Weight Gain

• It is difficult to lose weight. Believe it or not, however, some may say it is just as hard to gain the extra pounds
• There are strategies geared toward putting on the pounds. Eating heartily and often is at the top of the list
• Weight gain for athletes and bodybuilders is important for good body form and strength
• By all means, evening snacking should not be avoided. With more calories consumed, the weight will be gained

There is always plenty of hoopla about losing weight and the best way to go about dropping the extra pounds. Although there are many searching for that magic remedy to weight loss, there are plenty of skinny folks who are doing everything possible to gain weight. It is not the easiest task to drop the pounds. However, it is equally not always easy to gain weight, as well. It can especially be difficult for those who are naturally thin and cannot seem to gain an ounce no matter how much they eat. With a few strategies for weight gain, however, even the skinniest of skinny may solve their problem for lack of weight gain.

One of the first strategies for weight gain is to generously increase calorie consumption. This doesn’t mean to stuff yourself with candy, cake, cookies, and saturated foods with excess fats and sugars. What this means is to fill up on high calorie healthy foods like starchy whole grains and vegetables. Pasta, rice, breads, and potatoes are good choices. Use spreads of avocado or peanut butter and olive oil or canola oil margarines. Don’t cheat yourself from condiments of yogurt, sour cream, dressings, and sauces. High calorie drinks should be consumed. Milk, sports drinks, milk shakes, supplemental weight gaining shakes, and juice give you plenty of choices to increase calories while quenching your thirst.

A conscious effort should be made to eat more meals than normally consumed throughout the day. In fact, five or more meals per day is a fair amount when the goal is to gain weight. Protein should be included with every meal. This is necessary for enhancing immune function and for illness repair and recovery. Protein includes nuts, seeds, cereals, milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs, and more. All in all, the healthiest high calorie foods which provide protein and unlimited carbohydrates should be included in a weight gaining diet. Avoid saturated foods, but include healthy fats.

Another strategy for weight gain is sipping on a small amount of alcohol before eating. Alcohol has been known to increase appetite. Avoid stimulants like nicotine and caffeine so your body maintains the nutrients you increasingly consumed. When we are trying our best to lose weight, we are told not to eat at night or before bedtime. Hence, if you are aiming to gain some pounds, by all means indulge in a great nutritious snack before bedtime as long as it doesn’t interfere with a good night sleep. Finally, eat as many meals as possible. If your stomach seems to fill up quickly, eat slowly and more often.

The kind of food and how it is consumed is pertinent for deliberate weight gain. However, exercise is also important for such a goal. Your exercise routine should be with an aim to increase muscle while gaining the desired weight. Weight gain for athletes and bodybuilders alike is essential to form the ideal body which is healthy and strong.

With the right foods and meal frequency, an effective workout plan, and a few other strategies for gaining weight, the pounds should add up before you know it.

Tags: strategies for weight gain, weight gain for athletes

Posted on Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 at 10:59 am | Weight Gain