Hey everyone…first time posting here. Any suggestions on how to increase my appetite? I’m trying to put on some mass but I can’t seem to eat enough. I’m currently going through a divorce so that is definitely my problem. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
-Motto
You do have to force it at times. You get your body to accept more food by slowly increasing the number of meals in a day. You don’t jump from 3 meals a day to 6 immediately. You start at 4 and work your way up. Eventually, your body will adapt and actually need the food. I personally can’t go more than 3 hours without a meal or else I start feeling depleted. When I first started, there is no way I could have eaten as much as do now…of course, my body weight has also greatly increased to justify it.
I’ve found that working out definitely helps as well. If you work out earlier in the day, it may help stimulate appetite for the rest of the day. At least it does for me. Although, I usually workout after 5 p.m. But on the days when I train earlier, I end up eating like crazy.
And as Professor X said, you don’t go from three meals to six. You have to gradually increase over time. Start out with three solid meals and work on adding two smaller meals in between. Eventually, you can increase the size of the meals so they are all fairly similar in size.
The divorce is definitely going to add stress to your life and suppress your appetite (or for some, increase it). Try to get your head on mentally, and look for the positive in life. Decrease stress as much as possible. Train consistently, surround yourself with loving friends and family. And challenge yourself to be better.
thanks for the words nate.
yeah i’ve been eating 6-7 meals a day, just cant seem to squeeze enough cals in. thankfully the stress hasn’t turned me to unhealty eating…but i’m gettin weak, and skinny. was about 185 lbs 10-11% BF @ 5’10. now i’m at 170, probly 8-9%. not the look im going for, i’d rather move some weight.
There is also the possibility that you may be trying to eat too “clean”, especially if the concern is overall calories and you have lost that much weight.
Check out the Bulking Tips for Newbies thread.
Motto, I had your same experience. The lack of appetite is an obvious consequence. I don’t think it’s the right moment to be perfect: 6 meals/day, right amount of aerobics, 4 days/week weight training, 9 hours sleep etc. If I were you I would choose a simple and effective bb program such as ABBH and try to eat at breakfast, lunch, dinner. What I say: don’t go crazy for bb NOW. I would try to socialize, see friends, go out for dinner, go to theater or watch a movie etc.