Is There Really Such A Thing As A Hardgainer? 

Sad but true — there really are people who just can’t gain weight easily. These people are called “hardgainers.” It seems that no matter how much they eat, or how often they do muscle-building exercises, they seem to plateau at a certain weight — and that weight simply isn’t good enough.

If you’re a hardgainer, then this article is for you. We’ll talk about what causes people to be hardgainers, and what you can do about your situation. The good news is that yes, it’s very possible to break through that plateau, put a little meat on, and reach your ideal body weight!

What Causes People To Be Hardgainers?

Genes could be a reason why you’re perpetually slim. If being slim runs in the family, then it’s likely you’re carrying a “slim” gene. Even when you eat to your heart’s content, you don’t bulk up at all. Also, unlike other people, it seems to be harder for you to gain muscle.    

Another reason why some people find it hard to gain weight is the wrong choices of food. A hardgainer may eat a whole lot, but the food they eat isn’t very helpful in bulking up. Hardgainers sometimes load up on sweets or chocolates thinking that since sweets cause people to become overweight, it’s exactly what they need. Of course, this is a misconception.

Finally, one reason why people turn out to be hardgainers is that they simply don’t eat enough. It’s a sad reality, but people in many parts of the world have grown accustomed to eating smaller rations, so gaining weight actually becomes a feat to accomplish.

Is Your Lifestyle Causing You To Be A Hardgainer?

What about people who have very busy lifestyles? Are they also prone to be hardgainers? Yes, they are — constantly being on-the-go uses up a lot of calories. This is why some people can maintain slim figures even when they eat a lot — they burn calories every single weekday.

 (It’s a wonder how people who stay in front of their PC’s all day — such as writers, accountants, and software engineers — still manage to look skinny. Could it be their brains use up all those calories? If they do, then it’s a disadvantage — after all, you can’t tell someone to use their brain less!) 

Is Being A Hardgainer A Disease?

Nope, but it could be CAUSED by a disease. Trouble gaining weight may be caused by an abnormality within the body. It’s best to consult a physician if you suspect an underlying condition. Amongst the most common clinical conditions that cause people to become hardgainers is hyperthyroidism.

What Can You Do About It?

If you’re a hardgainer and getting tired of it, be patient. You’ll need a positive outlook on things to begin with — if nothing else, it makes the journey to weight gain easier.

Hardgainers must pay more attention to foods high in carbohydrates. Aside from the fact that carbs provide fast energy, any extra intake becomes stored away as fat. These fats are distributed to certain parts of the body, such as the belly, the thighs, and the arms — so yes, you STILL need to exercise so your body stays toned.

Foods rich in carbohydrates include pasta, rice, bread and cereals. For a more effective, well-rounded diet, throw in some good fruit. Apricots, dates, blueberries, figs, bananas, grapes, apples, oranges, pineapples, strawberries, watermelons and raisins all contain good amounts of carbs (in addition to all those vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants).

Of course, don’t forget the protein — you’ll need your share of milk, meat, and nuts to encourage muscle growth. If you’re vigorously doing weight and interval training, then protein should play a big part of your diet. 

What Else Do I Need?

It will definitely help if you keep a weighing scale in your house. As you monitor your weight weekly, you’ll feel motivated to keep going. If you notice too little or no change in your weight, it’s a sign that you’ll need to step things up, or change things a little.

And also, don’t forget to see your doctor. A 30-minute consultation wouldn’t hurt, and if there’s really an underlying condition causing your weight problems, then you’ll save yourself a LOT of time.

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