Okay, so I've been trying to gain weight on purpose since March 31, 2005.
So far I've managed to gain only half a pound. Sad, I know. I'm somewhat ashamed to admit it. However, I am proud that I managed to gain that. Because before, I was losing about half a pound per week (bad!).

Anyway, I was wondering what is the most weight I can strive to gain per week without becoming unhealthy or having the weight be all fat instead of fat and muscle? Half a pound? One pound?

I'm definitely willing to chug down a can or two of Ensure, drink 100% juice, pour olive oil over anything/everything, slather nut butters on fruits/vegetables/bread, and use real full-fat mayo...I've become that desperate to gain this weight and be done with it!

I want energy, I want a life..
I want a body that is healthy. I want to be able to show my arms without feeling disgusting/ashamed. I want my muscular legs and calves back. I want my butt back. I want my breasts back. I want my hips back.

I want to be able to eat without counting calories and to exercise, but in order to do that...I have to gain up to a healthy weight.

Right now I'm about 30 lbs underweight, according to the BMI method.
I personally feel I am 20 - 25 lbs underweight and would like to gain at least 20 lbs.

Do you think gaining 20 lbs in 5 months (4 lbs a month; 1 lb a week) is going too fast? Should I try to gain 20 lbs in 10 months instead (2 lbs a month; 0.5 lb a week)?

To gain 0.5 lb a week, I need about 1350 per day (I could do that.)
To gain 1 lb a week, I need about 1600 cal per day (hard, but I could do it).
To gain 1.5 lb a week, I need about 1850 cal per day (not really seeing how that would be possible without being uncomfortably full constantly)
To gain 2 lb a week, I need about 2100 cal per day (there's NO WAY I'll be able to ingest that right now...crazy...).

(When I am not trying to gain weight, I naturally consume about 700 - 1100 calories..so that's where my hunger level is at naturally.)


By the way, I'm also not allowed to exercise until I gain a lot of weight..so...the weight I gain will probably be fat at first, and then have to be converted to muscle afterwards. Sigh.

I think... you need to stop treating this as a purely mathematical problem, in terms of number of calories you need to take in to gain x pounds a week. I'm really dubious about this, to be honest; I honestly don't think you can actually calculate and plan it like that. Often, the "calories in / calorie out"-equation (which can't be trusted in all cases anyway, as we all have different metabolisms, and so many other factors play in) cease to apply when you're very underweight. As I've said before: other people here on VB who were hospitalized for an ED have told of having to eat massive amounts to even maintain at first, because their metabolism, once it was brought back to life, went into high-gear mode. So I absolutely think you need to eat AT LEAST 2000 cals a day.

Now I see how frustrating that proposal must seem to you... feeling painfully full all the time does not sound like a very appealing way to live. But I honestly don't think there's any other way right now. (You should also try to eat at least 4 times a day.)

If you don't find that you're able to do this, I would strongly recommend that you get professional help. I know you're highly reluctant to do this, and I understand your reluctance very well, but I'm afraid this - doing it on your own - turns out to be harder for you than you can handle. As you've been struggling to gain for quite a while now, with much effort invested and little result coming out of it ,I start to wonder if it's not better that you got some help. I am concerned about your health.

Take care. :hug:

it seems to me that if you want to gain your breasts and hips back, you need to gain fat too (since breasts are mostly fat!).

Eat healthy foods, eat as much as you want--at least 2000 cals/day. try to avoid processed products in favor of real, healthy foods that are nutrient dense. eat flavorful, seasoned food to encourage appitite and so that you enjoy your meals.

exercise moderately and appropriate. yoga, moderate weight training (2 times per week is enough with a half-hour, full body work out), and moderate cardio (1/2 hour per day) is appropriate to maintain health while still striving to gain weight. the weight training will help you put on muscle, which requires more food and will make you hungrier. Eat whenever you're hungry. Eat something healthy and nutrient rich with adequate amounts of protien, fats, and real carbs (simple and complex)--a good ratio is 30:20:50 (protien: fat: carbs); a good carb ratio (simple: compex) is 30:20.

Estimate and don't worry about calories in case you're not getting enough. If you're not getting enough, then diary until you are getting enough. Once you know how much that is, then you don't need to worry about calories. don't worry about calories out either, and if you miss a work out or two, it's ok, you're body will still remember.

