I need to gain weight.

[daking]

I'm 14, 5'4.5 and only 95 lbs. I eat sooo much but I cannot put any weight on because of my extremely fast metabolism. I'm tired of being so thin. I feel like my self confidence would be 110% if I just gained some weight and muscle. This week I had enough and decided to research ways to gain weight.

Today I started lifting weights and doing exercises with the help of my dad. Tonight I started taking Naturade Weight Gain supplement, which I want to take everyday until I reach my ideal weight. It gives me 1150 calories everytime I use it, which I hope will help.

I've found out I need to eat high calorie nutritious foods, instead of regular high calorie junk food. I eat fast food sometimes 5 times a week, but it just does not help me gain weight and i've learned its bad for my health. I found out I need to eat things like potatoes, corn, carrots, bananas, apples, etc. which are all high calorie nutritious foods.

Yeah I know I'm just rambling on but let me get to my question. What are other things that will help me gain weight and muscle mass minus the things above? My goal is to get to at least 110-115 pounds by May 1st, starting today. And should I eat BEFORE lifting weights, or after? And is it true that eating after 8 o'clock is the best time to eat in order to gain weight? And what are some nutritious yet high calorie snacks I can eat throughout the day?

Thanks if you can help.

[byee]

Hmmm.... usually it's the opposite, you know, people wanting to lose weight.

I think if you're metabolically thin, there's not much you can do about it, and I'm of the opinion that you shouldn't try. As long as you're healthy and eat Ok and your weightisnlt the result of some behavioral thing (like skipping meals or eating poorly), you might do well to accept this and maybe work out to build muscle mass.

Your body is self regulating, it likes and needs to be where it is, and adding supplements doesn't sound like a good thing, you're adding soemthing (emoty calories) to a system that doesn't need or want it, like putting on a heavy sweater in the summer.

You'll be doing some growing and developing, why not eat properly, work out those muscles for a bit of definition, and wait and see what you grow into?

[Requin]

Hmmm.... usually it's the opposite, you know, people wanting to lose weight.

I think if you're metabolically thin, there's not much you can do about it, and I'm of the opinion that you shouldn't try. As long as you're healthy and eat Ok and your weightisnlt the result of some behavioral thing (like skipping meals or eating poorly), you might do well to accept this and maybe work out to build muscle mass.

Your body is self regulating, it likes and needs to be where it is, and adding supplements doesn't sound like a good thing, you're adding soemthing (emoty calories) to a system that doesn't need or want it, like putting on a heavy sweater in the summer.

You'll be doing some growing and developing, why not eat properly, work out those muscles for a bit of definition, and wait and see what you grow into?

Exactly what Sam says ^^
I have a very good metabolism too only mines not too bad with keeping me very thin. And remember, I think that hardly anyone is happy with their body weight and how they look so not liking your body is pretty normal, expecially (not being sexist here mind!!) for girls.

So honestly I don't think it's anything to worry about, think about the people who's metabolism has given up on them. They would crave to have a metabolism like yours, and as Sam said, there is really nothing you can do about it, so you'll have to stick with it and consider yourself lucky. :-)

[daking]

I appreciate your opinions, but telling me I can't gain weight is kind of like telling a fat person they can't lose weight. I wouldn't consider myself lucky, unless you consider being called manorexic "lucky". I know that it is possible to gain weight because my dad was the same way as me when he was my age and then he started working out and taking supplement and now he is huge and buff, so I wasn't really asking if it was possible or not, I was asking for tips.

And about the "using supplements isnt a good thing", this is what I got from metabolism.com:

Step 3: Designing an individualized comprehensive supplementation program: Supplements are a necessity in a weight gain program

[byee]

Your quote about supplements being a 'necessity' assumes that gaining weight in the absence of malnutrition or other health problem caused by low weight is a good thing. You want to gain it for personal reasons (vanity/appearance, self confidence). I'm not dismissing your concerns, I'm just stating that perhaps they're not enough of a reason to tamper with your metabolism with 'supplements'.

Your dad provides you with a pretty good plan: Eat right and work out. His current physique is likely the result of his growing up and into himself and working large muscle groups for definiton and being 'buff'. Try those first, there's no downside.

[Kaleidoscope Eyes]

Supplements are not a necessity. Just like diet pills are not a necessity for losing weight, and steroids are not a necessity for doing well at sports.

