ok best way to gain weight

[eeneich]

oright guys, i didnt really get my question answers, maybe i didnt write it correctly. so im lookin to gain some wieght but not get fat. i still want my abs out as it is right now. but i jsut want the rest of my body to get bigger. I right now eat low fat low carb high protein foods. Should i just continue this way? or should i increase my calories as well? will increasing my calories get me fat? Should i buy N large weight gainer... or what... any feedback is appreciated. thanks.

[Maximum6]

like i asked tim the same question....he'll say increase calories...cause thats the way to maintain or increase size.

You can eat the same thing...but increase FAT,CARBS, Protein all Up.....until it adds 300cals or so..then you stay there...

Keep your cardio going....to keep fat in check....and keep your diet clean.

[ChrisC]

eeneich:

Here's my take:

Firstly, an observation; you said that you want to keep "my abs out as it is right now", does this mean you don't want your body fat to increase? - The problem with this is that it is very difficult to add muscle mass without gaining any fat whatsoever. I'm not saying you cannot do it, just that it will take a very long time.

Many lifters find that a better approach is to gain some size (and in the process gain some fat). Then cut back and reduce the fat while holding on to the new muscle mass.

Personally, I think this is one of the biggest barriers people face when trying to increase mass. Many people are afraid to put on any fat while gaining muscle mass and as a consequence experience a sub-optimal level of muscle growth.

I'm not saying you should turn yourself into a blimp, just don't be afraid if you gain a little fat when you bulk up. - You can always diet it off later.

If you are currently not growing then yes you will need to increase calories.

The best and simplest advice I have ever heard on gaining mass is: Lift Big, Eat Big, Get Big.

I have no idea what your workout routine looks like but if it doesn't already include big compound movements (squats, deadlifts, etc.) start doing the big compound movements (lift big). If you can currently squat 200lbs for 10 reps, then I guarntee that if you increase your sqaut to 275 for 10 reps you will increase your muscle mass.

I'll leave the in depth nutrition advice to Tim and the other nutrition guys on the website. Suffice to say, eat big. Start increasing your calories. A lot. You will notice that even Tim mentioned in another thread that he is bulking right now and wasn't counting calories - he's eating big.

If your looking for a routine to pack on some mass, look up things like Randall Strossen - Super Squats. I found the book to be very useful and help me pack on a lot of mass.

Chris.

[Tim Wescott]

I agree with Chris` excellent advice.

If you want to retain your abs, fiddle around with increassing your calories from clean food sources, and keep an eye on the mirror.
Over time you can tweak or adjust things to keep the abs in, but getting bigger will be a slow process.

Right now, I have put on some fat ,mostly in my obliques and lower ab areas.I`m by no means fat,but I`m certainly not ripped either.

If you want to look good this summer,just keep doing what you are doing.It`s almost over anyway!!

After the summer season,do a bulk, and diet off any excess fat for the coming spring.

You will never get significantly larger in all areas, without accepting the fact that you will have to gain some fat to reach this goal.

I did so many contests in the past that I never got much bigger from year to year, because my "off-season" was just too short of a time period to accomplish this.

As a result I took this year off from competing and am adding good weight to my physique ,although some is adipose tissue.When I diet I know I will be a lot bigger than I ever was and will once again see my abs!!

You can do both ,but it is a very slow process and you have to be extremely dedicated to your diet.

Add more protein and carbs slowly, until you start to gain size.
If you are getting too fat ,cut back a bit until you reach the right amount of calories and macronutrients to accomplish this.It will take some time ,so be patient and hang in there.

In this sport/pastime,nothing comes easy for most of us...........unfortunately.

Chart everything in a journal so you can see what you are doing and adjust accordingly.

[eeneich]

sweet, thanks for the help guys.

[Maximum6]

You should try that PowerButter...i think i'll go get some myself...3TBSP of that...is almost equal to my 4oz salmon!!