CJT1217's Journal, 10 July 2012

I'd offer suggestions, but I already hate her. jk. Oh to have that problem! Wanting to gain #s. To help my friend's preemie baby gain weight fast he'd get full fat foods and the delicious concoctions of avocado mixed with breast milk. I imagine the opposite of what to do when losing weight - tell her to eat more dense foods maybe - like dried fruit, nuts, avocados. A protein shake/bar, some sweet potato, corn, bananas are a higher calorie fruit... 

I agree with Jess - and have her start buying the higher-fat versions of her dairy foods - if she drinks skim milk, try 1-2%, eat higher fat cottage cheese/regular cheese... I like the idea of adding protein shakes to her diet also if she can't eat enough 'actual' protein (I'm surprised Jess didn't push for BEEF!!) - she can snack on trail mixes to get some dried fruits and some healthy fat from nuts.. and a few spoonfuls of peanut butter can't hurt.. :) 

I think she is going to have a hard time gaining weight eating healthy foods. (NOT suggesting to eat unhealhy!) Her body is responding to her activity level. Think your idea will help, and adding weight training should help her bulk up where she wants. Or, she may just have to treat herself to a new wardrobe! (But that may be hard on a military salary, veteran myself, don't remember having lots of extra money for clothes, although I supported a family of 4 at the time) 

oh yeah! full fat ice cream and nice juicy steaks!!!! BEEF BEEF BEEF. 

I was looking on the internet to see what the different calculators said was the ideal body weight for a female at 5'4". Between 108 and 132. She better not get "too" cute, or she'll get booted out. Sounds like she is in a pretty good place right now. If she puts on that weight, and slacks off on her physical fitness training (the mandatory stuff isn't all that demanding) - you all know how tough it is to take it off. The protein is going to put on muscle - not what she wants if the "cute" is what she is looking for. Load up on the carbs, if you just want to be cute and pudgy. That's why we're on here. I think I look cuter with an extra 50 pounds or so. :) 

I agree with the mid fat dairy and I'd love to enjoy some starchy carbs again like pasta but have to be careful not to over do it of course. Healthy fats yupper, I LOVE avacado!I'd just be sure to keep it to things that she will be ok cutting back as she needs if it starts to go too far the other way. You can put on weight with healthy foods...trust me!lol 

I agree with the mid fat dairy and I'd love to enjoy some starchy carbs again like pasta but have to be careful not to over do it of course. Healthy fats yupper, I LOVE avacado!I'd just be sure to keep it to things that she will be ok cutting back as she needs if it starts to go too far the other way. You can put on weight with healthy foods...trust me!lol 

*I read "mid fat dairy" as "mid fat fairy" picture that! 

^^^^ HAHA!!! 

Lots of great info, guys! Thanks much!  

Jess you're awesome!  

thanks. keeping my awesomeness turned up to 11. 

Ok, so here's what I told her... -Eat full fat dairy items; milk, sour cream, cheese -Always have a natural protein source with your meals; poultry, fish, and especially beef. They all have plenty of good fat as well. Fat is good! -Eat plenty of fruits. Avocados (including guacamole) have a lot of natural fats. Banana's are chock-full of carbos. -With veggies, corn and carrots are higher sugar and higher calorie. -Eat pasta, grains, rice, potatoes. You can choose wheat versions if available to you; they'll have more nutritional value. -Protein shakes! Those are perfect for having in between your main meals. -Nuts and dried fruits for snacks as well. Lots of natural fat. -Peanut butter. Mmm. -Yogurt. By itself or mixed in with a vanilla protein shake with fruit. >=)  

Hey - stop - I am getting hungry!  

Protein, complex carbs, healthy fats... Just more of them. She should lift too. Lift heavy. She doesn't have to "bulk up" necessarily but at least then she'll be putting on muscle and fat. if she counts calories for a few days she will see her calorie input vs output.... Just find a way to make the input higher and that equals weight gain. But just like the other ladies... I would love to have her problem.  

agreed on the above. I sure wish I had that problem. Check out 20 Super Foods You Need to Build Muscle & Lose Fat at stronglifts.com. I like to limit sugar to <8 g per 100 calorie foods, while getting at least 5g protein and 5g of fiber per 100 calorie foods 

Cool, cool. I'll pass it on!