I'm fed up of being so skinny

Milkybarkid7

Full stop.

I'm 20yo, 6'3 and have the smallest hands, skinniest wrists/legs any of you's have probably seen. (Haven't weighed myself in years, will ASAP)

I'm at a pretty low point of my life at the moment with personal issues.
I have absolutely no confidence or self-esteem when it comes to my body as people comment all the time.

I have absolutely no experience what so ever with weight-lifting exercises sets/reps etc. (The gym all together)
I used to play Football and GAA but gave it up for my love of the session. *hangs head in shame*

Money is tight at the moment but I've stopped smoking since the New Years and I'm cutting down the drinking to no more than once a month.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

thegreatiam

dont over think it, just eat more.

rolexeagle1

as thegreatiam said, dont over think it.

Seriously look at your diet and start to eat more (post up your daily diet also). Do all the searching you want online for "hardgainers" and the result will be the same. Increase your food consumption, double up on those potatoes, quality protein sources (chicken, lean beef, fish). Make your meals interesting so you actually look forward to eating more of what is on the plate. Experiment with spices, herbs and seasonings. Oats in the morning are a must.

The gym is the easy part (squat, deadlift, bench and pull ups). For skinny people (i'm one too) the hard part is eating all that good food.

thegreatiam

if you really struggle then research GOMAD diet. Its not the optimal diet, but if youre really skinny and struggle to eat enough food then it will certainly help.

it's a gallon of milk a day (3.7 litres) or around 6 pints. So that would be 1800 or so calories and 90 grams of protein.

add that on top of your regular healthy diet and you will gain weight. (also **** through the eye of a needle)

RidleyRider

Good aul GOMAD helped me gain 23 pounds so far.

thegreatiam

RidleyRider wrote: »

Good aul GOMAD helped me gain 23 pounds so far.

in what time frame?

any bad side effects? increase in excess body fat. Did you before and after pictures?

did you drink the required 6.5 pints a day or less?

how many calories was the rest of your diet?

IamtheWalrus

Sounds like a deeper issue here. Try to work on your self esteem. You have much a right to exist in this world, as you are, as everyone else.

There's nothing wrong with being skinny. I spent years of my teens and early twenties listening to comments about being skinny. Now I'm in my thirties and have filled out (everyone does) I wish I could go back to my skinny days. I spend 5 days in the gym per week trying to achieve that goal.

As I said, this sounds like an overall self-esteem problem. There are many books on the topic - you'd be amazed at the damage negative thinking can have on you. Be proud of yourself, now.

Mr. Manager

RidleyRider wrote: »

Good aul GOMAD helped me gain 23 pounds so far.

I'm in the middle of trying a lighter version of this (~2,5 ltrs per day). How are you finding it? How long have you been doing it?

Faz6r

i think the op should get fed up and that way they wont be so skinny
haagen dazs cookies and cream, or nutella chocolate spread eaten out of the jar with a spoon will help you to get fed up
or better yet combine the ice cream with the chocolate, yummmmmy

runawaybishop

Eat more food - that's a given obviously and will be the main driver. If you struggle to eat food then as many have pointed out milk is a great way to get more calories into you. Eggs, meat and dairy are full of protein and are essential to packing on muscle. Try and get carbs into you like oats and spuds. You can make your own mass gainer by mixing oats, milk, whey protein powder and some peanut butter and blending it up, then downing it.

Would you join a gym? You can do a simple strength focused beginner routine like starting strength or stronglifts that takes 30-60 mins 3 times a week. This will help your get a decent shape, rather than lashing all the weight onto your tank. You could also buy some home equipment if you have the room.

RidleyRider

thegreatiam wrote: »

in what time frame?

any bad side effects? increase in excess body fat. Did you before and after pictures?

did you drink the required 6.5 pints a day or less?

how many calories was the rest of your diet?

Since the start to mid October I'd guess. Definitely gained a bit of BF but nothing to cry home about. I'd guess it to be 16-7% atm.

I had roughly the 6.5, some days more some days less. Calories about 4000 or so. On Saturdays when I'm off from all work/gym I'll try top out at around 5500kcals but won't eat till around 1pm Sunday.

