Increasing Appetite

[clamum]

The 5'10"/5'11" and your weight thread got me thinking.

I'm about 5'10" and 120 lbs. I've been skinny my whole life so this isn't anything new. But I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with taking something that increases your appetite. I say this because I'll physically feel hungry in my stomach, but sit down to eat and end up not eating very much. I just won't *feel* like eating... I mentioned this to my friend and he said his parents gave him something when he was a kid to increase his appetite, and he gained weight.

Are there any supplements or does anyone know anything about this?

EDIT: I'm going to start weight lifting this summer because we have a Bowflex at home. And I'm going to have a weight training class next fall semester at school which should help

 

[polm]

You can try ingesting 1 - 1.5 grams of protien per lb. of weight every day.

On top of that you need to do low rep, heavy weight, muscle building at least 3 times a week. (Do a google search for the MAX-OT PDF, it is what I use)

good luck , and remember...it's all about long term goals.

 

[clamum]

Thanks polm that'll help me .

So I'd be aiming for about 120 - 180 gr of protein each day? That seems like a lot but I don't know much about this type of thing. I need to start counting calories/protein for my diet.

 

[Mallow]

Just eat high calorie things when you are hungry.

 

[maziwanka]

things might change once you start exercising.

 

[ThaPerculator]

Go buy a quality protein powder (Honestly, Costco is your best bet as they have a 6-lb. tub for ~20$ and it tastes good as hell... I used to be a advocate of buying protein off the 'net, but it's just too convenient and I love the taste of the stuff), and make a habit to drink one at breakfast, as well as after you lift. Eating mass amounts of calories in liquid form seems to be about the easiest way to bulk up (you can think about adding something carb-intensive like myoplex or whatnot to your shake, but it will cost a ton of $$$ over time). Here are some keys:

1. Don't skip breakfast for any reason
2. DON'T SKIP BREAKFAST FOR ANY REASON!! (had to...)
3. Make a point to eat a small 'meal' every 2-3 hours, hungry or not. (think something like maybe low-fat cottage cheese/fruit, a grilled chicken salad, or if all else fails the above mentioned protein shake).
4. Pump iron like no other... remember, Ahhnuld says "It's Like Coming!!"
5. Get 'cho sleep on... (Try to get as much sleep at night as possible, as good sleep = good muscle repair)

Oh yeah, if you start lifting make a point to train your legs. Most people don't, because, well, it sucks a$$ walking around like a gimp because your sore. Squats are your friend, as well as Deadlifts, Lunges, and every other workout that hits your legs.

 

[polm]

I echo all of Perculator's comments

plus....for extra fun, turn those Regular Squats into Full Squats

 

[dangereuxjeux]

At your weight, 120 for 5'10", once you start lifting 2-3 times a week and eating accordingly, you should be able to put on some substantial weight. For skinny guys just at the start of working out, you will see your biggest gains right away (or at least I did, I wasn't as skinny as you, but as soon as I started lifting, I ballooned out).

 

[dullard]

I was always 5'9" and 125. It didn't matter what I did (exercise, weight lift, or whatever) I never changed more than a pound or two. It didn't matter what I ate (I ate fast food quite a bit). That lasted 12 years (age 14-26). Then two years ago, my wife started working evenings and we had to eat out a lot. We ate so much fast food that she got sick of it. So we switched to slow food. The portion sizes are triple that of fast food. I subconsiously ate more (as many studies show you do when served big portions). The weight piled on me. I gained 15 pounds that year. Now that she stopped working evenings, and we don't eat slow food as much my weight stabolized.

I've said it once and I'll say it again: it is eating more food that makes you fat.