How do you put on weight?

[Brennanf]

Hi, my name is Brennan and i am currently 19 years turning 20 in couple months. I was diagnosed in 2009 with ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis (liver disease) which is pretty rare and even rarer that someone my age has it. To this day they are not sure whether I really have ulcertive colitis or crohns but thats okay because there both basically treated the same. its been in remission ever since that year but I am currently on the waiting list for a liver transplant. Its been crazy dealing with this, work, and school all at the same time but I have managed.

So thats my background but I was wondering if any of you have trouble putting on weight? I am 5'7 weighing in at 117 pounds and nothing I seem to do helps. I cant take shakes cause that really doesnt work for me but i was wondering if anyone had any tips? thanks

 

[valleysangel92]

Hello and welcome to the forum

Its great to hear that your IBD is currently in remission. Do you mind if I ask you what your current treatment plan is with that? Are you having regular monitoring to pick up any issues? I know you say you aren't 100% sure if you have UC or Crohn's and it seems like thats not an issue for you right now, but it might be worth more investigation if/when it flares up again because although many of the treatments are the same there are some options which are known to work for UC but not so much for crohns and vice versa.

As for weight gain, may I ask why you say shakes don't work for you? What ones have you tried?

Check out our diet and fitness section, there might be something useful to you in there. If there isn't anything that really answers your question then feel free to start your own thread to try and get more specific information.

 

[alex_chris]

In addition to what the Valley's angel described, general question on the level of sport you do? Do you do any? Our bodies work in strange ways, but the right sport itself helps both to keep people in remission and to gain weight - usually because you eat more after you worked out - and the body builds up muscle. Of course, it takes some dedication and hard work. I have gotten up from about 60kg to 72kg between 2011 and 2013 and started Freeletics (basically a military work out you do 3-4 times per week for 30-45 minutes) for the last 4 months and am up to 77kg (170lbs) at 180cm (5'11).

As to nutrition, I would forget about the off-the-shelf shakes, they will get you into trouble with your Crohn's/UC. In the past I have also used supplemental liquid nutrition (Nutricia Fortimel - take the neutral flavor, everything else is pretty awful) which got 300kcal per bottle. 1-2 per day on a consistent basis, apart from eating normally, will add a few pounds per month. You can also go just the "natural" route - can you drink milk without problems? There are enormous amounts of kcal in standard milk.

 

[UnXmas]

Are you trying to gain muscle/bulk up, or just put on some more flesh in order to be healthier?

It all comes down to calories in and calories out. So you try to treat any absorbtion problems that may be going on, and any symptoms that may be affecting appetite. Then whatever works for you to get more calories in: eating little and often, having more calories in liquid form, eating calorie-condense foods, etc.

I also think it helps to try to eat exactly what you feel like much of the time (within reason - not if that means eating a very unhealthy diet), rather than trying to stick to any plan or diet. If you enjoy what you're eating, it's easier to eat more.

 

[Juuh]

I had problems putting on weight after surgery. Nutritionist adviced me to eat healthy and to drink supplements and pure olive oil, one or two spoonfuls a day. After a while I was able to start exercising and gain some muscle mass.

 

[UnXmas]

Our bodies work in strange ways, but the right sport itself helps both to keep people in remission and to gain weight - usually because you eat more after you worked out - and the body builds up muscle.

Where did you hear that sport helps keep people in remission?

 

[alex_chris]

Where did you hear that sport helps keep people in remission?

First, here is a large scale study done in the US which showed that sport can reduce the risk of the outbreak of Crohn's in the first place. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/814557

Here is a more speculative article on benefits of sport for Crohn's patients from 2006: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2660794/ and one followed in 2008: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2660805/

Then there is another sports themed German study from 2006 which found endurance sport helped with remission: https://translate.google.com/transl.../idw-online.de/pages/de/news154679&edit-text=

Here is another one from 2009 discussion physical activity and Crohn's http://ac.els-cdn.com/S187399460900...t=1410543337_aee6c6a8939a3cec3e8f8c63df5bf536

Essentially, what most studies and articles say is that sport generally helps people with all kinds of conditions (well, that isn't new, is it?). And they then stress that CD patients can do sports but may refrain from sport during flare ups. And lastly, at least one study has indicated that endurance sport helps with remission.

Personally, I have found that sport is crucial for me to keep a good quality of life. I know that's subjective and not very specific, but looking at the sports section on this forum, there seems to be a sufficient number of personal stories that sport can help a lot.