Zillah

RidleyRider wrote: »

Since the start to mid October I'd guess. Definitely gained a bit of BF but nothing to cry home about. I'd guess it to be 16-7% atm.

I had roughly the 6.5, some days more some days less. Calories about 4000 or so. On Saturdays when I'm off from all work/gym I'll try top out at around 5500kcals but won't eat till around 1pm Sunday.

Are you aiming to have more than 16% body fat?

RidleyRider

Zillah wrote: »

Are you aiming to have more than 16% body fat?

Just put on some weight. I was originally very skinny, sub 160pounds.

Milkybarkid7

I agree completely with my mentality and I'll save you's the sob story,
and let you know that I've started receiving professional/medical help about my issues.

Things are very tight at home financially at the moment,
I eat like a horse and my parents are always on my case about how much I'm eating, money etc. (But of course, I know I can eat more)
That said, I would still be partying like a lunatic so it's no excuse.

I am being realistic in saying that I will be joining the gym in Febuary by the latest (Honestly it's ASAP for me)
By the time I start in the gym I will have 5kg of Whey protein from myprotein.ie and a weeks supply of milk (4l a day)
This on top of whatever is served at home, it's the best I can do.

Thank you to everyone for the replies.

Mr. Manager

RidleyRider wrote: »

Just put on some weight. I was originally very skinny, sub 160pounds.

Oh I see

Currently sitting at 158lb

Alf Veedersane

Zillah

I'm 6'5" and have always been skinny. The mother is the only one who ever really commented on it in a bad way! I was always happy with it, I liked being really slender and I think it suited as a teenager. 29 now and have been doing weights and eating more to bulk up, and to be honest I've never been happier. Went from about 158lbs to 165lbs over the last few months, about 10% body fat - aiming for 170lbs at least.

So there's a lot to be said about improving self-confidence, learning to love yourself etc, but there's also a lot to be said about improving things you don't like about yourself. Not to mention that exercise is a great part of any treatment plan for depression.

If he's unhappy with his body then eating more and doing weights is a brilliant idea.

googled eyes

Ha I've been there. I'm still very slim, hovering around 160 pounds.

You really need to keep a food diary and see how many calories you're actually getting in during the day.

I used to say "ah I can't put on weight but I eat loads etc."

It turned out I didn't eat loads and when I was busy I'd forget to eat altogether ( this still happens to me, my boiler broke over new years and I spent an entire day trying to fix it and didn't think of food once )

myfitnesspal.com is good for this but you have to be regimental and stick to it. There are smartphone apps also.

As someone who has suffered with depression, I can tell you that once you're exercising regularly you will start to feel better, even going for a walk can clear your head as they say.

Knock the late night partying !! HaHa

thecatspjs

Milkybarkid7 wrote: »

I agree completely with my mentality and I'll save you's the sob story,
and let you know that I've started receiving professional/medical help about my issues.

Things are very tight at home financially at the moment,
I eat like a horse and my parents are always on my case about how much I'm eating, money etc. (But of course, I know I can eat more)
That said, I would still be partying like a lunatic so it's no excuse.

I am being realistic in saying that I will be joining the gym in Febuary by the latest (Honestly it's ASAP for me)
By the time I start in the gym I will have 5kg of Whey protein from myprotein.ie and a weeks supply of milk (4l a day)
This on top of whatever is served at home, it's the best I can do.

Thank you to everyone for the replies.

You say money is tight but you're still partying like a lunatic? Maybe spend some of your partying money on food?

Unless you somehow party on the cheap.

Milkybarkid7

thecatspjs wrote: »

You say money is tight but you're still partying like a lunatic? Maybe spend some of your partying money on food?

Unless you somehow party on the cheap.

What I meant was past-tense

Things are indeed tight, but I'd still always find myself on the session with a drink in my hand (or maybe something worse) so it's not an excuse anymore and I've stopped smoking, and at most.. I'll have a night out once a month.
I am extremely motivated and committed.

I will be joining a gym, getting protein and most importantly eating lots.

