I need some help to try and put on a healthy 10-20 lbs. I'm 44, 5'7", and weigh 135lbs. I know this doesn't sound like it should be a problem, but it really is. I have weighed 115when I was younger, and all was good! I believe the problem now is loss of muscle mass and bad eating habits. I'm occasionally asked by people I haven't seen in awhile if I am anorexic, which bothers me alot.

I do know exactly how my eating habits and excersise changed, and it has really changed my body to the point where I am embarrassed. It started with owning my own business that required me to work from 6pm-4am. I usually didn't have anytime to eat when I was working. so when I got home and wound down, I would have "supper", about 6 or 7am. I would sleep all day and get up a few hrs before back to work, and I am not someone that can just get up and be ready to eat. So I basically had 1 big meal a day. I then sold my business because of health probs, but my internal clock stayed the same.

I am now on a waiting list for a hip replacement and have a very limited income. Most exercise is out because of my hip, the arthritis, and the pain that I face everyday. I fell into a deep depression after a long term relationship ended very badly. So, like some others would bury their head in food, I deprived myself of it, only having one average sized meal a day, or sometimes skipping a day or two without eating.

Now, since I live alone, and sometimes find it hard to get up and make something that is healthy and appealing, I tend to open canned soups, prepared meals (store bought) and alot of pasta with sauce from a jar. I do also have steak, pork or chicken once or twice a wk. I don't like fish. The thing is...my fave thing to do is watch all of the cooking shows on tv and look up recipes and just drool. So, it's not like I don't want to eat, it's just hard for me to prepare the food, and I find now that if I eat early in the day I feel tired. Eating between 10pm-4am is still my thing! (I also have insomnia as you probably realized) I'm also on high blood pressure meds, and 3 others which seem to supress my appetite also. I have asked my Dr., but he hasn't given me too much help. I do take supplements such as fish oil, flax seed oil, a multi, calcium etc., but I know I need more than the subs.

I would like to know some foods to eat in small portions during the day, that won't make me feel tired and sick, and maybe some suggestions of healthy suppers I can make in quantity to freeze, on a day that I"m feeling really well, so I can just reheat when I'm not, so I don't go for the "garbage" in a can or box.

I would appreciate any help or advice (keep in mind I have a veeerrrryy limited budget for the time being)

Thanks all

If you are on a waiting list for hip replacement I would try to stay slimmed down as much as possible. A lot of weight will not do you any good once you have hip replacement. Keeping your bones healthy would be a main priority and I don't see any extra Vitamin D in your list.

No, that's actually one I don't take. I'm not sure of the benefits? I take glucosamine with condroyton. Is that maybe included in that supplement? I'll have to check

I could possibly be on a waiting list for up to a yr. It's not that I want to gain a whole lot... just eat as healthy as I can before surgery, so my immune system can handle the surgery and recovery in the shortest ammt of time.

I'm terrified of the surgery, and just wanting to get myself into a better lifestyle/diet well ahead of time so I have all of my bases covered. I know 135lbs doesn't seem too abnormal for my height, but with my body structure, I feel I need more "meat on my bones", as the saying goes! I will talk to my pharmacist about a Vitamin D supplement also (thanks) If you have any more suggestions for bone health and a healthier diet to perhaps gain back some muscle mass, I will consider any advice out there. I know I need more in my diet because my skin is ruddy and tired looking, more wrinkles showing up everyday, and no energy! I just need some advice on the... lets say "super foods" that will give me a head start!

I used to be small like you before I started working out and drinking protein shakes. Even if you can't exercise, you can try drinking protein shakes. I drink the soy protein, but there are various kinds (whey protein, etc.). Just try different ones until you find one you like. The one I use is called "Vege Fuel" made by Twin Labs. It's a powder that you mix in to any kind of juice. Each container costs about $12.50 and it has 15 servings in it. If you drink one a day, each container should last you 2 weeks, so that's $25/month. That's not expensive when you think about it (83 cents a day). It helped me to put on about 10 pounds in 6 months.

Thanks! I actually just bought a container of a soy protein powder lastweek. I drink it with whole milk. It's not too bad tasting I guess. It says you can add it to muffins and stuff, so I might try just buying a mix and adding it. It doesn't have too much of a strong taste, so I've been wondering if I might try adding some to pasta sauces?! I guess if it doesn't work out, all I've lost is some pasta and sauce right? ;) I'll have to shop around. I bought mine at Costco, and it was almost $18, I'll see what Walmart has to offer next time I'm there.