POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Nutrition & HIV => Topic started by: zach on November 25, 2010, 10:36:31 am
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hey folks, once again, thank you all for being here
to the point, i need to gain weight, i'm 5'10" and currently weigh 147... i used to weigh about 175, good muscle mass etc... i'm not looking to be an adonis, and i don't think i'm wasting away, but my doctor is putting pressure on me to gain... other than eating pasta and pototoes all the time, and drinking whey shakes, i'm pretty clueless... the internet seems flooded with info and advice on losing weight, but very little on gaining
any advice appreciated
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hey folks, once again, thank you all for being here
to the point, i need to gain weight, i'm 5'10" and currently weigh 147... i used to weigh about 175, good muscle mass etc... i'm not looking to be an adonis, and i don't think i'm wasting away, but my doctor is putting pressure on me to gain... other than eating pasta and pototoes all the time, and drinking whey shakes, i'm pretty clueless... the internet seems flooded with info and advice on losing weight, but very little on gaining
any advice appreciated
Well, having spent years reading body building magazines, my suggestion would be to switch from the whey shakes to what are called "mass gainers". Head over to your local GNC or whatever supplement store is nearby and ask about mass gainers. These are high calories, high protein shake mixers designed for builders trying to gain.
Also, just try to load on as many calories you can in a day. Don't worry to much about low fat, unless of course you're dealing with a heart condition or something. But fat is the densest source of calories. 9 calories per gram vs. 4 per gram for carbs and proteins. So make sure you're getting sufficient fats with your carbs. Peanut butter is a great source of healthy fats and protein.
As for doing internet sources, try look on body building websites, a lot of them will have advice on how to gain. You can find recipes that are nutritious and high calorie for guys who need that. Also, you might want to consider asking for a referral to a nutritionist to help you plan a diet that will help you with you weight gain goals!
odyssey
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Hey Zach... as an ex power lifter and body builder, in my much younger days, I would encourage you to incorporate, what Odyssey said, with a weight lifting exercise regime. Lifting weights with some aerobic activity, will surely turn any extra caloric intake into some weight gain and the good kind.
Good Luck.
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I have read a few studies suggesting L-Glutamine has been effective in wasting syndrome. This is an amino acid (the most abundant amino acid in the body actually) that many body builders also use to put on mass. It is inexpensive and can be found a any health food store or GNC. Might be worth a try.
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I was a competitive gymnast for 10 years, and I knew a lot of girls with eating disorders...when people are hospitalized for too much weight loss from annorexia, the doctors feed them PB &J sandwiches. They are high in protein with the peanut butter, and you could use whole wheat bread for good carbs. You could also cook it in a pan with coconut oil. DELICIOUS! and easy...So you get good fat, good carbs, and the anti microbial effects of coconut oil.
good luck :)
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I was a competitive gymnast for 10 years, and I knew a lot of girls with eating disorders...when people are hospitalized for too much weight loss from annorexia, the doctors feed them PB &J sandwiches. They are high in protein with the peanut butter, and you could use whole wheat bread for good carbs. You could also cook it in a pan with coconut oil. DELICIOUS! and easy...So you get good fat, good carbs, and the anti microbial effects of coconut oil.
good luck :)
I'm intrigued. How does one cook peanut butter? Do you just slap some in a pan with the coconut oil? Or are you talking about something similar to a grilled cheese sandwich?
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You would make the pb and J first, then grill it exactly like you would a grilled cheese in a pan with the coconut oil.
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Hey man, before you start loading on mass gainers and taking in tons of fat, what does your doctor suggest?
I'm not saying everyones advice is not valid, I'm sure it will help you gain weight. But I don't know if downing mass calorie protein shakes and increasing your fat intake is the way to go. Can you get with a nutrionist? If you have insurance it should be covered.
And since we are throwing in our 2 cents. Mine in. Load up the pantry and smoke some weed and wait for the munchees.
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A couple of tips:
1) bananas - lots of them - when I went to go in the military back in 1985, I was 12 pounds underweight - I was temporarily disqualified and told to come back two weeks later - and eat bananas. I ate bananas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. I gained 15 pounds in two weeks time. Needless to say, I didn't eat bananas again for a few years after that
2) Eat your dinner meal a little bit closer to bed time - eating later in the evening prevents the food from being burned off as quick (lowers the amount of calories your burn up - because you are sleeping)
You will, of course, want to make sure that you do exercise to make sure that the weight you gain gets distributed correctly around your body.
Just a couple quick, easy tips. Hope they help.
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Also, weight/strength training. Otherwise, the weight would be fat, and would cause other problems.
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I would suggest keeping a good record of what you are eating and counting the calories if possible. Then ask your doctor for a referral to a dietitian. From your records they will be able to tell if you are eating enough or if you need to make changes. You need to know if you are eating more calories then your body is burning.
It's probably either a lack of calories, your body not absorbing enough of what you are eating or maybe not the right amount of activity to be building the muscle. although there are a multitude of other possibilities. Your doctors will be able to work it out.
I wouldn't just be filling up on pasta, potatoes and shakes. And the shakes shouldn't be used as meal replacements. They're only useful if you are having them on top of your normal meals.
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There is an antidepressant called Remeron (mirtazapine), it helps sleep, and deals with anxiety, one of it side effects its eating like a horse, gaining weight.
Using it as an AD the dosage would be 15 to 30 mg, as a sleeping aid or to help you eat or sleep, I would consider a 7.5 mg of it.
Regards Roy
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Eat the food that add weight to your blood group do exercise as usual and eat health.
I believe in this way u'll gain weight as you want
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eat calorie dense foods. things like peanut butter or peanuts or any kind of nut for that matter. and yes good carbs not processed will be good for you too. load up on whole wheat pasta, whole wheat breads.
and yes as mentioned mass gainers a quick way to pound alot of calories.