How to gain weight?

Hey, so I’ve got this issue, pretty much what the title says—I’m struggling to put on any weight.
Basically, I'll start eating, but then I hit this wall where I just can't shove any more food down my throat. It's weird because even when I'm starving, I don't need much to feel full.
I'm about 5'11" and sitting somewhere around 150-155 lbs. I try to eat 2 or 3 times a day, but the portions are always tiny...

If anyone else has dealt with this kind of thing, let me know how you fixed it. Thanks.

Bump up the calories... though if I were you, I'd stick to the healthy stuff...
Grab some B vitamins, hit the gym, lift heavy—that'll kickstart your appetite...
It really just comes down to your body type. Take my brother, for example—he’s 5'11" and has looked skinny his entire life. It's just how he's built...
Calories, fats, sugars, protein... body type... metabolic rate... it's a lot of variables...
A ton of factors play into it. If you feel like you're too thin, get to a gym and start building some definition...
Then, once you've done that, just focus on hitting your protein goals 😁

So look, I work as a warehouse guy, right? Just constantly lifting stuff all day long. And honestly, I’ve been skinny as a rail for as long as I can remember. I’m wondering if there's any way to actually pack on some weight without hitting up a gym, mostly because I just don't have the damn time for it. I could probably run a bit, play some pickup basketball, maybe throw in some calisthenics at the local park... that part isn't really an issue for me.

Is there actually a way to bulk up without stepping foot in a gym?

What kind of food should I be shoveling into my face? How many times a day do I need to eat? You guys think this will actually work, or am I just stuck being this scrawny forever?

Maybe try asking your primary care doctor about getting a prescription for those Ensure protein shakes. They’re meant to be a supplement to your regular meals—not a total replacement, obviously. Personally, I managed to put on about 11 pounds in just six weeks using them.

I'm actually not entirely sure if you can just grab them over the counter at a local CVS without a script, but they come in these little cartons... kind of like a chocolate milk setup.

I’m talking breakfast every single day: bacon, sausage, and heavy-duty links. If your goal is to torch fat rather than bulk up muscle, you should probably steer clear of extra protein intake.

John Vaughn9 said:I eat them 2 or 3 times a day, but just small amounts...

That is definitely not enough. I dealt with the exact same issue (and honestly, I’m still fighting it). I’ve been 6'3" my whole life and used to hover around 165-175 lbs. I’ve always been an active guy—basketball, free diving, running, hitting the gym—so I have some muscle, but I could never break past 175 lbs. It wasn't until about 7 or 8 years ago that I realized my diet was the culprit. Sure, maybe my metabolism slowed down a bit since I'm 37 now, but mostly it was how I ate. I used to be incredibly inconsistent with meals. Lately, I make sure I get at least three heavy meals a day plus 2 or 3 smaller snacks. I don't use mass gainers, but about 8 years ago, I used Prosor to put on weight. I had actually dropped below 150 lbs after having colon surgery. Just don't overdo it, or you'll end up with diarrhea. 😁 Right now, I'm sitting at about 200 lbs and I still look pretty lean, so I'm steadily increasing my caloric intake and seeing slow progress. You should try that approach too.

hiddenorca6 said:just bacon, sausage, and grease every single day. don't bother with protein supplements if you're trying to drop fat rather than bulk up muscle

unhealthy fats though.....
you're probably one of those "skinny-fat" types....
your job is likely part of the problem too—no time, eating junk, just not prioritizing yourself enough overall.
nowadays there's plenty of supplements out there, but honestly, I've never touched any of that stuff...
then again, some people have been doing it for years....
if I were you, I'd try snacking more during work—nuts are great (they're calorie-dense but healthy calories...) or bananas... you can find plenty of stuff easily. go ahead and keep hitting the bacon and whatever else 😁 😁 but maybe pair that diet with some kind of supplement...
maybe the stress from work is killing you too... messed with my appetite like that once...
anyway, it's not rocket science—hit up a fitness forum and ask for advice there

Pick up some Wild Turkey tablets 👍

Gaining weight doesn't automatically mean you're just packing on fat instead of muscle—that’s a huge misconception if you ask me.

