Gaining weight is so hard

124

Replies

  • monikker
    monikker Posts: 322 Member
    Anyway, hopefully OP has a few more ideas now. And using MJ isn not a bad idea at all, there's no "type" - that's just a myth that certain types of people use it. You'd be surprised. It is definitely useful to help stimulate appetite.
  • kynsie2
    kynsie2 Posts: 35 Member
    Thanks! I just switched from white bread, which I know is horrid health wise, to 100% wholegrain. Yep 2 ensures a day.
    Eating healthy and having GERD and an ulcer makes it difficult.
    Thank you
  • kynsie2
    kynsie2 Posts: 35 Member
    I have asked my dr about this. He seems ok but hesitant about it. And it's difficult to obtain, with the procedures you have to go thru.
    I need to be happy with my weight also, and ignore the rude people who make comments. To thi or to heavy and people seem to feel they have a right to make comments. :(
  • kynsie2
    kynsie2 Posts: 35 Member
    Thank you Kalikel!!
  • isamann
    isamann Posts: 16 Member
    OP, I have a similar problem to you, gaining weight is so hard, and people who don't have this problem just don't understand, they say things like "I wish I had your problem."

    If I'm looking to gain weight, would it be OK (or healthy?) to eat a relatively large dinner before sleeping? Or is that not healthy either.
  • RHachicho
    RHachicho Posts: 1,115 Member
    Ok here's a few tips. Based on the fact that you don't seem to want to eat unhealthy calories.

    Nuts are your friend. When you are busy on the computer or reading a book try to have a bowl of nuts handy for snacking. A big bowl of nuts can easily be over 1000 calories and you can get through a big bowl quite easily snacking throught the day. The fats in them are very healthy and they contain a lot of nutrition.

    If you like them protein shakes are a good idea. Mix them up with full fat milk. Personally I think they are delicious and I savour them when it's time to have them. For you .. that could pretty much be whenever you feel like one. Not only that but the protein in them will help you to fill out with a little muscle not just fat. And most protein powders are quite rich in micronutrients. And milk itself is extremely good nutrition wise.

    Ice cream .. I know I know you don't want empty calories. But honestly for a high calorie snack you can actually do a lot worse than ice cream. It is high fiber and good for the old digestive flow.

    Little things add up as well. IF you cook chicken breasts make sure you get skin on. Season the hell out of that skin and crispy it up! It will be delicious and calorific. If you make a salad add a bit more olive oil to the dressing than you otherwise might. And in my humble opinion there's almost nothing savory that couldn't do with a little grated parmesan.

    It might help you to read a lot of the diet nutrition tricks and think opposite. The kind of things they take away you need to make sure you have. The kind of things that add calories without really ruining or changing the food.

    I hope i helped.
  • RHachicho
    RHachicho Posts: 1,115 Member
    OP, I have a similar problem to you, gaining weight is so hard, and people who don't have this problem just don't understand, they say things like "I wish I had your problem."

    If I'm looking to gain weight, would it be OK (or healthy?) to eat a relatively large dinner before sleeping? Or is that not healthy either.

    Honestly I think a large dinner before bed is the way to go. You want to have your system happily digesting that food all night long right? There's nothing actually unhealthy about eating late. It's just that some people like to take advantage of such a large period of unconsciousness to help starve the body of calories for a time. For you however that is decidedly unproductive.
  • LAT1963
    LAT1963 Posts: 1,375 Member
    Are you steady at a low weight, or is your weight dropping on the same diet that used to be enough?

    If you are actually *losing* weight then you may have an underlying medical problem that hasn't yet been diagnosed.

    Likewise, these days many ulcers can be cured with antibiotics (they are most commonly caused by bacteria H. pylori, not 'stress', though stress worsens symptoms). You should also be treated for your GERD because untreated it can lead to Barrett's esophagus, a risk factor for cancer.
  • dawnmcneil10
    dawnmcneil10 Posts: 638 Member
    Yes, how to eat only healthy foods and gain weight. I don't want to eat empty calories from sugars and processed stuff.
    Trouble is, I am never hungry or sometimes I get so busy I realize I forgot to eat.
    Eating more is really it, but what to eat that is healthy and calorie rich.
    Thanks.

