Slow and steady wins the race... weight gain that is!

Hello! I am a new member of calorie count plus and was very excited to come accross this forum. I am 29 years old, 5'1", and weigh around 86lbs (yes, too thin but trying to gain weight). I've been trying to gain weight and after some struggles (recovering anorexic) and ready to win my battle!

That being said, I am seeking some advice on the best strategies that will allow me to gain weight in a healthy fashion but not too quickly. I've been trying really hard - in fact, last weekend and for a few weeks now, I've added several snacks (1/2 Tbsp. PB on bread, 1c ice cream, 2 cookies) in addition to my daily diet (which is very healthy) and recently lost weight. Yes, I LOVE to stay active and realize that I should either decrease my exercise or increase my food intake... however, when I increase my food intake I lost 2 lbs - last week my weight was 84lbs. I know it's too low and am trying very hard to gain... any suggestions or how to best approach my issue and win?!

One concern lies in not wanting my gain to come overnight. I know that it is almost impossible (i.e. 3500 cals in addition to your daily caloric intake to gain 1lb.) but just want to take it slow and naturally. Am I being unrealistic? Any help for successful gainers would be wonderful!!

Thanks, in advance, for your help!! I really want to do this!!!

hey, wecome to cc! I'm relatively new too! I'm at the same weight as you 86lb but am 5'5-6 so def need to put on some weight too (recovering from anorexia as well)

I have been "trying" to do this for some time now but with no success- so obviously "trying" isnt enough, i've got to mean it! I completely agree with you that slow and steady is the best as it gives you time to adjust to the new weight and be ok with it etc. however.... you don't want to go too slow i.e.NOT MOVING like i have been, i mean its just putting a hold on your life for even longer and im pretty sure you want it back right? (By the way do you mean you put on 2 pounds rather than lost like you said?) If so, that's really good and you should be proud of yourself. The recommended rate of weight gain is 1-2 pounds a week so that's perfect! You will probably find apparently according to what i've been reading rather than personal experience that you need to keep adding to your intake in order to keep up the weight gain or your body will get used to the new amount and start to either maintain or lose on that amount of food.

So, although not yet a successful gainer i hope to be soon and i hope that helps you a bit!!

xx

Thanks Headingup for the response!  It did help to hear your advice and as horrible as it is to be in our situation, it makes me feel less alone.  I cannot agree with more on not wanting to move too slow but it's still so hard.  Being in recovery for 10 years, you'd think I would get over this by now... unfortunately, I'm still here fighting the fight.

I actually had a good "eating day" and was trying not to think too much about what I was consuming. I'm focusing on the positive but when I put in my posting that I lost weight when I kept adding food, I did lose.  I could not believe it... this week though, I gained a pound of it back (I'm now 85.4lbs as of the other day), which I am very proud of.

Have you been able to find any tricks or foods that help stay motivated and focused?  It sounds like you're on your way - recognition is key!

I know you too are fighting the tough battle but I know you can do it.  You are not alone... we'll both "gain" our lives back - it's much better than focusing on the number :)  Life is just too short...

 

 

I struggle sometimes with trying to get motivated to gain weight back at this point in my recovery because I feel perfectly fine and like the way that I look a lot more than I used to.  Its strange for me b/c I haven't gotten sick since I've been recovering (not even a cold this winter), my mile times have gotten much quicker since last year, and my skin's much clearer.  Unfortunately, I haven't had my period since September, so I know that internally I'm truly not as healthy as I may feel.  When I started recovering, I at least felt a little okay about eating more b/c I was really starting to feel stronger, but like I said, I feel fine now so it sometimes just feels pointless to gain more weight.

Perhaps this is asking too much, but if anyone else has similar feelings, or is in a similar situation, maybe we could keep in contact like "weight gain partners" to try and motivate eachother.  I don't know, I just think that it'd help me alot to do it with someone else.

snoppb, You sound exactly like me (I am 28 almost 29 5'1 and 85 lbs.) except I have never had an eating disorder. I have always been extremely thin and no medical issues but I have been trying to gain weight for years. I hate being so thin. I just recently started using the calorie count program and after counting my calories for two days I realized I was only consuming around 1200 a day and that is probably why I do not gain. I started increasing my calories over the last few days and have got up to 86-87 lbs. so hopefully just an increase in healthy calories will do what I accomplish. I wouldn't decrease your exercise but increase your calories a little more each day until you gain what you want. I always say I would rather be a little overweight than under and most men prefer woman a little overweight verses to thin.

kate777 I can COMPLETELY relate to your feelings.  In fact, I feel that it's because of the those feelings (that I feel great, more energy, think I look pretty good, etc.) that I have been so unsuccessful so far in my progress.  In my brain I know that I'm not at a healthy weight (no period for me either) but I haven't connect to my heart/feelings to recognize that I really do need to gain.  I'm not sure how tall you are but I've always been small - height, bone structure, etc. so a little gain goes a long way for me - not a lot of "room" for the weight to go :)

I would definitely like to win the battle together!  Like you, I'm really focusing on gaining just a little bit for now - about 6 lbs for now (I'm working with my therapist and determined that I need to start slow before jumping too far ahead of myself - no more relapse, been there done with that!).

