Why It's Not Okay to Be Too Thin

">protein and whole grains. You must consume more
As a personal trainer, I am often asked the bestcalories than you burn each day in order to gain
way to lose weight and keep it off. For many ladiesweight. The best way to do that is to eat at least 3
this is a huge problem that they are hoping will shrinkregular meals and 3 to 4 snacks each day.
down to size. Many of these women envy theirIn order to manage your eating habits, I suggest you
skinny friends and relatives, mistaking low bodybegin a diet and fitness journal. You'll want to start
weight with being healthy. Women's fitness means aby recording your current weight and measurements.
whole lot more than just being thin.This will determine your starting point and is very
There really is such a thing as being too thin. It's hardimportant in your efforts to gain weight. Write down
to believe since most of us struggle with being tooyour long-term goal of your desired weight. Next,
fat. But anyone over the age of 18 with a BMI ofmake a short-term goal of something like gaining 1 to
18.5 or less are considered underweight.2 pounds per week.
Depending on your body frame and other factors,Just as with losing weight, people who maintain a
being underweight can wreak havoc on your health.fitness journal have a much greater success with
So why not chug down some milkshakes and putgaining weight than those who try to gain weight on
some meat on those bones? Unfortunately it's not astheir own. So, you need to write down everything
easy as that. It is actually more difficult to gainyou eat and drink every day. Try to set goals to eat
weight than it is to lose it.6 meals a day. Keep track of what you are eating
There are many factors that make it hard for aand discuss your journal with your physician. He or
person to gain weight. Some people have fewer fatshe may have some suggestions of foods that you
cells and therefore can never be really fat. Othersshould add to your diet to help you gain weight.
are very active or maybe even hyper-active resultingGet plenty of cardio and strength training exercises.
in an increased metabolism that burns calories at aBeing active will help to increase your appetite. When
high rate. A poor diet or other underlying medicalyou are trying to gain weight, it helps to be hungry.
conditions could hinder a person's ability to gainYour goal should be to build muscle and not fat, so
weight.strength training exercises with weights will be ideal.
Being underweight can compromise the immuneTry to exercise at least 6 days per week for 30
system, cause muscles to atrophy, and bones tominutes or more each day.
become brittle. A person who is too skinny may haveTake time to rest. Getting an adequate amount of
problems with circulation and find that they have asleep each night will help your body to replenish and
lower body temperature than others who have morerejuvenate. The healthier lifestyle that you lead, the
body fat to keep them warm.better your appetite and ability to gain weight will
It is important for anyone who is underweight to eatbecome.
a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables as well as