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How to gain weight

I’m an 18 year old female, and I have fast metabolism. My parents during my age were very skinny and underweight, also having fast metabolism, so I assume it’s sort of based on genetics as well. For reference I weigh 46kg and I’m 5’5 (165cm). My BMI is 16.9. I don’t know where to start. Its summer and I really want to improve myself. I feel as I’ve been the same weight my whole life. What should I do to improve my diet?
(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 1

I have a friend who also has a fast metabolism. He's increased how much he eats by quite a lot but has gained very little weight, if at all. From his experience, there isn't much that he can do about it.

Reply 2

Consider yourself lucky, the rest of us don’t have that problem 🥲

Reply 3

Original post by Username123ab
Consider yourself lucky, the rest of us don’t have that problem 🥲


Being underweight can be a large issue, so I'm not sure that's the best thing to say.

Reply 4

Original post by sillymint
I’m an 18 year old female, and I have fast metabolism. My parents during my age were very skinny and underweight, also having fast metabolism, so I assume it’s sort of based on genetics as well. For reference I weigh 46kg and I’m 5’5 (165cm). My BMI is 16.9. I don’t know where to start. Its summer and I really want to improve myself. I feel as I’ve been the same weight my whole life. What should I do to improve my diet?

Firstly I think you should track your diet for around a week, including measuring calories, so you have a firm idea of what you actually eat and how many calories it amounts to. Then, to gain weight, you'll need to eat a little bit more, i.e. increase the number of calories you consume. An additional 250kcal per day should be fine for a while.

Reply 5

Original post by sillymint
I’m an 18 year old female, and I have fast metabolism. My parents during my age were very skinny and underweight, also having fast metabolism, so I assume it’s sort of based on genetics as well. For reference I weigh 46kg and I’m 5’5 (165cm). My BMI is 16.9. I don’t know where to start. Its summer and I really want to improve myself. I feel as I’ve been the same weight my whole life. What should I do to improve my diet?

I'm an 18 year old male trying to do the same thing as you in the summer, I have gained a few kilograms over the past few months and hope to reach 60kg soon. In terms of advice I would just say to try to eat as much as possible while steering clear of the unhealthy stuff as much as possible, try new foods and just eat everything you can get a hold of. Also, make sure to still exercise if you currently do or to start if you don't with the intention of building muscle which could help you gain weight assuming you eat a good amount of protein (protein shakes could help with that or just meat, fish, pulses etc). Good luck on your journey!
Some people use Huel shakes for weight gain* - each serving contains 400 calories. Drinking them on top of your existing diet could help with healthy weight gain.

*And others use them for weight loss, by treating them as meal replacements. You wouldn't want to do this though if your goal is to gain weight.

Reply 7

Original post by Smack
Firstly I think you should track your diet for around a week, including measuring calories, so you have a firm idea of what you actually eat and how many calories it amounts to. Then, to gain weight, you'll need to eat a little bit more, i.e. increase the number of calories you consume. An additional 250kcal per day should be fine for a while.

This is what I would also suggest. A lot of people with this issue will say "I already eat so much" if you tell them to eat more, but if you subjectively track the numbers it's not as much as they think. You don't need to track calories forever, just for long enough for you to mentally reset what you consider a normal amount to eat.

Reply 8

Original post by sillymint
I’m an 18 year old female, and I have fast metabolism. My parents during my age were very skinny and underweight, also having fast metabolism, so I assume it’s sort of based on genetics as well. For reference I weigh 46kg and I’m 5’5 (165cm). My BMI is 16.9. I don’t know where to start. Its summer and I really want to improve myself. I feel as I’ve been the same weight my whole life. What should I do to improve my diet?

Drinking a lot of milk should help especially after exercise as the proteins in the milk go directly to your muscles and help build them. Creatine is also good but it can be expensive and during the loading phase which lasts about 1 week, you need several portions a day then the maintenance phase it’s one a day after exercise (depends on the brand as instructions vary). You also need to drink a lot of water with creatine.
(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 9

I am someone with a similar issue in the past , the best thing I did was excersise with small weights , you gain muscle slowly and that will bulk you up and tone which I know I preferred looks wise.
Protein shakes are also great bulkers and taste amazing :smile:

Hope this helps but happy to offer guidance if required :smile:

Reply 10

Original post by sillymint
I’m an 18 year old female, and I have fast metabolism. My parents during my age were very skinny and underweight, also having fast metabolism, so I assume it’s sort of based on genetics as well. For reference I weigh 46kg and I’m 5’5 (165cm). My BMI is 16.9. I don’t know where to start. Its summer and I really want to improve myself. I feel as I’ve been the same weight my whole life. What should I do to improve my diet?

Milkshakes. Milkshakes. Milkshakes

Reply 11

To gain weight, try increasing your calorie intake by adding more healthy fats, proteins, and carbs to your meals. You could also consider having frequent snacks, like nuts or smoothies with added protein. Strength training can help build muscle, which will also contribute to weight gain. While researching diets, I came across instaflex reviews, and while it's more for joint support, staying active while improving your diet can really help with your overall goal. Just take it step by step, and you'll see progress.
(edited 7 months ago)

Reply 12

I'm the same as you, I weight even less actually. I actually improved recently from around 40kg to around 44kg.

1.

Exercises are great, also make sure you eat a bit more calories than you burn.

2.

Make sure you consume all the nutrients you need and your meals are built in a way that you can absorb the most of it.

3.

Eat smaller meals but more meals, instead of 2-3 large meals, eat 5-6 smaller meals more frequently. Have some healthy snacks while doing stuff.

4.

Also watch your stress levels. Some people forget to eat when they are stressed.

For me it took years to succeed in this, but lately I'm on the right path.
Normally I recommend always the same for people for gaining weight: eating the double amount of proteins for daily requirements. Muscles need them. Should even work for such a fast metabolism as you have.

Reply 14

Original post by Kallisto
Normally I recommend always the same for people for gaining weight: eating the double amount of proteins for daily requirements. Muscles need them. Should even work for such a fast metabolism as you have.

Unfortunately it makes me feel sick most of the times. I need to find a way to eat more protein with foods I can eat a lot without feeling too full or sick. It is not an eating disorder, it is just the same feeling if you eat more than you can. If I eat too many eggs for example, I feel like I can't move for several minutes and even after that I am slow and overall don't feel well.
I wish this method would work for me.

Reply 15

Original post by sillymint
I’m an 18 year old female, and I have fast metabolism. My parents during my age were very skinny and underweight, also having fast metabolism, so I assume it’s sort of based on genetics as well. For reference I weigh 46kg and I’m 5’5 (165cm). My BMI is 16.9. I don’t know where to start. Its summer and I really want to improve myself. I feel as I’ve been the same weight my whole life. What should I do to improve my diet?

nothing. your bmi is fine. don't give in to the fat positivity propaganda

Reply 16

Original post by sillymint
I’m an 18 year old female, and I have fast metabolism. My parents during my age were very skinny and underweight, also having fast metabolism, so I assume it’s sort of based on genetics as well. For reference I weigh 46kg and I’m 5’5 (165cm). My BMI is 16.9. I don’t know where to start. Its summer and I really want to improve myself. I feel as I’ve been the same weight my whole life. What should I do to improve my diet?

You're fine; actually within the healthy BMI range which is 18.5 to 24.9. Maybe work out and build some muscles/strength if you feel like you need to but tbh you don't have to change your weight at all. :smile:
(edited 4 months ago)

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