# How can I gain weight? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 23, 2003, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926 "2003-02-23T05:42:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Solomon7t](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Solomon7t](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Solomon7t)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926/1 "2003-02-23T05:42:40Z")
First the facts: Age- 17 Sex- Male Height- 6 feet ~2 inches Weight- 140lbs My wieght seems to fluxuate between 130 and 140lbs, I can never seem to beat the 140lbs barrier. When I touch my torso, I can feel my individual ribs and when I dont have a shirt on you can see the ribs on my chest. I dont know if that is normal or not but it makes me feel scrawny and I really dont like that. My goal is too reach whatever weight is considered average for my age and height, I dont want to become a superstar athlete but I want to be healthy and not look like a pencil. How can I gain weight and how much weight do I want to gain? ---
**Author:** ![Blown\_Injected](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@Blown\_Injected](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blown_Injected)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926/2 "2003-02-23T05:47:19Z")
McDonalds, Wendy’s, and Burger King can help you. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926/3 "2003-02-23T05:48:25Z")
Buy a bread machine. I find fresh made bread irresistable, and blame my new bread machine for about 15 pounds in 6 months. Don’t forget to slather each slice with real butter. If you don’t gain weight, you must have a well fed tapeworm. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926/4 "2003-02-23T06:02:57Z")
For your height, 200 pounds might be about right. The answer is simple: eat all day long. Make sure it’s a decent diet, but don’t be without food. Work out, too–more weight training than anything else–to make sure the excess weight is mostly lean tissue. Also see [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=164560) on the same topic. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926/5 "2003-02-23T06:04:26Z")
Keep in mind, too, that your ideal weight depends on a lot more than just your height. How long are your legs and arms? How wide are your hips and shoulders? These can make quite a bit of difference. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Urt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8491ac/32.png) [@Mr\_Urt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Urt)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926/6 "2003-02-23T06:07:57Z")
I’m gonna assume that you mean you want to gain muscle specifically, and not just weight. in that case, making sure you eat large amounts of protein is key. you’d have to do research on how much, as I am not sure, I just thought I’d start you in the right direction. (remember, too much of anything is bad for you) ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926/7 "2003-02-23T06:16:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Solomon7t \* > \*\*First the facts: > Age- 17 > Sex- Male > Height- 6 feet ~2 inches > Weight- 140lbs > \*\* Holy smoke!:eek: These were my exact stats (minus an inch) when I was a high school Junior. I have the solution: DO NOTHING! The, er, " skinny problem" eventually takes care of itself. Trust me. I know.;)☹ Someday you’ll be on these boards whinning how can I lose some weight? But if you really want to gain weight, forget about high calorie foods and lift weights instead. You don’t have to be a great athlete to body build, and muscles will fill you out and weigh more than fat. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926/8 "2003-02-23T16:08:03Z")
Chocolate covered lard cubes deep fried egg yolks (with cheese sauce) bacon wrapped prime rib Seriously, a healthy, but extra calorie, diet with weight training will be the best. Brian or wait till you are 30,and eventually you will have no problems gaining weight… ---
**Author:** ![Indefatigable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9d8465/32.png) [@Indefatigable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indefatigable)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926/9 "2003-02-23T16:21:57Z")
Have you talked to your doctor and made sure your current weight is not actually your healthy weight? As women have been aware for some time, and men seem to be just starting to dabble in, your mental idea of a body that ‘looks healthy’ might not be truly healthy. You might already _be_ healthy, so don’t obsess about what healthy _looks_ like. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926/10 "2003-02-23T17:03:49Z")
I had a problem gaining weight when I was your age too. The problem will eventuallt take care of itself like others said. However, I know what it like to be a really skinny male so I understand. The thing that worked for me was the weight gain powder they sell at GNC and other nutrition stores. A couple of shakes a day provide an extra 2000 calories a day or so on top of your regular diet. I gained about 20 pounds in just a couple of months on it and kept it on. It is moderately expensive but tons of extra food would probably cost much more. ---
**Author:** ![Indefatigable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9d8465/32.png) [@Indefatigable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indefatigable)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926/11 "2003-02-23T17:28:03Z")
_I know what it like to be a really skinny male so I understand._ Danger, Will Robinson! _wild flailing of arms_ This sounds way too much like “I know what it’s like to be a pudgy teenage girl, and here’s what you can do to lose weight fast”. I really can’t see the difference. People think that if their body looks like some arbitrary idealised picture of health, that they will be healthy automatically-- and they come up with all kinds of wacky and possibly damaging ways to get their body there. In the end it’s about the look, not the health, because you’re actually sacrificing health to pursue the goal. There are a certain number of calories that a person needs to take in per day in order for the body to keep functioning at healthy levels. Too much or too little, especially too suddenly or without other lifestyle changes to accomodate it, is a good way to make yourself sick now or set yourself up for health problems in later life. