How One Woman Gained 18Lbs in a Year with a Mix of Fat and Muscle

Introduction

For many people, weight loss is a common goal. But for some, the opposite is true: they want to put on weight - whether it's for health reasons or to improve their appearance. One reddit user, an F/18/5'5", set a goal to gain weight over the course of a year.

Gaining 18lbs

Over the course of the year, the user managed to gain 18lbs. But it wasn't easy. She struggled to find the right balance between increasing her caloric intake and doing strength training to build muscle. Some of the weight she gained was muscle, while some of it was fat.

The Importance of Diet

One of the biggest takeaways from the user's weight gain journey was the importance of diet. She tracked her calories and made sure to eat a surplus, but she also focused on eating healthy foods - like lean proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats. She found that eating a lot of junk food made her feel bloated and sluggish, so she made an effort to prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods.

The Role of Strength Training

In addition to diet, the user also found that strength training was key to gaining muscle. She started doing strength training exercises like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses, and worked on progressively increasing her weights. She found that doing high-rep bodyweight exercises like push-ups and lunges didn't have the same impact as lifting heavy weights.

Conclusion

Overall, the user's weight gain journey was a success, but it wasn't without its challenges. She had to experiment to find the right balance of diet and exercise that worked for her body, and she had to be patient with the results. For anyone considering a similar journey, she recommends finding a community or support network to help keep you on track - and to be kind to yourself, even if progress is slow.