Weight Issue

In order to reduce weight gain in mid-section, as always, brisk walking is one of the best forms of exercise. Drinking 8 glasses of water daily helps rid your body of fat. Doing ab exercises 3 days a week helps to tone stomach (with weights). Also, side twist & side bends with weights helps with the love handles. Decreasing calorie intake & burning more calories than you consume (i know this part doesn't help you much since you're trying to gain weight, but doing crunches & the twists & side bends only tone the stomach, exercising reduces it). I know how you feel skinny with stomach. I was diagnosed with diabetes last year and have went from 190 to 170 lbs, dropped 3 dress sizes but have pot belly stomach. I was doing good with the above (so good that doc took me off medication & have me down as diabetes under control), but it's like evertime my sweetie comes home & then leaves, I get on this binge....Guess I need to follow my own advice.

FutureMKU, when I was younger I was 'dumb skinny' so my mother used to supplement my meals (in between meals/after meals) with her own concoction and I was able to pack weight on. I suggested it to a friend of mine and she had to stop because she felt she was gaining too fast!
It's a smoothie-type drink made with wheat germ (found in the grits isle) whole milk, banana, and honey. Try it, let me know if it works for you.
Oh I find the best way to get my stomach down is with good ol' fashioned crunches. 100x night (4 sets of 25 with a 60 second break in between each set) had me ready for my Mexico vacation in about two weeks! I'll do that again when it's time for our HM.

Hey girl, I would suggest cardio..a fast walk...walking burns fat calories. Since you are already slim you should probably only do this maybe 3 times a week for about 30mins. For gaining weight you should put more protein in your diet (lean protein)...maybe even some protein shakes. You will also need to start some weight training....I'm not talking body building weight training, but light to moderate weight lifting for you whole body. This will allow you to gain "good weight" while toning up your body. Drinking low-fat milk everyday is also good for losing belly fat. I really don't suggest crunches right now since you said you have some extra stuffing around the middle. Crunches could build muscle under the fat then you'll never lose it. For my clients that are trying to lose inches around their waist I suggest they get some type of string, yarn, light cloth or something....hold their stomach in slightly (not to the point where you can't breathe, just to the point where it's taunt enough you can feel your muscles working)...tie the string around your waist....this way as you go through your day sitting down....stretching to get something from somewhere...bending..even just driving in your car you are toning your stomach. The purpose of the string is if you let your stomach out, it will remind you to pull it back in. It's like an all day stomach toner...it really does work....

[quote="soontobebride"]Hey girl, I would suggest cardio..a fast walk...walking burns fat calories. Since you are already slim you should probably only do this maybe 3 times a week for about 30mins. For gaining weight you should put more protein in your diet (lean protein)...maybe even some protein shakes. You will also need to start some weight training....I'm not talking body building weight training, but light to moderate weight lifting for you whole body. This will allow you to gain "good weight" while toning up your body. Drinking low-fat milk everyday is also good for losing belly fat. I really don't suggest crunches right now since you said you have some extra stuffing around the middle. Crunches could build muscle under the fat then you'll never lose it. For my clients that are trying to lose inches around their waist I suggest they get some type of string, yarn, light cloth or something....hold their stomach in slightly (not to the point where you can't breathe, just to the point where it's taunt enough you can feel your muscles working)...tie the string around your waist....this way as you go through your day sitting down....stretching to get something from somewhere...bending..even just driving in your car you are toning your stomach. The purpose of the string is if you let your stomach out, it will remind you to pull it back in. It's like an all day stomach toner...it really does work....
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SOON,
Thanks for the insight on the string thing...must try... And I agree, a high protein, low fat, low carb diet is the way to go. That's what I had to do.

No prob! I am going to be certified as a personal trainer after this whole wedding business, but I do have a couple of clients that I'm already working with. One client has the same problem as you, she's a slim girl, but has NO muscle tone and is not in the best shape. She's also a little soft around the middle. I've seen some good results with the string thing (I've got to get a name for that), and the power walking for her. I've got her lifting light weights but high reps. She's actually in my bridal party and wanted to tone up some before the wedding....

Wheat Germ drink, kind of non-specific, but:
enough milk for how much you want to drink (if 2 cups is what you can drink...1 cup/3...) add two capfuls of wheat germ or to the consistancy that you can handle (it will get thicker as it sits, so like metamucil drink up!) one whole banana, and a squirt of honey to your liking (wheat germ is a bit on the bitter side)
Speaking with my friend, she says exercise while taking it or you will blow up like a puffer fish!

STB-great idea, you bet I will be doing this one! and you better go ahead and market that. All it takes is an idea! And remember the small people who inspired you.