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Post by pinkmimi on Feb 2, 2004 23:50:24 GMT -5
Hey Ladies, Has anyone else been reading Dr. David Reuben's weight gain book? If so, what are your thoughts? According to Dr. Reuben, my BMI is low (not exactly to my surprise). For awhile, I've wondered if my problem with BE is not that I don't respond to the estrogen but that I simply don't have enough fat for storage.  I'm one of those people who rarely gains fat anywhere and can easily snack on anything without adding pounds. It would be interesting to find out if anyone who has had significant success with BE falls into this category. My hunch is that people who find it next to impossible to gain weight anywhere are not going to suddenly gain it on their breasts. My concern with Dr. Reuben's program is that he is recommending a dietary pattern that seems to contradict the habits we try to cultivate here at the board. Whereas we have been trying to increase our protein intake and decrease carbs, chocolate, and carbonated drinks, Dr. Reuben suggests a diet high in carbohydrates, chocolate, and carbonated beverages and low in protein, which supposedly triggers a digestive "explosion" of sorts in which calories are consumed at a higher rate than usual. Another of his secret weapons is consuming large amounts of carbs, sugars, etc. right before bed--another practice we've been trying to avoid. All this has left me somewhat confused. I need more fat storage if I want to have a decent shot at BE, but the very method of gaining those fat stores would seem to be an obstacle to BE. I'm d***ed if I do and d***ed if I don't!  I'm particularly concerned about this theory that protein deters fat storage since it's such an important part of the BE program. What do you all think? Is anyone going to try his diet? I'm thinking maybe I could try it during break, but then when I start up again, I'm concerned about the above contradictions. pinkmimi |
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Post by lucille on Feb 2, 2004 23:58:32 GMT -5
Hey Pinkmimi,
Yep, sounds like he's got a great formula for weight gaining!! Doesn't sound too healthy, though - I wonder if there is a way to gain weight without loading up on all the crap?
For what it's worth, I do consume a lot of chocolate and carbs, especially before bed (yeah, I'm real healthy!) but I've still been very successful with BE. I'm also lucky that I don't gain weight easily, but I am sure you are much thinner than me.
Let us know how it goes, good luck!
Lucy
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Post by pinkmimi on Feb 3, 2004 0:04:50 GMT -5
Hey Lucy,
Well, you're only supposed to stay on the program until you gain x amount (whatever your goal is). It's supposed to be about a pound a week. After that, you're supposed to just maintain your new weight. You're right that it's not the healthiest diet in the world, although he makes his case for why fat and sugar and starches are underrated.
So you haven't noticed a difference with eating carbs before bed, huh? Sometimes I think that all the tweaking gets us nowhere--either you grow or you don't. I dunno.
Do you mind my asking what your BMI is? Mine is only a little under 18. I'm only 5'2" and 98 lbs., although I have a small-boned build. I'm trying to reach about 108.
pinkmimi
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Post by princess26 on Feb 3, 2004 0:46:11 GMT -5
I too have always had issues with gaining weight. For the longest time I weighed about 95lbs. I am about 5'6 and now am the heaviest I have ever been...which for my height, that's not alot. The last time I was on a scale I think I weighed 113. I have had numerous tests run and followed the doctors advise everytime they have recommended something new. I had my second child almost 3 years ago, and with that pregnancy I gained 86 lbs. I made a huge effort to try to keep some of that weight on after having her because I myself felt like a skeleton. I ate more than most people, and still do. I have always had one huge appetite, but it never seemed to matter. The only thing the doctor would tell me was that I just have a really high metabolism and that since I burn so many calories, that I would need to eat like 6 meals a day rather than 3 like most people. I tried this for about 6 months...I gained nothing...actually lost weight. I cannot excersize...I am totally afraid of losing what I have kept on. I hope that u can find a balance for what works for u. I feel so much better since I have put on a few extra pounds..both mentally and physically. Some people can gain the weight by eating 6 small meals a day, I just could not. Have u tried this? Take care and keep trying! Lots of luck to you  Kelly |
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Post by lucille on Feb 3, 2004 1:10:39 GMT -5
Hi Pinkmimi,
I'm also 5'2" and weigh between 105-107 lbs. Not sure what my BMI is.
