Struggling to gain weight / Can't seem to put on any muscle

So, I’ve honestly always been on the thinner side, and for the longest time, it didn't really bother me because I could just find ways to spin it as a strength, you know? I really thought that eventually, I’d naturally fill out a bit more, but nope—that hasn't happened. It’s just how my body is built, and my metabolism runs at lightning speed. On the bright side, I’m perfectly healthy and my blood work comes back flawless, but I have to admit, I’m starting to get a little annoyed with everyone constantly commenting on how skinny I am.
Does anyone happen to have any actual advice on how to put on some weight, since basically just overeating doesn't do anything for me (trust me, I've already given that a shot)?

Honestly, if you’re feeling healthy and your energy levels are where they should be—really hitting your stride—then why on earth should you care about what some random person on the street thinks?
It's like when people criticize a classic movie; if you enjoyed it and it moved you, their opinion is just noise!

I’ve always been on the thin side, but during my first pregnancy, I put on about 37 pounds. I was absolutely thrilled at the time, but three months postpartum, everything just snapped back to my old self... Fast forward ten years to my second pregnancy, and this time I gained about 45 pounds... and they haven't budged. For the last two years, I've just been proudly carrying around an extra 130 pounds compared to my old weight of 120.

What I'm trying to say is... if your metabolism is just built that way, you're basically stuck. Personally, the only way I managed to make a change was through hormone therapy...

Sarah Anderson4, have you thought about hitting up the gym or something? Just stuffing your face doesn't seem like the move to me. Even if you actually manage to pack on the weight, it’s mostly just gonna be fat. If you put in some work at the gym, you could actually build some decent muscle instead.

Besides, I'm with nimbledriver81 on this one—if you're happy, don't let everyone else get in your head! They might just be jealous (or used to being jealous) of your vibe...

What’s your take—is it actually harder to drop the weight or pack it on?

I’m right there with you, >... if you focus on eating right—properly nutritious food, primarily—and keep up with a solid workout routine, you're going to see results. It works exactly the same way in reverse, too, for those who are looking to lose a few pounds... 🙂

swiftrider said:What do you all think—is it actually easier to lose weight or to put it on?

Well, I suppose it really depends on the individual, doesn't it? But if I had to offer a general observation, I’d say that for those of us who are naturally thin, gaining weight is often a much steeper uphill battle than it is for someone struggling with their weight to slim down. In my humble opinion, there truly are only two things that matter in this pursuit: staying organized and maintaining a sense of ironclad discipline.😬

swiftrider said:Which one is harder: dropping weight or packing it on?

The hard part is always whatever you actually need to do.
Skinny people struggle to gain, and heavy people struggle to lose. 😵

It’s actually been scientifically proven that if you’re naturally thin, it’s way harder to put on weight compared to someone who’s struggling to shed a few pounds, which is interesting, right?
But, well, now that there are so many more people out there focused on losing weight, I guess that changes the whole dynamic of things entirely, doesn't it?

Sarah Anderson4 said:I’ve always been thin, and honestly, I never really cared... I used to just treat it like an advantage. I thought I’d eventually fill out a bit, but nope. It’s just my build and my metabolism is lightning fast. I'm perfectly healthy, my doctor says all my labs look great, but I'm already getting tired of everyone constantly telling me I'm too skinny.
Does anyone actually have advice on how to gain weight? Because just force-feeding myself isn't working (trust me, I've tried).

So, what are your measurements, if you don't mind me asking? People have this habit of calling someone "skinny" like it's some kind of insult, when it's really not. Personally, I've always preferred a slimmer look anyway...

I’ve always been on the skinnier side, though I guess I'm only "overweight" according to my mom. Honestly, I've got curves in the right places and my legs aren't exactly huge, so the scale doesn't really bother me.
I'm 27 now—so clearly, that whole "getting fat after puberty" thing was a myth for me. I'm about 5'9" and 123 lbs, maybe fluctuating by a few pounds here and there, but holding onto weight isn't really my thing.

Look, if you’re feeling great and totally healthy, I honestly don't get why you'd even bother trying to gain weight just because people are nitpicking your body. 😕 Personally, I've always been on the petite side with a crazy fast metabolism—I'm about 5'3" and barely hit 100 pounds. When people call me "too thin," it's usually just folks who are my height but carrying an extra 45 pounds or so. 😉 During my pregnancy, I gained about 55 pounds, and it all happened naturally in just a few months. A lot of this stuff really just comes down to your genetics and build. I ended up back at my original weight, but thanks to some Pilates, I completely reshaped how I look. Bottom line? Getting active is always a winning move.

Listen, I have a massive problem here. I am 21 years old, standing 6'0", and I weigh ONLY 110 pounds. Can anyone actually tell me how to put on at least 45 pounds... thanks

Are you even capable of functioning on your own right now?
First off, I’d suggest getting a full checkup with your primary care doctor. They'll probably send you to an internist—maybe even a cardiologist—but honestly, you need to have your whole system checked out from head to toe.
Look, I'm not trying to be some unsolicited advice dispenser here, I'm just telling you to go see a professional.

Have you been sick lately?
I'd recommend picking up some vitamins, though I have no clue how your body would react to them.
If this is just how you're naturally built, I can give you some tips, but if this is the aftermath of some illness, I won't touch that with a ten-foot pole.

Do you even eat?

