What is the best way to gain weight? (Page 2)

I found when I wanted to gain weight, the most effective thing to do was to sit on my butt, keep cookies and candy handy, and avoid anything that was fresh. Make it a point to get a donut every time you get gas for the car. By rigorously following my plan, I was able to go from 150 pounds to 220 pounds very easily.

At your height, you have no problems with your weight.  For males, the rule of thumb formula is 6 pounds for every inch over 5 feet, added to a base of 106 pounds.  As long as you are within 10% of that number, your BMI is likely to be good (for women, it's 5 pounds, 100 pounds).  you can assess frame size by wrapping your thumb and middle finger around your wrist (of the other hand, dummy).  Overlapping = small frame, touching is medium frame, space between is large frame.  That gives you an idea whether you are likely to run on the lighter or heavier side of the formula.

Being 6 foot, your weight should likely be 178 +/- 18 pounds, or 160-196 overall.

Oh, and I hate you too for being too skinny.

You want to try and gain weight because your wife says you look skinny?

Simple answer.  Go to a doctor, get a physical and have them tell you that you are underweight/overweight/normal.  Then you have a doctor's note telling you what to do!!

Seriously, I'm 6'-1" and at peak racing weight I'm around 168 - 170.  I usually hover around 175 or so.  That is where my body is comfrotable based on my training and my crappy eating habits (I eat a lot of junk food compared to other ultra-anal triathletes).

I see absolutely zero reason given for you to gain weight other than to please your wife's criticism.

Nelg - 2008-09-16 12:13 PM

trimore - 2008-09-16 11:56 AM

DerekL - 2008-09-15 11:33 AM

If you want to add some muscle, you might see your times slow down a little.  It's a choice to have to make based on your personal priorities.

 Why?

If you add muscle and fat to places that don't help you swim/bike/run it's dead weight. More weight to propel = slower times. Put 10 lbs in a backpack and go for a run, you'll see.

Yeh ok.  Tell my brother that.  5'8' and benched 415lbs but also ran a 4.4 in the 40 yard dash and broke most running records at his college.  Seems that extra arm and chest muscle did not slow him down. 

x6  Don't I wish I had that problem!

trimore - 2008-09-16 12:18 PM

Nelg - 2008-09-16 12:13 PM

trimore - 2008-09-16 11:56 AM

DerekL - 2008-09-15 11:33 AM

If you want to add some muscle, you might see your times slow down a little.  It's a choice to have to make based on your personal priorities.

 Why?

If you add muscle and fat to places that don't help you swim/bike/run it's dead weight. More weight to propel = slower times. Put 10 lbs in a backpack and go for a run, you'll see.

Yeh ok.  Tell my brother that.  5'8' and benched 415lbs but also ran a 4.4 in the 40 yard dash and broke most running records at his college.  Seems that extra arm and chest muscle did not slow him down. 

 

The next triathlon that you have a 40 yard dash in, let me know.  Otherwise, we're doing distance running, and bodyweight does indeed directly influence your speed and times.

DerekL - 2008-09-16 6:36 PM

trimore - 2008-09-16 12:18 PM

Nelg - 2008-09-16 12:13 PM

trimore - 2008-09-16 11:56 AM

DerekL - 2008-09-15 11:33 AM

If you want to add some muscle, you might see your times slow down a little.  It's a choice to have to make based on your personal priorities.

 Why?

If you add muscle and fat to places that don't help you swim/bike/run it's dead weight. More weight to propel = slower times. Put 10 lbs in a backpack and go for a run, you'll see.

Yeh ok.  Tell my brother that.  5'8' and benched 415lbs but also ran a 4.4 in the 40 yard dash and broke most running records at his college.  Seems that extra arm and chest muscle did not slow him down. 

 

The next triathlon that you have a 40 yard dash in, let me know.  Otherwise, we're doing distance running, and bodyweight does indeed directly influence your speed and times.

And weight does not impact sprinting?

There is a local duathlete that was nationally ranked last year.  His legs are like trees.  The extra muscle does not seem to be an issue for him. 

trimore - 2008-09-16 7:03 PM

DerekL - 2008-09-16 6:36 PM

trimore - 2008-09-16 12:18 PM

Nelg - 2008-09-16 12:13 PM

trimore - 2008-09-16 11:56 AM

DerekL - 2008-09-15 11:33 AM

If you want to add some muscle, you might see your times slow down a little.  It's a choice to have to make based on your personal priorities.

 Why?

If you add muscle and fat to places that don't help you swim/bike/run it's dead weight. More weight to propel = slower times. Put 10 lbs in a backpack and go for a run, you'll see.

Yeh ok.  Tell my brother that.  5'8' and benched 415lbs but also ran a 4.4 in the 40 yard dash and broke most running records at his college.  Seems that extra arm and chest muscle did not slow him down. 

 

The next triathlon that you have a 40 yard dash in, let me know.  Otherwise, we're doing distance running, and bodyweight does indeed directly influence your speed and times.

And weight does not impact sprinting?

There is a local duathlete that was nationally ranked last year.  His legs are like trees.  The extra muscle does not seem to be an issue for him. 

C'mon.  Look at world classes sprinters and world class endurance athletes.  There is a clear relationship whether you choose to notice it or not.  "Big" triathletes are still very light for their height.

I agree with you, I don't think I am too skinny, my wife was used to seeing me at 195.

I think I am going to try and lift more over the winter, then if I have 6 pack abs maybe she won't mind so much.

A 10k skating event still takes a lot less time than the typical running event, let alone a tri.  The average time for the top guys is around 13 minutes.

You want a real comparison?  Look at x-country skiers ........

Or just go to the track and do exact comparisons in running.  Look at the 100, 200, 400 guys and compare them to the 5k and 10k guys.  Notice anything???

I know I hate you.

On the serious side, since my wife gained weight she now thinks I'm too skinny . . . . .  and I am 5' 10" and 175 (large frame). I think if I am going to move up to HIM/IM I need to be at 165. 

I'm in a similiar boat as the OP.  6', started out at around 175 and am now down to 157.  Really hoping that lifting some weights during the winter + upping the calories will add back a few pounds.  I'm a pure ectomorph, so I'm not going to gain more than a few pounds in weight, but I'm hoping that fills me out a bit more.

Don't envy those of us who consider ourselves too skinny - we feel the same way that others feel when they consider themselves too heavy.  It's all about personal perception.

 Personal perception? You are 6' and 157lbs and you call yourself "sqishybelly"?

Drink Diet soda.

X2

Another poster pointed out that we have gotten used to accepting overweight as "normal". I am 6"2 and about 170 and people think I am skinny when in fact I am very normal-weight. Don't eat just to gain weight. Think of your overall health.

omg - you look HAWT!!!!!  too skinny my butt (well not really....my butt that is)!!!!  You look puuuuuurrrrrfect imo!!!

seriously - GREAT transformation!!!