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Challenges of Weight Gain: a Reddit User's 5 Month Journey

Weight gain can be just as challenging as weight loss. This article follows a Reddit user's journey through a 13lb weight gain over 5 months, including challenges and advice.

Article by Madeleine Smith

A before and after photo of a 5'10" male showing a weight gain from 147 pounds to 160 pounds. A total gain of 13 pounds.
M/31/5'10" [147 lbs > 160 lbs= +13 lbs] (5 months) Weight gain can be just as challenging as weight loss
Originally posted on /r/progresspics

Introduction

Weight gain is a topic that is often overlooked or dismissed as something that is easy to do. However, gaining weight, particularly in a healthy and lean way, can be just as challenging as losing weight. This is highlighted by Reddit user RatedR4Rudy’s 5-month journey of weight gain, which saw him increase from 147lbs to 160lbs, a gain of 13 lbs.

The Challenges of Weight Gain

RatedR4Rudy describes how weight gain is difficult due to the need to consistently consume more calories than the body burns. This can be particularly challenging when trying to eat clean and maintain a balanced diet. He notes that it can also be harder to track progress, as muscle gain is a slow process and one that can also be easily masked by changes in water weight.

Balancing Diet and Exercise

A key factor to achieving a healthy weight gain is to balance diet and exercise effectively. RatedR4Rudy notes that his exercise routine involved crossfit, while his diet was low in carbs and high in protein. Clothesarehung, another Reddit user commenting on the thread, suggests increasing calorie intake by approximately 500 per day in order to gain 1-2lbs per week. They also recommend a combination of three meals and three protein shakes per day.

Tips for Successful Weight Gain

When it comes to achieving successful weight gain, exercise and good nutrition are key. RatedR4Rudy notes that weightlifting, rather than solely focusing on cardio, can help to build muscle mass. He also suggests tracking progress through photos and measurements, as well as setting short-term and achievable goals. Clothesarehung advises on not gaining weight too quickly, as this can result in gaining excess body fat. Instead, aim for slow and consistent weight gain.

Conclusion

RatedR4Rudy’s journey through weight gain highlights the challenges that come with putting on weight in a healthy, sustainable way. Nonetheless, his story is a reminder that it is possible to gain weight in a balanced manner, with the right focus on diet and exercise, setting achievable goals, and tracking progress. For those looking to gain weight, experimenting with different foods, exercise routines, and monitoring progress may be helpful in finding what works best for their individual needs.

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Madeleine Smith

Content Lead at MyProgressPics.com

Madeleine is passionate about empowering individuals with the information and tools they need to transform their bodies and lives.