GOod luck with everything!

Bluewisdom - you'll be surprised at how well your body will adapt to taking in more calories. Eat lots of nice, dense breads with olive oil. Pasta with nice thick chuncky sauce. You are not likely to gain weight too fast, even if you try, given your history.

So first: Good for you for wanting a healthier you!!!
And finally: don't worry so much, you are not going to gain weight too fast. I gained 15 pounds in 4 months my freshman year without really trying at all, and everyone said it looked great on me (I also was way too skinny and hid my boney arms. I actually looked a little curvy after that, and my confidence soared.)

Maybe pretend that food is "all you can eat", hehe. (thats how it was at the dining hall.) Then you are going to try to get your "money's worth" out of it, and you'll gain weight no problem ;-)

sorry that i mentioned the exercise since you're not allowed until you gain a lot more weight.

at this point, any weight you gain will be both muscle and fat, but that's a good thing. When you get to a weight where you're allowed to work out, then add in the exercise that i mentioned.

also, gentle yoga stretches and breathing and meditation techniques will help. yoga journal has some good videos that are gentle (beginners, relaxation, flexibility, gentle, etc). if you can take a gentle, classical yoga class, that would be a good option too. it's a little bit of movement--but focus is on meditation and self-knowledge, not on the physical. it will help in ways that you cannot begin to imagine.

also, 700-1100 calories is not a 'natural' hunger level. that's probably below your regular metabolic rate. seriously, not healthy.

professional help may be in order.

The only way you're going to really gain weight is by eating at least 2000 calories a day. Sorry. It's true. Ask any of us who have been underweight. You just have to try. Eat really, really calorie-dense foods. Munch on granola all day. Put oil on everything you eat. Do anything you have to do. The uncomfortable fullness will go away in time. I know you're trying now, and I know you're working hard to get better, but you have to let go of any fears of large amounts of food, eating several meals a day, and gaining weight at a "quick pace". Please?

Do you think gaining 20 lbs in 5 months (4 lbs a month; 1 lb a week) is going too fast? Should I try to gain 20 lbs in 10 months instead (2 lbs a month; 0.5 lb a week)?

To gain 0.5 lb a week, I need about 1350 per day (I could do that.)
To gain 1 lb a week, I need about 1600 cal per day (hard, but I could do it).
To gain 1.5 lb a week, I need about 1850 cal per day (not really seeing how that would be possible without being uncomfortably full constantly)
To gain 2 lb a week, I need about 2100 cal per day (there's NO WAY I'll be able to ingest that right now...crazy...).

(When I am not trying to gain weight, I naturally consume about 700 - 1100 calories..so that's where my hunger level is at naturally.)


20 lbs in 5 months is definately not too much, especially considering how underweight you are. any less than that, i would say is dangerous. when i was in a residential treatment center with my ED, i gained around 15 lbs in about 3 1/2 months and it hasn't been all fat. i have started weight training since then and had no problems. any less that 1 lb a week would not be acceptable in treatment. plus, many of your vital organs have probably lost muscle (heart, etc.) and that kind of muscle can be replenished without exercise (at least that's what all of my dr's have said)...so it won't all be fat.

also, if you can remember how painful and uncomfortable it was to get up to eating what you are right now from what you were, that's basically what you will have to go through again to get used to eating at least 2,000 calories a day. you'll metabolism will probably rise once you start feeding it more and you will only even maintain on 2,000...so be prepared. it's scary and uncomfortable, but you have the determination nad strength to do it!

Anyway, I was wondering what is the most weight I can strive to gain per week without becoming unhealthy or having the weight be all fat instead of fat and muscle?

You can't "gain" muscle...you have to have adipose tissue to "turn into" muscle tissue...

So start with the "easiest" order first...2000 calories/day minimum. Someone mentioned the fact that you're too mathematical about it all...and it's seemingly true.

To gain 0.5 lb a week, I need about 1350 per day (I could do that.)

:stinkeye: Seriously. That *might* be possible if you just lay in bed ALL. DAY. LONG. That number seems more like a basal amount, meaning simply to SUSTAIN LIFE, you take in 1350. But, if you're up and about, that number jumps...and it'll jump BIG TIME especially if you're trying to GAIN weight.

