of what exercises you do, keep a log of what you eat. If nothing changes, make small adjustments to the variables until you see some changes.
Hope this helps.