Weight Gain Idea - Good or Bad?

I have been worried about my weight for a long time, as I've been underweight for as long as I can remember.

A while ago, I heard that starvation is one of the worst ways to lose weight because your body goes into starvation mode and stores everything as fat when you begin to eat again. Which can often lead to a greater weight than when you started.

So I was toying around with an idea in my head, that if I were to eat the bare minimum for a few days (enough that I don't faint but not so much that I don't starve), maybe a week, and then eat really fatty foods then I should theoretically gain weight?

Input would be great. ;3
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Replies

  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Sounds a lot like you need to go see a specialist.

    There is nothing healthy about anything I read in here.

    The only way to gain weight is to overeat.

    The only way to gain weight in a more desirable well balanced manner is to eat at a controlled surplus and life progressively.

    But honestly- you sound like you need to see a specialist and a therapist.
  • accelerashawn
    accelerashawn Posts: 470 Member
    A good strength training program will help your body use the food you eat better. Some people's bodies just dont want to add any fat. You've got to convince your body that you need it to change...pick up some heavy shiz and your body will be like "I better get swole or this dude's gonna crush me".

    Also I dont normally like mass gainers because they are generally crappy calories but that new stuff from MusclePharm called Iron Mass has a pretty decent profile. If you mix a scoop and drink it between normal meals that's a really easy and yummy way to add hundreds of calories per day.

    I wouldn't try to trick your body though...its smarter than you realize. It will adapt readily though if you convince it that it needs to.
  • deatharrow
    deatharrow Posts: 10
    That's a terrible idea, in part due to the oversimplification of the body's metabolism. Besides, Fat isn't what you want to gain. Its lean muscle. Which you add by eating at a caloric surplus of what your body needs by about 250 calories since you're a guy and start lifting to build muscle with those extra calories.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Bad. Starvation mode is a myth. As with losing weight, you don't have to eat "fatty foods" to gain weight, you just need to eat a calorie surprus. You could still do this eating healthy foods. Research calorie dense foods.
  • NotAFox
    NotAFox Posts: 6
    Haha What a let down! I was proud of myself for thinking this up..

    There isn't even the tiniest chance that it would work, as a one off? I never planned on it being a permanent diet.
  • AliceDark
    AliceDark Posts: 3,886 Member
    It's a bad idea, but even if it were a good idea, it would be WAY harder on you than just eating a consistent surplus every day! Listen, lots of people struggle to gain weight, and eating at a surplus for an extended period of time can be really difficult. I just finished my first bulk, and it was harder than I ever thought it would be. But...only eating enough to keep yourself from fainting for a couple of days per week will be so much worse! Why in the world would you rather do that??
  • AliceDark
    AliceDark Posts: 3,886 Member
    Btw, actual bulking takes months, if not years. It's a really long process. Stop looking for "one off" solutions. Whatever it is, if you're not willing to do it for 10-16 weeks at a time (or thereabouts), it's not going to work.
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    The theory you have on "starvation mode" is incorrect and made up by people who are underestimating their cal intake or overestimating their activity and wondering why they don't lose weight.

    In short, eat more every day if you want to gain weight.

    For people with small appetites, liquid cals are the best option IMO .e.g BIG glass of full cream milk with each meal.
  • NotAFox
    NotAFox Posts: 6
    After further thought, I suppose it is quite a stupid idea! :)

    Tried a proper diet today (eating a set amount of calories), to gain 1lb a week. Unfortunately, it's 8 pm and I'm already uncomfortably full - about 1200 calories short. Will I gradually be able to eat more?
  • AliceDark
    AliceDark Posts: 3,886 Member
    After further thought, I suppose it is quite a stupid idea! :)

    Tried a proper diet today (eating a set amount of calories), to gain 1lb a week. Unfortunately, it's 8 pm and I'm already uncomfortably full - about 1200 calories short. Will I gradually be able to eat more?
    Yes, you'll get used to eating more during the day so that you don't have that many calories left to eat at the end of the day. It takes awhile to adjust, but you'll get there. Your appetite will also catch up to your increased intake -- every time I've upped my calories, it takes about a week of making myself eat and then my appetite adjusts so that I'm hungry again.
  • Ginerrva
    Ginerrva Posts: 226
    How many calories did you eat already?

    It's hard gaining weight; trust me, I'm in the same boat as you. Right now my goal is set at 2000 calories per day, but sometimes I barely make it to 1800. I just hate feeling full and sluggish. But I have some tips that might help.

    Have sandwiches for lunch. This way you can fill it with a healthy protein, a ton of veggies, and your favorite condiment! You can buy bread that's 80 calories per slice, but you can also buy bread that's 130 calories per slice; obviously the latter is the better option for gaining weight. (I get Demptser's bread. Any of their's will do, as long as it's not white). And then to add an extra 100 calories or so, you can sneak some butter in there. Just spread it on both slices before you but a condiment on, and you won't even taste it. In fact, it might even enhance the flavors of the other ingredients!

