The Next Challenge

Can you help me gain weight?

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by

Tim Moss
in

Spotted Dick savoured for a month

I have recently started a new diet.

Last year, Laura and I began swimming the Thames as part of our Greater London Triathlon. We would drive out west, put our wetsuits on then swim until I got tired or cold.

And it was always me shivering or aching, not Laura. I’ve done one big swim before but hadn’t done any training for this swim. In fact, I’d deliberately avoided pools due to a dodgy shoulder. Laura, however, is a much better swimmer. As such, I am actually doing some training this year so that we can make better progress when spring arrives.

At the same time, I am trying to improve my cold water tolerance with dips in the Serpentine and cold showers. And by putting on some weight.

The best long-distance swimmers all carry a bit of bulk – just look at Martin, Dan and Lewis. I, however, am 5-foot 11-inches (180cm) and weigh just 69kg (152lbs or 10st 11lbs).

I get cold quickly. At the beach in the height of summer, I’ll spend an hour shivering to get warm after going in the sea. Finishing a swim in the Solent a couple of years ago,  I could barely think or speak properly and my hands shook so much I spilled my hot chocolate down them.

My friend Rob summarised it simply for me: I need to build muscle to generate heat and fat to keep it in.

So, as well as training in the pool, I am trying to embrace a new diet. I am eating more wherever possible. I am drinking full fat milk. I eat late at night and stuff whole packets of biscuits. After three weeks, however, I’ve only gained one kilogram.

So, can you help me gain weight?

I don’t want to stop exercising (although I’m happy to change the focus a bit). I don’t want to eat crap all of the time (but don’t mind consuming the odd cake, whole). And I don’t want to spend money on fancy supplements (I don’t think it should be necessary and, regardless, I don’t have the money!).

All suggestions welcome.

(N.B. The photo above is 10 years old but I’m pretty much the same size!)

Comments

2 responses to “Can you help me gain weight?”

  1. Greg Annandale avatar
    Greg Annandale

    Hi Tim,

    I have similar issues; being 5’10” and a cyclist, my weight at peak form is around 62kg (hey it helps with going uphill).

    However, for a trip to the Arctic in 2009, I figured it would probably be rather beneficial for me to weigh at least a little more than my pulk (65kg) thus focused on hitting 70kg in under 2 months (starting at 60kg).

    I struggle to gain weight despite eating a lot, however strength training 3 times a week was what did it for me. Not lifting huge weights, but alternating moderate sets on the major muscle groups for an hour session (focusing on legs, core, upper back & shoulders). Alongside this, I was eating everything in sight, especially high protein foods, and having a bowl of carbs before sleep. The one supplement I did use, which worked very well, was whey protein powder. 2-3 large scoops a day with water & 1 with full-fat milk. It’s cheap (as low as £13 / kg) and really seemed to help.

    Reply
  2. Ben Lewis avatar
    Ben Lewis

    Yes Greg, I’d definitely agree that supplements such as whey powder can work well – offering cheap (compared to eating chicken/red meat) and very digestible ‘gainer’.

    To put on weight in a sensible way it requires some gym work I believe Tim, needing more fat but also muscle, like you say. It may be that too much cardio exercise is preventing you from putting the calories on, especially if you are used to running/cycling/swimming everyday. So looking at your exercise routine is important.

    For me, at 5ft 11 and weighing 65kg, it may be that a fast metabolism is preventing serious weight gain. I was trying to put on weight during the winter last year… reaching 69-70kg. But inevitably a lot of cardio and endurance work since then has made me leaner (and meaner!). It’s given me a good strength to weight ratio for climbing though.

    I think the message with weight loss/gain is if you’re at the right size and weight for your chosen sport then be happy.

    Reply

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