Thread: Trying to get my weight back

Wow -- you've got quite a situation and I'm so sorry to hear that you're having to deal with this. Not being a doc, it sounds like you're doing everything right. Is this the type of diet the doctors are recommending? My personal thought is that you'd want to do more than 50 g of protein / day. Are protein mixes an option? Some of the 'weight gainers" will give you a bunch more calories while giving you a way to up your cals. More easy ways to up your intake is to mix in protein mix w/ the Ensures or make more shakes w/ peanut butter (same idea as the olive oil). Are you able to digest more real food? I know this is all going to require time for your body to be able to consume and absorb all of this food, but just wondering if there are other options so you're eating more real food? Your major issue is getting the mass on, but I've always noticed that in addition to muscle mass and strong bones, is also strong joints / tendons to support the addition of the mass and more stress - be sure to have sufficient EFAs - not just the fats and calories from the olive oil, but good EFAs - fish oil supplements, etc. Possibly MSM / Glucosamine as well.

Otherwise, I think would say just keep doing what you are doing, make sure you're getting good quality recovery time and the work you are doing in the gym is good form and working at the correct volume for some growth & strength gain. What type of trainign are you doing?

Thank you for the input. Yes I am able to eat real food also my Doc has me on a medicine that makes you hungry so I am also eating 3 meals a day plus snacking at night. My Doc told me to eat whatever I want but I try and make my diet healthy. The protein is my idea, how much do you think I should be taking? I do take supplements, milk thistle, fishoil, multi-vitamin, vitamin C, and oyster shell. I train 4 times a week, chest, arms, legs, back and shoulders, and because I don't do cardio my warm up is abs, push-ups, and pull-ups. I'm taking it slow and only doing 3 sets instead of 5 and using joke weight at the moment until I get stronger. Last thing I need is a injury. Any suggestions or advice are greatly appreciated.

That's awesome - sounds like you're in a good place to move forward. I can appreciate the joke weight -- I had some minor shoulder surgery a few years ago and went from a national level bodybuilder to struggling w/ 1lb weights. But hey, that's why its a journey and not a destination The only thing that really matters is that you're moving forward, and the thing it matters relative to is yourself. Consistency and your best effort w/o sacrificing form.

I'm a little concerned that you're not getting better nutritional guidance from your doc. O well. Anyway, general guidance to build ("bulk") is 1.5 - 2 g of protein per your body weight. Some people choose to use bodyweight, some choose to use your lean muscle mass. For you, as long as you're able to metabolize it and not run into issues w/ digestion or whatever, I'd use your bodyweight - so you're probably looking at like ~140 (lb) x 1.5 - 2 g of protein = 210 - 280 g of protein per day, split it across all your meals.

I also recommend using a food counts program like FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal to help build a meal plan that will help you see where the calories are going and how much you're working with. I'd also include good starchy carbs to help support your muscle building phase. If it is useful do a phased switch from the more reliance on shakes stuff to more solid food.

There was a msg board a few years back that had a forum JUST for this kind of "situation" I wish I could remember which one it was to recommend for you. There are a lot of knowledgeable people around here who can give some good advice. 400mg a week is definitely enough to grow on under "normal" situations. I'm more of a lurker but I think you're on the right track to gaining some weight back.

I am SO glad your doctor has you on a decent amount of gear. That's wonderful!

How are you feeling?

I think its sound good that you want to get back to your healthy life , its' awesome to have an ideal healthy body .I sure you will get your desire if you maintain a regular diet and nutrition....

Thank you for the input and support, I truly appreciate it and believe me it helps. I am on the fitday site and I use it. Built told me about it for which I am grateful. I will def increase my protein intake. I have access to a nutritionist at the clinic I go to so I am going to see her about my diet. As to how I am feeling at the moment I am totally jacked, after only 2 weeks of eating right and training I now weigh 145. Very happy. Thank you again for your input and support and I will update as I progress.