HOW TO GAIN WEIGHT
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There is not a chance for you to gain weight if you are not eating sufficient calories. Ectomorphs have a metabolism that in today’s world of the excess is truly a miraculous. You are able to eat what you want without fear of the consequences – of weight gain that is. Ectomorphs are not immune to the dangers of overeating when it comes to their health and you must ensure that your diet is fairly balanced. Meeting you energy demands through fast food is a definite no-no.
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How to Gain Weight
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GAIN WEIGHT
Use the weight gain calculator, to calculate the calories you require to gain weight. You may be one of two types of ectomorphs:
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The first type of ectomorph simply requires more calories than normal to maintain and gain weight. Therefore, if you have been suffering with weight loss, you probably require more calories than "normal" just to maintain your weight. This problem is easily addressed by simply increasing your calorie intake incrementally until you either experience weight gain or weight maintenance, depending on your goals. For example, you may require 500 calories above "normal". Still, before you start, calculate the average daily number of calories you consume to ensure that you have not been eating less than recommended.
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The second type of ectomorph has a more problematic physiology. This type of ectomorph may or may not require more than “normal” calories to maintain their weight. However, more importantly, their metabolism increases as they increase their calorie intake. In other words, this ectomorph is extremely adept at changing their metabolism to match their incoming calories. Ergo, no weight gain. With age metabolism slows down and you will find it easier to put on weight.
You will not know which type of ectomorph you are until you start your weight gain program. The best way of meeting your calorie demands is by eating small meals regularly spaced (approximately every 3 hours) throughout the day. That would equate to approximately 6 meals for men and 5 meals per day for women looking to gain weight.
MACRONUTRIENT RATIOS FOR WEIGHT GAIN
CARBOHYDRATE FOR WEIGHT GAIN
In terms of macronutrient ratios, a standard diet is ideal, that is a high carbohydrate diet. Carbohydrate should make up about 50 – 60% of total calories. Therefore, if your calorie requirements are 2500 calories per day, you would require 60% of that to be in the form of carbohydrate.
2500 total calories x 60% = 1400 calories of carbohydrate per day
A high carbohydrate diet does not mean a diet high in refined foods such as cakes, burger, sugar-filled drinks and alcohol. Since you are eating more, you need to keep you food as unrefined as possible, sticking to whole foods. Stick to complex carbs such as:
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Yams
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Sweet potatoes
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Brown rice
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Brown pasta
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Wholemeal bagels
PROTEIN FOR WEIGHT GAIN
Protein is important to gain muscle mass. Approximately 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight should suffice. Say you weight 150lbs, you would require approximately 150 grams of protein. Then you can calculate to how many calories 150 grams of protein amounts. 1 gram of protein is equal to 4 calories. Therefore:
150 grams of carbs x 4 = 600 calories of protein
To create an athletic physique stick to lean sources of protein (i.e. low on saturated fat): Chicken
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Turkey
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Fish
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Lean steak and mince
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Eggs whites
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Protein shakes
FAT FOR WEIGHT GAIN
The remaining calories should consist of fats. Fats are very calorific; 1 gram of fat is equal to a whopping 9 calories! Most of your fat intake should come from healthy fats. If you can, give trans-fat a complete miss and limit saturated fats. Foods high in saturated fats clog arteries, increase cholesterol and increase your risk of heart disease. Instead, go for fat rich in omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9. Excellent sources of fat are: Oily fish Avocados Flaxseed oil Nuts In tandem with your extra calorie intake, you need to exercise.
If you do not exercise your resulting physique will be that of skinny fat. Keep you cardio workouts to a healthy minimum and focus on weight training to build your muscle mass.
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Eat five to six small meals per day.
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Calories directly from carbohydrates should make up approximately 50 - 60% of your total daily intake.
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Eat 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight per day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you would want to eat 150 grams of protein per day.
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Replace no more that two meals with a protein or weight gain shake per day.