I want to gain weight!

Are there any other females here trying to gain weight? I feel like I'm the only one :(
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Replies

  • Shouliveshappy
    Shouliveshappy Posts: 161 Member
    Yes!
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    edited August 2015
    Removed.
  • shayepretty
    shayepretty Posts: 3 Member
    I am :)
  • kirstens1984
    kirstens1984 Posts: 96 Member
    Yes I've just been told by my doctor that I've to put on between 4-7lbs :( I've lost just over 2 stone so this feels like a step in the wrong direction for me, but my periods stopped for a few months when I was at my lightest and as I have a strong family history of osteoporosis, and also because I would like another child, I have been advised to increase my weight from 112lb to 119lbs to get hormones back in check. What are your reasons for gaining weight? x
  • Shouliveshappy
    Shouliveshappy Posts: 161 Member
    Yes I've just been told by my doctor that I've to put on between 4-7lbs :( I've lost just over 2 stone so this feels like a step in the wrong direction for me, but my periods stopped for a few months when I was at my lightest and as I have a strong family history of osteoporosis, and also because I would like another child, I have been advised to increase my weight from 112lb to 119lbs to get hormones back in check. What are your reasons for gaining weight? x

    Similar reasons to yours. My period has stopped for 1 year now, dry skin, low in energy, and hair loss. My doctor told me to get my weight back up to 120 lbs. What's your height? I'm 5"2.

    Also... I want to gain strength!
  • Patttience
    Patttience Posts: 975 Member
    Yes low body weight can lead to infertility. Get into your healthy weight range.
  • kirstens1984
    kirstens1984 Posts: 96 Member
    Yes I've just been told by my doctor that I've to put on between 4-7lbs :( I've lost just over 2 stone so this feels like a step in the wrong direction for me, but my periods stopped for a few months when I was at my lightest and as I have a strong family history of osteoporosis, and also because I would like another child, I have been advised to increase my weight from 112lb to 119lbs to get hormones back in check. What are your reasons for gaining weight? x

    Similar reasons to yours. My period has stopped for 1 year now, dry skin, low in energy, and hair loss. My doctor told me to get my weight back up to 120 lbs. What's your height? I'm 5"2.

    Also... I want to gain strength!

    I'm 5' 3.5" so I know deep down that 110-112 is a bit on the low side. But yes, I'm shattered a lot of the time, low concentration levels and missed my period for 6 months. BMI is 19 and I thought that was ok, but doctor said it will have upset my hormones. I went on holiday recently and ate more, put on a couple of pounds and I've since had a period (albeit I've not had any more since!) So I guess the doctor is proven right. But I'm still 112lb now, need to change my mindset and realise its ok to gain a bit of weight as long as its muscle not just flab :) 120lb is probably where I'll aim for too, as that was the weight I was before I got pregnant with my little boy, so I must have been a healthy weight to conceive.

    How many calories are you aiming for per day to gain weight slowly? x
  • thompsonbritany
    thompsonbritany Posts: 2 Member
    I've been tiny my whole life... Never been able to gain.. Even went on the drop prova birth control shot and didn't gain! I'm at my lowest now! Range between 82-89... My highest has been about 110 I'm 5foot 5inches... I use to eat like a fat kid! But 5years ago became very sick with something called fibromyalgia it's effects my everyday life in the worst way! I'm in serve pain 24/7 every were all,over my body... Its caused me not to want to eat much... I try and try... I hate being skinny I wanna gain 70lbs most my drs don't seem like my weights a big deal... Due to my health being so bad... I'm 26 I want kids too but I'm sure with my weight use have issues also with my chronic pain.. Tjeres no way I could carry a child and I'm basically at a point I can't take care of myself... So uhh I'm a mess... I've grown up with people always asking if I'm a anorexic or bulemic... Or ppl just assuming... Uhh hate this...
  • pebbleslaura1
    pebbleslaura1 Posts: 146 Member
    Yep lots of weight gain needed so hard!
  • kirstens1984
    kirstens1984 Posts: 96 Member
    I've been tiny my whole life... Never been able to gain.. Even went on the drop prova birth control shot and didn't gain! I'm at my lowest now! Range between 82-89... My highest has been about 110 I'm 5foot 5inches... I use to eat like a fat kid! But 5years ago became very sick with something called fibromyalgia it's effects my everyday life in the worst way! I'm in serve pain 24/7 every were all,over my body... Its caused me not to want to eat much... I try and try... I hate being skinny I wanna gain 70lbs most my drs don't seem like my weights a big deal... Due to my health being so bad... I'm 26 I want kids too but I'm sure with my weight use have issues also with my chronic pain.. Tjeres no way I could carry a child and I'm basically at a point I can't take care of myself... So uhh I'm a mess... I've grown up with people always asking if I'm a anorexic or bulemic... Or ppl just assuming... Uhh hate this...

