Will someone please take some time out to help me?

[kellykellz123]

Hi everyone! I need some help to get everything organized with this whole IM thing. I've been struggling to gain weight all my life [yes, GAIN] and I am now at 5'4 and 96 lbs [ which is the most I have ever been]. Since I've started IM I've gained 8 lbs on the scale, BUT no one ever notices it, in fact I've been told I look like I LOST even more weight. I think this is because I started exercising and gained muscle mass but the muscle doesn't show at all. I look just as skinny as I used to be at 90 lbs.

So I have a few questions. Firstly, what do you think I am doing wrong? Should I stop exercising and try to eat more instead? As far as intending, can you give me some tips? I always try to visualize for about 15 minutes before I go to sleep. Any other techniques or tips in general?

Most importantly, do you think it is possible for me to gain weight in the right places with IM? I used to be sure but now I need some inspiration. Anyone to share any success stories? About weight loss or any kind of change in physical appearance??

Thank you

[Angela]

Well, I just succeed in losing 11 pounds, 4 percentage points of fat, and 2.5 dress sizes, and I gained almost 2 pounds of muscle, in the last 6 weeks. My body looks very different than it did 45 days ago. Another member, seeker5, lost 20 pounds in the same time period! Both of us completely revamped our eating habits. It's possible to make a big difference in your body in a relatively short time. You should see my shoulders and my abs!

Are you doing strength training? Are you eating enough -- and the right foods? Have you considered consulting with a nutritionist? That made a huge difference for me. I know what foods to eat, but it took talking with a professional and setting up a plan together to give me the kick in the butt that I needed to actually implement smart eating choices.

[Dannyboy1]

Originally Posted by kellykellz123

Hi everyone! I need some help to get everything organized with this whole IM thing. I've been struggling to gain weight all my life [yes, GAIN] and I am now at 5'4 and 96 lbs [ which is the most I have ever been]. Since I've started IM I've gained 8 lbs on the scale, BUT no one ever notices it, in fact I've been told I look like I LOST even more weight. I think this is because I started exercising and gained muscle mass but the muscle doesn't show at all. I look just as skinny as I used to be at 90 lbs.

So I have a few questions. Firstly, what do you think I am doing wrong? Should I stop exercising and try to eat more instead? As far as intending, can you give me some tips? I always try to visualize for about 15 minutes before I go to sleep. Any other techniques or tips in general?

Most importantly, do you think it is possible for me to gain weight in the right places with IM? I used to be sure but now I need some inspiration. Anyone to share any success stories? About weight loss or any kind of change in physical appearance??

Thank you

You need to talk to a trainer and set a minimum amount of calories you absolutely have to get in a day to gain the right kind of weight. That's not good enough, though. The second and most imperative thing you need to do is keep a journal of everything you eat. I had a trainer who was runner up to Mr. Minnesota in body building. He had me training and I was getting super strong, but I wasn't gaining weight. I asked him why and he said, "Are you eating enough?" I said "Yes!" He said, "Are you writing it down?" I said, "Well, no, but..." He interrupted, "Then you're not eating enough. Write it down and you will see." I didn't believe him but I did what he said and, low and behold, at 8pm I was still a few hundred calories away from my minimum. So, I started eating oatmeal and a protein shake at the end of the day and started making the minimum. Just writing it down gave me the motivation to eat enough. Within a month and a half, I gained 12 pounds and I looked great! Keep track of everything you eat - protein, calories, and fat. Write it down and you will reach your goals.

[Angela]

I agree with Dannyboy about writing it all down. Also read labels!

[kellykellz123]

Well the problem is I'm 18 and live with my mother. She won't let me see a nutritionist or trainer or anything so I have to do this on my own. She believes that if you eat more you gain more and you don't need to pay someone to tell you that, lol.

But, in the past, when I was shorter, I did gain weight after my aunt made me some DIY protein shakes with nuts, honey and milk and this herb that enhances appetite. I also gained it in the right places. But then I got taller. So maybe I should try making those shakes again?

[Dannyboy1]

Originally Posted by kellykellz123

Well the problem is I'm 18 and live with my mother. She won't let me see a nutritionist or trainer or anything so I have to do this on my own. She believes that if you eat more you gain more and you don't need to pay someone to tell you that, lol.

But, in the past, when I was shorter, I did gain weight after my aunt made me some DIY protein shakes with nuts, honey and milk and this herb that enhances appetite. I also gained it in the right places. But then I got taller. So maybe I should try making those shakes again?

You're mother won't let you? You're 18. Do what you want. If you don't want her to know, just ask a trainer at the gym how many calories you should be eating a day to gain some weight. They'll tell you for free. They love to talk about that kind of stuff. Just say you want an estimate.

[hkalchemy]

I was very skinny when I was 18. Couldn't put on weight whatever I tried to do. When I was about 28 I suddenly got chubby - no warning, just happened overnight, and now I have to keep an eye on my eating and exercise regularly to keep down to a sensible weight.

So my advice - don't worry; more weight will come! ENJOY being underweight while you can!

If only we would stop worrying! Who told you to be a certain weight? Is it affecting your health? If not, then live with it, embrace it, enjoy it!

[bluesharpist101]

If I were you i would try buying some weight gainer shakes, or just making them yourself, my friend told me in order to gain weight for wrestling he drank a shake with 1850 calories in it.