I need help... GAINING weight...

[i.Radical]

Ok, so.. I'm 16, male, and still growing or whatever, but I have a LOT of trouble putting on weight.. No matter what I eat, no matter how much I eat, it seems like my body DEVOURS any food put into extremely quickly. I guess I have a high metabolism or whatever, but it's kind of ridiculous... Just by sleeping, I lose weight. Where does it go?!

I figured there might be something wrong with my diet, so I was wondering if you guys could give me any tips... Like, what I should be eating, how much of it I should be eating, etc. I would really appreciate it.

Ugh... I've been yelled at a lot for complaining about not being able to gain weight (>_>) but I hope you guys can help..

 

[Phil Daddario]

Well, what's your build? You sound like an abnormally skinny guy.

The metabolism isn't bad. Plenty of people would kill for it.

As for eating, still just stick with what's healthy. Hold off the empty calories, junk food, and get nutritious stuff. On the day of matches and whenever you're playing, complex carbohydrates are the way to go. You can be thin and still get bad results on tennis from your diet.

Also, try working on the muscles. They weigh more than fat, and actually help, too. Don't go overly buff, just work in conditioning every now and then. Three days a week is fine, you get lots of it without overdoing anything for injuries.

 

[i.Radical]

I'm naturally pretty skinny, but I don't want to look like a stick. I want to build muscle but I figured I would need some extra weight to start with or something.

 

[POGO]

Watch that movie "super size me". That should give you an idea to gain weight easily, and quickly.

 

[tricky nicky]

you might have a serious illnes go get yourself checked out at the clinic

tricky.

 

[POGO]

you might have a serious illnes go get yourself checked out at the clinic

tricky.

I agree. YOu should really have a doctor's check up. You may have tapeworm.

 

[forehander]

In all seriousness, many young men are exactly in the same boat.

First: You should start on a weight training regimen. Weight training stimulates growth and will assist you in gaining "quality muscular weight". Don't expect huge results. You are what is called a "hard gainer". You'll be lucky if you can get 10lbs in a year. But think about it - 10 more lbs of solid muscle, then 10 more the next year. You could be looking pretty good after a couple of years. Like anything else, it takes time and dedication.

Do excersises that work the large muscle groups and don't work the same muscles two days in a row. Use heavy weights to gain muscle. Otherwise, you might gain some strength and conditioning, but no muscle mass. Check a body building book out from your local library. You're not going to look like Arnold, but the concepts are the same. Most books will have a beginner section.

Second: Increase your calories as much as you can (with quality food, not junk). Don't skip any meals. Try to eat an especially large breakfast. Add mid-morning, mid-afternoon and nightime snacks (quality). Hard boiled eggs are a great snack. By eating snacks, your body never will go into a state where it is breaking down its own muscle mass for energy.

 

[SageOfDeath]

You're just like me. Eating a lot to gain weight works for people with a rather normal metabolism, your metabolism burns fat quickly.

You don't want more fat you want more body mass. Although you should be EATING a healthy ammount of fat in your diet as skinny as you are. Drink whole milk and don't buy diet stuff.

Working out is a great way to build body mass. I've already put on more weight but not quite the weight I want to be yet.

Ok so you know how when you sleep your metabolism slows down? And when you sleep you don't burn a lot of fat as in during the day where you are moving around much more. So eat a peanut butter sandwhich RIGHT before you go to sleep. It has protein , carbs, and lots of fat and all that good stuff.

Basically the peanut butter has stuff you need to work out too. I wouldn't suggest heavy lifting but start smaller and work your way up.

 

[Stuck]

Krispy Kream!

 

[Ken.Knight]

Muscle weighs more than fat, as Phil said. If you want to look good at the same time, go for it.

Just be careful not to overdo it. Heavier weights, lower reps build muscle mass. Lighter weights, more reps build endurance and more fitness, which is ideal for conditioning.

So from here, try the heavier weights. Just DON'T overdo it, as I said. A lot of people, even my age (14, lol) think they're buff, want to be cool, go for benching 300, and...

They end up doing it, at the cost of an injury. Injuries aren't worth it. The muscle mass is. Remember, you're going to impress people with your conditioning and muscles, not the weights you carried to do it.

And forehander gave another good recommendation, as well as a nice post. Eat MORE calories. Small calorie diets are proven to be the best way to lose weight. So what does eating more mean? Just make sure you're not eating lots of junk food. Lots of calories there, no benefits. Healthy things will still add up the calories there, and you're going to get the nutrients.

For energy, the body burns carbs first, fat second, protein third. For muscle mass, you want to try to avoid burning the proteins, as they're what makes up your body, muscles included.

 

[RiosTheGenius]

I'm just like you!!!!! I'm 5'9" and weight 145 lb. I work out everyday, I'm really cut, play tennis 3-4 times a week and eat like it's my job..... yet I weight less than most people my height.
-by the way.... I said I'm 5'9" which means that I'm really 5'8" ... my weight is accurated though

 

[friedalo1]

I was like you. I gained too much muscle. My game got worse. I look more like a body builder than a tennis player. Looking good doesnt make you a good tennis player. Practice harder with ankle braces.

