You may be wondering who could possibly be looking to gain weight.  While society is constantly bombarded with the next weight loss fad, there are people out there that really need to gain weight for one reason or another.  For those of you who fall into this category, here are some tips to help you gain weight naturally, as well as in a healthy manner.  You need to gain weight the right way, not by stuffing your mouth full of garbage food.

Just as you do not want to lose weight all at once, you also want to gradually increase pounds, as well.  To gain one pound of body weight per week, you should consume approximately 500 more calories per day. This is over what you would normally eat in a day’s time. 

Tips to help you gain weight naturally:

• Eat foods high in calories, but avoid foods high in saturated fat, like butter and bacon.

• Eat a high carbohydrate, low fat diet in larger quantities.  Also include 15-20% of daily calories for protein. 

• Eat nutritious snacks between meals.  Be consistent with the snacks. 

• Don’t overeat.  You may think this is contracting, but you want to gain weight on a gradual basis.  This is important in order to keep the weight on. 

• Contact your doctor before exercising.  If you already exercise, continue to do so.  If you do not exercise, gradually add in a moderate cardiovascular program that includes weight training exercises.

• Eventually your primary form of exercise should be strength training for weight gain.  This form of exercise will convert the extra calories into muscle growth.  Create a schedule of three times a week.  Keep your reps low.  Lift heavy enough weight so you become fatigued during the first 8-12 reps.

• Be consistent.  You should consistently eat a healthy diet that consists of protein, fats and carbohydrates. 

• Sleep and rest is essential for muscle growth.  Be sure to rest between workouts.