Some people dream about the problem of weighing too little and having problems gaining weight, but it’s not funny or good if you suffer from weighing too little. There’s a lot of reasons to want to gain weight quickly. You might be in a competition or just want to look better. People who are too thin often avoid exercise or turn to unhealthy foods trying to burn fewer calories or pack on more calories. That’s not the best route to take.
Why eating junk food and turning into a couch potato isn’t the route to take.
Both of those things may help you put on weight, but it won’t be the type of weight you need to look and feel your best. In fact, it can actually impede your progress and leave you feeling sick. Bodyweight exercises, such as push-ups, can help build body mass. In fact, strength training can actually help you gain weight and increases your appetite.
What you eat does make a huge difference.
There are some foods that can help you gain weight and while they are delicious, they’re also healthy. You can make your own protein shakes and control the ingredients to make them healthier. However, use healthy ingredients like bananas with chocolate whey protein and peanut butter or frozen blueberries, vanilla whey protein and Greek yogurt. Milk, rice dishes, fatty fish, avocados, red meat and nut butters are also good for weight gain. They’re calorie rich and provide the nutrients to help improve your health and build muscle.
Find ways to make your meals more calorie dense.
Using nut butter on your morning toast or adding slices of avocado to eggs or other dishes are just two ways to boost your caloric intake. If you tend to snack throughout the day, snack on trail mix, not candy. Make it yourself and include all types of nuts and dried fruit. You can even add dark chocolate semi-sweet bits, which are healthier than milk chocolate.
- Take naps if you don’t sleep at least seven to nine hours at night. Getting adequate sleep can help boost muscle growth and help reduce the calories you burn.
- Opt for fruit juice over whole fruit. Whole fruit contains fiber, which fill you up and fruit juice doesn’t, so you can consume more without feeling full. Vegetable juices can also be added as a supplement.
- Make sure you do strength training. It helps build muscle tissue, which weighs more than fat tissue does. Building muscle tissue helps you bulk up and pack on extra weight.
- Have a workout program that focuses on the right balance of exercises to help you accomplish your goal. It might require limiting cardio to 20 minutes a day. It’s best to get the advice of a personal trainer that will design a program specifically for your needs.
For more information, contact us today at Urban Athlete