    Maybe my experience will help you. I am one of those forget to stop and eat people who never really got the hunger feeling either so I prelog my foods, you can still make adjustments for the day but I find it helps me see what I should be eating for the day. For instance I have breakfast around 7:30am and I need protein for breakfast so usually it's egg/meat/dairy based. A mid morning snack around 10am of fruit with or without peanut butter or nuts. Lunch (anywhere from noon - 2pm) is usually full of veggies with a good amount of protein if it's salad (one of my favorites) its usually got cheese, nuts, chicken, avacado and so on depending on what happens to be available on the salad bar. My favorite afternoon snack is plain greek yogurt with fresh berries and granola which I usually eat around 3pm. Dinner is made up of whatever is left, low on veggies I eat more of those, low on protein I'll find 2 protein sources like cottage cheese and chicken breast for example and sometimes I go for the big ole turkey burger (can't eat beef) if I'm lacking in whole grains. You'll need to find what works for you but I would strongly suggest prelogging your food, it might just remind you that you need to eat, that's what it did for me.
  • 5'2 and 98 pounds seems fine, why do you wish to gain weight?
  • catramsey2
    catramsey2 Posts: 24 Member
    You are eating meals a person that wants to lose weight eats from what you describe.
  • caesar164
    caesar164 Posts: 312 Member
    They used to sell this weight gainer in the 90s; mega mass 2000; anyone remember it? 2000 calories per serving lol..the Op could sip one of these throughout the day, if something similar is available?? How about a jar of nutella a day, and a pint of haagen daaz??
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    Snack.
    Eat chocolate.
    And cheesecake.
  • techgal128
    techgal128 Posts: 719 Member
    If you have GERD, be careful with eating a big meal before bed. Especially things with a lot of acid such as tomatos or orange juice. I speak from experience.

    I agree with everyone else with doing things like drinking whole milk, eating chicken with the skin on, cooking with olive oil, etc. You should concentrate on eating constantly throughout the day rather than stuffing yourself sick because that can trigger your GERD.
  • kynsie2
    kynsie2 Posts: 35 Member
    Thanks!
    I was going to try ice cream every night, but it has so much sugar!
    I do snack on cherries and or strawberries in the evening.
    I thought cheesecake, but not exactly very good for you.
    I want to keep all my cholesterol low and my heart healthy.
    At my age, I need every little bit of healthiness as possible.
    Breakfast was cherrios with a banana and an ensure along with 8 oz of Kefir
    I had a peanut butter sandwich on 7 grain wheat bread with Polaner jam, an ensure and a banana for lunch.
    Supper will be grilled salmon with spinach cooked in olive oil and garlicand probably a bottle of lemon water.
    I'm going to have strawberries with whipped creme for desert and I bet todays total calories don't even break 1,700
  • kynsie2
    kynsie2 Posts: 35 Member
    5'2 98 pds and I get tired of buying my clothes in the children's section.
    I want a butt lol.
    Started walking 2 to 3 miles a day so now I need more calories but I have more stamina and am not as tired as I usually was.
    Went for blood work today, my every 2 year ck up.
    I have been to a gastro but had no money for tests.
    Still don't have any insurance but i can charge one visit and 1 test so when blood work comes back I will go back.
    Sad, but now eating has become a chore and not something I look forward to.
  • kd1575a
    kd1575a Posts: 21 Member
    The black and white way in which you see food is not helping you to gain weight. If you really want to eat healthfully, everyone here has given you great advice that you've ignored-nuts and dairy! Rethink the way you think. See things without your preconceived notions of "health" and eat more types of food, in moderation. Have you ever considered that you might be missing out on essential micronutrients by eating such a limited number of foods? Instead of cold cereal in the morning, make oatmeal with nuts, raisins/craisins, chia seeds, fruit, etc. to really bulk up calories in a VERY healthy way.
  • ELLena22
    ELLena22 Posts: 2
    A friend of mine's daughter was having trouble keeping weight on for her age. (85 lbs and 17 years old) The Dr. recommended that every morning she drink a milk shake which consisted of Breyer's vanilla ice cream, a splash of whole milk, honey, and a tablespoon of added sugar. and this she drank with her "breakfast." Doing this she was able to put on 10 lbs and get up to 95 lbs in about six months.