The goal should be eating plenty of carbs, hitting up the meat, pasta, and rice daily, while making sure you're staying on top of your vitamins like B and C, plus getting enough Magnesium too.
Don't forget about healthy fats either, like regular butter or even some good peanut butter.

Standard white bread isn't the answer here; if the goal is to put on weight healthily, you have to be careful, because if he just stuffs himself with junk, everything is going straight to his gut and he'll end up feeling sluggish and completely wiped out, so the diet really needs to be packed with as much fresh fruit and vegetables as possible to actually maintain some semblance of health.

Then there’s exercise, which is a given, since we're aiming for a balanced kind of weight gain rather than looking sloppy and just adding a layer of fat that makes him look worse than when he started; I know a few guys who have been naturally skinny their whole lives, and now that they've hit their late thirties, they've finally started putting on weight, but they honestly look terrible because their arms and legs stayed thin while they all just 🤦 gained a massive gut since they never bother to work out and just let all that fast food settle right where it shouldn't.

Here is how he could actually go about gaining weight properly:

1. Salmon

2. Roasted pumpkin

3. Peanut butter

4. Whole eggs

5. Whole grain bread

6. Tuna

7. Cornbread

8. Cheese

9. Fruit juices

10. Pasta

11. Shrimp

12. Whole wheat bread

13. Dried fruit

14. Oatmeal

15. Yogurt

16. Healthy fats and oils (olive, flaxseed, pumpkin seed, and coconut)

17. Brown rice

18. Bananas

19. Nuts and seeds

20. Potatoes.

The reason for exercising is that it will actually jumpstart his appetite, ensuring that those extra calories don't just turn into pure fat, plus things like B vitamins or nutritional yeast can work wonders for hunger, and a warehouse job alone isn't enough; for people with fast metabolisms, everything seems to go straight to the stomach—I certainly know from my own experience.

He should focus on mass-building movements like squats, bench press, deadlifts, rowing, and so on.

Even if you start out pretty thin, doing these types of exercises will make you look significantly more filled out and athletic within a year or two.

hiddenorca6 said:It’s just bacon, sausage, and processed meat every single day. You really shouldn't be touching any protein if your goal is losing fat rather than bulking up muscle mass.

🤦 Honestly, that sounds pretty miserable; if you actually ate like that, you'd probably end up sick, which—if you think about it—is exactly what happens when you lack actual nutrients. I have a feeling you're thinking about protein supplements instead.

Processed meats, like hot dogs, sausages, or deli slices, are packed with calories, fats, and sodium; eating them regularly—meaning several times a week—really puts you at risk for obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer.

Maybe try asking on a fitness forum instead; like I said before.

A few months of eating like this isn't going to kill him. I mean, look at my grandpa—he lived to be 92 just eating bacon and greasy diner food his whole life.
Dying young at 92 because of a bad diet? Yeah, okay, lol.
For the last 20 years, he basically lived on hot dogs and bratwurst from the local deli. 😁
It’s really not about what’s on your plate; it’s all about your genetics and how resilient your body is. So, please, stop spreading nonsense.
I know what I saw firsthand, and nobody can tell me otherwise.
And for heaven's sake, leave the fitness forums alone.
I won't even get into why...

What’s missing from those local bacon and sausage recipes?

Look, he isn't going to polish off huge quantities of it, but adding some bacon will definitely bump up the calorie count and fat content—which is exactly what someone needs if their goal is to pack on weight.

And as for fruit juices? Maybe stick to the fresh-squeezed variety. You really want to avoid the store-bought stuff you find at places like Walmart; most of it is just sugar water loaded with preservatives and other junk.

My advice is to stick to three main meals a day, making sure they’re actually nutrient-dense and balanced. For snacks in between, grab a banana, some nuts (they're calorie-dense, which helps), a slice of cheese, maybe a little bacon, or toss together some toast. If you want something lighter, oatmeal with fruit or nuts works wonders.

