Help me to gain weight

[diannescruffy]

I've always had trouble putting on weight, been to GP he did tests and all ok. I'm 163cm and am normally around 54kg. Over the last few months I've lost 6kg, if I get sick and lose weight I have so much trouble putting it back on. I havn't been sick so thinking maybe it was a bit of stress. Do I need more protein in my diet? More calories? Please help.

Regards,
Dianne

[Mak]

Morning Dianne! I am going to preface this with saying it is just general advice and obvously not making any consideration for other medical conditions you may have (high cholesterol etc). I think it is generally recommended that you make the calories you eat worth it. So use full fat dairy and try to add some to your current meals - so maybe omelette with cheese, hot chocolate/smoothie/milkshake with icecream, add cream to soups etc. Also try some high energy snacks and plan them frequently. So some nut/dried fruit packs, cheese and bikkies, avocado on toast and/or glass of milk. Definitely try to schedule in your meals/snacks so you eat regularly and get in the swing of doing so. It sounds silly but it can be really hard to regain your appetite if you have lost it - some times this happens when you get stressed/busy. The key is to make sure you can increase your calories from nutrient rich food too not just empty calories as you will also feel better rather than if you ate 'junk' food. You could always get some Sustagen if you were finding that this isn't easy - also it may take a little while for your body to adapt to putting on weight. Did the Dr offer a dietiation/nutritionist for you?
HTH - good luck as it is hard work and people often don't realise how hard it can be. xxx

[diannescruffy]

Thank you Mak, that is really helpful.

Regards,
Dianne

[toomanyshoes]

Morning Dianne! I am going to preface this with saying it is just general advice and obvously not making any consideration for other medical conditions you may have (high cholesterol etc). I think it is generally recommended that you make the calories you eat worth it. So use full fat dairy and try to add some to your current meals - so maybe omelette with cheese, hot chocolate/smoothie/milkshake with icecream, add cream to soups etc. Also try some high energy snacks and plan them frequently. So some nut/dried fruit packs, cheese and bikkies, avocado on toast and/or glass of milk. Definitely try to schedule in your meals/snacks so you eat regularly and get in the swing of doing so. It sounds silly but it can be really hard to regain your appetite if you have lost it - some times this happens when you get stressed/busy. The key is to make sure you can increase your calories from nutrient rich food too not just empty calories as you will also feel better rather than if you ate 'junk' food. You could always get some Sustagen if you were finding that this isn't easy - also it may take a little while for your body to adapt to putting on weight. Did the Dr offer a dietiation/nutritionist for you?
HTH - good luck as it is hard work and people often don't realise how hard it can be. xxx

Totally agree with this. Rather than reaching for the "junk food" make sure you're getting enough full cream milk, butter, cheese, nuts, all the good fats.

[Floweryfields]

Can I ask do you feel like eating? Do you have a good appetite?

[diannescruffy]

Yep, big appetite. I'm not a big fan of milk, only have it in my coffee so I will start making milkshakes and I'll get some Sustagen to put in that too. Thanks girls.

Regards,
Dianne

[Rainbow_Mumma]

i have the same problem Dianne, im 152cm and usually around 45kg when not pregnant, i eat so much junk and it makes no difference but im adapting a new healthy lifestyle and eating good fats and as said about making the calories i take in worth it, obviously i wont know if it makes a difference for me until a few months after the twins are born

[toomanyshoes]

Another thing is a good olive oil dressing on your salads.

[helle]

Avocado is full of good fats.
Eggs
Def cheese and full cream milks, yoghurts..

[diannescruffy]

Thanks guys, I'm going shopping later so I will stock up on these foods. MrsS I too could eat all the junk food in the world with no difference so this is really exciting for me.

Regards,
Dianne

[helle]

Good luck hun!

[ladybird11]

And eat lots of proteins too hun, shakes, tuna, fish, red meat

xoxox

[Dansta]

come to my house and let me feed you?

i agree with the others. also try and have things like pasta/rice/spuds before bed. they're higher in calories and before bed = they can't be 'used' as such. also haveing snacks between meals should help too (think about what we do for young kids to make sure they eat enough.

hth

[RainbowBrite]

I have the same problem...I am 166cm and am sitting around 47-48kg at the moment.
I also know a lot of mine is contributed to stress...I am usually about 51-52kg.
Being vegetarian doesn't help.
I sometimes buy ensure powder it contains protein and a lot of vitamins and minerals...as well as more healthy high cal/fat foods (nuts, avocado etc)
Good luck.

[Miss.B]

Dianne, I have the same problem. Years ago my brother got really sick and I ended up losing 5 or 6 kg from memory, but because I have always been slim (pretty much all my life I've been around 53 kg) it was a lot for me. Whatever I was at the time I went down to 49 kg. So I went to the gym and did weights only to build up muscle, and had the protein drinks every day for a couple of months. I put on 7 kg, and then I was a healthy 56 kg for aaaaaaages. When I hit mid thirties, I went to 60 kg, I was so happy as that's my ideal weight (I'm 168 cm). After I had my second baby, I lost a few kg and I'm back to 54 kg and hating it. My boobies which have always been on the smaller side have all but disappeared and I look really thin. And I feel lethargic. Back to the protein shakes for me I think.

GL hun!

[diannescruffy]

Dansta, I'd love to take you up on that offer, what's your address? lol
Beata, boobies what are they, don't have any either. I can tell you DH was at his happiest when I was pregnant and b/f.

Regards,
Dianne

[Lulliloo]

dianne i am the same. i am about 170cm and at the moment i am about 51kg.
im the same that as soon as im sick i loose the weight and i can never put it back on
i take a protein drink that is designed for high performance athletes.
i like to make it with bananas or strawberries and icecream as a smoothie type thing.
make sure you have it with meals and not instead of.
also find that lots of potatos help.