Was skinny; gained 38 lbs in 4 months. Now what?

[A1984]

Hi all,

I used to be a skinny guy but I have gained 38 pounds in the last 4 months, so I want to get some advice on what to do next. I'm 22 years old, 6'6", little activity other than the occasional pickup game of basketball, haven't followed any diets other than avoiding fast food.

All of my life, I have been very skinny. I used to weigh 167 lbs at my current height and could not gain any weight. I accepted it and partly blamed it on a somewhat narrow build.

Then 4 months ago, I moved to another country & had to cook for myself. I put on 20 pounds during the first 3 months, eating the same types of food I used to eat. When I came back home (4th month), I put on another 10 pounds in 2 weeks. In the next 3 weeks, I gained another 8 pounds which brings me to 205. I now have more appetite & I am trying to eat 5 meals throughout the day. It feels great to get more compliments about my looks.

Over the next while, I'd like to hit 220 lbs and start working out. So, here are my questions:

1. What could have brought on this sudden spate of weight gains? Could it be hormonal or just a change in eating patterns (number of meals, snacking, etc)?
2. Is this rate of weight gain safe? Is there anything to watch out for?
3. I still look thin except around the face, and I wanted to fill out before I hit the gym. How bad is it do it this way?
4. At the beginning, can I stick to free weights at home?

Thank you for any advice, you have a great community here.

Alex

 

[BigDyl]

Hi all,

I used to be a skinny guy but I have gained 38 pounds in the last 4 months, so I want to get some advice on what to do next. I'm 22 years old, 6'6", little activity other than the occasional pickup game of basketball, haven't followed any diets other than avoiding fast food.

All of my life, I have been very skinny. I used to weigh 167 lbs at my current height and could not gain any weight. I accepted it and partly blamed it on a somewhat narrow build.

Then 4 months ago, I moved to another country & had to cook for myself. I put on 20 pounds during the first 3 months, eating the same types of food I used to eat. When I came back home (4th month), I put on another 10 pounds in 2 weeks. In the next 3 weeks, I gained another 8 pounds which brings me to 205. I now have more appetite & I am trying to eat 5 meals throughout the day. It feels great to get more compliments about my looks.

Over the next while, I'd like to hit 220 lbs and start working out. So, here are my questions:

1. What could have brought on this sudden spate of weight gains? Could it be hormonal or just a change in eating patterns (number of meals, snacking, etc)?
2. Is this rate of weight gain safe? Is there anything to watch out for?
3. I still look thin except around the face, and I wanted to fill out before I hit the gym. How bad is it do it this way?
4. At the beginning, can I stick to free weights at home?

Thank you for any advice, you have a great community here.

Alex

It's probably simply from upping your calories.


I'm 6'6/6'7ish myself. Right now I'm trying to cut down to around 225. At that weight I should be 10% Bodyfat. You are in a good position, because all you have to worry about is gaining muscle. I have to worry about the muscle and fat. Just keep upping your calories, and use a periodization scheme when lifting weights. Also train all of the fibers with varying rep ranges.