What comes to mind when you hear ‘weight management’? Chances are you probably think weight loss. However, weight management really looks at all sides of the spectrum from weight loss to weight maintenance to weight gain.
So, why would one want to gain weight in the first place? Well, that depends. Both men and women may actively seek ways to put on mass to help build their physique and/or achieve an ideal body weight. Those who may benefit from weight gain supplements may include those who require serious recovery, find it difficult to consume enough calories through food alone and/or expend tremendous amounts of energy, but find it challenging to gain weight regardless of their diet. If you can relate to any of the above, then a weight gain supplement might just be for you.
THE JOURNEY TO GAIN WEIGHT
Ask any friend about their journey to gain weight. Chances are that you’ll find some that say they can easily put on weight, whereas others may require a bit more time, effort and thought. In all, the goal to gain weight may seem like an easy task, but it can actually be pretty challenging for some. It’s important to remember that everyone is different with different calorie needs. Ultimately, the rate and ability to gain weight differs for everyone and is extremely individualised. Your ability to gain weight can potentially be influenced by your body, metabolism, and type and level of activity.
Metabolism is a key component, because generally-speaking, muscle tissue is more metabolically active than fat tissue. The more muscle you have, the higher your resting energy expenditure and the more calories your body burns. Also, your type and level of activity can heavily impact your required amount of calories, because generally the more you move, the more calories your body and muscles need. If you goal is to gain weight, then it’s important to consider all these factors. So, what exactly does it take to put on weight when it comes to diet?
NOT ALL CALORIES ARE CREATED EQUAL
Well, when it comes to weight gain - nutrients are just as important as calories. The diet you follow, the foods you choose and calories you consume all matter. Your body runs on calories from the diet you consume and it’s important get proper nutrients. Moreover, where the additional calories come from depend on your fitness goals.
If interested in gaining weight and muscle, then you may consider increasing your protein intake long with a resistance exercise program. If you are interested in overall weight gain, then you might increase the balance of macronutrient intake from protein, carbohydrates and fat. Find different fuelling opportunities throughout the day and incorporate a variety of foods to help meet your calorie needs.
WHEN TO TURN TO WEIGHT GAIN SUPPLEMENTS
Some may find it challenging to gain weight regardless of dietary intake. If dietary needs are unmet through food alone, then you may consider a weight gain supplement to help meet your calorie needs. Always aim for a food-first approach. Begin with adding both calorie and nutrient-dense foods first such as nuts, nut butters, seeds, eggs, full-fat dairy, fatty fish and plant oils.
Meeting calorie needs for weight gain may seem like a daunting task. Some may feel like they can never eat enough in a day to meet close to their calorie needs. However, this is when weight gain supplements come into play. Weight gain supplements or “gainers” are high calorie and protein supplements taken for the purpose of gaining weight or maintaining weight. Here’s how it works.
HOW TO USE GAINERS
Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass is designed to help build muscle and put on weight. It’s a high-protein weight-gain formula which provides 1,250 calories per serving (about 2 heaping scoops). This amount of calories are designed to help support your weight gain goals. Think of it like this: There are about 3,500 calories in one pound or a half-kilo. Therefore, consuming one serving of Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass each day above your maintenance needs can give you about 8,750 extra calories in just one week – that’s about one kilo of weight.
New users may find it helpful to begin with half a serving and increase gradually to a full serving, as tolerated. You can also increase the amount of calories by adding other ingredients such as whole milk, soy milk, nut butters, seeds, and/or fruits.
There are many opportunities throughout the day to add Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass into your routine. Find what works best for you. First and foremost – a common perception is that gainers are meant to be used in place of meals. However, gainers are intended to supplement the diet, not replace it. Gainers can be a convenient way to help boost your calories. Try adding a shake post-workout, between meals, with meals or whenever you simply needs a calorie boost.
WRAP UP
Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass is formulated with quality, not just quantity. It was designed for healthy adults who need extra calories, but find it challenging to consume enough calories through food alone. One serving contains 1,250 calories to help support weight gain goals and 50 grams of protein to help support muscle recovery and building, when taken in addition to normal caloric intake and regular weight resistance training. Remember, putting on weight requires hard work, time and dedication, but more importantly - it requires a balance of proper resistance training and quality nutrition.
Disclaimer: The above article is merely a guide and is in no way a recommendation or a treatment protocol for any health conditions or diseases. You should always consult with a qualified health care provider before changing your supplement, training or nutritional strategy. Supplementation should not be attempted by pregnant or breastfeeding women, anyone on prescription medication or children under the age of 15 unless advised by your qualified health care provider. The above article has been taken from https://optimumnutrition.com
