Serious question to help my husband!!!

TxAngel79
TxAngel79 Posts: 318 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
My husband is very fit. So much so it's kinda embaressing to be standing next to him without a shirt on.! However he has gone into sort of a snit because he can't seem to get bigger! He's 6'2" weighs 179 and his body fat is at 8%. He has good muscle definition, however he wants his to be bigger. Do any of you have any advice I can give him? He has a naturally lean build, unlike his brothers who have a stockier build and they are bigger then him and it drives him crazy! Thanks in advance!!!
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Replies

  • now_or_never12
    now_or_never12 Posts: 849 Member
    Does he want to gain muscle and be bigger?

    If so he would need to eat at a surplus and lift heavy weights while eating enough protein.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    If so he would need to eat at a surplus and lift heavy weights while eating enough protein.

    ^ Pretty much that.
  • DPernet
    DPernet Posts: 481 Member
    Does he want to gain muscle and be bigger?

    If so he would need to eat at a surplus and lift heavy weights while eating enough protein.

    ^^ Yup this. Tell him to research the Bulk/Cut Cycle :smile:
  • RuthieCass
    RuthieCass Posts: 247 Member
    He should lift heavy, increasing the weight lifted regularly. If he doesn't have a weight lifting routine in place already, he can try Stronglists 5X5 or similar. He should eat a bit more- particularly a lot of protein, a good amount of carbs, and a moderate amount of fat. General recommendation is to eat 10-20% over his TDEE, with 1.1-1.5 g protein per lb of lean body mass, ~20-25% of calories from fat, and the rest from carbs. These articles should help him set up a plan:

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/muscle-gain/the-baseline-diet-part-1.html
    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/muscle-gain/the-baseline-diet-part-2.html

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/category/muscle-gain/mass-gain-fundamentals
  • TxAngel79
    TxAngel79 Posts: 318 Member
    If so he would need to eat at a surplus and lift heavy weights while eating enough protein.

    ^ Pretty much that.

    Ok!, the man eats non stop, literally! He can eat a huge meal and 30 minutes later he's hungry again! How much protein does he need to be eating a day!
  • TxAngel79
    TxAngel79 Posts: 318 Member
    Does he want to gain muscle and be bigger?

    If so he would need to eat at a surplus and lift heavy weights while eating enough protein.

    ^^ Yup this. Tell him to research the Bulk/Cut Cycle :smile:

    Thanks!
  • 2Bgoddess
    2Bgoddess Posts: 1,096 Member
    it's kinda embaressing to be standing next to him without a shirt on.!

    omygoodess, then put your shirt back on, missy! LOL sorry, couldn't resist. (I purposely misunderstood that, it's funnier that way)

    I must really bother him that he isn't bulking up. I hope for his happiness that the above suggestions work for him, but if not, I hope he makes peace with being more lean and mean.
  • TxAngel79
    TxAngel79 Posts: 318 Member
    He should lift heavy, increasing the weight lifted regularly. If he doesn't have a weight lifting routine in place already, he can try Stronglists 5X5 or similar. He should eat a bit more- particularly a lot of protein, a good amount of carbs, and a moderate amount of fat. General recommendation is to eat 10-20% over his TDEE, with 1.1-1.5 g protein per lb of lean body mass, ~20-25% of calories from fat, and the rest from carbs. These articles should help him set up a plan:

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/muscle-gain/the-baseline-diet-part-1.html
    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/muscle-gain/the-baseline-diet-part-2.html

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/category/muscle-gain/mass-gain-fundamentals

    Thanks!!
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    If so he would need to eat at a surplus and lift heavy weights while eating enough protein.

    ^ Pretty much that.

    Ok!, the man eats non stop, literally! He can eat a huge meal and 30 minutes later he's hungry again! How much protein does he need to be eating a day!

    1g/lb LBM minimum
    .4-.5g/lb total bodyweight in fat (or higher)
    remainder is personal preference to reach calorie total.

    As mentioned by a previous poster I'd shoot for about 10-20% above TDEE and monitor results. Adjust upwards if zero gains.

    See here:
    http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=121703981
  • TxAngel79
    TxAngel79 Posts: 318 Member
    it's kinda embaressing to be standing next to him without a shirt on.!

    omygoodess, then put your shirt back on, missy! LOL sorry, couldn't resist. (I purposely misunderstood that, it's funnier that way)

    I must really bother him that he isn't bulking up. I hope for his happiness that the above suggestions work for him, but if not, I hope he makes peace with being more lean and mean.

