Time to stop being so thin?

tyleeloo30
tyleeloo30 Posts: 67
in Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
Hello Everyone,

This past year has been a long and challenging path in my health and overall fitness. I lost a pile of weight when I switched to healthier choices and became more active, and loved how I felt and how I looked. But then people started to say I looked too scrawny. I didn't think so at first, after all, I still had some stomach fat and some cute shorts I wanted to fit into were still a little too tight. Recently I decided that I might want to gain a few pounds, and even though I've been trying, its definitely been a lot harder than I thought. Over the holidays I've had various pictures of myself taken, and to be honest, I'm not very happy with the way I look. I look.... flat. No curves and my face is very thin. But when I see myself in the mirror, I still see trouble spots which definitely need some work... which means to lose more weight. What I'm asking is, what would you recommend? I want to have a flatter stomach and thinner thighs, but I also don't want to lose the few curves that I do still have. I am 6ft tall, 123lbs and in relatively good shape.

Replies

  • SheFoxyLady
    SheFoxyLady Posts: 24
    Bumping in for answers as I am in a similar situation
  • tyleeloo30
    tyleeloo30 Posts: 67
    Also, if I want to gain weight... I want it to be healthily, with a gain of muscle, not really fat. Anyone have any advice to gain muscle and not fat?
  • supplemama
    supplemama Posts: 1,956 Member
    Lift weights and build a little muscle to fill your body out and make your natural woman curves pop. If you just gain weight without a plan of strength training, what you gain from excess calories will be mostly fat. You don't want that.
  • happydreamy
    happydreamy Posts: 44 Member
    If you are 6 feet tall and 123 pounds, your BMI is 16.7... anything under 18.5 is considered underweight. Of course, BMI is a universal scale and everyone is different, but 16.7 is pretty ridiculous.

    I would definitely put on weight and readjust caloric intake. If you are displeased with your shape, I highly recommend strength training. I use dailyburn.com , but there are plenty of sources for quality workout videos. Healthy curves come from healthy muscles.

    Whether or not you choose to commit to strength training, I would say putting on weight is a definite must. You may want to consult your doctor.

    Best of luck. :)
  • lrmall01
    lrmall01 Posts: 377 Member
    I think this might be a good read for you.

    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/
  • tyleeloo30
    tyleeloo30 Posts: 67
    I have consulted my doctor.... she said I was a healthy weight and to just keep eating 3 healthy meals a day. But clearly that isn't working as I'm still losing weight. I do want to commit to some strength training since my arm muscles are pretty pathetic, and I will certainly look into the site you recommended. Thanks for your suggestions!
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Lift weights and build a little muscle to fill your body out and make your natural woman curves pop. If you just gain weight without a plan of strength training, what you gain from excess calories will be mostly fat. You don't want that.

    This!
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    I have consulted my doctor.... she said I was a healthy weight and to just keep eating 3 healthy meals a day. But clearly that isn't working as I'm still losing weight. I do want to commit to some strength training since my arm muscles are pretty pathetic, and I will certainly look into the site you recommended. Thanks for your suggestions!

    So just eat more calories in your 3 meals per day....
  • ahviendha
    ahviendha Posts: 1,291 Member
    I have consulted my doctor.... she said I was a healthy weight and to just keep eating 3 healthy meals a day. But clearly that isn't working as I'm still losing weight. I do want to commit to some strength training since my arm muscles are pretty pathetic, and I will certainly look into the site you recommended. Thanks for your suggestions!

    also at 18, you're still quite young. i definitely filled out when i hit college, metabolism slowed down and such
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    Lift weights and build a little muscle to fill your body out and make your natural woman curves pop. If you just gain weight without a plan of strength training, what you gain from excess calories will be mostly fat. You don't want that.

    She's right, but any kind of strength training while eating a calorie surplus will be beneficial. It doesn't have to be weights. You are going to gain some fat with your muscle, though, so don't be afraid of that. Look up bulk and cut cycles on the forums. There are plenty of people on here way more knowledgeable on this than me. What to eat? Protein, protein, protein!
  • Rage_Phish
    Rage_Phish Posts: 1,507 Member
    Lift weights and build a little muscle to fill your body out and make your natural woman curves pop. If you just gain weight without a plan of strength training, what you gain from excess calories will be mostly fat. You don't want that.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    Lift weights and eat more calories.
  • Burgher23
    Burgher23 Posts: 1
    I recommend pilates. It makes your muscles (and abs) long and lean, so you don't lose weight but you tighten up every muscle in your body. Try taking 2-3 classes/week for 6 weeks and see how it goes. It gets easier the more you do it, but it's never "easy," which is my kind of work out. Good luck!
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member
    Lift weights and eat more. Also make sure you are getting between 80 to 120 g of protein per day.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    I recommend pilates. It makes your muscles (and abs) long and lean, so you don't lose weight but you tighten up every muscle in your body. Try taking 2-3 classes/week for 6 weeks and see how it goes. It gets easier the more you do it, but it's never "easy," which is my kind of work out. Good luck!

