How to Safely Gain Weight

There are different reasons a person may want or need to gain weight. Maybe all your life you've been the skinny person who could never gain weight. Or maybe you've recently overcome an illness that has left your body too thin. Maybe you just want to put on a few pounds to round out your shape. Whether it's in your family, and you're genetically inclined to stay on the thin side, or whether you have a high metabolism or you're very active, there are several steps you can take to gain weight safely and keep it on effectively. The most important change will be a change in routine eating habits.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. You want to target your goal weight. That way you know what you're shooting for.

2. You want to eat more frequent meals throughout the day. This keeps your energy up, and supplies the extra calories you're lacking now. Instead of three meals, try six meals a day.
   
   Since it's virtually impossible to eat six meals a day, you might consider adding protein or vitamin shakes to boost your calories easily in a healthy way.

3. If you want to gain weight but add muscle not just fat, you want to start working with weights to build muscle tissue. Be aware that you will need to consume extra protein to build muscle tissue, and up your calorie intake in general to counteract your calorie burn.

4. To add fat to your weight gain, consider rounding out your meals with extra of the "good" carbohydrates like whole grain breads and cereals, whole wheat pastas, potatoes and brown rice. Don't pass up cheese and peanut butter.

5. For desserts or in-between meal snacks, have fruit and yogurt smoothies, and add low-fat ice cream. Check out your health food store for muffins and desserts made from fruits and vegetables. Pumpkin muffins, natural gingerbread and apple pies sweetened with fruit juices are healthy choices.

Tips & Warnings

• Before starting any new diet, talk to your doctor.

[rpromjr]

on 5/29/2008 It takes time, patience, and a good appetite. If you snacking throughout the day, it can also keep your digestive system working, therefore your body does not store fat instead it keeps on processing your food. All depends on your body but trying the above steps may work for you! Regardless, eating more more than often does the trick!