You say the weight gain stuff has 1150 calories. At your size, and with your metabolism, you shouldn't need more than 1800-2000 per day. Getting over half of your daily calories in one sitting, is the same as overindulging at McDonald's. I don't care if the supplement has a low fat content, your body doesn't discriminate; excess calories are still stored the same way. You say you eat fast food several times a week and it's not helping. Well, stop it! Fast food may have a rep for being high in fat and calories, but you're looking to gain healthy weight, right? Would you rather be really skinny (but still healthy), or be overweight with slowly clogging arteries (and poor eating habits that, trust me, will come back to haunt you in adulthood)? Fast food is fine once in a while, but don't make a habit of eating it all the time. If you wanna gain weight, you're gonna have to gain it in muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat anyways. xP

But overall, you're only 14. You're not done growing yet, your body is not done maturing. Guys don't finish puberty until about their early 20's, you've got a long time to grow into yourself. And chances are that when you stop growing, you'll have an easier time gaining a few pounds. Growing takes a lot of energy. I remember for me, I'd put on 5 or 10 pounds, then shoot up 4 or so inches and thin out again. Over and over and over. Once my growth spurts were over, my appetite wasn't so heavy and I stayed thin for a while. I had your same problem, I couldn't gain weight. I was actually losing it faster than I could put it back on, at one point. But once I stopped growing altogether, it became a lot easier to pack on the pounds. Just wait it out. Sometimes the answer isnt to change yourself, but to be comfortable with who you are.

[MoveAlong]

I'm a pretty skinny guy just like you, but I took weight training for a long time, and I can give you a few tips to get started and keep going. There is a way to reach your goal. Just keep these in mind.

Tips:

Don't get "weight gain supplements". That is overdoing it. Just focus on eating normal, healthy foods, not overdoing it, and working out. Muscle weighs more than fat, and so by gaining muscle, you put on the weight. You should be thinking about protein supplements, not weight gain supplements.

Eat healthy foods instead of "weight gain supplements". You'll get more nutrition that way, and it'll probably less expensive. Eat all the things you said, carrots, broccoli, lean meats like chicken, potatoes, corn, apples, bananas, salads, etc. To fuel your muscle gain.

You will probably not have the most amazing incredible results by next school year.
No matter how hard you work, results are not going to come pouring out. If you are skinnier, I think chances are that it'll be easier because you don't have to drop the pounds, but it takes time to do all this stuff.

What do you do before a workout? 2 hours before, eat a good carb meal. Idk, bread, or maybe some spaghetti, etc. for some extra energy for your workout. Then, after your workout, go for some good protein to build the muscle.

Don't just lift weights. Wanna be hot? Get some cardio in there. It makes your heart healthy and does wonders for your muscles and your mood, too. Run outside, take a jog, go on the treadmill, play basketball, throw a tennis ball around, etc.

Dude, you're still growing! Unless you're a monster, you're not going to get to 135 pounds without getting a little taller, and growing a little more. You're 5 4. You're supposed to be small! And you're supposed to eat a lot! Because you're still growing! You won't weigh as much as your 5 6, 5 10 or more peers, so be realistic.

Because you're still growing, it's gonna take a little longer to build the muscle. Your hormones need to be a little more in check for you to build muscle as fast as an adult.

Sometimes, and this happens with adults too, you plateau for awhile, which means you don't make any progress. It happens. Just work through that.

Don't just aim for being heavier or more muscular. Aim for being healthier. When you're 50+, you'll really thank yourself.

Good for you. You have a good goal to be healthy, and even a lot of adults just aren't smart enough or determined enough to persue getting more muscular and healthier. Be proud of that!

Hope this helps.

[foof1]

I have your same weight and height and that is not that skinny. I've tried gaining weight but I gave up because nothing worked. The thing is, a lot of people would kill to have you weight at your height.

[WEO]

Im 1.92 Meters (6.3 ft) tall and weigh 70kgs (150lbs).

I kinda have the same problem... I also eat alot but the only place I gain weight is around my stomach, my arms and legs dont seem to want to change. and yea I hate it and cant wait till I gain some weight on my arms/legs :/

goodluck..

[ciberkiller21]

Im 15 and 145 pounds 5 feet 11 but used to be like u but heavier like 120 pounds and i used to eat loads but nothin happened till i started to lift weight and take protein supplements but i started just befor i turned 15 but u will gain weight as long as u eat right just avoid the fast food it ruins it and it takes a lot of time so be patient i didnt see results in size till 3 weeks in but u will notice your self get stronger first but just stay focused and u will get results ...

[INFERNO]

There's not a whole lot you can do if you have a fast metabolism other than try to gain more muscle or quite literally stuff your face. The issue is that even though now you may be thin, years later you could pay the price. I was quite thin several years ago and do have a fast metabolism. I got the wonderful idea to go about and try to gain weight in almost any way possible, aside from pills. Muscle outweighs fat so I tried to eat a lot and work out a lot, then gained a good amount of weight without looking like a lump of lard.

However, you're 14 years old. You've got around 6 years until your body will mature so just let it. I'm currently 19 and got the wonderful idea I described above when I was 18 so perhaps that has quite a bit to do with why it sounds like a lovely little story.

If you want to gain weight, then eat healthier, eat more (either more at meals or some larger snacks between meals but don't skip meals), work out and cut the crap of supplements. They're not necessary, they're an option. It's like buying really expensive basketball shoes to be amazing at basketball - they're not necessary, they may look all nifty but they don't help.