    This is nonsense. You can't change the length of your muscles and making a muscle "lean" literally doesn't mean anything.

    Pilates is fine and all, but if you're trying to develop your muscles and gain weight, it's inefficient compared to heavier resistance training. You will gain more fat doing pilates while gaining weight than if you were doing a heavy program.
  • tyleeloo30
    tyleeloo30 Posts: 67
    terrific, thanks. More calories, lots of protein, and strength training. :)
  • sarafischbach9
    sarafischbach9 Posts: 466 Member
    Are you counting calories? You may be eating less without realizing this. Most people count calories to lose weight, but you will need to count calories to gain weight. It can be very hard to gain weight, especially when you feel full. I recommend your three meals a day plus a snack or two.

    Also to figure out how much you need to eat add 250-300 calories a day to your maintenance goals. If you find you are not gaining, the you will need to up your calories more.

    Good snacks include crackers w/peanutbutter, nuts and seeds, veggies and dip, and maybe little slices of cheese. Or whatever you like.

    Obviously you should be adding more protein to your diet. This can include peanut butter, nuts and seeds, and meat, fish and poultry. Beans and legumes are also good sources of protein.

    And like others have said, you will need to strength train. I would keep up your exercise program as well. Just eat more, particularly protein and complex carbohydrates.
  • kristen2713
    kristen2713 Posts: 253 Member
    terrific, thanks. More calories, lots of protein, and strength training. :)

    In short, yes. I belong to a private group of women who lift heavy with body beast, and in the group are a few women who were in your position prior to heavy lifting and getting their TDEE's and calories properly in line. They look awesome now and are no longer skinny and scrawny, but healthy and fit. Good luck to you!!!
  • tyleeloo30
    tyleeloo30 Posts: 67
    Thanks :) I love the snack suggestions!
  • aiyahM
    aiyahM Posts: 4
    I am 5''6" tall and I used to weigh 96 lbs so I was very skinny. I went to the doctor and he gave me a prescription for periactin which is an allergy medicine but a side effect is it increases your appetite...a lot! I took it and could eat 3000-4200 calories a day. I started gaining weight very quickly. I would eat and also drink these boost vhc (very high calorie) drinks which contain 530 calories in one drink. You can only order them online at amazon or ebay or through a medical supply company. So, I got up to 119 lbs in about 2-3 months and felt great! But, I was eating the wrong types of food, sugars, fast food etc so the weight I gained was fat. I ended up with cellulite and not toned up. I ended up losing a few pounds recently and plan on starting that medication again but now I will work out more and eat healthier to gain lean muscle. Maybe you should try that medicine or those vhc drinks. Good luck!
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    I am 5''6" tall and I used to weigh 96 lbs so I was very skinny. I went to the doctor and he gave me a prescription for periactin which is an allergy medicine but a side effect is it increases your appetite...a lot! I took it and could eat 3000-4200 calories a day. I started gaining weight very quickly. I would eat and also drink these boost vhc (very high calorie) drinks which contain 530 calories in one drink. You can only order them online at amazon or ebay or through a medical supply company. So, I got up to 119 lbs in about 2-3 months and felt great! But, I was eating the wrong types of food, sugars, fast food etc so the weight I gained was fat. I ended up with cellulite and not toned up. I ended up losing a few pounds recently and plan on starting that medication again but now I will work out more and eat healthier to gain lean muscle. Maybe you should try that medicine or those vhc drinks. Good luck!

    It's a very bad idea to advise someone to take a prescription medication they don't need just for a side effect of appetite increase. It is very dangerous for anyone to take a prescription medication that is not prescribed to them. There are other ways to stimulate the appetite.
  • trainingman123
    trainingman123 Posts: 58 Member
    Eat high protein, low carb diet, with lots of veggies. Do the strongman 5x5 workout program for as long as you can 3 days a week. You will get core strength, lose fat and be very fit. Trust me.

