The Thin Gainer Starter Kit
Your kindly grandmother isn't the only person who thinks you're too thin. You too have decided it's time to fill out. I know. I've been there. It's frustrating, especially when people who are weight conscious tell you how "lucky" you are that you can eat whatever you want and stay thin. But your body isn't about them, it's about you, selfish as that may sound. You can't live your life based on half-baked assumptions of what other people might want you to look like, people that don't even have the distinction to make such a judgment.
And here you are, looking at what random strangers and scientists on the internet might have to say. Well, my friend, you're in luck, because this RANDOM STRANGER (TM) has something to say. You're welcome.
If there's a single thing I want to tell you, my thin reader, it's that you eat less than you think you do. Back when I was thin, I read an article that said the same thing and my first response was, "I guess that's possible." After gaining nearly 100 lbs, I can tell you that it was absolutely true in my case, and I was one of those people who was considered blessed (cursed) with a fast metabolism.
I compared how I approached food with how my thicker friends approached food. I would eat a single cookie, whereas they would grab multiple cookies at a time. I would max out at 2 or 3 slices of pizza as opposed to their 4 or 5 slices. Their penchant for seconds contrasted with my failure to eat what I initially deposited on my plate, let alone more. And my almost moral hoarding of candy was an obvious outlier.
My point is that even beyond a fast metabolism, you possess attitudes and behaviors that have brought you to where you are today as opposed to somewhere else. And that's fine. Don't beat yourself up. Take responsibility for your conscious and unconscious habits, and accept the need to modify them.
Yes, you have to do the physical work to gain or lose weight. That's just science. But whether you actually do it is all in your brain. Exploring your mind is an integral element of gaining, especially if you struggle with being thin or underweight.
Maybe I care a little - I wrote this article, after all. In the end, however, you are the one who's going to spend the overwhelming majority of time and effort caring about and for your body. A curious friend might tease you, but he or she will forget about it the moment you're out of sight. Eventually, your parents might complain, but proof of your good health puts to rest the most of those complaints.
And that's it. Those are the most difficult situations that you'll have to deal with. Congrats, you're ready for anything.
I'm exaggerating, of course. The irrationality of the human mind makes life more complicated than a few lines of sound advice, but beyond friends and family, who are you worried about? No one who sees you sporting a small gut (or a big one) will think about your role in its presence. They'll just see a man with a gut, hardly an unusual sight nowadays. As long as you purport yourself with confidence and maintain good hygiene, who's even going to notice, let alone judge you? No one worth your worry, that's who.
There is nothing wrong with you, thin or fat or in between. But there's something that you want that requires changing the way you look. Don't worry about this transition. You are not currently in possession of something unique or special in being thin. It's just the way you happen to be. Changing it could be special, however, because it is special to you.
And remember, you're not flipping the switch from thin to fat. There's a whole lot of in-between space to enjoy before you have to think about being overweight or obese. Step one is just getting started.
I might be projecting with this one. I went so far as to write a poem about food being overrated when I was 18 and 135 lbs. But maybe you too subconsciously struggle with changing how you and others perceive your relationship with food.
Eating is not wrong. Eating a lot is not wrong. Gluttony was linked to sin in the past not because it makes you fat, but because it could withhold food from the hungry. In the modern world, this is less of a concern, unless you're traveling to third world countries and hoarding their food, in which case, shame on you.
Don't let the possibility of someone judging you stop you from enjoying as much food as you'd like. And this doesn't just include others, but yourself. Don't let yourself think less of you for lavishing yourself with food. You deserve it.
I'm ready, you say, but where do I start?
Let's talk about action, then.
You may need to temper your expectations for gaining based on your circumstances. If you're living with parents, scrapped for money, or health-challenged, you might need to wait on gaining until some of those circumstances subside. Or maybe you just need to go slower. Only you can judge these things. Be realistic and hopeful. A dash of circumspection and planning is worth the pain in the ass.
Push yourself. I'm not recommending you eat until you're sick. Doing so is a miserable approach more likely to put yourself off gaining entirely. But when you eat meals, always try to eat a little more than you typically would. Then a little more than that. You should be a little uncomfortable.
At one point, I couldn't down an entire combo meal at a fast food place in one sitting. After a year of gaining, however, it was easy. I'd even be hungry a couple hours later. Be patient with yourself and your stomach's capacity WILL grow, but it takes time and consistency.
Gaining habits are difficult to form for those of us who tend to be lean. But with practice, it can be done. Here's a list:
I hope this little journey gives a few helpful thoughts for gainers, particularly those that are starting without much under their belts. I've been pretty positive and supportive (by my standards, at least), but it wouldn't be fair to leave you without a few warnings:
And here you are, looking at what random strangers and scientists on the internet might have to say. Well, my friend, you're in luck, because this RANDOM STRANGER (TM) has something to say. You're welcome.
You eat less than you think
If there's a single thing I want to tell you, my thin reader, it's that you eat less than you think you do. Back when I was thin, I read an article that said the same thing and my first response was, "I guess that's possible." After gaining nearly 100 lbs, I can tell you that it was absolutely true in my case, and I was one of those people who was considered blessed (cursed) with a fast metabolism.
I compared how I approached food with how my thicker friends approached food. I would eat a single cookie, whereas they would grab multiple cookies at a time. I would max out at 2 or 3 slices of pizza as opposed to their 4 or 5 slices. Their penchant for seconds contrasted with my failure to eat what I initially deposited on my plate, let alone more. And my almost moral hoarding of candy was an obvious outlier.