 

[cervelo]

There's definitely a balance to walk. That slow twitch muscle that helps you blast weight around for shorts bursts- that's not the stuff for delicate drop-shots and finesse.

Also, remember that the chain is only as strong as the weakest link - you can develop huge deltoid muscles in your shoulders- but you better take care of your rotator cuff - those little muscles in there do more tough work to keep your shoulders loose and supple. The same goes for all the muscle groups - another important one I emphasize is hamstrings to add stability in my knees.

I guess this long-winded response is to point out that everybody is different physically and "mechanically." Putting on an extra 10 lbs might not help your tennis, even if it does for others.

 

[cervelo]

Interesting thing about Rios too ... he put on some weight at the end (not all the good kind either). By Legg-Mason, 2003, I'd bet Rios was about 5'8" and 165 or even 170. Although Rios has broader shoulders and somewhat of a stocky build, I think he had trouble carrying the excess weight - his touch never left him, but his knee and groin muscles did ...

 

[dustyle]

i.radical i feel ur pain.... its the same for me, im 17 weighing 110 and i eat but dont gain weight

 

[Tchocky]

I wish I had your problem. I was a skinny kid when I was 16. Now I'm 37 and 30 lbs. overweight. Just be patient...time takes care of everything.

 

[i.Radical]

Wow thanks for all the replies! I've been reading them over carefully... Lots of good info.

BTW I'm 5'10 and 140 lbs... at most... in case anyone was wondering >_>

 

[cervelo]

At your age, I was 5'8" or 5'9" and about 150 ... I was smaller than all my football playing friends but I was more into skateboarding and stuff like that ... Then, I started lifting at age 17 or so without much results UNTIL at about age 19 or 20 - the muscle just packed itself on ... went from about 160 to 195 in about 18 - 24 months (which is a whole lot for muscle growth!) ... as I mentioned in other posts, I still have the ability to lift weights with pretty sizable results ... but I had to trim off the weight due to knee concerns - so I settled in at 170 or 175.

I was a late bloomer and I didn't fill out until about age 19 - I was really focused on lifting and dieting and getting good sleep ... the fact that it didn't come easy for me was a good thing in many ways because, some 15 years later, I still go to great efforts to stay in shape ... while most of my "football playing" friends have put in too much time on the super-size me diet ...

Your results will come ...

 

[edgy]

have you tried taking protein powder? I just started training with weights when school ended.
After weight training and taking the protein, I've gained 12 pounds since early june. And it's muscle not fat and i'm much thicker now. Eat foods like chicken, fish, and steak and other foods with lots of protein in them. I take EAS AdvantEDGE protein powder...it's pretty tasty with milk too
btw I was 5'7", 134 lbs. at the beginning and now I'm 5'8", 146.8 lbs.(today) and i'm 14 yrs old, almost 15

 

[i.Radical]

^Wow 12 pounds??

I really want to work out but I usually do it at school and now that schools over there aren't really any easily accessible gyms around my area... So I resort to pushups and crunches and stuff... I don't know if these are as effective though, since I know pushups work on the chest and triceps, but what about biceps and forearms?

Also... I have tried protein, but the thing is I don't work out that much so I don't know how effective it is... And I don't know if drinking it without working out will do anything?

 

[newracketagain??]

Wow thanks for all the replies! I've been reading them over carefully... Lots of good info.

BTW I'm 5'10 and 140 lbs... at most... in case anyone was wondering >_>

you post rings a bell as about may i was weighing about 137, and was 5 foot 10, i felt to skinny on the court, and i knew i had to put on weight!

i now am, 155, and i feel much better for gaining this!

the best way to do this is by eating late, like, before you go to sleep have a massive meal and some chocollate and, make sure ure eating all the time, like. a mcdonalds thickshacke has like 1000 calories, have 3 a day, plus youre normal diet and eat late ate night, youl grab a stone in NO time!

 

[tricky nicky]

yeah but wont it all be around his midriff?

 

[cervelo]

the best way to do this is by eating late, like, before you go to sleep have a massive meal and some chocollate and, make sure ure eating all the time, like. a mcdonalds thickshacke has like 1000 calories, have 3 a day, plus youre normal diet and eat late ate night, youl grab a stone in NO time!

Can't agree with that at all ... so-called "empty" calories wont help build muscle - they also wont help you feel energetic - for a physically demanding routine, all calories are not created equal. You're better off with a tuna or turkey sandwich for sure ...

I recommend a cheap weight set - I see ads in the paper for 25 bucks or so. Dumbells are especially good- if you can get some weights to go with them, you'll be on your way.

If you can find a place to do pull-ups, you'll hit your back and bi's ... no need to do all your body weight - you can support yourself with your feet, although it's tough to gauge how much resistance you're using. Just work slowly & focus on the muscles at work. Push-ups for chest and tri's are good - do variations with your feet up higher - with your hands close or farther apart. For shoulders, grab your racquet bag with one hand and lift it straight out to your side. Also, I would flip upside down in a hand-stand against the wall and just hold it there - after some work, I would also do push-ups that way (BUT BE CAREFUL - THERE'S A FAIR AMOUNT OF STRESS ON THE SHOULDER JOINT IN DOING THIS).

Remember to work slowly and deliberately and always focus on the muscles being worked.

Good luck!!!