    Oh wow I did not notice the way I worded it!! It does bug him, alot!!! He's just really lean. He has abs to die for, very nice muscles, he just wants to be bigger! He drives me nuts!
  • TxAngel79
    TxAngel79 Posts: 318 Member
    If so he would need to eat at a surplus and lift heavy weights while eating enough protein.

    ^ Pretty much that.

    Ok!, the man eats non stop, literally! He can eat a huge meal and 30 minutes later he's hungry again! How much protein does he need to be eating a day!

    1g/lb LBM minimum
    .4-.5g/lb total bodyweight in fat (or higher)
    remainder is personal preference to reach calorie total.

    As mentioned by a previous poster I'd shoot for about 10-20% above TDEE and monitor results. Adjust upwards if zero gains.

    See here:
    http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=121703981

    Thank you!!!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,992 Member
    I had a hard time putting on muscle weight too since I was naturally skinny to begin with. High volume training (reps 8 to 12, sets 4 to 6) for most exercise and needs to eat at LEAST 500 calories over daily TDEE. He may eat a lot, but if he's still burning off what he eats, he's not going to gain weight.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • TxAngel79
    TxAngel79 Posts: 318 Member
    I had a hard time putting on muscle weight too since I was naturally skinny to begin with. High volume training (reps 8 to 12, sets 4 to 6) for most exercise and needs to eat at LEAST 500 calories over daily TDEE. He may eat a lot, but if he's still burning off what he eats, he's not going to gain weight.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    Thanks!
  • Jugie12
    Jugie12 Posts: 282 Member
    Girl, get that man a subscription to Muscle Mag and Muscular Development! I'd throw in Flex, too, but that one is too much fluff these days. Anyhow, those first two magazines are BADASS for this type of stuff. A lot of info for hard-gainers like your hubby, a lot of great nutrition and training information and research, provided by the biggest names and leading docs in the body building/fitness industry.

    Assuming he doesn't already have subscriptions those, that is.
  • TxAngel79
    TxAngel79 Posts: 318 Member
    Girl, get that man a subscription to Muscle Mag and Muscular Development! I'd throw in Flex, too, but that one is too much fluff these days. Anyhow, those first two magazines are BADASS for this type of stuff. A lot of info for hard-gainers like your hubby, a lot of great nutrition and training information and research, provided by the biggest names and leading docs in the body building/fitness industry.

    Assuming he doesn't already have subscriptions those, that is.

    He does!!
  • healthylifeforme
    healthylifeforme Posts: 156 Member
    To only have this problem! LOL!!! Most of us are trying to trim down :) But, if it were me, I'd contact a local gym and have him do a couple of sessions with a personal trainer. If you get a good one, they are worth their weight in gold! I have a PT who happens to be a bodybuilder. Being female, I have no interest in bodybuilding, but I can tell you these guys know their stuff! Best of luck!
  • Jacwhite22
    Jacwhite22 Posts: 7,010 Member
    He needs to eat more and/or move less and eat lots of protein and lift heavy things.....
  • HulkDiesel77
    HulkDiesel77 Posts: 219 Member
    He needs to up his calories to about 3000 - 3500 per day (Depending on his workout). He should be eating about 1.0 - 1.5 grams of protien per lbs of lean body mass per day. When he lifts he should be lifting heavy doing about 3 sets no more than 8 reps. If he can complete 3 sets of 8 reps without failing he needs to go up in weight......This is just for starters......Hope it helps......Tell him good luck!
    My husband is very fit. So much so it's kinda embaressing to be standing next to him without a shirt on.! However he has gone into sort of a snit because he can't seem to get bigger! He's 6'2" weighs 179 and his body fat is at 8%. He has good muscle definition, however he wants his to be bigger. Do any of you have any advice I can give him? He has a naturally lean build, unlike his brothers who have a stockier build and they are bigger then him and it drives him crazy! Thanks in advance!!!
  • Angie_1MR
    Angie_1MR Posts: 247
    My husband is very fit. So much so it's kinda embaressing to be standing next to him without a shirt on.! However he has gone into sort of a snit because he can't seem to get bigger! He's 6'2" weighs 179 and his body fat is at 8%. He has good muscle definition, however he wants his to be bigger. Do any of you have any advice I can give him? He has a naturally lean build, unlike his brothers who have a stockier build and they are bigger then him and it drives him crazy! Thanks in advance!!!