 

[UnXmas]

I knew sports and exercise in general help with a lot of health conditions, but assumed it was usually in a general, boosting energy and motivation kind of way. Never knew it helped specifically with Crohn's though!

Wish I was fit enough to do some again! My major physical achievement today was managing to walk to the bathroom without a nurse holding me up. At least I've passed the catheter and bed pan stages, and my physiotherapist is pleased with my "exercising", so I guess that's something!

 

[sidhol]

I knew sports and exercise in general help with a lot of health conditions, but assumed it was usually in a general, boosting energy and motivation kind of way. Never knew it helped specifically with Crohn's though!

As far as i think sports and general exercises would be quite helpful in Crohn's. but i think before starting these people should consult with doctor or personal trainer

 

[alex_chris]

As far as i think sports and general exercises would be quite helpful in Crohn's. but i think before starting these people should consult with doctor or personal trainer

I am not sure people will get much out of doctors when talking about sport. I have lived in 5 different countries in the last 10 years and had the "previlige" to talk to probably 7-8 GIs and I spoke about sport each time. Half didn't want to talk about sport, because "it is not a drug and hey, doctors only give you drugs, not "sport"" and the other half encouraged doing sport without providing any significant input. At least there was not one GI who said "don't do sport, it's bad!"

 

[ConnectheDots]

If you want to get some weight, it's all about calories.

If you can digest oils, I would suggest the following
- olive oil ( mentioned earlier in the post)
- coconut oil
- flax seed oil
- hemp oil
- avocado oil

I would make sure I have a few table spoons of each during each meal

Remember 1 ml of oil = 9 calories ! So 2-3 table spoons of any good oil goes a long way in calories.

The 2nd best thing is nuts but you need to watch out the quantities for the oxalate content.

Moreover I suggest you get a Application on a smart phone that calculates your daily calories based on the lifestyle you have.

Good Luck

 

[UnXmas]

If you want to get some weight, it's all about calories.

If you can digest oils, I would suggest the following
- olive oil ( mentioned earlier in the post)
- coconut oil
- flax seed oil
- hemp oil
- avocado oil

I would make sure I have a few table spoons of each during each meal

Remember 1 ml of oil = 9 calories ! So 2-3 table spoons of any good oil goes a long way in calories.

The 2nd best thing is nuts but you need to watch out the quantities for the oxalate content.

Moreover I suggest you get a Application on a smart phone that calculates your daily calories based on the lifestyle you have.

Good Luck

Just be careful with nuts if you have problems digestive fibre, they can be very difficult for some people. Smooth nut butters are also high calorie and contain the rest of the goodness present in whole nuts, so they may be a better option.

Oils can also give some people problems if eaten in high quantities as they can be very rich and some people don't digest fat that well. So it may be best to start adding fairly small amounts and then monitor any symptoms you get as you increase them.

 

[ConnectheDots]

Thanks for highlighting that !

Indeed making butter with the nuts is better.

I suggested taking the nuts (chewing well) because the person can being the nuts everywhere (work office, while driving, etc...)

Also in many parts of the world you just have peanut butter in the store

(You can easily make but butter with vitamix !)

Cheers

Connecthedots

 

[Liquid Bacon]

Hey Brennan, I can relate to your situation because I'm 5'11" and weighed 115 lbs when I graduated high school at 18 years old. Shortly after that I was able to get the Crohns under control a bit more and as my Ferrari-metabolism slowed down a little I was able to start gaining weight. Slowly, though. I'm 28 years old now and weigh about 145. While I wouldn't mind being a little bigger, I'm healthy and strong enough at this weight. Even at 130 I sure felt a lot better than 115.

How do you feel, physically? 117 at your height is still skinny, but not too bad. I guess what I'm saying is don't get too caught up in the numbers and worry about how you feel first and foremost. The weight will come as you get older.

If you still really want to gain weight, have you thought about enteral nutrition? I did this in high school and it helped to reduce symptoms and put some weight on. If you're like I was and you just can't cram any more food down the hatch during the day, it gives you a way to pack some more calories in.

 

[DEmberton]

FWIW I'm 6 foot, and I was about 130lbs until I was 27 when I suddenly gained 40lbs out of nowhere in 3 months. And my stomach issues didn't start until I was 23-24, so it wasn't that keeping me thin. I've remained about the same ever since, except for this last year where the Crohns caused me to lose lots of weight (back to normal again now).

Some people are just skinny when they're young. Don't worry, middle age will catch up with you before you know it ;-).