    I'm really sorry to hear of your condition, it must be really tough. You already know this but you are worryingly and alarmingly underweight, and the doctor should be concerned - have you tried seeking a second opinion? Is there medication available to control the pain? I'm no doctor but my guess was that if you could increase your weight to within the healthy range, you may find your symptoms reduce given that its a muscular skeletal disorder. Also have you thought about seeing a qualified dietician? I know there are certain foods that are beneficial for certain health problems but maybe someone suitably qualified could guide you in the right direction. Maybe there are high calorie supplements / shakes which could boost your calorie intake without feeling you are eating loads more than you can?

    I'm guessing its highly unlikely that you've had a period for a long while at a bmi of 14, this in itself may be worsening your condition - I've been told that due to my family history of osteoporosis, having no periods means low oestrogen, which can lead to low bone density and low bone strength.

    You mention gaining 70lbs which seems like a huge mountain to climb, I think you just need to aim to increase your bmi to above 20. At your height this would be a weight of approx 121lbs or more, which means gaining 40lbs, maybe a little more depending on how you feel when you get there.

    Sorry not to be much help as I'm not medically qualified. But I didn't want to read and run. Sounds like you know deep down what you need to do, and I'm sure with the right support you can get there. Feel free to add me if you need some encouragement :) good luck with your weight gain journey xx
  • Shouliveshappy
    Shouliveshappy Posts: 161 Member
    Yes I've just been told by my doctor that I've to put on between 4-7lbs :( I've lost just over 2 stone so this feels like a step in the wrong direction for me, but my periods stopped for a few months when I was at my lightest and as I have a strong family history of osteoporosis, and also because I would like another child, I have been advised to increase my weight from 112lb to 119lbs to get hormones back in check. What are your reasons for gaining weight? x

    Similar reasons to yours. My period has stopped for 1 year now, dry skin, low in energy, and hair loss. My doctor told me to get my weight back up to 120 lbs. What's your height? I'm 5"2.

    Also... I want to gain strength!

    I'm 5' 3.5" so I know deep down that 110-112 is a bit on the low side. But yes, I'm shattered a lot of the time, low concentration levels and missed my period for 6 months. BMI is 19 and I thought that was ok, but doctor said it will have upset my hormones. I went on holiday recently and ate more, put on a couple of pounds and I've since had a period (albeit I've not had any more since!) So I guess the doctor is proven right. But I'm still 112lb now, need to change my mindset and realise its ok to gain a bit of weight as long as its muscle not just flab :) 120lb is probably where I'll aim for too, as that was the weight I was before I got pregnant with my little boy, so I must have been a healthy weight to conceive.

    How many calories are you aiming for per day to gain weight slowly? x

    2200 now. But I will increase it to 2400 if I still don't see any results... How about u? I'm thinking of not tracking,,, so difficult as I eat out often...
  • EllenCawley2015
    EllenCawley2015 Posts: 3 Member
    Trying to gain weight and increase muscle at the same time is anyone struggling in finding a workout plan that doesn't centre around becoming lean or doing cardio?
  • EllenCawley2015
    EllenCawley2015 Posts: 3 Member
    I'm 114lb and about 5ft5/6 so not extremely healthy weight! Have put on a lb in a week though! High carbs and protein, finding fruit juice really helpful as it is high in carbs if anyone is finding eating big meals a struggle
  • KeepGood
    KeepGood Posts: 386 Member
    I'm 114lb and about 5ft5/6 so not extremely healthy weight! Have put on a lb in a week though! High carbs and protein, finding fruit juice really helpful as it is high in carbs if anyone is finding eating big meals a struggle

    Eating big meals is a struggle if you aren't used to it. I go with pistachios and whole milk to get an easy calorie boost.

    If you want to keep a hold of fat and build muscle you can cut back the cardio and stick more to the heavy lifting for building the muscle while not burning off too many calories with the cardio. :smile:
  • LaurenCole911
    LaurenCole911 Posts: 1 Member
    Yes I am 103 and my goal is to at least get up to 105 this month.
  • It's such a relief to know I am not the only one :) It's so hard to find out the right information to gain weight as a female. I've always been naturally very skinny and hated it but recently have lost even more weight from stress and anxiety, found out I'm intolerant to some foods too which makes it even more tricky to put the weight back on! I've always been trying to put weight on for as long as I can remember. I'm 5'7 and currently 112 lbs, At the moment I'm trying to get back to how I was before which was 119 lbs. I'd love to be a lot heavier but that is my goal for now! How is everyone finding their calorie goals? Mine is 2580 a day
  • Shouliveshappy
    Shouliveshappy Posts: 161 Member
    Yes I've just been told by my doctor that I've to put on between 4-7lbs :( I've lost just over 2 stone so this feels like a step in the wrong direction for me, but my periods stopped for a few months when I was at my lightest and as I have a strong family history of osteoporosis, and also because I would like another child, I have been advised to increase my weight from 112lb to 119lbs to get hormones back in check. What are your reasons for gaining weight? x