Many women 'round the VB's eat an average of 2000 cal/day to maintain their weights so...look at in terms of that. Everyone's body is different, but in the simplest terms, again, strive for a 2000 calorie-intake a day...and it's easy enough to get that many calories without eating crappy food. I think carbohydrates (complex, mainly) are going to be a new best friend :yes:

Keep us posted...sniff through the IAT Thread to get food/meal ideas...one can generally find well-rounded days of eating in there :up:

:nigel: Cheers.

Whenever I was in residential treatment anyone severly underweight, as you are had to gain 3 pounds a week, the lowset we could gain was 2 pounds a week, anything below 1 pound a week is not acceptable, even in an outpatient setting. Your body will gain back muscle even without exercise, not all of it will coume back as fat, I know this from ALOT of experience, I have been through the reffeding process about 10 times. While I do not believe you only consume 700-1100 cals a day when you eat by hunger, I will humor you - here is a plan to eat what you believe to be matience calories and still gain the approriate amount of weight-

consume 1100 (if you ate more before your ed then increase this number- the goal is to eat how you did before your ed, becuase if you want normallacy this is the only way you can reach it) calories a day in meals in snacks, whatever you want, whatever you would "normally" eat before your ed
suggestion for 1200
Breakfast -300
Snack - 100
Lunch - 300
Snack - 100
Dinner - 300
Snack - 100
in order to gain weight you must eat additional calories in the form of ensure or boost (or a comparable drink) this allows you to get used to eating "normal" amounts of food while gaining weight - as the boost is you "weight gain medicine", out of all the different methods i have been through this has been the best, however I was on 2200 for matinece calories (without exercise) and I had to consume boost/resource/tube feeding to get the weight gain calories in...so I was able to practice eating my matience cals of 2200 a day while gaining weight
to gain 2 pounds a week an additional 7000 calories minimum must be consumed over the week ON TOP of your matinece calories which breaks down to 1000 a day,
this can easilly be meet by 3 Boost Plus a day (i recommend having one with each snack)
If you are not willing to take our advice, then you really are not ready to get better because in order to recover you must be willing to do whatever it takes as uncomfortable as it maybe - this is really the best way, the longer you put off the weight gain the more likly you are not to gain it

Anni is correct (and needs to consistently take her own advise ;) Good to see your spirits back up again!!)

Blue - I eat anywhere between 1700 (that's a "I watched movies all day" day) to 2200 (a standard day) to 2500 (that's a biking day). So, if you're trying to GAIN weight, you need to be at least in my upper range.

Are you vegetarian or vegan? If vegetarian, I also recommend Boost (although I hate the stuff) or Slim Fast Chocolate Royale (don't laugh - the stuff ROCKS). The Slim Fast has 250 calories per can and I use it as a snack or half a breakfast (adding in fruit, toast, and an egg). It's no more filling then drinking a glass of chocolate milk, but it's superior in calories and nutritents (it's fortified, so think of it like drinking a vitamin).

I'm a vegetarian. The only stuff I absolutely refuse to eat is: meat, fish, and poultry. I prefer not to eat eggs and gelatin, and I am not fond of cow milk. I am fine with dairy products...cheese, yogurt, pudding, cottage cheese, ice cream..all of that, as long as it's not in excessive amounts because I tend to be lactose intolerant at times. I'm okay with honey and egg products (such as mayo). If tend to subsist entirely on fresh produce, bread, nuts, nut butters, granola, cereal, soy milk, juice, tofu, whole grain pasta and rice, soup, yogurt, reduced fat cheese, and reduced fat cottage cheese...but I can't do that at the moment, since I wouldn't consume enough calories.

About the Ensure suggestion...do you think it would work if, instead of having Ensure (350 calories), I drank juice (140 calories) and added olive oil/canola mayo/other spreads to food items for the additional 210 + calories? That way I could consider the juice and the spreads the "weight gain medicine"...instead of the Ensure as the weight gain medicine. Because, honestly, Ensure makes me feel very very ill. I actually sort of like the taste, but it just sits in my stomach like a rock. A moving, splashing rock. It's not pleasant. :no:

Here's what I consumed so far today...I also forced myself to "clean the plate", even though I was full before..

