Hi. I'll try not to tell you my life story, but I've always been hella skinny. Essentially, I hate my body and it's always affected my life in all sorts of negative ways; I don't feel like a real man is the bottom line. I've tried to bulk up intermittently throughout the last few years, but after a relationship with a total goddess went tits up just before Christmas I decided this time was going to count.Been hitting a private gym for about three months now. I've taken good advice on training; I try to go every other day and rotate through 'push', 'legs' and 'pull' days so as not to over train. I stay of cardio and use mostly free weights. But, although I'm definitely getting stronger and have toned up considerably, I haven't put on any real weight.I'm currently 10st10. My body fat is just under 7 per cent. I sleep properly almost every night. I drink plenty of water and do a whey protein shake after every session. I wanted to make it to 11 and a half stone in time for summer but it's not happening. 'Eat more' everyone says. I try, and I was wondering if there were any cheat foods I could take on. I find it hard to make time for a decent lunch, it's usually a quick sandwich at my desk and back to work. Any tips? Thanks for reading.
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Weight gain
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You're probably naturally an ectomorph, and you're not going to be a Helmsman type. You don't have to be, to be a 'real man'. The real problem is why you don't feel like a real man and can't accept the body you've been given.Eating more protein may help, but you don't want to put on fat - that will just give you a gut.
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Eat more!You know what you have to do, but actually doing it is the hard part.I know how you feel, eating enough to put on weight as a hardgainer is harder than the actual workouts themselves. You just have to eat all the time, every day. You should never feel hungry, you need always feel full, not just full, but "I think I'm gonna spew" full. Your body will soon adapt and it won't be as uncomfortable.Focus on high calorie foods, and not so much protein. You need protein, but only a certain amount of protein can be converted to energy which actually fuels your muscles. Protein only helps build them, not fuel them.When I first started to put on weight, I was drinking a high carb protein shake 5-6 times a day. This can be expensive, but worth it for the initial results. Other good options are peanut butter; put a massively thick layer over a couple of pieces of toast and you have some serious energy. McDonalds is great, so much energy for such a low price. Milk too. Milk cannot substitute a meal, but a big glass of milk after an already large meal will pack on those calories. Pasta, bread, any carb dense meal works wonders.Remember though, during this time you want to work hard. Squat deep and heavy, pull monster deadlifts, push yourself to the limits. I don't mean going to the gym 5 times a week and risk over-training, I just mean to max out on every set you attempt.Good luck.
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Ineligable; I have no desire (or realistic expectations) of being massive. It wouldn't suit me at all to look like that (no offence anyone). I'd like to think my goals are realistic. All I want is to put on enough weight (as I've said, half a stone initially) to have a lean, toned but defined body. I could be accused of vanity (wouldn't be the first time :D) but really it's just about self-esteem. Km, thanks for that reply. You're bang on: I do find it easier to work out than to eat more! There's always a crapload of milk in the fridge at work, I'll start hitting it on the sly. Afraid I can't stand peanut butter though, even the smell makes me gag :x When I'm buying protein I notice a tub of something called 'gainer'. What is this, and is it any use to me?