    Try to fit in a 100-200 calorie snack both in between breakfast and lunch, and in between lunch and dinner. Buy a box of granola bars or something, or maybe just eat a spoonful of nut butter every now and again. Then, if you need to, incorporate a 200-300 calorie dessert into you day. Yogurt and berries, a bowl of cereal, a granola bar, nut butter on toast, etc etc. It can be anything!

    Finally, start doing strength workouts. About 30 minutes a couple times a week. While doing this try eating a gram of protein for each pound you weigh (100 lbs = 100 g protein). Not only will you gain weight, but muscle too! :)
  • NotAFox
    NotAFox Posts: 6
    Thank you guys ;p It's weird. I used to always be hungry, no matter how much I ate. It was ridiculous, and my family used to wind me up about it. But now I'm full after a sandwich! Haha

    Ginerrva, my goal is 2520 calories per day. I've eaten 1648, but was walking around all day and pushing two toddlers in a pram around, up steep hills. So I lost about 850 calories apparently.. Which means I need to eat 1725 more to reach my minimum.

    That's great advice! Thank you. I wasn't sure about buying protein because it seems expensive, but would it be worth the money?
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Haha What a let down! I was proud of myself for thinking this up..

    There isn't even the tiniest chance that it would work, as a one off? I never planned on it being a permanent diet.

    :huh:
  • NotAFox
    NotAFox Posts: 6
    It was intended to be a quick 5/6lb boost to set me off on the right foot. Many weight loss diets suggest the same, somewhat drastic, diets for instant weight loss. Though they are too unhealthy to maintain.
  • butterbear1980
    butterbear1980 Posts: 234 Member
    After further thought, I suppose it is quite a stupid idea! :)

    Tried a proper diet today (eating a set amount of calories), to gain 1lb a week. Unfortunately, it's 8 pm and I'm already uncomfortably full - about 1200 calories short. Will I gradually be able to eat more?
    When I upped my cals I was super full for a few days then its like a switch goes off and you'll be wicked hungry for a while and then your body will settle down, be used to getting enough to eat, you'll have tons of energy and feel great. Its all part of the process!
  • mank32
    mank32 Posts: 1,323 Member
    to eat at surplus, you have to get used to eating more. starving yourself would be counterproductive.

    just start exercising more--your appetite will follow suit and it won't be so much of a chore.
  • Thank you guys ;p It's weird. I used to always be hungry, no matter how much I ate. It was ridiculous, and my family used to wind me up about it. But now I'm full after a sandwich! Haha

    Ginerrva, my goal is 2520 calories per day. I've eaten 1648, but was walking around all day and pushing two toddlers in a pram around, up steep hills. So I lost about 850 calories apparently.. Which means I need to eat 1725 more to reach my minimum.

    That's great advice! Thank you. I wasn't sure about buying protein because it seems expensive, but would it be worth the money?
    Protein can be worth the money, it just depends on your needs. If I were in your boat, I would probably try to do GOMAD and see if that works for you. GOMAD = gallon of milk a day.
  • Chris_Pierce
    Chris_Pierce Posts: 267 Member
    I've got three brother in laws and two nephews in the same boat. What you need to do is eat more! And lift weights. Track everything, look at your macros as minimums, and weight train to make sure that your gaining muscle not just fat. Strong lifts is a highly recommended program.

    When I say track everything, I mean especially track your exercise. If you go for a walk, grocery shopping, mowing the lawn, cleaning house, log it! Your burning calories and you'll need to eat more.
  • MagnumBurrito
    MagnumBurrito Posts: 1,070 Member
    Eat a lot of peanut butter, olive oil, and nuts. Lots of calories quickly.
  • Bearbrat
    Bearbrat Posts: 230
    Eat a lot of peanut butter, olive oil, and nuts. Lots of calories quickly.
    This
  • Chris_Pierce
    Chris_Pierce Posts: 267 Member
    Yeah, if your feeling too full, but still need more calories, eat more fatty foods. Not because they will make you fat, but because they are calorie dense. I don't feel more full when I eat a fried egg vs poached, but I am getting more calories. Also, for me anyway, carbs tend to go away in my stomach faster than other things, and I tend to get ravenously hungry afterwards, which is great if you want to put on weight.
  • Chris_Pierce
    Chris_Pierce Posts: 267 Member
    Oh yeah, and whey protein is actually super cheap ( here in the states anyway) if you look at it per gram of protein. Can you get 40 grams of protein from a dollar worth of chicken?
  • Hello

    Dances with Wow...

    May the force be with you! Oh My..

    Eating a surplus is not a game so easily played nor is it necessary.. If the math was so easy..there would not be this discussion board..

    I know all will disagree but Calories only works when the body is in homeostasis. If there is a one to one relationship with lipolytic enzymes in the blood stream and enough food energy to keep them potent..

    Other wise..no matter how many calorie eaten unwanted body fat will place the entire metabolic system on lock down.. All systems will be shields on with full protective weaponization on full power..

    Whether it be gaining weight or loosing fat. Calorie count all you want.. manipulate micromanage follow any diet plan, carb plan, eat this not that plan and the result for 100% will be a dead end unless their body is the physio type in need of that approach..

