Packing on the pounds, or gaining weight, is often viewed as a negative thing. However, for some people, gaining weight can be a healthy way to achieve a better body image, boost energy levels, and improve overall well-being.

If you are looking to put on weight, here are 15 surprising ways to help you achieve your goals:.

Eat More Frequently

If you want to pack on the pounds, it’s important to eat more frequently throughout the day. Instead of eating three large meals, try eating five or six smaller meals each day.

This will help to boost your metabolism, keep your energy levels steady, and ensure that you are getting the nutrients you need to gain weight.

Choose Nutrient-Dense Foods

When you are trying to gain weight, it’s important to choose nutrient-dense foods that are high in calories and nutrients. Some examples of nutrient-dense foods include nuts, seeds, avocados, oily fish, and whole grains.

These foods are not only high in calories but also provide a range of essential vitamins and minerals to support your health.

Drink Your Calories

Another way to pack on the pounds is to drink your calories. Instead of drinking water throughout the day, try drinking calorie-dense beverages such as fruit juice, smoothies, or milkshakes.

This will help to increase your overall calorie intake and make it easier to consume more calories throughout the day.

Add Healthy Fats to Your Diet

Healthy fats are an important part of any weight gain diet. Foods such as nuts, seeds, avocados, and olive oil are all excellent sources of healthy fats that can help you to pack on the pounds.

Fats are also important for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails.

Increase Your Protein Intake

Protein is essential for building muscle and helping you to gain weight. Aim to include protein sources such as chicken, fish, beef, eggs, and tofu in your diet.

You can also supplement your diet with protein powder to help you reach your daily protein goals.

Avoid Low-Fat Products

Low-fat products may seem like a good choice for a healthy diet, but they can actually be counterproductive when it comes to weight gain. When fat is removed from foods, it is often replaced with sugar or other additives to improve the taste.

Stick to full-fat products such as cheese, yogurt, and milk for a healthier way to gain weight.

Add Calorie-Dense Foods to Your Meals

If you are struggling to consume enough calories, try adding calorie-dense foods such as cheese, nuts, or avocado to your meals. These foods will help to boost your calorie intake and make it easier to gain weight.

Include Resistance Training in Your Exercise Routine

Resistance training, such as weight lifting, is an effective way to build muscle and help you gain weight.

Aim to include resistance training in your exercise routine at least two or three times per week to help you build muscle and boost your weight gain goals.

Avoid Cardio

While cardio exercise is important for overall health, it can be counterproductive when it comes to weight gain. Cardio exercises, such as running or cycling, burn a lot of calories and can make it harder for you to gain weight.

Instead, focus on resistance training and other activities that will help you to build muscle.

Track Your Caloric Intake

Tracking your caloric intake is an important step in gaining weight. By tracking your calories, you can ensure that you are consuming enough calories to meet your weight gain goals.

There are many free apps available that can help you track your calories and ensure that you are on track to achieve your goals.

Avoid Skipping Meals

Skipping meals can be detrimental to your weight gain goals. When you skip a meal, you are missing out on important nutrients and calories that your body needs to gain weight.

Try to stick to a regular eating schedule and avoid skipping meals whenever possible.

Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is important for overall health, but it can also impact your weight gain goals. When you are sleep-deprived, your body produces more cortisol, which can lead to weight gain.

Aim to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night to help support your weight gain goals.

Manage Stress

Stress can also impact your weight gain goals. When you are stressed, your body produces more cortisol, which can impact your appetite and make it harder to gain weight.

Try to manage your stress levels through activities such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to help support your weight gain goals.

Consult with a Professional

If you are struggling to gain weight, it may be helpful to consult with a professional such as a registered dietitian or a personal trainer.

These professionals can provide you with personalized guidance and support to help you achieve your weight gain goals in a healthy way.

Conclusion

Gaining weight may seem like a daunting task, but with the right strategies, it can be done in a healthy way. By following these 15 surprising ways to pack on the pounds, you can achieve your weight gain goals and improve your overall well-being.