Help! I need suggestions on how to gain weight!

[Anonymous]

I am 25, 5'3" and 115 lbs. I have two kids and I can't keep any weight on. Immediately after I had both of my kids, I loved loved loved my body. I weighed 130ish. I had hips, butt, and legs. But within 2 months I loose it all! I would love any ideas on how to gain weight, but in a healthy way. Please don't tell me to go to McDonalds 5Xs a day. I want to put on pounds without clogging my arteries. I just don't want to have a preteen body. I would like to be shaped like a woman... with hips! TIA

[Anonymous]

You could put on weight in muscle. You won't have the soft 130lb body, but you will have nice defined curves that way.

[Anonymous]

Interesting... before pregnancy, I was 5'4'' and 108 and thought that was curvy enough! But to each her own

The key is eating more and building muscle (weightlifting) at the same time. If you want curves, I would not cut out fats, but choose healthy ones, like drizzling your pasta with olive oil instead of butter, etc. Eat plenty of protein, because those are the muscle building blocks. Lift weights to tone your arms (especially triceps), bottom and thighs so that they don't jiggle.

As you get older, you will find that your tissues loosen and droop more easily - so that either you will exercise more and more to keep your toned body, or you will decide to lose some weight and slim down to avoid jiggles. Or both, in the end

[Anonymous]

I love my sexy as hell curves

[Anonymous]

I hate you. :p

But I agree, curves are really quite nice and I'd be sad to not have mine- hell, I AM sad to not have mine as they're covered in excess fat.

I think your best bet is to add some muscle- but that will also make you burn calories faster so it's something to consider.

Otherwise, maybe try eating more fatty yet healthy foods- avocado, nuts, olive oil, natural/healthy peanut butter (not necessarily the heavily processed stuff...)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting... before pregnancy, I was 5'4'' and 108 and thought that was curvy enough! But to each her own

That's what I was thinking! I'm only 10lb more (than the OP) but I am half a foot taller. Yes, to each her own.

Agree with some of the PPs: lots of protein and weights, back off the cardio a bit. Make protein shakes and drink them as snacks. As a female, you won't get a body-builder body from that, unless you are doing HEAVY intensive weight lifting like 3 hours a day. Just isn't going to happen.

[Anonymous]

Just as women who are packing more weight than they would like can't lose it without a mighty struggle that is likely doomed (5% success rate), women who want to gain weight are fighting the tide. Can you learn to love your body for what it does for you, rather than how it looks? I mean, if this is about being healthy, listening to your body's requests for food and exercise is going to get you there.

[Anonymous]

Add weights into your workout--assuming you have time, which is a big if with two kids....

I would add in more pasta, dairy, bread, and carbs if you want to gain weight. Protein is good for building muscle, but high protein diets make you lose fat and sounds like you want to add a little padding.

Of course, the unhealthy but fun way would be milkshakes, beer, chocolate, ice cream, wine....

[Anonymous]

What about a smoothie a day with banana, WHOLE milk, other fruits, and whole milk yogurt? I would skip the protein powder since I think it tastes nasty.

[Anonymous]

OP -I was you about a decade ago and now I am almost 40 yo and I have 20 pounds I can't get rid of. I never had hips and a butt before - just 2 skinny legs, but I have way more than curves now - ie. a gut! The grass is always greeneer...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am 25, 5'3" and 115 lbs. I have two kids and I can't keep any weight on. Immediately after I had both of my kids, I loved loved loved my body. I weighed 130ish. I had hips, butt, and legs. But within 2 months I loose it all! I would love any ideas on how to gain weight, but in a healthy way. Please don't tell me to go to McDonalds 5Xs a day. I want to put on pounds without clogging my arteries. I just don't want to have a preteen body. I would like to be shaped like a woman... with hips! TIA

I'm 5'4" and 115 lbs after 3 kids. I don't think it's about the weight as much as it is the muscle tone. Try doing the 30 Day Shred.

[Anonymous]

Weight training weight training weight training!

Join a gym that offers personal training services so you have someone to show you the ropes.

Also, as someone who's 5'3 and hasn't been 115lbs since highschool, I hate you sooooooooooooooooo much.

[Anonymous]

Are you sure, OP? 130 at your height seems like a bit much. I'm 5'9 and weigh 130lb, which seems pretty "normal" to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure, OP? 130 at your height seems like a bit much. I'm 5'9 and weigh 130lb, which seems pretty "normal" to me.

Different cultures don't always view bodies the same. Besides, 130 for 5'9" is almost underweight, so you obviously have a very different idea then the OP of what "normal" should be.

I agree on weight training. If you have natural curves, then the weight training will tone you, plus it will enhance the natural curves that you already have. That is what worked for me. If you can get a personal trainer...I would recommend that as well. Tell them the areas you want to focus on and they will customize a program specifically for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure, OP? 130 at your height seems like a bit much. I'm 5'9 and weigh 130lb, which seems pretty "normal" to me.

But what's normal for you isn't normal for other women. That said, I don't think it's normal for the OP if she can only get there by having a baby. (Unless she's a Duggar.)