Need advice about gaining weight

A

AmyCaitlyn

Active Member
I will try to keep this as simple as possible. After my daughter turned one, I got serious again about getting back into shape. I only gained about 30 lbs. with my pregnancy and once I finished breastfeeding at 9 months, my body lost the remaining 10 lbs. that would not budge while I was still breastfeeding. Since then I discovered the Firm, and then finally Cathe:D Working out at home with a young child was just much more feasible for me. Though I still go to the gym two times a week for an advanced step class, I love working out at home with Cathe (haven't touched a Firm in months).

I also have a history of anorexia (for most of my twenties). I am now 35 and consider myself recovered for about 8 years. While I now eat completely normally and don't have anymore food phobias, some residual body image problems remain. Anyway, I have been going through some difficult personal problems lately, specifically with my marriage. We may end up spliting up...I don't know. Through it all, I have lost weight, not intentionally, but probably due to stress. I weighed myself the other day b/c people have commented to me about losing weight, and I am now 114 at 5' 8". I realize that this is too thin for me and I don't want to go down that road again, especially considering that I want to be a healthy example for my 3 year old daughter. My question is, I want to gain some weight, but I have worked so hard at getting back in shape and I don't want to just gain fat. Should I just focus on weight lifting and cut back on cardio?

I work out about 6 days a week, alternating cardio and strength training for about an hour a day, sometimes more, sometimes less. My diet is healthy, but hardly "clean". I try to eat lots of fruits and veggies, lean protein and have been cutting back on carbs a bit. But, I do enjoy wine and chocolate.

I would appreciate any advice...this is weighing heavily on my mind. Thanks for any input.

Amy
 
Hi Amy,
I went to the doc. for anorexia too (about 11 years ago). One thing they told me to gain weight was to drink a lot of juices (better than water and diet soda). If you eat a lot of fruits & veggies they will probably fill you up quickly, but juice will not fill you up, and it is also healthy. I'm still a little picky about what I eat, I don't think that will ever go away, but I do eat a lot more so I will have the strength and energy to run, lift weights, and enjoy life.
Good luck to you,
Laura
 
I think if this were my problem, I would cut back on cardio (and perhaps either drop one day of exercise or cut two days' workouts in half) and I would focus on drinking more caloric drinks, like milk. It must be tough, though, especially if you don't want to eat the junky stuff.

It could be that your weight is healthy for you. If you're not hungry and you're not working out excessively, this could be where your body wants to be.

Good luck!
 
Don't cut back on carbs. Eat quality carbs with lean protein and good fats. I would focus on strength training and do moderate cardio. Build some lean mass. You have to eat enough calories to lay down muscle. Too much cardio can deter that. Otherwise, I agree, it's fine to be light as long as you are healthy!
http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/user.gif Bobbi
 
Amy:

keep the weight training definitely. Maybe 2 or 3 cardios max per week.

I thin you should aim for about 128 pounds. I am the same height as you, and anything under 128 pounds makes me look terrible, sick, unhealthy. But I know how difficult it can be to eat more, especially when you have suffered anorexia in the past (I have too), and still have body image issues (I have too). I am trying to improve my nutrition and health right now too.

What I am doing is making sure I eat protein at every meal, and more of it than I was. Eggs for breakfast, lentils for lunch, fish for dinner, peanuts and almonds for snacks, that kind of thing. I am not shunning healthy fats either, and taking a range of supplements to make sure I cover all bases.

I agree with Bobbi, put the carbs back in, in the most digestible way possible. Not loading up on cake and cookies, but maybe a baked potato or sweet potato, wholewheat bread with your soup, rice with your stew, etc.

Don't stuff yourself, it will only turn you off food even more and it can feel so uncomfortable. I like a milky drink at bedtime, helps promote sleep, gives me vits and calcium, protein and carbs, all in a choclately package. You love choc, so try it! It'll easily give you an additional 200 calories extra per day.

Make deals wwith yourself: before you allow yourself to eat that chocolate in the evening, eat apiece of fruit or have a oghurt first. That's what I do also, it means I'll eat less choc too because I will be fuller. Or, if you are having wine, skip the dessert, wait a little while after dinner, then enjoy your wine with some crackers and really excellent cheese, whatever you love most, boursin, cheddar, brie, etc. This is almost my favourite meal!