    Similar reasons to yours. My period has stopped for 1 year now, dry skin, low in energy, and hair loss. My doctor told me to get my weight back up to 120 lbs. What's your height? I'm 5"2.

    Also... I want to gain strength!

    I'm 5' 3.5" so I know deep down that 110-112 is a bit on the low side. But yes, I'm shattered a lot of the time, low concentration levels and missed my period for 6 months. BMI is 19 and I thought that was ok, but doctor said it will have upset my hormones. I went on holiday recently and ate more, put on a couple of pounds and I've since had a period (albeit I've not had any more since!) So I guess the doctor is proven right. But I'm still 112lb now, need to change my mindset and realise its ok to gain a bit of weight as long as its muscle not just flab :) 120lb is probably where I'll aim for too, as that was the weight I was before I got pregnant with my little boy, so I must have been a healthy weight to conceive.

    How many calories are you aiming for per day to gain weight slowly? x

    I was 2200 on saturday, but i felt hungry even after hitting 2200. I think it's my body telling me that it needs more nutrients to keep up with my level of activity. Hence I will be increasing it today 2300. No point resisting hunger when my body says FEEEEEEED ME!!!!

    How about you? What's your current calories intake now?
  • Shouliveshappy
    Shouliveshappy Posts: 161 Member
    Trying to gain weight and increase muscle at the same time is anyone struggling in finding a workout plan that doesn't centre around becoming lean or doing cardio?

    I am following ICF5X5 :)

  • Shouliveshappy
    Shouliveshappy Posts: 161 Member
    It's such a relief to know I am not the only one :) It's so hard to find out the right information to gain weight as a female. I've always been naturally very skinny and hated it but recently have lost even more weight from stress and anxiety, found out I'm intolerant to some foods too which makes it even more tricky to put the weight back on! I've always been trying to put weight on for as long as I can remember. I'm 5'7 and currently 112 lbs, At the moment I'm trying to get back to how I was before which was 119 lbs. I'd love to be a lot heavier but that is my goal for now! How is everyone finding their calorie goals? Mine is 2580 a day

    I use iifym.com lean body mass formula and key in my bodyfat% activity level etc. TDEE is about 2050 - 2150. As mentioned above:
    15 - 21 Aug: 2000-2100 calories (Weekly average 47.5kg)
    22 - 23 Aug: 2100-2200 calories (Lost weight, strength decreased while lifting, weighed myself for past 2 days: I was 46.6kg - 47kg)
    24 Aug: Decided to increase to 2300 - 2400 calories this week. Will check back in :)
  • kirstens1984
    kirstens1984 Posts: 96 Member
    Yes I've just been told by my doctor that I've to put on between 4-7lbs :( I've lost just over 2 stone so this feels like a step in the wrong direction for me, but my periods stopped for a few months when I was at my lightest and as I have a strong family history of osteoporosis, and also because I would like another child, I have been advised to increase my weight from 112lb to 119lbs to get hormones back in check. What are your reasons for gaining weight? x

    Similar reasons to yours. My period has stopped for 1 year now, dry skin, low in energy, and hair loss. My doctor told me to get my weight back up to 120 lbs. What's your height? I'm 5"2.

    Also... I want to gain strength!

    I'm 5' 3.5" so I know deep down that 110-112 is a bit on the low side. But yes, I'm shattered a lot of the time, low concentration levels and missed my period for 6 months. BMI is 19 and I thought that was ok, but doctor said it will have upset my hormones. I went on holiday recently and ate more, put on a couple of pounds and I've since had a period (albeit I've not had any more since!) So I guess the doctor is proven right. But I'm still 112lb now, need to change my mindset and realise its ok to gain a bit of weight as long as its muscle not just flab :) 120lb is probably where I'll aim for too, as that was the weight I was before I got pregnant with my little boy, so I must have been a healthy weight to conceive.

    How many calories are you aiming for per day to gain weight slowly? x

    I was 2200 on saturday, but i felt hungry even after hitting 2200. I think it's my body telling me that it needs more nutrients to keep up with my level of activity. Hence I will be increasing it today 2300. No point resisting hunger when my body says FEEEEEEED ME!!!!