Lunch was a yogurt parfait, consisting of:
-200g Fage Total 2% yogurt
-1 tbsp honey
-2 tbsps wheat germ
-half an oz of cashews
-half an oz of pecans
-10g (two small squares) of Endangered Species Grizzly Bar (70% dark chocolate with raspberries)
-1/4 cup Back to Nature french vanilla granola - 110
-extra large banana - 146
sub-total: 768

And 8 fl oz fresh 100% watermelon juice - 112

Bringing my total so far to 880 calories...I'm SO very full. Very very very very full.

Dinner is going to be two cups of grilled vegetable soup for 314 calories..that'll bring me to 1194 calories...

So I guess I'll also have to have an Ensure Plus. Bringing me to 1544 calories. Is that a good start?

I'm trying so hard, I'm just so full. :\ I hate "cleaning my plate" when my stomach is telling me "I'm done now, really. No really. Please stop eating. Hey! What are you doing?! You're still feeding me! I CAN'T FIT IN ANYMORE FOOD."

...I'm not sure how many calories I ate pre-ED, but I know it was definitely more than 1100. Probably somewhere around 1500. I used to eat a medium sized breakfast, a small snack, a medium sized lunch, a large snack, and a small - medium sized dinner.

It's a good start. You need to get used to eating more, so there is a learning curb there. Just continue to introduce more food slowly.

Ensure makes me sick, too. Slim Fast. Seriously, the chocolate royale. It's where it's at for weight gain (I know, it's meant for weight loss, but that stuff goes down smooth).

Drink more. Have more oil. Have a bit of full-fat cheese every day.

I agree with Krista - go for Slim Fast, but only the chocolate ones. Stay away from the "Optima" ones, though, because they're just laxatives. Ensure would make me feel sick, too, but Slim Fast never did that to me. I would sometimes make a milkshake in a blender with it to get some extra calories, or, when I was living on campus about 2 years ago, I would pour a can or two in a Nalgene-style bottle, add some soymilk to that, and shake it up really well, and sip it throughout the day.


Here's an idea to combat the really full feeling:

When you're having a meal and you start feeling really full, just leave it and come back later. Pace around the room, go watch a TV show, read a couple chapters in a book, and just take your mind off food. Take a short nap, even. Then just resume eating the meal when the fullness subsides (and it will, eventually).

And you really would get more calories in if you ate more often throughout the day. Eating all your calories in one or two sittings is bound to make your stomach revolt.

i'm 5'5" and currently 100lbs. i have to eat at least 1800 calories a day just to maintain (survive) at 100lbs and not lose weight again. i had gotten down to 94 and managed to gain back up to 110 with lots of food and some excercise, but i've been sick off and on, busy, etc so haven't eaten as well lately and haven't been working out and i dropped back down to 100

the trick is consistency. yes you WILL have to eat 2000+ calories a day. that's a fact of life you'll have to get used to. and you'll have to do it every day. every every every day. no excuses. i've been making excuses for weeks and tossed 10 lbs i worked hard to gain out the window in about 2 weeks. now THAT is unhealthy. if you are ready and willing to gain the weight you have to be willing to put the fear aside and just eat. and eat and eat and eat...
counting calories may not be a good idea in your case but maybe sit down and make up some meal plans that are at least 2000 calories a day and around 80-90 g protein. then every day you follow that meal plan, this way you don't have to count every day. if you don't want something on the plan one day substitute it for something else of about the same density and you should be able to stay around 2000 without having to keep track.

And you really would get more calories in if you ate more often throughout the day. Eating all your calories in one or two sittings is bound to make your stomach revolt.

:yes: 6 small meals a day, each meal consisting of a fist-sized portion of carbs and one of protein, and as much fruit and veggies as you can stuff in you. and keep dishes of nuts on the coffeetable, on your desk, wherever you spend the most time distracted by something (tv, computer etc). people generally will just subconsciously start munching while distracted if there's something on hand.

i also recommend full fat dairy--whether it's ice cream, yogurt, cheeses of any sort, cream, etc. In fact, if you can make home-made ice cream with whole milk, whole cream, agave nectar or honey, vanilla/vanilla extract and whatever else you'd want to add--it would be really healthy for you. Also, the 'fat free' and 'reduced fat' stuff generally triggers more lactose intolerance because it has more sugar (lactose) than those products with fat (same volumn will have more fat, thereby less sugar, so less lactose intolerance).

good luck!