Since you need to eat a little more, at least make it pleasurable, enjoyable for you. And remember that physically gaining weight is easy. But it requires a psychological adjustment too, and that can be more difficult.

Good luck!

Clare
 
hi, i just had a thought. when my mom (who was bulimic) was in the hospital, they gave her ensure. it's a high-calorie, and i would imagine a very nutritious, drink. maybe you could add one a day or something to your diet just to supplement your calories? i think there are also weight-gain supplements in health food stores, but i really have no idea if they're legit or whatever. good luck!
 
I agree with Clare about protein at every meal. I do that and I make sure I eat good fats too, as well as bulky carbs. It took me years to get my diet straight. It's been practically non-existant. I weighed 100 pounds when I was 30. I am 5'7". I have also gotten so obsessed with healthy eating that it was ridiculous so I too eat butter and cheese (baby blue which is like brie but more pungent) and I love dark chocolate but I eat high fat foods very moderately. I don't allow myslef to view any food as forbidden and I enjoy eating to fuel an active lifestyle and build a lean strong body!
http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/user.gif Bobbi
 
I have to say that maybe you should consider that 114 is just a good weight for you?

I am 5'7" (an inch shorter than you) and weigh between 110 and 112 lbs no matter what I do. I have a small bone structure, and this is just what my body wants to weigh. I eat healthy, workout with heavy weights and do lots of cardio (AWT and running).

My thoughts are that you shouldn't worry what "everyone else" says about your weight, or how you look, but to consider what feels good for you, and what YOU think looks good. :)
 
JeanneMarie makes an excellent point. Some people are naturally small and have high revving metabolisms. The guidlelines are only guidelines and one can be lighter or heavier and still be healthy. If you find you can't keep wieght on, that's one thing but if you maintain your weight easily, you are probably just perfect the way you are! Just nicely tell anyone who comments that you eat like a horse but are just naturally. slim. It should quiet them and make them envious at the same time!
http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/user.gif Bobbi
 
Thanks for all the replies. I am not sure if this weight is where my body should be...I guess I'll just wait and see if I can put on a few pounds. I realize that because of my past eating disorder, I still have a disordered body image. So what others would see as too thin, I wouldn't. I hope some day, that will change. I try to be a healthy example especially for my daughter. I tell her that Mommy exercises to be healthy and strong. I do not want to pass along the horrors of an eating disorder to her. It was the most difficult and painful experience that I ever had to go through in my life. Has anyone else recovered from an eating disorder and been able to have a healthy perspective regarding their body?

Amy
 
I'm in the same boat as you and finally, over the past couple years, have come to terms with my eating and my weight. You might consider seeing a dietician experienced with ED's who can analyze what you're eating to make sure you're getting all the nutrients you need.

Something to be extremely concerned about is osteoporosis - slim gals are much more suseptable.

My advice would be to eat healthy fats - nuts/seeds and use olive oil for cooking.

As for a healthy perspective? That's tough. I'd say no, I will never be totally happy with the way I look, I always think my stomach should be smaller....even when I was grossly underweight and now when I think my weight is just about right. I have to say though that I am much more comfortable with my body now than I ever was, so there is hope!

Best Wishes,
Kelli
 
Amy, check out this link:
http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1997/08aug/muscle.htm

I don't know if you'll find this helpful. Personally, I find this a tad too high-carb for my needs, but it pays to know about other approaches to gaining lean muscle. I read so many conflicting things and the only way to know which is right for me is to try different things. Like you I'm looking to gain weight. I'm currently on a 40-30-30 eating plan. My eating is not entirely clean because I like to live a little.:) I do heavy weight lifting -- as heavy as I can manage with good form -- twice a week, with 3 days rest between sessions. I limit my cardio to two sessions a week. So far I'm seeing better results with less cardio and strength training than more cardio and endurance training (although I know I'll have to put endurance training back in somewhere because it's also important).

Good luck,
Pinky
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top