It might be wise to schedule an appointment with your doctor. While I doubt they'll refer you to a specialist immediately, getting some baseline tests done—like a full blood panel and biochemistry—would be prudent. Have you noticed any digestive issues lately, or perhaps any sudden weight changes? If those results come back inconclusive, a stool culture should be the next step before seeking out an internist, ideally a gastroenterologist...

So, what happens after you go through all those tests? Do they actually prescribe medication, tell you to switch up your diet, or what? 🤔
Look, I’m about 6'0" and under 155 pounds. Sure, that’s more than what the person in the original post mentioned, but I'm still way too thin for my height. Honestly, putting on another 10 or 20 pounds would be a massive win for me. 😁
The thing is, I eat like crazy—I'll eat pretty much anything put in front of me—but the scale just refuses to budge. 😬

You are still growing into your potential 😁 you might consider trying a B-complex supplement, taking one or two capsules after meals, three times a day... follow that for about a month and then transition to a daily multivitamin, I’d recommend Nature Made

It’s not like there’s some massive growth spurt happening (I mean, once you hit 18, you're pretty much done growing, right?), but even if I factor that in...
I've already heard that exact same line from a nurse (my mom, actually). 😁
But what about the older crowd...? 😁

coppermason16 said:can you even function on your own?
first thing I’d suggest is getting a full checkup with a primary care doctor, they'll probably send you to an internist—maybe a cardiologist--you need to get your whole system checked out.
not trying to play doctor here, just saying go see a professional.

you been sick?
i'd suggest some vitamins but idk how you'd react,
if this is just how you're built i'll give you some tips, but if it's from something else, i'm staying out of it,

you even eating?

LMAO hahahahaha
sometimes it's better to just shut up

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OP, go see a GP. First they'll send you for blood work and to check your thyroid levels.
low T3 and T4 levels are usually why people stay chronically thin. why haven't you seen a doctor yet?
If it is your thyroid, you'll get the right meds.
Trust me, it's got nothing to do with cardiology🤣
Also, my advice: start hitting the gym more, like a real workout routine. You can probably find a nutritionist near downtown Chicago or wherever. If you hit the weights, definitely grab some protein powder (don't mix that up with steroids or creatine)—I know plenty of guys who used that combo to bulk up.👍
+ someone already mentioned B-complex, you can grab those at any CVS, the stuff from Nature Made should work fine,$17 just pick some up.👍

[No input provided for rewriting] kaže:
LMAO! Hahaha!
Sometimes, honestly? It’s just better to shut up and stay quiet. Just... zip it. You ever have those moments where you realize that saying anything at all is just going to make things worse? Yeah. That's what I'm talking about. Better to let the silence do the heavy lifting for once.

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Look, man, seriously? Just go see a primary care doctor already. Seriously. They’ll probably start you off with some basic blood work, right? You know, just checking all those baseline levels—specifically making sure your thyroid hormones aren't acting up. It's the first thing they'll do. Why wait?
So, look, I’m pretty sure we're talking about a deficiency in T3 and T4 thyroid hormones here—that's usually the main culprit behind this kind of chronic thinness. Seriously, why didn't you go see a doctor sooner?
If there’s some kidney issue lurking in the background? Well, then you’ll get the right treatment. Hopefully.
Trust me, that has absolutely nothing to do with cardiology. Seriously. Like, what are we even talking about here? It’s completely off base. 🤣
Also, just a quick suggestion—you should really look into hitting the gym or getting some serious physical activity going. I mean, start lifting or something. If you’re around downtown Chicago, I think there are some decent nutritionists tucked away in those wellness centers near the Loop. And listen, if you do decide to go the gym route, make sure you're actually using protein supplements. Just... please, for the love of God, don't confuse protein with steroids or creatine. Seriously. I've seen way too many guys try to take that "shortcut" combo and end up making some really disastrous life choices. Don't be one of them, okay? 👍
So, someone already brought up Vitamin B complex, right? Yeah, you can grab those at basically any CVS or Walgreens around the corner. I think you can just order them from Natural Vitality or something similar online if you don't feel like leaving the house. They're everywhere. $17Look, just go out and get them already. Seriously. 👍

I honestly don't get it. What's even the joke? Seriously, what am I missing here?
I mean, if you aren't aware that extreme deficiencies like that can absolutely wreck your blood pressure and heart health... I mean, we're talking serious stuff here. It can lead to real cardiac issues, too. You ever think about how much your body relies on just staying balanced? One little slip-up with your nutrients and suddenly your heart is struggling to keep up. It's wild, really. Just something to keep in mind, right?
So, what are we actually talking about here? What's the real deal? 50 kilos at 6 feet? Seriously? I mean, are we even talking about the same species here? That’s... that's just light. Like, "barely there" light. Is there even enough mass to hold you down if a heavy breeze kicks up in Chicago? Honestly, I'm sitting here wondering how you even stay upright. Just a thought..
Look, I know exactly what I’m saying. It doesn't necessarily have to be directly tied to his current condition, you know? But it could damn well be the consequence of it. Isn't that how these things usually play out?

Look, I’m telling you—just a friendly heads-up here—don't go acting like you've got all the answers until you've actually sat down and read the damn thing. Seriously. Why rush into it? Just read it first.😳

^Give me a break. If he actually had heart issues—like you’ve already diagnosed him with, lol—he would’ve seen a doctor ages ago.
You claimed they’d send him straight to a cardiologist first? Yeah, right. Totally wrong.
You're forgetting basic blood work. You run those routine labs first, see what's up, and then go from there.