someone help me out here

So, as you may or may not know I'm trying to gain weight after.  I need about 1700 cals to maintain and about 2000-2200 to gain.  I've been trying to gain since the end of November, but all I have done is maintained.  I'm not losing anymore thank god, but i'm also not gaining.  I tried giving up exercise, but that resulted in sleepless nights so on days I work out I try to eat at least 300 extra calories.  So my question is, what do I need to do to gain.  I saw a nutritionist a few times and she was the one who told me to eat 2000-2200 calories.  Now I'm wondering if she was wrong and I really need more.  Any input would be appreciated greatly.

It all depends on your age, current weight and level of activity. If you exercise, which is good, you have to compensate for the loss in calories resulting from your activity. Since you are trying to gain weight, you'll have to absorb all the calories you have lost during exercise, plus something. For example, if you have done one hour of sport resulting in burning 350 cals, you'll have to eat that, plus a bit (2-300 cals) on top of your normal allowance of 2000 cals... If you log in your activity, the burn meter will add it automatically, so by following what's written at the top of the box, you can check if you ate enough or not. If the number there is above what you are eating, or just enough, you won't gain...

Try adding a chocolate milk with your afternoon snack, or add some cheese to your breakfast or at the end of your lunch... They are all things I can't do, like many here who are trying to LOSE weight... LOL  If you add more calories, try to add "good" ones, proteins  and naturally unsaturated fats, rather than transfats or "empty" carbs. Bananas, cherimoyas, nuts and avocados pack a lot of calories as well as a lot of nutrients.

Hope this helps! Have a nice day.

 

Every body is a bit different, but yours is going to require more calories before you can gain weight (we know this since it is stubbornly maintaining).  Your exercise may be burning more calories than you think it is (teens burn more for the same level of exertion - completely unfair).  It's also possible that your body is doing some internal growth and is using all the extra calories that you're giving it for that.

Try increasing your calories by another 300-500 per day.  This would be equivalent to a weight gain of 1/2 lb to 1 lb in a week.  I wouldn't go too wild at first because you really do want to know how your body is reacting.  If you're still maintaining after a week of this, add another 200 calories per day.  You should see a small weight gain which will tell you how many calories your body is actually burning each day.

just an fyi

I'm 28, 5'3" and am hestiant to post my weight b/c its low and I don't want to trigger others.

smwhipple is right.  just increase you calories.  I'm 32, 5'3" and have been trying to gain weight for years.  I need 1740 calories to gain my ideal weight (another 10 lbs) by this summer.  My average calories per day before was under 1000.  Now, my average calories is 1500 per day.  Someday I eat less but some day I eat more.  I know I need to be consistent but it is hard to eat so much.  However, I gained 2 lbs so far in 2 weeks since I found this site.  So I think I am on the right track.  Good luck to you!

need2gain - you're gaining weight and only eating 1500 cals?  How is that possible?  Thats considered a low-cal diet plan.  Most people eat that and lose.  I eat way more than that and can't gain.  Days that I don't work out I eat a minimum of 1800 and up to 2200.  On days I do workout I eat a minumum of 2200.  Maybe I'm burning more calories than I think when I workout.  I don't know what the deal is, but its frustrating. 

Instead of doing cardio exercise (walking, running, etc) replace that with strength training exercises (lifting weights). Not only will your muscles demand more calories and make you hungrier, but you will gain muscle - muscle weighs more than fat.

Your muscles require energy to repair and rebuild the muscles you have broken down while lifting weights; so this should solve the sleepless night problem. I always feel more tired on weight lifting days (about 20 minutes of cardio) compared to just cardio days (about 40 minutes).

Muttlover - I tried the stregth training thing for a few days, but can't seem to find a good routine/program.  Would you mind sharing with me your routine for each day of the week?  I really have been searching for a good workout plan lately.