    How about you? What's your current calories intake now?

    MFP reckons I need 1500 to maintain, so I'm having a bit more than that - averaging 1700 ish as is eat closer to 1500 in the week, and 2000-2200 at weekend as I have more time on my hands to cook / allow myself treats. Guess I should be eating a bit more than that then? I do get hungry, it's just a strange change of mindset for me to actually want the scales to go up rather than down having lost my baby weight (and a bit more!). It's the gaining strength I want to focus on, don't mind the scales going up if I am getting more muscle and toned. What exercise do you do for strength training? x
  • shreya1810
    shreya1810 Posts: 4 Member
    thompsonbritany and kirstens1984 - I am in the same boat as both of you. I am 5'5" and have dropped from 112 lb to 87lbs since June 2014. lost menstruation for 9 months and trying to gain weight really hard now. My blood sugar problems dont let me eat high carb food and I am vegetarian. So I am hardly at 1400-1500 cal. do you guys have any idea of high calorie meals which doesnt have too much sugar/carbs? thanks
  • keem88
    keem88 Posts: 1,689 Member
    i don't want to gain weight but my outpatient team hadn't weighed me in a long time, and when they did again (i had gotten sick with lyme and had lost my appetite and were concerned as illness causes set backs many times for people recovering from eating disorders). i am down to 106 at 5'5 and they want me to gain to 120. idk how to do that, it sounds terrifying. when i first gained weight with them i was in a research study taking zyprexa and i ballooned up super fast, and was not comfortable with that at all. scared that will happen again, back to only mostly consuming fruit and veg. feel free to friend me anyone trying to gain as well maybe we can help each other out.
  • Marialecaca
    Marialecaca Posts: 2 Member
    Hey! ive always been thin, it never bothered me until this year when i went sick. So i lost some pounds. I'm 1m65 for 49kg and i want to gain 5kilos. My Kcal goal is 2000 every d.
    I'm gonna try some exercises but i wish i could just eat more- I dont wanna exercise!

    Good luck team :)
  • Marialecaca
    Marialecaca Posts: 2 Member
    Been anorexic for 4 years :/
  • Does anyone know what type of exercises to do to help gain weight and become a bit more curvy? I've joined the gym but still feel quite clueless!
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    edited August 2015
    Does anyone know what type of exercises to do to help gain weight and become a bit more curvy? I've joined the gym but still feel quite clueless!

    OP, it seems like you haven't actually read any stickies or anything on gaining weight.

    A caloric surplus is needed to gain weight. What you do with that is your choice; if you lift weights with a progressive overload and meet your protein requirements, the weight will include muscle and fat.

    Bit more curvy? Strong Curves is your answer.

    If you feel clueless, you haven't researched enough.
  • devildogheath
    devildogheath Posts: 40 Member
    For hard gainers I don't think 2000 to 2500 is going to be enough to do the trick. I never saw any results until I started eating a minimum of 5k a day.
  • Does anyone know what type of exercises to do to help gain weight and become a bit more curvy? I've joined the gym but still feel quite clueless!

    OP, it seems like you haven't actually read any stickies or anything on gaining weight.

    A caloric surplus is needed to gain weight. What you do with that is your choice; if you lift weights with a progressive overload and meet your protein requirements, the weight will include muscle and fat.

    Bit more curvy? Strong Curves is your answer.

    If you feel clueless, you haven't researched enough.

  • unfortunately there seems to be a lot of information out there to gain weight for men or to loose weight, but not so much for females who are trying to gain weight. If you have just stepped foot in the gym it can be quite intimidating, especially as the weight area is male dominated. I have lost weight from being ill and so am working to gain my weight back. I was merely asking if any females could recommend any exercises to do or work outs to help me. Me asking for help is a way of finding out more information from people who are in the same boat as me.
  • 3bambi3
    3bambi3 Posts: 1,650 Member
    unfortunately there seems to be a lot of information out there to gain weight for men or to loose weight, but not so much for females who are trying to gain weight. If you have just stepped foot in the gym it can be quite intimidating, especially as the weight area is male dominated. I have lost weight from being ill and so am working to gain my weight back. I was merely asking if any females could recommend any exercises to do or work outs to help me. Me asking for help is a way of finding out more information from people who are in the same boat as me.

    Men and women gain weight the same way; you don't need a special program. Just eat :smile: and lift. If you are finding yourself full but low on calories, add in nuts, butters, oils, or other calorie dense foods.

    If you are looking for a good beginner lifting program:
    New Rules of Lifting for Women
    Starting Strength
    Strong Lifts 5x5
    Strong Curves

    Best of luck!