Weight issues

Hey all,

Before I start, this is not a topic designed to whinge at skinnies, rather the opposite. I read an article in the Times2 just now about Posh having a 23 inch waist. Whilst I agree that this is worrying for a woman who was previously normal weight and has had three children, I find the British press often forgets to mention that some people can not help being of a relatively light weight. I'm 17 and my BMI is around 17/18 (I had trouble calculating pounds from kg.) I am constantly told that I am too skinny (despite the fact I'm very very short) and have been trying for a while now to put weight on but miserably failing. I appreciate that I am quite lucky as there are many people who struggle immensely to lose weight.

Does anyone have any ideas of diet plans that allow people to build up their weight? I try and get a lot of carbohydrates, and eat quite a bit of fatty foods, but don't want to eat chocolate and fast food the whole time (it has a very adverse effect on my skin.) What else can I try? I have never been to the gym in my life, am not a diet freak, but consious of eating healthy food.

Thanks,
x x x

Reply 1

Tarts_n_Vicars

Try talking to your GP. If you are significantly underweight he/she will be able to help you (and will want to!).

Reply 2

Niaya

talk to your GP
eat healthly -maybe eat more often you dont need to eat high fat foods stick to healthy meals as long as you are happy with your weight and its not drastically low people are going to have to accept your naturally slim

Reply 3

friendsfreak88

I have had to gain weight before and found that the easiest way to do it is to eat plenty of snacks between meals. If you try and eat lots at meal times often you just get full too quickly and cannot eat enough to gain weight.

Good snacks to eat are:
peanut butter on toast
bowls of low sugar cereal with milk
hummus and pitta bread
flapjacks
low fat muffins
nuts (unsalted preferably- nuts are brill because they are really good for you as they contain good fats but are also calorific so you don't have to eat loads)
seeds (a bit boring on their own but good for putting on cereal to bump up calorie intake)
Dark chocolate
yoghurts
dried fruit (although not too much as it is high in sugar)

At meal times try to eat complex carbs and protein and enough fruit and veggies but not too much as they will fill you up.

Try also drinking milk between meals. This is great because it isn't particularly filling but is a great source of calcium and will help to bump up your daily calorie intake without you noticing much. Try not to drink too much water as this will also fill you up too much- try to stick to about 2 litres and a wee bit more if it is hot (don't let yourself get dehydrated).

This is how I managed to gain the weight I needed and as I wasn't eating junk my skin wasn't bad at all.

Also try to do some weight training to help you 'bulk out' a bit. As you will be eating more food, with weight training as well you should be able to build up some healthy muscle. Try to do some about 2 times per week.

Hope this helps!

Reply 4

Wez

Start weight training?

You'll look bulkier.

Reply 5

Bis

Eat more calorie dense food.

Reply 6

Jen2327

lucky lucky babe! hehe!

Got to your doctors! they will be able to either help you, or refer you to a dietian.
A dietian can then help create a diet plan in order for you to gain weight, by staying healthy!
Plus its probs a lot easier than trying yourself!

good lucky ducky xxx

Reply 7

Emma

Milk, I had never thought of that, I'll give it a try. In the post exam happiness I have been eating quite a bit more and seem to be on track.
Thanks for the ideas
x x x