    Other wise DEAD END..


    Calories in s calories out is a complete mis interpretation of what one should do to gain and what one should do to loose..

    You my friend are a boy with testosterone coursing through your veins ..It will be necessary to consume food energy that helps build the potency of this hormone to your advantage. Yes volume places a factor but only as each new pound is reached..

    Muscle grow fats over night but can be lost just as fast because virgin muscle gets dissolved by cortisol..a stress hormone that counter balances muscle mass. which is the real kind of weight you are looking to put on..

    each new pound needs a new level of food energy notice i did not say calories.. food energy.. there is a world of difference..
    Food energy mirrors calories and thats where the confusion..lifes..

    Food energy is your (protein number x the # of days in a week) average frequency /divided by your replenishment index..

    this actually calculates the how your body hormonal will use resources to keep lipolytic enzymes paid in full and to do their job .without triggering unwanted body fat from weaponizing..and raising shields to protect you from useless counter-fit foods.

    I know calories . I know it better than the scientist who thought it up and how its suppose to work..as I was once like every one here emersed..blinded..not seeing the true chain of events associated with human behavior and the evolution of how we eat

    The fallout has been outrageous.. Calories takes weeks to verify authenticate and validate.. if you mess up .. its do over.. You are the sinner.. weakling, no back bone..no inner strength no discipline..

    These are all negative out pourings associated with a barbarian at the gate way of controling something that cannot be controlled by a basic counting system.. 2 plus 2 does not in the body equal balance..it equals hormone imbalance..


    If you dont wish to be a slave to the process..and wish to acquire muscle the way nature would have you to..
    here are the rules..

    Calculate your protein number(Pn#) its the baseline biometric of your metabolic need..This metabolism speak for metabolic master key.. it gives you access to your specific nutrient profile..The whole idea is to make sure you never become metabolically bankrupt or even approach that territory..

    This is not a calorie surplus this a nutrient density..The more nutrients muscle will grow like a weed.. and becasue of testosterone you have.. every week you will witness filling out your frame..

    Its not weeks.. its every three days if you manage to supply the correct profile of protein and keep your workouts where your bdy is demanding a good profile of carbs and beneficial fat...

    There is not a problem with consuming sugar either as long as you keep double digit sugars from seeping over your threshold..

    Yes super hard bodies will frown on the very idea of a foreign amount of sugar..but thats because they know only ONE way to make there bodies develop.. the barbarian at the gate way.. Beat the hell out of it and make it submit..to their demand..at all costs til one day after years of trial and error..they if good fortune would have it BECOME.the image in their minds eye

    Its an addiction to exertion fatique..

    Well i know their way and I know as if i was in the Olympia itself..But thats not my goal..

    But I also know another faster Life force way.. that makes it possible to go forward without worry that you have a life to lead.. that you dont have to become a slave to the process..That people of walks of life can now embrace and not see fitness as alienating free will from will power.

    be that as it may..You want muscle..

    Lean clean and for ever toned..Well start with making sure you have your master key


    Follow the food frequency formula ( two before twelve and two after 2pm)
    Make sure you eat with in 30 minutes of when you finish working out
    Hydrate with Alkalized H2o 8.5 to 9.5
    Every 2.5 pound gain recalculate food energy
    Drop thermostat 5 degrees cooler at night while you sleep -

    As you near 10% of your goal muscle.. switch to a protein cocktail.. of three different sources in one sitting with portion matching the value of your protein number(Pn#)

    Increasing food frequency may be necessary as you approach goal weight..

    Have fun with it...

    thats the Food energy side..
    the weight training.. well

    friend me and maybe I will awaken the fitness within n that too

    mean while my name is

    Dances with Wow
    Looking to emit indomitable life force... friend me..

    You will feel better than I deserve..
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  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    ^^^^ definition of majoring in the minors/ selling some BS
  • I majored in what you majored in..
    except I toke the red pill.. You choose the blue...

    Steriod use always recoils to the facts..
    Never heard of a lipolytic enzyme.. never heard of a hormone.. yet when they inject themselves thats exactly what they are over riding..


    Interesting..Fortunately..I have two ways to teach what can never be sold..
    Im envious..does this mean I need to post my body building pictures to show my pac wheels and guns..

    Lets not go there.. I have a tan..and lats and legs to die for..
  • fangedneko
    fangedneko Posts: 133 Member
    except I toke
    This would explain a lot.
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  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    Wow, I don't think i have ever seen someone spout so much nonsense.

    I wanted to bold you whole statement but instead I chose just the most ridiculous.

    You should read his profile... it's indecipherable.
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    Anyway to the OP:

    If you're struggling with getting in enough calories with your current eating style, then you either need to

    a) Change your eating style, or
    b) add some high calorie foods alongside your existing diet (oils, nut butters, cheeses, full fat milk, etc).

    You really need to give an example of the sorts of things you typically eat. Then we can make some intelligent suggestions about how to tweak your diet and get you where you want to be.