Let's do it... I know we can make it!!  Maybe we can start by making daily challenges (i.e. adding a 200 snack and decrease cardio by 5 minutes) and write about it?  We can hold each other to it and talk about our struggles?!  Just a thought... I'm just ready to succeed and conquer.  It's so funny that I am so successful in a lot of things in my life (i.e. job, husband/support, dog, etc.) but cannot seem to succeed in the internal struggle.  Hmmm...

Thoughts??? 

 

southernchick that's too funny about our profiles.  I, too, calculated my calories recently (I'm trying to stay away from that with my ED) and even though I was so stuffed and felt like I ate a lot, I was only at about 1200 as well.  I could not believe it.  Do you have any foods that you found were easier to add over others?  I'm not a big fan of adding calories via beverages... maybe it's making the most but I'd rather eat something good than just drink it.

I've added small things - like Luna bars, an extra PB sandwich, a few almonds... but I am not sure I'm eating enough of those things, just to be honest.

I have just been eating more calories for breakfast and in between meals. I used to eat only a little for breakfast and then wait until lunch and I always eat a good lunch. Dinner is hard for me because I get off work late around 9 or 10pm and do not eat a proper dinner. I have been eating a real dinner the last couple days after work with a lot of calories when I get home and I drink ensure weight gain after lunch and before I go to my night job. I thought I was eating plenty and then when I added up my calories...I wasn't really eating as much as I thought. I eat healthy meals and have added more snacks in between like nuts but I have a sweet tooth and have added more chocolate and sweets too. The problem is if I do not maintain this new amount of calories each day I will lose weight fast and sometimes it is not always easy to eat with two jobs even if I am really hungry.

Hey everyone, hope its going well for you all, just been reading all the posts. Kate and snoopb totally know what you mean about the difficulty in motivating yourself to do this because you feel totally fine etc. I too don't really have any problems with being at such a low weight (86 pounds 5'5/6) except for lack of periods (haven't had one for almost 2 years now- yikes!!) but even that is hard to motivate myself for as they are not exactly pleasant and wanting to have children seems a long way off as I'm only 17(18 in a week!). Currently feel like I'm only even attempting weight gain to get my mum off my back etc. and also a few weeks back I was incredibly emotional and crying for no reason all the time. I have since increased cal intake I am at about 1500 cals a day at the moment and havn't gained any weight at all, so this is the lowest weight I have been.

Do you guys plan what you are going to have the night before? I find that if I didn't write it down I would completely cut down so I always do- I have 3 smallish meals, 2 Ensure plus (330 cals each) and a small mug hot choc before bed. I know I could make more of an effort but currently I am really struggling to see any good reason to put on any weight at all.

 

Any help??? xxxxxx

Hang in there Headingup!  I think what we all need to do is just avoid the behaviors that have keep us at our lower weights (i.e. writing what we eat, calculating calories, etc.)... I know it's easier said then done but we can do it.  We have to focus on the goal at hand, that we need to gain weight.  As we "gain" our lives back (via healthy bodies as a start) we have to focus on why it's so important to stay so small (i.e. the mental part).  

I tried today to not focus on what I was eating (i.e. no mental calorie counting -very hard to do!) and I had to really catch myself and remind myself why I was eating more than I usually do.  Of course, when I got overwhelmed and stressed with work/life, I immediately start feeling uncomfortable and don't want to do it anymore, meaning the gaining weight.  It's not right and I just have to feel the uncomfortableness and tell myself that it is just a feeling.

Each morning when I'm getting my lunch/snacks together for the day I have a pep talk reminding myself that I need to focus on my health.  I do have to pre-plan a little b/c I, too, would probably not eat as much as I should to gain. 
Maybe we should avoid writing down what you'll be eating/are eating as it may cause a trigger and get discouraged from moving forward. 

Being almost 18 (happy early birthday!), you really need increase your body mass... if you are 4-5 inches taller than I am and we weigh the same, that should definitely say something.  I think the biggest thing is that you need to be gaining the weight for you... it will mean more if you do (vs. for your mom or others - I deal with that myself so I can understand you internal struggle!).

We're on our way... we can do this!! :)