    He needs at least 20 calories per pound of body weight to bulk up.
  • TxAngel79
    TxAngel79 Posts: 318 Member
    Never posted pic before so I hope this works! As you see, he is not small. And I know it's not the best pic, but it's the only one I have at the moment! I think he looks great, but as he says, he has to feel good!


    chris.jpg
  • macpatti
    macpatti Posts: 4,280 Member
    My husband is 5'11, 230 lbs and benches 400. His arms, chest, and neck muscles are crazy big. He's a protien guy. Has protein drink every morning and could eat a whole chicken for lunch, snack and dinner. He lifts heavy every other day, and does lighter reps and cardio on the other days.
  • TxAngel79
    TxAngel79 Posts: 318 Member
    Never posted pic before so I hope this works! As you see, he is not small. And I know it's not the best pic, but it's the only one I have at the moment! I think he looks great, but as he says, he has to feel good!


    chris.jpg

    Oh and ignore the face he's making...he's concentrating on not falling!
  • TxAngel79
    TxAngel79 Posts: 318 Member
    My husband is 5'11, 230 lbs and benches 400. His arms, chest, and neck muscles are crazy big. He's a protien guy. Has protein drink every morning and could eat a whole chicken for lunch, snack and dinner. He lifts heavy every other day, and does lighter reps and cardio on the other days.

    Thanks!!!! Your husband sounds like my brother in law! He's huge!!! And that is what bothers my husband!!
  • ahmommy
    ahmommy Posts: 316 Member
    I hope for his sake that these tips work for him. But in my very non-expert opinion, it may not be possible for him to get as big as he wants. Different people have different body types. I think long and lean is sexier anyway, but then I married a tall skinny guy myself :)
  • WifeNMama
    WifeNMama Posts: 2,876 Member
    A lot of great advice here, but I'll just add one more snippet. You said he's hungry half an hour after a big meal. This isn't normal. Suggest he visit a doctor to get some bloodwork done to rule out hyperthyroidism or pancreatic conditions that hamper digestion and absorption of nutrients.
    My husband created a lifting program that gave his friend stretch marks on his shoulders, he gained muscle so fast. And his friend was a small-framed, very lean man. I'll ask him for the routine and get back to you.
  • TxAngel79
    TxAngel79 Posts: 318 Member
    I hope for his sake that these tips work for him. But in my very non-expert opinion, it may not be possible for him to get as big as he wants. Different people have different body types. I think long and lean is sexier anyway, but then I married a tall skinny guy myself :)

    This is exactly what I tell him! That maybe he isn't meant to be huge!!! He was thin when we met, so I love him anyway he wants to be!
  • TxAngel79
    TxAngel79 Posts: 318 Member
    A lot of great advice here, but I'll just add one more snippet. You said he's hungry half an hour after a big meal. This isn't normal. Suggest he visit a doctor to get some bloodwork done to rule out hyperthyroidism or pancreatic conditions that hamper digestion and absorption of nutrients.
    My husband created a lifting program that gave his friend stretch marks on his shoulders, he gained muscle so fast. And his friend was a small-framed, very lean man. I'll ask him for the routine and get back to you.

    He gets blood work done yearly for his gym membership! All is normal. He just eats ALOT!!!!
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member


    He gets blood work done yearly for his gym membership! All is normal. He just eats ALOT!!!!

    Have him track intake and measure quantities for a week and see. Chances are it's not as many calories as you would think.
  • TxAngel79
    TxAngel79 Posts: 318 Member
    Ok maybe this one is better! Sorry most pics I have on my new phone is on the water!! We are wakeboard and wakesurf nuts!!!

    chris2.jpg
  • TxAngel79
    TxAngel79 Posts: 318 Member


    He gets blood work done yearly for his gym membership! All is normal. He just eats ALOT!!!!

    Have him track intake and measure quantities for a week and see. Chances are it's not as many calories as you would think.

    Ok! He has a MFP, we set it up a year ago when he was wanting to get big! I'll get him to start using it again!

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