My point is that even beyond a fast metabolism, you possess attitudes and behaviors that have brought you to where you are today as opposed to somewhere else. And that's fine. Don't beat yourself up. Take responsibility for your conscious and unconscious habits, and accept the need to modify them.
Gaining is in the mind
Yes, you have to do the physical work to gain or lose weight. That's just science. But whether you actually do it is all in your brain. Exploring your mind is an integral element of gaining, especially if you struggle with being thin or underweight.
No one cares whether you're thin or not
Maybe I care a little - I wrote this article, after all. In the end, however, you are the one who's going to spend the overwhelming majority of time and effort caring about and for your body. A curious friend might tease you, but he or she will forget about it the moment you're out of sight. Eventually, your parents might complain, but proof of your good health puts to rest the most of those complaints.
And that's it. Those are the most difficult situations that you'll have to deal with. Congrats, you're ready for anything.
I'm exaggerating, of course. The irrationality of the human mind makes life more complicated than a few lines of sound advice, but beyond friends and family, who are you worried about? No one who sees you sporting a small gut (or a big one) will think about your role in its presence. They'll just see a man with a gut, hardly an unusual sight nowadays. As long as you purport yourself with confidence and maintain good hygiene, who's even going to notice, let alone judge you? No one worth your worry, that's who.
You give up more staying thin than following your heart
There is nothing wrong with you, thin or fat or in between. But there's something that you want that requires changing the way you look. Don't worry about this transition. You are not currently in possession of something unique or special in being thin. It's just the way you happen to be. Changing it could be special, however, because it is special to you.
And remember, you're not flipping the switch from thin to fat. There's a whole lot of in-between space to enjoy before you have to think about being overweight or obese. Step one is just getting started.
Eating is not wrong
I might be projecting with this one. I went so far as to write a poem about food being overrated when I was 18 and 135 lbs. But maybe you too subconsciously struggle with changing how you and others perceive your relationship with food.
Eating is not wrong. Eating a lot is not wrong. Gluttony was linked to sin in the past not because it makes you fat, but because it could withhold food from the hungry. In the modern world, this is less of a concern, unless you're traveling to third world countries and hoarding their food, in which case, shame on you.
Don't let the possibility of someone judging you stop you from enjoying as much food as you'd like. And this doesn't just include others, but yourself. Don't let yourself think less of you for lavishing yourself with food. You deserve it.
The Action Plan
I'm ready, you say, but where do I start?
Let's talk about action, then.
Know your situation
You may need to temper your expectations for gaining based on your circumstances. If you're living with parents, scrapped for money, or health-challenged, you might need to wait on gaining until some of those circumstances subside. Or maybe you just need to go slower. Only you can judge these things. Be realistic and hopeful. A dash of circumspection and planning is worth the pain in the ass.
Increase your capacity
Push yourself. I'm not recommending you eat until you're sick. Doing so is a miserable approach more likely to put yourself off gaining entirely. But when you eat meals, always try to eat a little more than you typically would. Then a little more than that. You should be a little uncomfortable.
At one point, I couldn't down an entire combo meal at a fast food place in one sitting. After a year of gaining, however, it was easy. I'd even be hungry a couple hours later. Be patient with yourself and your stomach's capacity WILL grow, but it takes time and consistency.
Form good habits
Gaining habits are difficult to form for those of us who tend to be lean. But with practice, it can be done. Here's a list:
- Snack: Go to the store and equip yourself with convenient snacks. You can increase your daily calorie intake to where you'll start gaining weight just by chowing down between meals.
- Plan: Make a calorie goal using a weight predictor.
- Track your calories: Use math or an app to make sure you're eating (more than) enough.
- Learn how to bake: Muffins, cakes, and such are delicious and inexpensive compared to their store-bought counterparts.
- Learn how to cook: It takes time, but it saves money and lets you modify food in fattening ways (olive oil, gainer supplements, nuts, and avocado all are great options)
- Exercise: Regular light exercise will keep your energy up for all that cooking and eating, while benefiting you in the long run.
- Stay accountable: Find a friend who can support you or write your journey down in a document. Do something to help make this a positive and necessary part of your life.
- Set aside time: Cooking, eating, baking, exercise - all this takes time and energy. Moderate other activities if you need to. Gaining is a hobby that deserves a place alongside video games, TV, and the rest.
- Set aside money: Food and Boost VHC chip away at your wallet, and while they're worth it, you don't want to find yourself unable to support your growing waistline.
- Indulge: If there's one thing to take away from this list, it's that you should indulge. Practice enjoying food. Take more, savor more, treat yourself more, and enjoy the results.
Conclusion
I hope this little journey gives a few helpful thoughts for gainers, particularly those that are starting without much under their belts. I've been pretty positive and supportive (by my standards, at least), but it wouldn't be fair to leave you without a few warnings:
- Don't OD on shit: It's tempting to switch to a diet of junk food, but that can leave you feeling like garbage. Indulge, yes, but be aware of your limits.
- Sometimes you'll fail: Sometimes you don't eat enough. It happens. Grab a doughnut and move on.
- Sometimes you'll get discouraged: There will be days that you feel like gaining is dumb or hopeless or whatever. Allow yourself to have bad days, and maybe treat yourself with a fruit smoothie after.
- You're not special: Chances are, your problems are not unique. Avoid thinking so lest you convince yourself you're an impossible case. You're not. You have the power to change yourself. I promise.
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