[DSJ05]

I use to lift weights all the time when I was in high school because I played baseball. Now I'm almost 20 and I haven't lifted weights for a good year now and I find myself out of shape. I've always had a hard time gaining weight. When I was lifting I had a lot of muscle mass which made me weigh more. But now I've lost a lot of that muscle mass in my arms, shoulders, and stomach and I'm very thin. My question is what would be a good way to make myself start lifting again and what would help me gain weight in a healthy way??

[bronzebelle]

Hi,

I have been training for over 10 years and had a partner who had the same issue as you.
He was very slim and wanted to bulk up.
Unfortunately lifting weights makes up only 20% of this equation. If you wish to gain weight healthily and turn it to muscle you have to eat eat eat.
Now I don't mean stuff yourself full of Burger King and Pizza Hutt!

The best way to achieve your goal is to eat regular balanced meals which are high in protein.
Before you check out the site I've recommended remember - to get big takes A lot of work so you won't end up looking like Arnie if you eat big and lift weights.
To look like a body builder means training every day for hours, so don't be put off by the beefcakes:)!
Good luck. Bodybuilding.com - Planet Muscle - Eat Big To Be Big

[lovelesspa]

To gain weight, the first rule is not to eat junk food, it's greasy and has a high content of transfat and saturated fats. Start by eating 3 large snacks and 3 large meals. Good sources of protein are Omega 3 fatty acids sources like tuna, flax, walnuts, salmon, lean meatsn skinless poultry, nuts, seeds, legumes, chickpeas, kidney beans, peanut butter, omelets, whole grain cereals, rice pasta, granola, bagels and cornbread. You can also add veggies like avocados, olives, potatoes, peas, corn, squash, and fruits like canned fruit in syrup, and fruit nectars. I would also add nutritional suplements and protein powder drinks, such as Ensure and carnation instant breakfast,or soy protein powders, for instance. When cooking cereals, soups, sacues mix milk instead of water, Add cooked chopped meat, wheat germ, nuts, beans or cheeses, to your meals, casseroles.