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926/12 "2003-02-23T17:41:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Indefatigable \* > \*\*_I know what it like to be a really skinny male so I understand._ > > People think that if their body looks like some arbitrary idealised picture of health, that they will be healthy automatically-- and they come up with all kinds of wacky and possibly damaging ways to get their body there. In the end it’s about the look, not the health, because you’re actually sacrificing health to pursue the goal. > \*\* :rolleyes: Do you even read what I wrote? I didn’t suggest smoking marijuana three times a day to build up an appetite. Weight gain powder is simply a concentration high in calories, some protein, moderate fat content, and vitamins and minerals mixed with low fat milk. There is nothing dangerous or wacky about it. Eating at McDonals’s 5 times a week would ceratainly be much less healthy. There is nothing wrong with using nutrition and exercise to shape your body the way you want it to be. That is just common sense. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926/13 "2003-02-23T17:52:56Z")
“You need to focus on the neglected food groups: The whipped group, the congealed group, and the chocolotastic.” “I recommend a slow, steady gorging process, combined with assal horizontology.” “Be creative. Instead of making sandwiches with bread, use pop tarts. Instead of chewing gum, chew bacon.” “And remember…if you’re not sure of something, rub it against a piece of paper. If the paper turns clear, it’s your window to weight gain. Bye bye everybody!” –Dr. Nick Riviera ---
**Author:** ![bluemoonz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@bluemoonz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bluemoonz)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926/14 "2003-02-23T17:53:25Z")
eat ---
**Author:** ![bluemoonz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@bluemoonz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bluemoonz)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926/15 "2003-02-23T17:54:39Z")
hmm… sleep too ---
**Author:** ![Indefatigable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9d8465/32.png) [@Indefatigable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indefatigable)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926/16 "2003-02-23T17:59:10Z")
_There is nothing wrong with using nutrition and exercise to shape your body the way you want it to be._ The same excuse could be used by an anorexic. People mold their bodies as if they were play-doh without thinking about the stress that this causes to their other systems. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926/17 "2003-02-23T18:13:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Indefatigable \* > \*\*_There is nothing wrong with using nutrition and exercise to shape your body the way you want it to be._ > > The same excuse could be used by an anorexic. People mold their bodies as if they were play-doh without thinking about the stress that this causes to their other systems. \*\* Nobody is talking about anorexics or gaining 300 pounds so that you can be a fat man in a circus. This is about health and nutrition to improve your body within the normal range. I take it you are not a big fan of athletes or working out at all. Just sit around and let the chips fall where they may. With logic and reasoning skills like yours, I can see that you are going to do quite well here. ---
**Author:** ![Indefatigable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9d8465/32.png) [@Indefatigable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indefatigable)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926/18 "2003-02-23T18:29:08Z")
\*I take it you are not a big fan of athletes or working out at all. Just sit around and let the chips fall where they may. \* I like to work out, and I like to get exercise. It’s fun. I do pay attention to my lifestyle; I’m a student, so the pattern I tend to fall into is pretty sedentary, and I try to work in exercise whenever I can (this semester it’s yoga and broomball, and the gym when there isn’t a broomball game that week). I still look chubby compared to what people think of when you tell them to envision a ‘healthy’ and fit woman. I’m not trim or toned, but I’m not so fat that I’m going to have back pain or heart problems or put myself at risk for diabetes, and I’m not so thin that I have no stored energy reserves. As long as my body functions well, I’m not going to go out of my way to make my body ‘look’ healthy. My point was that there’s so much variation between people because of their genetics that there is no one single ‘healthy’ body type for everyone of a certain age and height and sex. You have to look at the individual. If your heart and organs are healthy, if your bones are strong and your joints aren’t too stressed, if you don’t fatigue too easily, you’re probably healthy even if you look like a beanpole. Loading yourself up with huge amounts of extra nutrition can be dangerous (for example, too much protein is really hard on your kidneys). _With logic and reasoning skills like yours, I can see that you are going to do quite well here._ I’m going to assume that wasn’t sarcasm. Thanks. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926/19 "2003-02-23T21:07:28Z")
The thing is, there’s no one “healthy body” for a given individual. There’s a range. And the body you have affects your mental well-being as well as your physical. So long as someone’s within the range of a healthy physique, why shouldn’t they get the body that comes closest to making them happy? ---
**Author:** ![Indefatigable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9d8465/32.png) [@Indefatigable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indefatigable)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926/20 "2003-02-23T21:10:50Z")
As long as they’re in the range, sure. But I’m willing to guess that it would be taxing on the body-- particularly the joints and the bones-- to change from Woody Allen to Arnold Schwarzenegger over too short a time and with too much artificial help (and by artificial I include supplements that deliver more nutrients and calories than it would be practical to get from food). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-gain-weight/156926.md?page=2)