I need to put on weight

[123paul]

Since moving to a new part of the country, birmingham :( , & taking on a very stressful job I have lost 2 stone in 24 months.

I was not exactly big before. I want to put on some weight, but just eating loads is not really an option. Do all those weight gain products you see in health food shops / sports shops actually work?

Appart from eating masses of crap has anyone got any ideas of how I can put weight on (without having a massive heart attack when I'm 40!) Thanks.

[sandyg2244]

well I work in an elderly care home, and according to the dietician who visits, these drinks like complan are recommended.you dont have to eat crap, just a little now and then along with healthy meals.for example, try and have a high calorie dessert with your healthy dinner, snack on digestive biscuits.simple things like this, along with a build-up drink should show results if you keep it up.

[Drusilla]

I think you can still buy a product called, 'Build Up', which was available from Boots. My brother used to use it because he was always skinny, unlike his three sisters. We envied the hell out of him.
He also began weight training because muscle is heavier than fat and he increased the number of meals he ate from three to four a day. He never ate junk food because he was concerned about his health.
When he felt more comfortable about his weight and appearance, he began swimming which did wonders for his muscle tone. Unfortunately, the whole process took a few years, but he looks a lot better and his confidence has soared.

[nfn]

just a thought but maybe you should ask your gp to check if your thyroid glands are working properly. an overactive thyroid could be the cause. a quick blood test will confirm it for you.

[WendyS]

It's probably sensible to try and avoid too many junk foods as although they may help you put on weight, they will have other harmful effects on your metabolism. High calorie foods like avocado might be good as part of a mixed diet, but possibly just eat a little more of the good foods like chicken, fish, cheese, and whole grain bread and cereals and gradually you'll find the pounds creeping on. Don't worry too much about it, Just think of all the thousands of us out here trying to do the opposite and take the pounds off.

[Andy008]

Weight gain products do work, but they should be used as supplements not as staple food. In regards to eating loads, you must consume enough calories to create a surplus, and therefore gain weight - i.e. that which you do not expend. This is a biologoical fact and you simply get around it. It does sound dauting but it is possible if you apply a bit of thought, devise an eating plan and stick to it.

[Marvin84]

While it's all well and good to treat the symptoms - how about treating the cause?

If your job is too stressing, then maybe that's where you need to concentrate your efforts - either by counselling or getting a new job altogether..... although I know that sometimes it's just not that simple!

Apart from that weight training is a better option as other replies have mentioned!

Good Luck - I hope that it goes well for you... :-)