Man, I wish I had your problems.😬

Honestly, the math is pretty straightforward. You lose weight when you're in a calorie deficit and gain it when you're in a surplus. You could technically eat nothing but bread and chocolate and still be in a surplus, but as mentioned before, you're going to feel pretty terrible while the weight comes on.

Just get married and give it a few years... 😬

Oh, I’m sure you’re the absolute expert here; it’s pretty obvious that those cheap hot dogs are just packed with damn additives, whereas some high-quality butcher sausages are a much better bet if you eat them in moderation—because honestly, has anyone ever actually been happy about putting on weight without doing any actual work? It’s just not worth it. I mean, sure, if you happen to be blessed with top-tier genetics where your body just magically distributes calories perfectly, but people like that are rare... though, honestly, let him do whatever he wants; he'll figure out what works and what doesn't eventually. As for diet in general, variety is everything; you can't just stick to one thing, or else
every nutritionist in the country will tell you the same thing.

If you decide to live exclusively on meat and nothing else, you’re going to end up exhausted and completely drained of energy. Whenever I overindulge on a massive BBQ out in the suburbs, I can barely function; I just want to pass out. Pairing meat with vegetables is a much smarter, healthier way to go because of the fiber, and fresh produce is a proven defense against things like colon cancer and all that. It’s just a fact. Even though I’m not particularly fond of veggies, I make sure to eat them, and I notice I have significantly more stamina for my planche push-ups, muscle-ups, and other heavy lifting when I incorporate more greens into my meals. Of course, I still eat my steak and fish, and I’m pretty decent with how I look, but I definitely find I can squeeze out more reps during periods when I'm eating cleaner. I just feel like I have way more vitality and strength than when I’m constantly stuffing myself with junk food.

Every fitness forum has its share of fanatics, just like everywhere else... but you can usually find a bit of solid advice tucked away somewhere.

Bananas are a great snack between meals, and low-fat cottage cheese is also a solid choice since it provides slow-digesting proteins like casein that release into your system later on.

Just try to steer clear of industrial sugars, at least; that stuff is pure poison. Everything else mentioned could probably fit into a plan.

Man, whenever I polish off almost an entire bar of chocolate, I get an instant headache and start feeling lightheaded; all that sugar hits your bloodstream immediately, and that's why it feels that way. If I don't chug water right after the chocolate, I think I might actually lose my mind, haha. But when you eat an orange, you feel revitalized instantly—even if you were feeling sluggish before, it just lifts you up with the
vitamins, fiber, and all that.

I don't think any sane person would actually want to bulk up unhealthily (even if it is technically the fastest way), but it certainly won't serve them well, especially in the long run.

I've been training for years now, so I know what I'm talking about, and I have plenty of friends who have dedicated themselves to sports as well.

All the genetics in the world won't save you if you spend your entire life shoveling nothing but garbage into your mouth. When you're young, you might get away with it, but it always catches up to you much later when you least expect it.
And please, don't bring up those old-timers who smoke a pack a day their whole lives and still stay around ninety. Hahaha, you can count those people on one hand these days.
Besides, what kind of quality of life is that? I used to smoke more than fifteen cigarettes a day back in the day, and I was constantly dealing with headaches and struggling to catch my breath—it was rock bottom—but that isn't quite
what I'm talking about regarding cigarettes.

Look, I'm not preaching a "healthy lifestyle" movement here; I don't really care what everyone else does, and I have my own vices, but if someone is genuinely asking how to gain weight, I'm not going to suggest they
just gorge on sweets and sit on the couch doing nothing, because I know they won't be happy with the results—or lack thereof. If that were the way to go, most people would be thrilled with their progress.

Wait, weren't you haart from that old, defunct Yahoo! forum? Your username looks incredibly familiar, or maybe it's just a total coincidence. xDD

Laura Rogers4 said:Just go grab some Wild Turkey tablets 👍

Where am I supposed to find those around here?

Hannah Kim5 said:Where can I find them?

It’s like asking for a doctor's private prescription and then trying to pick it up at that pharmacy near Pike Place Market.

Laura Rogers4 said:So you're looking for a private prescription and then ordering it from that pharmacy over by Pike Place Market.

I see your reply now. Thanks, I'll look into it...