The Long, Hard Journey from Skinny to Muscular

"I'm Skinny and I want to big BIG!"

Well, welcome to my world, and the world of plenty of others who struggle to gain muscle mass with what seems like a body type that will not let us do it. I can't begin to tell you the countless hours in the gym I've spent and the heartache right along with it when I don't see the results I'm working so hard to get. In the workout world, the term used to describe us is "hardgainer". I think the terminology speaks for itself. So what gives? What does it take to do it right? I think in order to figure that out, we need to have an understanding of what we're doing wrong.

So what's the "curse"?

We first have to understand our metabolism. The reason we're skinny is because our metabolism works at a fast rate. Metabolism takes the food that we eat, and turns it into energy and nutrients to give the body what it needs, to do whatever it is it needs to do. I think the best way to look at this is not as a curse at all, because we are fortunate enough not to deal with overweight issues. It's pesky though, if you want to build muscle. The reason the muscle is not being built is because the metabolism is burning the energy so fast that there is nothing left for fat buildup, which is a good thing, but that also means that there is nothing left to feed the muscles you're trying to grow either. This, in turn, leads to a very frustrating month, or week, when you look back at the time spent trying to build the muscles and have nothing to show for it. Not too motivating, is it? So what to do?

Change the way you eat!

Think about this. The recommended caloric intake daily is between 2000-2500 calories for men and women. If you are staying moderately active in the gym, and are in there for the sole purpose of gaining mass, and it seems as though you fall into the category of 'hardgainer', then the caloric intake HAS to go up. If you have a hard time gaining weight and mass and are hitting the gym, try boosting the caloric intake up 500-1000 calories a day and maintain the gym schedule. When I say that, I'm in no way suggesting to load yourself up on unhealthy foods filled with calories to get there. If you're exercising, you've already taken a HUGE step in taking care of your body! Take the next step and do this with what goes INTO your body as well.

But, healthy food is disgusting!

Negative. I thought the same thing before I started changing my eating habits. My weakness is pizza. I was pretty sure that I wouldn't find a healthy substitute for that. The first trip I made to the health food store, I was immediately on the hunt for a healthy pizza. I was surprised to find that there are plenty of different organic pizzas made on whole wheat flour with all of the toppings that I enjoy. After browsing more at the store, I was pleased to find that just about everything that I enjoy eating was available in a healthier form! Talk about relieved! Now in order to eat healthier, it might cost you a little more to make it happen. The way I look at it, I'd rather pay a little more now for a healthier lifestyle, then having to pay the doctor later. The way I look at food now is this: food that is bought by most people, for the most part, is processed, pumped with preservatives, saturated in unhealthy fat and high sodium content, bleached, enriched, etc., etc., all for the sake of shelf life. I say buy fresh and eat fresh. The stuff that is added to food nowadays takes away from that natural flavor that's already there in the first place. Food that is good for you is in it's most natural and pure form, i.e., planted, grown, and harvested.........
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

So how often do I need to eat?

Look. I don't claim to be a dietician. Never have. Never will. I can tell you what works for me, though. Instead of eating 3 or four times a day, I graze all day long. I eat a breakfast when I wake up, and I carry a lunchbox full of food when I go to work. When I eat, I don't eat to the point that I have to unbutton my pants (which is what I used to do quite often). I eat just enough to where I'm not hungry anymore, without overdoing it. When I feel hungry again mid-morning, I snack on a yogurt and apple, or something to that nature. Not anything big, but something to put on the stomach. It seems that by doing this, it keeps my metabolism going all day. I get it going in the morning with breakfast and when I get hungry (which I see as my body telling me it needs something for the muscles) I give myself just enough to not be hungry. The metabolism doesn't kick into overdrive, but it keeps the unwanted fat off. Basically, don't eat until your miserable and you're still full after eight hours. That's what gets you in trouble. Just eat balanced throughout the day. Get a good dose of proteins, carbs, and fats into your system daily. There is plenty of info on the web in regards to the percentage balance of the three and suggested food for each category.

Bottom Line

LIFESTYLE CHANGE! I know how frustrating it is to go into the gym day in and day out with little to no results. You start off skinny, and no matter what you do, you stay skinny. Hardgainers like you and I have to do things a little differently.