Weight Gain and Weight Loss: Which One is Your Issue?

Many people spend a good portion of their adult lives worrying about weight gain. However, some find it is harder to get information on gaining weight than on losing weight.

Weight gain can be a very difficult issue for a large part of our population. When most hear the words weight gain they think about their personal issues to be in better shape. Yet there are many people who struggle to gain weight, while more try to lose the pounds.

Weight gain for those who think they are unattractive or unhealthy at their current size can be difficult. While those who gain weight easily think it may be a problem they would like to have, it might not be. Some who think they are too thin have the same issues with body image as those who weigh more than they should.

Before making any major dietary changes for weight gain, consider having a discussion with your family physician if you have not done so. It is important to rule out underlying causes, such as diabetes or thyroid issues. Those who suffer with depression or early dementia often lack appetite, and this can easily be what causes them to remain thin.

Several products are available that claim they will help body builders and others gain weight. Instead of using a powdered mix with chemicals most can't pronounce, using real food might be the answer.

Weighing less than a person thinks they should does not mean there is a health issue. Children and adults can be absolutely healthy in all areas although they weigh less than others their age and height.

Anyone who has relatives one or two generations back who are thin may find they have inherited a metabolism that will always keep them thin. It is somewhat difficult to not be who your parents and grandparents are or were. However, there are some who gain weight or lose weight because of the lifestyle they were raised in, and continue to be in as adults.

Information on some sites indicates what the correct weight for men and women is according to their height. One suggests that women should be 105 pounds for their first 60 inches of height. For each additional inch a woman would add five pounds. This means a woman is 5' 5" should be 130 pounds. This may seem too thin for some when considering the size of their hands, feet or other body parts. Common sense would tell us a woman who wears a size 9 shoe and a size D cup bra may weigh more than a woman with a size 5 shoe that wears a size B cup bra.

According to this information, men should weigh 106 pounds for the first 60 inches of their height. Each inch above this would require another 6 pounds. A man at 5' 5" would then be 136 pounds. Again, if we consider some things that can't be changed, such as shoe and hand size, there could be a weight difference from one man who is 5' 5" to the next.

Weight gain issues are real for men also. Although many may not think this, a man that feels he is too thin has the same issues most women in this situation have.

An important issue when it comes to weight gain is the amount of muscle tissue a person has. When weight training is involved, and a person looks fit and slim, there may be less concern than there is if a person is thin but without sufficient muscle tissue.

Some may feel just adding junk food to the menu will cause weight gain and solve the problem. While it may be true that eating junk food may cause most to gain weight, there are many who will find that junk food is filling and they are not hungry enough to eat extra calories. Also, eating foods that are high in sugar, salt and fats can cause health issues no one wants to deal with.

Weight gain may be easier if a person adds some healthy fats to what they are already eating. A small amount of olive oil each day can easily add 200 calories to any menu. Sandwiches can include some mayonnaise, butter or a substitute for those who don't use dairy. Those who do use dairy may find adding a serving of cheese to several meals each week will encourage weight gain. Cheese substitutes don't have as many calories, but may still serve as an easy way to get some extra calories.

When adding fats for weight gain to the menu there are some serious considerations. Someone who is thin is just as at risk for health issues caused by consuming too many of the wrong fats. Guidelines for eating the correct fats and the proper amounts apply to everyone.

Remaining healthy while gaining weight is important. Try adding healthier calories to your plan. Adding baked beans to a baked sweet potato for extra calories that are not empty might make more sense than adding a bag of chips to your dinner.

Syrups of any kind are usually full of calories. Adding as little as 2 tablespoons of typical pancake syrup to any food will give a fast extra 110 calories. Again, these are empty calories, so give this some thought. It might make more sense to have one extra egg each day if you eat these.

Vegetables and fruits are important on any diet, whether for weight gain or weight loss. While vegetables and fruits typically don't have the calories some other foods do, adding several servings each week can encourage a healthy weight gain.

Interestingly, some who are thin just do not like the foods that cause weight gain. This may be due to the way they were raised, or the fact that they just have different tastes than others.

When trying to improve weight gain, think long term. Like weight loss, weight gain takes time. If removing 3,500 equals the loss of a pound, then adding that many calories will be required to gain a pound. If you are using quality foods rather than empty calories, it man be unrealistic to try to gain more than one pound each month.

Determine what added calories you can eat each day to gain weight. If you are willing to add some more fruit, whole grains and vegetables to your daily menu, you may find you are able to gain weight and remain healthy. Once you have decided what extra items you will have daily, be sure to do so daily. In a few days time you will find yourself in the habit of consuming more.

Habits that will hinder some from gaining weight include smoking cigarettes, and the consumption of soft drinks and coffee. Some who fill their days with artificially sweetened sodas, coffee and cigarettes find they don't have much of an appetite for real food. These habits will eventually cause health issues no one wants to deal with.

More important than weight gain is overall health. If an otherwise healthy person has made several serious attempts to gain weight but has failed, they may need to accept the fact that weight gain won't happen for them.

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