Can a 128lb 19yr old male gain on less than 2000cal a day?

I'm a 5ft 11inch tall 19 yr old male weighing 128lbs, trying to recover from an ED with orders to gain weight.

I've been recording what I eat every day and it averages out at just under 2000 cals, and this is on my NEW diet, as in it is more than i used to.

I must have been maintaining on about 1600 a day before, but i've been on this new 2000 cal diet for about 3 months and seeing no difference.

Is it because my metabolism has just caught up? Or will I slowly see a difference? Realistically can anyone weighing what I do, who is quite active, gain on 2000 a day, generally speaking?

I think you should be able to gain on that intake unless you're an exercise fiend.  And at your height, you should stop gaining at a nice and healthy 160-170 lbs or so.

Some strength training and adequate protein while gaining would definitely be a good idea so you'll look and feel better and not be triggered by feeling "flabby" or whatever.

well I do a 20 minute run about 2 or 3 times a week and I walk for half an hour twice a day, and I don't seem to have gained any weight at all.

Generally speaking, those of you trying to gain weight out there, would you say 2000 is too little?

heyas... cardio such as running don't help in gaining weight unfortunately.. defintely look into strength training for your exercises. there are some in the Exercise section of this site, or check out http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/vinced3.htm In general, if you are at 2000 calories and haven't really seen a difference, maybe evaluate the actual types of food that make up those calories.. it's defintely beneficial to try to have most of your calories from non-junk foods. Or, it could just be time to increase your calories... stay strong, best wishes!

Rod,

You and I have similiar body frames (height / weight ratio). My nutritionist explained it to me like this, "1 pound is equal to 3500 calories." So if I want to gain weight I would have to consume an additional amount of calories per day in order to equate to one pound per week.

In your case you are only adding 400 calories a day so in about 10 days you will gain one pound (which is not bad) but the results may not be within the timeframe you are looking for?

Hope this helps!

Neal

You should eat more...a good and healthy way to do that is with fruit shakes

What? 2000? No way are you gonna gain on that! Seriously, you are 5ft 11, male and a teenager- all these three things: being tall, a boy and especially a teenager all mean your body needs considerable calories. I'm 18, 5ft 6, 84/5lb and female (also trying to gain weight recovering from anorexia). So far I' ve managed to get to 1700ish daily and am not seeing any weight gain, this is me pretty much sedentary! Soooooooooooooo, I'm sorry to be blunt but I have a feeling you will need quite a lot more- I would try 2500cals- I know that's probably pretty scary but you can do it- I'm gonna try really hard this week myself to get to 2000. I'm currently taking 2 Ensure plus a day which really help get my intake up- I know they are nutritionally balanced, I don't have to worry about weighing stuff out which can lead to me undermining the whole plan etc, and you can just treat them a bit like medicine. Just a recommendation! Anyway, good luck, sending lots of courage!

Rob,

Hey man, I think that you and I are very similar.  I don't want to trigger you in any way, so I won't say my exact stats, but they are very close to yours.  I am a 20 year old male as well recovering from anorexia.  Needless to say, I have seen 4 nutritionists since I started my recovery and all have said basically the same thing: that my caloric intake should be about 3500 calories with minimal exercise and extra for additional exercise.  It's a beast, my friend, but it is doable.  Bring on the peanut butter and protein shakes...I guess that we are all different, but I metabolize about 3000 per day, and I am guessing that you are similar.  I was maintaining weight on something like 1200, but did not start gaining until 3500, and it is slow gain.  Your metabolism adjusts; the body is really amazing.  My advice would be to just keep upping the caloric intake a little at a time until you actually start to gain weight at a good rate, then try to maintain that.  Have someone else monitor your weight if you don't want to and try not to get caught up in a daily numbers game.  Good luck dude, and know that you aren't alone.  Get a hold of me somehow for whatever if you want.

Peace,

DM

Hey, there's NO way you will gain anything form such a minimal amount of calories. Help is on the way:

First figure out your daily caloric needs. To figure that out multiply your BMR, (Basal Metabolic Rate), by one of these options:

click here for BMR calulator  http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

1. If you are sedentary (little or no exercise) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.2
2. If you are lightly active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.375
3. If you are moderatetely active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.55
4. If you are very active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days a week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.725
5. If you are extra active (very hard exercise/sports & physical job or 2x training) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.9

This number is the amount of calories you burn in a typical day...surprised?

Next, to gain weight in a healthy manner, you'll need to consume any where from 400-800 calories more than this per day. Any more than this, and your risking gaining unwanted body fat. Your calories ahould break down like this:

40% protien, 45% carbs and 15% fats. 

You'll want to spread those out through 6-8 small meals per day. The most important being as soon as you wake up, and right after a workout.

Also, you have to be patient. Gaining weight will take time. Think about this, a pund of muscle weighs about 2,500 calories, so with the right diet,, you can expect to gain anywhere from .5-4lbs of solid muscle per weak. Just be patient. If you still have trouble gaining weight, you can research supplements that will actually SLOW your metabolic rate down.