Problem is, that I haven't a clue about the theory side of things.. what exercises I should be doing, when I should do them, when I should rest.. etc. I'm very ignorant about this.

runawaybishop

Milkybarkid7 wrote: »

What I meant was past-tense

Things are indeed tight, but I'd still always find myself on the session with a drink in my hand (or maybe something worse) so it's not an excuse anymore and I've stopped smoking, and at most.. I'll have a night out once a month.
I am extremely motivated and committed.

I will be joining a gym, getting protein and most importantly eating lots.

Problem is, that I haven't a clue about the theory side of things.. what exercises I should be doing, when I should do them, when I should rest.. etc. I'm very ignorant about this.

Stronglifts or starting strength are beginner programs. You do them Monday, Wednesday and Friday (basically a full days rest between the sessions). They are simple linear progression full body workouts that use big compound movements.

JJayoo

Where are you located?

Milkybarkid7

I'm in Ratfarnham.
On the fence about what gym I should go about joining,
one where I get the most guidance/advice (reassurance that I'm doing everything correctly)

Alf Veedersane

Wait a minute!

Wasn't the Milky Bar Kid strong and tough?

thegreatiam

in the 70's maybe, he's old and fat now

Alf Veedersane

He might still only be in his forties!

Ish.

googled eyes

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Wait a minute!

Wasn't the Milky Bar Kid strong and tough?

Post of the day ! comic gold.



Milky Bar, the lads and ladies of the forum are great for getting info off. I'm sure if you set up a thread asking about gyms in your area you'll get good info.

thegreatiam

old but not fat apparently terry brooks 1st milky bar kid 1961.

and http://www.southdublinsc.ie/ thats a good place to start near to you. worth the investment. maybe look for a partner to split costs with you they do a 2on 1 session. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for


edit: the old fat milky bar kids looks healther and in better shape than i do.

JJayoo

Milkybarkid7 wrote: »

I'm in Ratfarnham.

Right so which nice person is gonna show Milkybarkid around the gym?

Alf Veedersane

JJayoo wrote: »

Right so which nice person is gonna show Milkybarkid around the gym?

The Milky Bars are on him!

Milkybarkid7

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

The Milky Bars are on him!

It was funny the first time.
Question is can the man with the jokes, offer anything constructive? :pac:

I'm not trying to look like Arnie here maybe that will change when (not if ) I start to see some progress.
Getting the body I want will do a lot more than cosmetically change my life so it'll soon be time to put my money where my mouth is.

thegreatiam

Milkybarkid7 wrote: »

Getting the body I want will do a lot more than cosmetically change my life so it'll soon be time to put my money where my mouth is.

what have you done so far?

no better time to start than the present.

Alf Veedersane

Not in Rathfarnham, I can't.

But the best advice was already given: look into Starting Strength and Stronglifts and pick one to do. Then have someone show you how to do the lifts properly and take it from there.

And eat more.

Milkybarkid7

I wouldn't mind somewhere in town it wouldn't be a problem if that might help.
Been reading up and either SS or SL looks like a winner.

Not much until I join the gym.
I've started doing push-ups and squatting up against the wall until I can't anymore, that and eating.

runawaybishop

Milkybarkid7 wrote: »

I wouldn't mind somewhere in town it wouldn't be a problem if that might help.
Been reading up and either SS or SL looks like a winner.

Not much until I join the gym.
I've started doing push-ups and squatting up against the wall until I can't anymore, that and eating.

Get a pull up bar for yourself too, they are very inexpensive.

thegreatiam

Milkybarkid7 wrote: »

I wouldn't mind somewhere in town it wouldn't be a problem if that might help.
Been reading up and either SS or SL looks like a winner.

Not much until I join the gym.
I've started doing push-ups and squatting up against the wall until I can't anymore, that and eating.

good, Id go with strong lifts where you can. Starting strength is a better program imho but it has power cleans instead of rows. if you do them incorrectly youll break your self. Do starting strength tho if yo uhave a trainer type person.

all of the exercises can be done with bodyweight or light weights until you can get to the gym

push ups instead of bench press, add weight with a rucksack.

same with squats, add weight with a bag.

overhead press and rows can be done with bottle of water or dumbbells if you have them.

and as runawaybishop says a pull up bar is invaluable. Especially now that you are light you can probably do them easier.

Also look into tricep dips. on the kitchen counter, bath tub, stairs or edge of the sofa.