How do you keep weight up?

[Larry H.]

Thanks for all the pushing on the subject of the readings I was having. Now due to my exercise and closer scrutiny to the carbs ingested, I am loosing weight yet again.. I think my friends are right, I am finally indeed getting to look too thin. I know that isn't usually an issue here. But I started at about 194 at the beginning.. Settled about 160 or so for about 10 months, but now with the exercise and cut backs I find my self at 155 and at 6' its looking too thin. No legs, no arms to speak of, and shrunken face..
So the question becomes, with restricted food amounts and low carbs, no sugars. How in the world do you eat enough to keep from looking like a scarecrow? Any ideas would be welcome.

[Cyborg]

How's your bg been? If it's too high, then your body is not fully utilizing the glucose (carbs, fat and protein) that you consume. If this is the case, then it's probably time to move on to some medication or insulin...

[CaptainMike]

How many calories a day are you consuming? Gram for gram, fat has twice as many calories as carbs or protein. Are you doing any weight training to build muscle mass? That might help.

[Larry H.]

I usually eat about two egg beaters with some sautéed onion and green pepper and sometimes some ham or bacon with it. Then I eat a small serving of about 20 carb cereal. I used to eat a piece of whole wheat toast, when I could get by with it.
For lunch its usually a slice of low carb bread with a mix of cheese, chicken and perhaps a slice of no fat lunch meat. I used to eat a few chips with it, but have settled to small amount of beans instead now. I have a scoop or scoop and a half of 4 carb ice cream usually, or low or no sugar desert. Supper is meat, turnips, or cauliflower, applesauce, or a veggie bean dish. Usually the carbs are reasonable over all. I snack on some nuts and a small bowl of cereal at night.
I have incorporated using the Health Rider for 60 or so reps three times during my half hour morning and lunch walking. I figure that will hopefully help with the muscles, they say it uses all of them.

[Ronin]

Hi Larry!

Everyone has advice, particularly in the area of weight. Your height and weight are about the same as mine. Like you, a lot of my friends became concerned that I was getting too thin. Then I looked at the source of the comments -- generally "Average Americans" with a belt overhang.

However here is a good test I learned a long time ago - can you close your hand around the opposite wrist, perhaps with an overlap? If you can (I almost touch the first joint with my thumb) you have a "small frame" and can get pretty thin by ordinary standards.

Your diet sounds fine (actually a bit better than mine) and while my exercise regimine is a bit longer in duration than yours, the one you are using is fine.

One thing to keep in mind, if you don't do some pretty intense exercise, the only thing you will gain in weight is fat, and fat contributes to Insulin Resistance as you do not want to go there. Your body will self regulate to the appropriate weight for you. And if the others are envious -- let them go green!

[Tropo]

Thanks for all the pushing on the subject of the readings I was having. Now due to my exercise and closer scrutiny to the carbs ingested, I am loosing weight yet again.. I think my friends are right, I am finally indeed getting to look too thin. I know that isn't usually an issue here. But I started at about 194 at the beginning.. Settled about 160 or so for about 10 months, but now with the exercise and cut backs I find my self at 155 and at 6' its looking too thin. No legs, no arms to speak of, and shrunken face..
So the question becomes, with restricted food amounts and low carbs, no sugars. How in the world do you eat enough to keep from looking like a scarecrow? Any ideas would be welcome.

I had a bit of a chuckle when I read that. I've just recovered from 2 days of bad diarrhea and weighed myself at 99kg (218lbs)...down about 6 lbs from my usual weight...and was thinking how skinny I looked.

Get into the gym and start doing some serious resistance work to build up your muscle mass.