How to put on weight healthily?

[OhYouMerryMerryKitten]

I've lost a fair bit of weight recently. Its usual for me when I'm overtired, stressed or poorly. The problem is that once my weight gets low then I find it pretty hard to restart eating normal portions and my thinking about food can get a little distorted.

Today I had to borrow my dds belt to hold up my trousers as mine is too big. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and realised that I have to put a stop to this. BMI down to about 17.2

I would really like to stop the slide and get back up to a healthy bmi in a healthy way that makes me feel comfortable with the result. I really really want to set dd a good example about healthy weights and attitudes.

Any advice please.

I get a bit thin sometimes too. I find exercise really helps (ironically!) because it boosts my appetite so much, and I find that the things I'm hungry for are always very healthy when I'm exercising a lot (usually lean meat and milk and things) - though if you're not well then exercising might be hard. If your appetite has shrunk rather, try eating little and often and try quite calorific (but healthy) snacks - hummus, avocado (bacon and avocado sandwiches are very nice!), tuna mayonnaise; I also try to drink milk which helps - milkshakes or cocoa if you don't like straight milk.

Have a cheese and myonaise sandwich every night?

lol Coldtits - sounds yum but I'm not sure that comes under the 'healthily' bit.

arinater, hummus sounds quite appealing
The exercising bit I need to do with caution. Swimming at our local pool brings out attacks of raynauds and I need to protect my joints (psoriatic arthritis). i'm such an awkward so and so. I do love walking though and do a fair bit when I can.

I thought maybe getting some light weights might be a good way to build up muscle rather than fat?

Feeling a bit hungrier today despite awful cold. Am going to have salt beef on toast

It's difficult sometimes, isn't it. If your thinking is becoming distorted it means that you are starving your brain. Our brains use a lot of energy to keep the rest of us ticking over.

If your weight is on a downward spiral it may be worth talking to your gp about it. Appetite can be quite complicated.

I do hope you feel better soon.

That makes a lot of sense Bla, I hadn't thought of it that way.
If it doesnt start to pick up after this cold then, yes youre right, I should go and see my gp I think. Its starting to affect my health a bit.

Kitten, if you are currently eating a calorie deficit, there is NOTHING unhealthy about a cheese and mayonaise sandwich. It's fat people who should avoid such food, not underweight people, which you currently are.

Its not the calories that concern me, I'm just a bit more aware now about cholesterol. dh is slim and recently been told he has high cholesterol. Its not something I'd thought about before then.
In saying that, cheese is my favourite thing in the whole world to eat

Peanut butter on toast then?

You wont put on weight unless you significantly up your calorie intake. Simple as that.

Either go for much bigger portions, extra snacks or just more calorific food.

I'm the same as you by the sound of it, I'm quite tall and just before I had DS I weighed 10st 7lbs and after the birth it was as if it never happened, when I started breast feeding I lost weight and my weight was really low for me and so I was sent to a specialist who helped me gain weight. I thought it was going well after 6 weeks but hadn't had a period the whole time I was on the plan so was sent for a scan and I was 7 wks pregnant ha!

I lost a bit of weight recently due to stress (H and I decided to seperate)
I now drink milk with my meal,
hot chocolate before I go to bed,
sourcream and chive dip with most meals when I can
balsamic dipping oil with warm roll,
oh and I'm lucky enough to have a microwave at work so I cook an extra portion of food the evening before and heat it up at work... ie, spag bol, roast dinner, sausage and mash, pasta bake... Its not a giant portion but more filling than a sandwich...

Sorry totally went off point...

Go for a consultation with a specialist (referred by your GP) and work with them, it's really the only effective way)

OR get pregnant

Brazil nuts are very easy to eat and very good for you! I've had times when I've lost a lot of weight through depression, and it's hard to eat properly. There is some perverse thing that happens in our heads that makes being thin seem rather attractive - I think it's being frail and vulnerable and needy.

Last year I was in hospital being diagnosed with colitis. I literally drained away and all my bones felt as though they were clacking together. When I got home, it was great eating lots of icecream.

I think it's very important to treat yourself and make a fuss of yourself every now and again, to have a think about what you really enjoy eating and make a meal of it.

If you have high cholestrol, you will be treated by your doctor. I don't know how much diet effects cholestrol, but your gp would advise you. It's well documented that not eating enough leads to thinking about food all the time and can lead to more serious problems.

lol Zebraa and blimey I think the gp will be the best way if it doesnt resolve quickly.

Coldtits - thats an idea - protein and calories

Rummum - good idea about making extra the night before then the food is just there.

MrsMattie - it sounds so simple but in practise if you arent hungry it is really hard to force yourself to eat. And my question was 'not how do I gain weight' but 'how do I gain it healthily' Its all very well putting a layer of fat on but thats not particularly healthy - I need more lean body mass.

As MrsMattie says, you need to increase your calorie intake.

Carbohydrates are good , so an extra potato, a spoonful or 2 of pasta etc.

I have always been thin and need to maintain my weight, let alone try to put some on.

For breakfast have a bowl of porridge made with semi-skimmed milk and a sliced banana - or 2 pieces of toast with olive oil spread and peanut butter

For lunch have leek and potato soup with a roll etc

You may need to eat little and often to start yourself off, plenty of snacks is fine

thanks all - I guess its common sense though I am struggling to eat what I am at the moment, if I could eat more then I wouldnt be worrying about weight loss.

Bla - its so odd how the brain works and how it can unintentionally cycle. Its done that before and I am determined not to follow down the same path this time.

Cool - thanks Myrrhcy. perhaps I ought to stop over thinking this (a stress trait I show) and just eat high calorie stuff until I'm back up to a reasonable weight and then concentrate on healthy eating after. With Christmas coming it shouldnt be too hard!

Anyway - ought to make dinner!

Plenty of carbs. Pasta, Pizza, jacket potatoes. Using weights would be the cherry on the cake, as you would not be piling on fat, but lean muscle! Yum yum.

Cool - thanks
Ate a proper dinner tonight - risotto. Now that I've identified thats its becoming a bit of a problem I'm going to do something about it - no point in just lamentations.