    try it! I'm sure you could do whatever ice cream you like as well.
  • RavenLibra
    RavenLibra Posts: 1,737 Member
    Nothing a lb of bacon with a couple of baked potatoes with all the fixin's three times a week won't cure...
  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
    Thanks!
    I was going to try ice cream every night, but it has so much sugar!
    I do snack on cherries and or strawberries in the evening.
    I thought cheesecake, but not exactly very good for you.
    I want to keep all my cholesterol low and my heart healthy.
    At my age, I need every little bit of healthiness as possible.
    Breakfast was cherrios with a banana and an ensure along with 8 oz of Kefir
    I had a peanut butter sandwich on 7 grain wheat bread with Polaner jam, an ensure and a banana for lunch.
    Supper will be grilled salmon with spinach cooked in olive oil and garlicand probably a bottle of lemon water.
    I'm going to have strawberries with whipped creme for desert and I bet todays total calories don't even break 1,700
    Why is sugar (and cheesecake) bad for you, specifically?
  • kynsie2
    kynsie2 Posts: 35 Member
    Sugar is not good for you. There is so much sugar in all foods we eat that most people get way way over the recommended amount as it is.(Look at the sugar amount in just a can of tomato sauce)
    Cheesecake, one of the main things my father in laws cardiologists recommended avoiding along with my aunts dr. She was diabetic.
    I love cheesecake! I could eat a whole big slice. I detest chocolate but sometimes snack on dark choc.
    I bought a blender and was going to get Breyers vanilla ice creme and put a banana in it or some strawberries in it.
    Boyfriend had a fit.
    "You're going to eat that garbage? You know thats poison right?"
    So, haven't had any yet.
    Going to buy some walnuts tonight and try Quino (sp)? Never had that before.
    I love oatmeal but it's very filling.
  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
    Sugar is not good for you. There is so much sugar in all foods we eat that most people get way way over the recommended amount as it is.(Look at the sugar amount in just a can of tomato sauce)
    Cheesecake, one of the main things my father in laws cardiologists recommended avoiding along with my aunts dr. She was diabetic.
    I love cheesecake! I could eat a whole big slice. I detest chocolate but sometimes snack on dark choc.
    I bought a blender and was going to get Breyers vanilla ice creme and put a banana in it or some strawberries in it.
    Boyfriend had a fit.
    "You're going to eat that garbage? You know thats poison right?"
    So, haven't had any yet.
    Going to buy some walnuts tonight and try Quino (sp)? Never had that before.
    I love oatmeal but it's very filling.
    I'm sorry, I missed the part where you explained how/why sugar and cheesecake is bad for you. All I saw was an evidence-free (and context-free) assertion that it is. (Yet you ignore the fact that being underweight is bad for you.)

    And why would advice given to your diabetic aunt be relevant to you? Are you diabetic?
  • kd1575a
    kd1575a Posts: 21 Member
    Sugar is not poison and Breyers vanilla ice cream has literally 5 ingredients in it, all of which are recognizable. Please ask yourself if youre eating healthy for you or for your boyfriend. What you described should not cause a "fit," especially in the context of someone teetering on underweight.
  • caesar164
    caesar164 Posts: 312 Member
    With that attitude your Never gaining weight!!Ever!!! How much does your boyfriend weigh?? He's holding you back!! Doesn't he like food either? To much sugar really?? At this point your just trolling!!!
  • kynsie2
    kynsie2 Posts: 35 Member
    sugar
    http://drhyman.com/blog/2014/02/07/eggs-dont-cause-heart-attacks-sugar/#close
    This is just one link.
    More and more doctors are coming out that sugar is the main culprit
  • caesar164
    caesar164 Posts: 312 Member
    Aren't you logging your macros??? Just make it fit in your current caloric goals and you'll be fine!!!
  • caesar164
    caesar164 Posts: 312 Member
    Do you live in the US?? You should have insurance at your age... This way you could get regular blood work done, and see for yourself, that the sugar and fat will not kill you!!! I think both you and your boyfriendmay have some form of eating disorder or food phobia... If your active you should be able to use those carbs/sugars as energy, as nature intended...
  • caesar164
    caesar164 Posts: 312 Member
    2000 calories is the daily recommended amount by the fda, and you can't even reach that???
  • SuperstarDJ
    SuperstarDJ Posts: 441 Member
    Sugar is not good for you. There is so much sugar in all foods we eat that most people get way way over the recommended amount as it is.(Look at the sugar amount in just a can of tomato sauce)
    Cheesecake, one of the main things my father in laws cardiologists recommended avoiding along with my aunts dr. She was diabetic.
    I love cheesecake! I could eat a whole big slice. I detest chocolate but sometimes snack on dark choc.
    I bought a blender and was going to get Breyers vanilla ice creme and put a banana in it or some strawberries in it.
    Boyfriend had a fit.
    "You're going to eat that garbage? You know thats poison right?"

    So, haven't had any yet.
    Going to buy some walnuts tonight and try Quino (sp)? Never had that before.
    I love oatmeal but it's very filling.

    I'm beginning to think you're never going to gain any weight until you lose the boyfriend :-/
  • AliceDark
    AliceDark Posts: 3,886 Member
    sugar
    http://drhyman.com/blog/2014/02/07/eggs-dont-cause-heart-attacks-sugar/#close
    This is just one link.
    More and more doctors are coming out that sugar is the main culprit
    With your stats, being underweight is a much more significant health hazard than eating sugar.