Skinny Newbie, need to gain weight and have toned body

healthysaver
healthysaver Posts: 2
in Getting Started
Hi,
I've joined the forum last year but never followed through with workouts. Now I'm back on the wagon again and this time, I don't want to fall again.
I'm 5 ft 1, weighs about 90 lbs. It is in my gene that I can't seem to gain weight. I've heard not so pleasant comments about being skinny all my life. I'm in the early 40s and I want to have a toned body and gain weight (not necessarily bulky weight). My problem areas are muffin top belly (from having kids), flabby arms and legs and overall not strong (looks weak).
Could you guys recommend what kind of work out I can do (preferably at home)? I just did almost 2 hours of Fitness Blender workouts to start off (I know at night!). Can I gain weight and have a toned body doing Fitness Blender type exercise at home?
Do I need to lift weight if I want to gain weight (that's what I heard)??
What would you recommend for routines?
Thanks in advance.

Replies

  • abadvat
    abadvat Posts: 1,241 Member
    Lifting is only a portion of the getting big theory - first need to eat - you eat big, you train big, you get big.
    Irrelevant if you want to be bulky or just "toned" you still need to eat at minimum level of maintenance to substantiate the effort of lifting and eventually the recovery.
    Your TDEE at 90 lbs is very low - how much / what do you eat?
  • healthysaver
    healthysaver Posts: 2
    For the daily food consumption, I mostly eat rice, vegetable, fruits and not much meat (I'm not a Vegetarian but don't care for them too much). When I prepare meat for meals at home, I eat it sometimes. I don't consume much of Dairy either. (For understanding it better, I'm Asian so my diet habit was formed like this for a long time LOL).
    Can I get a toned body without weight lifting? Can I gain weight without lifting?
    So I need to eat more (Protein maybe) and exercise more?
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    Can I get a toned body without weight lifting? Can I gain weight without lifting?
    So I need to eat more (Protein maybe) and exercise more?
    get protein, lift heavy weights.
  • Cryptonomnomicon
    Cryptonomnomicon Posts: 848 Member
    Can I get a toned body without weight lifting? Can I gain weight without lifting?
    So I need to eat more (Protein maybe) and exercise more?
    get protein, lift heavy weights.
    I concur, or your could do some kind of equivalent if you just can not bring yourself to do weights per se. Some kind of body weight program like you are your own gym or Convict Conditioning but you would just be emulating weight training but you have to find a program that you will enjoy or it will not stick...that being said I still concur that weight training/heavy lifting is your best option and I highly recommend you try it, you might be surprised and really enjoy it! Most people become addicted because it both feels satisfying and the results are gratifying (worst poetry ever)

    *Nods true story*
  • NicoleLawrence98
    NicoleLawrence98 Posts: 53 Member
    My sister has the same problem,eat lots of proteins which help gain muscle mass, eat more food that's got more fat and protein content. Have plenty of healthy snacks during the day. Do push ups, squats, burpees, ab exercises, and look on you tube for workouts and ways to gain weight if you have a fast metabolism.
  • abadvat
    abadvat Posts: 1,241 Member

    Can I get a toned body without weight lifting? Can I gain weight without lifting?
    So I need to eat more (Protein maybe) and exercise more?

    Toning is a misconception - what you want is growing muscles so get out of the "toning" mambo jambo.

    Can you gain wiehgt without lifting - yes but you need to eat.
    Eat more and exercise more - yes, that would be ideal in order to substantiate muscle growth.
    Protein is an essential macronutrient not to be neglegted when looking into growing muscle.
    Do not consider protein as sollely meat - being asian, stay away from dairy (unless you can digest it obviously) think legumes (lentils, beans, chickpeas), think tofu, eggs, fish.... some vegetables too punch in a good amount of protein whilst still delivering carbs (broccoli as an example).
    Being asian rice might be a staple of you diet - enjoy it!
    Bottom line - eat more - progressivelly. You might not be able to start eating excessive amounts from one day to another. Example, add 100 calories - get used to it, eventually add 100 more and so on!

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