Is it a turn-off to weigh what I do?

[Anonymous]

I'm a 19 year old guy. I'm 5'10" and 130lbs. I can't seem to gain weight. I run 5-6 times a week and lift weights 3 times a week, but I'm barely gaining any mass. I've gained a pound or so in the past month from weight training, but that's about it. I'm pretty skinny and my metabolism is super fast. I can't seem to eat enough to actually have a decent calorie surplus.

I'm just wondering if this is a turn-off. I've had people tell me I'm too skinny, and it's frustrating to not be able to gain much weight (though I'd rather be underweight than overweight.)

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

As a fellow starved cross country runner who weighed 125lbs in high school.. and now weighs a lean 150lbs.. Let me tell you first, quitting running doesn't need to be an option (and it's not a good one either). I coupled my running with weightlifting, a half a gallon of milk a day and protein supplements. Running kept me lean while all the extra calories and hypertrophy exercises got me heavier. However, you should take SOME weeks/months off from running in the year just to do weight training on your legs (particularly squats, they're great for your hips and knees).

With that said, if you're truly a runner, you really don't have to worry about getting fat. You can burn 5lbs in a week when you can run 40+ miles in 5 days. So stop worrying about getting fat, and amp up your calorie intake with at least 3 glasses of milk a day.

[Asker]

Thanks for this. Just curious, but how tall are you? And just drank 2 big glasses of milk :) I love milk, but haven't been drinking as much as I should.

Not sure if taking time off from running is a good idea for me. I take 1-2 days off a week to rest my body and that's hard, just because running for me is a great stress reliever than anything. I feel like I relieve more stress running than weight lifting.

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

I'm 5'8" So slightly shorter than you, but 125lb was still pretty scrawny-- particularly my arms which was what I hated most in my senior pics.

And yes, running is great for your heart, lungs, it helps blood flow, etc.. which creates a relieving effect. Plus running angry is always extremely relieving mentally. So stopping sucks, but maybe just dial down the mileage and lift legs or switch over to sprints for some days.It'll be much easier to put on lean weight if you're adding leg muscle on.

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

Or do some high intensity tempo runs, or hill sprints-- those are great too for gaining good weight. The only reason I suggest coupling your long distance with high intensity leg work is because it's going to increase your testosterone levels, which will help you put on muscle in your arms/chest/back/shoulders/traps/etc.. It's not a necessity though, just a tool for speeding up the process if you want to. But don't stop running for any serious length of time-- not worth it.

[Asker]

I've started lifting in addition to running. Think that might work well. Plus I'm eating a ton of protein (eggs, milk, greek yogurts.)

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

Sounds like you're on the right path! Just make sure you're getting lots of calories with that protein as well. Good luck, man. Try to remember to update in a month or so, I'd like to hear how it goes for you.

[Asker]

lol I will. Just friended you.

[martyfellow]

Some guys your age just aren't programmed to fill out yet. Have patience.

Stick with the weights. At least you're getting stronger, and eventually you'll gain some muscle weight.

Don't argue with Mother Nature. She usually wins arguments. Be happy you're in good overall shape. Most guys your age tend to be rangy like you, even when they do weight work. It's nothing that should turn off any reasonable female your own age.

[Anonymous]

Lol, what a clever gal you are. ;D You are most definitely fishing for compliments with this incoherent question. Anyone with common sense would know that daily exercise = loss of weight due to the burning of the calories. Specially with cardio that you do ( coming from a fellow exercise :D )

What guy wouldn't like a gal who takes care of her body and works out? ...Honestly, who? -____-

[Asker]

No really I'm not! And I'm a guy -___- My weight honestly bothers me because I weigh so much less than my friends.

[Opinion Owner]

Sorry about the mistake of gender. XD I've answered so many questions today.

Well in that case have you ever tried expanding on how much you eat? Or looking for food combos that can slow down your combo a "tad" so you can have your desire weight? those suggestions can work but I honestly don't know why your weight is problem since you're healthy and I'm sure you can hold your own. So what if you weigh less than your friends,forget about'em lol

[Asker]

I'm thinking about making protein shakes and then going to lift. I think my big "issue" is that I'm a cardio-aholic and love to run. So I burn off any excess essentially just running. I do have nice defined leg muscles though :D But yeah, just frustrating.

Some ladies (who didn't know me too well, but I don't know if that mattered), said that my thinness was affecting my attractiveness or something like that.

[iPood]

Stop running. Eat at a caloric surplus with lots of protein. Lift heavy and avoid cardio.

[MikeGaultier]

Bump those calories up. Rule of thumb: Caloric deficit (burn more than you take in) = Weight loss,

Surplus (take in more than you're burning) = Weight gain.

[Michaelmwm19]

Way to much cardio, that's why. You don't run near that much when trying to gain weight, you need to eat a lot also.

[Asker]

I looooove running though :(

[Racez]

It's not a turn off. You can compensate by dressing really well. Sharp dressers almost compensate on all their flaws.

[Anonymous]

Do you like sprinting? Maybe replace it with that.

link

[Anonymous]

Keep on running but do it twice a day. That way you will be more buff :)

[djvtech]

Don't listen to this.

[Opinion Owner]

Apparently sarcasm is not your strong suite djvtech

[Asker]

Lol I'd rather run once and do weights. If I run twice, I'll have HUGE leg muscles but small upper body muscles. It's a balance.

[Opinion Owner]

Dude just eat more, run less (don't run at all actually) and workout with heavier weights

[djvtech]

Sarcasm doesn't work to well on the internet.

[Opinion Owner]

Being stupid doesn't work too well in any setting

[kheserthorpe]

Crank your calories.

[Luv2run]

Join boot camp :D