    Strongman 5x5 workouts consist of:

    Workout A
    Squat 5x5
    Bench Press 5x5
    Barbell Rows 5x5
    Pushups 3 x Failure


    Workout B
    Squat 5x5
    Overhead Press 5x5
    Deadlift 1x5
    Pullups 3 x Failure

    -Workout A monday friday, workout B on Wednesday. Then mix it up.
    -Add 5lbs. total weight each workout until you can't get 5 reps on all 5 sets anymore
    -If you happen to stall on an exercise and cannot perform 5 reps then take off 10% of the weight
    -Continue adding 5lbs total weight each workout until you stall again
    -To ensure fat loss, be sure to add 10-20 minutes of some type of HIIT after each session.
  • GretaGirl8
    GretaGirl8 Posts: 274 Member
    I think weight lifting is all good and everything, but at your height/weight...you are operating at an extreme calorie deficit. you need to add some more weight so it can be converted into the curvy/sculpted body you desire. At your current bmi, you can do some toning, but to really add muscle--increase the daily calories with calorie dense foods: peanut butter, avocado, full-fat dairy products, protein drinks, ensure or carnation instant breakfast between meals, etc. (not that adding weight alone will add muscle--but it will give you the materials you need to create muscle). good luck.
  • aiyahM
    aiyahM Posts: 4
    I wasn't advising her to do anything dangerous. Of course with this being a prescription she'd have to get the okay from her physician. This medication is often prescribed for children who have low appetites so it is safe for adults as well.
  • emilyisbonkers
    emilyisbonkers Posts: 373 Member
    slowly add more calories including fats and proteins and start lifting weights!
  • kathleennf
    kathleennf Posts: 606 Member
    Hi!
    I don't have much to add to the advice above. Just wanted to say ME TOO! But it was "me too" a few years ago- everyone telling me I was too thin and I was focusing on problem areas. I have been working on this for about 3 years now and am making good progress- putting on muscle and SLOWLY getting rid of fat. Sometimes I set my calorie goal a little above maintenance to try to put on more muscle, other times I set it a little (but VERY little) below to work on losing the last bits of lower body fat. I am really happy with how I look and feel... even though it's a work in progress.
  • kathleennf
    kathleennf Posts: 606 Member
    Oh and yes- weight lifting, avoid too much cardio, and eating lots of protein. I am aiming for protein of 100-120gm/day on my diet of about 1600-1700 calories.
  • aiyahM
    aiyahM Posts: 4
    I am 5''6" tall and I used to weigh 96 lbs so I was very skinny. I went to the doctor and he gave me a prescription for periactin which is an allergy medicine but a side effect is it increases your appetite...a lot! I took it and could eat 3000-4200 calories a day. I started gaining weight very quickly. I would eat and also drink these boost vhc (very high calorie) drinks which contain 530 calories in one drink. You can only order them online at amazon or ebay or through a medical supply company. So, I got up to 119 lbs in about 2-3 months and felt great! But, I was eating the wrong types of food, sugars, fast food etc so the weight I gained was fat. I ended up with cellulite and not toned up. I ended up losing a few pounds recently and plan on starting that medication again but now I will work out more and eat healthier to gain lean muscle. Maybe you should try that medicine or those vhc drinks. Good luck!

    It's a very bad idea to advise someone to take a prescription medication they don't need just for a side effect of appetite increase. It is very dangerous for anyone to take a prescription medication that is not prescribed to them. There are other ways to stimulate the appetite.


    I wasn't advising her to do anything dangerous. Of course with this being a prescription she'd have to get the okay from her physician. This medication is often prescribed for children who have low appetites so it is safe for adults as well.
  • emilyisbonkers
    emilyisbonkers Posts: 373 Member
    I am 5''6" tall and I used to weigh 96 lbs so I was very skinny. I went to the doctor and he gave me a prescription for periactin which is an allergy medicine but a side effect is it increases your appetite...a lot! I took it and could eat 3000-4200 calories a day. I started gaining weight very quickly. I would eat and also drink these boost vhc (very high calorie) drinks which contain 530 calories in one drink. You can only order them online at amazon or ebay or through a medical supply company. So, I got up to 119 lbs in about 2-3 months and felt great! But, I was eating the wrong types of food, sugars, fast food etc so the weight I gained was fat. I ended up with cellulite and not toned up. I ended up losing a few pounds recently and plan on starting that medication again but now I will work out more and eat healthier to gain lean muscle. Maybe you should try that medicine or those vhc drinks. Good luck!

    It's a very bad idea to advise someone to take a prescription medication they don't need just for a side effect of appetite increase. It is very dangerous for anyone to take a prescription medication that is not prescribed to them. There are other ways to stimulate the appetite.


    I wasn't advising her to do anything dangerous. Of course with this being a prescription she'd have to get the okay from her physician. This medication is often prescribed for children who have low appetites so it is safe for adults as well.

    hahaha very high calorie drinnks!? just try a friji milkshake or sometihng

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