I used to weigh almost 130 lbs - not because I was always eating, but because I was always DIETING. I guess my metabolism was really screwed up because I'd either be starving or bingeing. It was that whole feast/famine thing.
After reading a few books on the subject, I stopped dieting and eventually lost 25 lbs without any effort.
In one of the books I read, the author talked about putting skinny people on DIETS to slow down their metabolisms. He'd have them diet for a week and then go back to eating normally. They'd usually lose a couple pounds during the diet, but gain additional weight when they went back to normal eating. He'd repeat this cycle until they reached their goal weight.
Not sure if you want to put yourself through that, but I guess it works! I know it worked for me, though it was NOT intentional, haha!
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Post by princess26 on Feb 3, 2004 1:32:10 GMT -5
Hey Lucille,
Interesting information. I have never heard of this before. I will say that for someone who has tried many things to gain...this is something to think about. Maybe not a good idea at the moment, with BE and all, but none the less, it is very interesting.
Although I currently weigh more than ever before, I would still like to be a little thicker if u know what I mean. I still have trouble holding a size 4 on my hips. But I can remember having that problem in a size 0 too.
It's a wonder why no doctor has even mentioned this to me all the times they have run all their tests and whatnot...lol...go figure!
Thanks for the info,
Kelly
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Shaz
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by Shaz on Feb 3, 2004 5:50:51 GMT -5
Increasing carbs, especially sugar, will cause an increase in the hormone insulin, which will cause your body to store fat.
This is the opposite of the Atkins diet, where carbs are kept low to keep insulin low, thereby preventing fat storage.
However, I don't understand the need for reducing protein. Protein is essential to growing boobs and also muscles. I suppose his thinking might be that protein in a meal would slow down the digestion and absorption of carbs, which would result in a less sharp rise in insulin.
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Post by fawnmarie on Feb 3, 2004 9:38:00 GMT -5
Boy, If I didn't love you guys like sisters, I'd hunt you down and kick your ankles!!!!
Wish I had your problems!
Anyway - yeah if you are under 18% bodyfat, you will need to put on weight for boobage. And adding carbohydrates to every meal will indeed help. Protein is important for building new cells walls, but you really need to up the fat. Bodyfat itself produces even more estrogen.
First of all - whether or not you need to increase protein depends on how much you consider "normal". Many women, especially in the US, don't get enough. Minimum is about 60 grams per day. So included a small amount of protein with every meal.
Secondly - avoiding chocolate and coffee is because they contain caffeine which is a beta adrenoreceptor that cause the release of fat from fat cells. Personally, I don't think it makes that much of difference either way.
Third - only those of us who are concerned about the BE program putting fat where it SHOULDN'T be need to worry about carbohydrates. Except before bed. Eating carbohydrates before bed will increase fat gain, but it will also reduce HGH (and IGF) production. May I suggest that only those of you who are above 25% body fat worry about your carbohydrate intake. Those who are thin can eat them regularly and often and should. It's your choice if you're underweight whether you want to go for the IGF or the weight gain, but my suggestion would be to go for the weight gain first.
Protein (and fat) slow down the absorption of starch and sugar which reduces the insulin production after a meal. Those of you who are concerned about gaining too much weight, but aren't interested in reducing carbs should eat a little protein at every meal, anyway.
Those who need to gain should eat some, but concentrate on more carbohydrate foods. Good, nutritious carbohydrates would include things like brown rice, sweet potatoes, bananas, whole oats, etc.
Fawn
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Post by pinkmimi on Feb 5, 2004 0:14:10 GMT -5
Most of you girls are still doing better than me. I'm 5'2" and only 97-98 lbs. except when AF is coming up, at which time I usually gain about 5 lbs. in water weight! My BMI is just under 18, and my goal is to weigh around 107 or 108 provided that I don't start to get a "junk in the trunk" look.
So far, I've been able to stick to the diet without much trouble. It's less a matter of eating more than it is a matter of selecting fattier foods in the usual portions. I've found that adding a daily milk shake takes care of a chunk of those extra calories quickly and easily.
I'll let you all know how it turns out. If anyone else decides to try it, please let me know.
pinkmimi
P.S. Shaz, Dr. Reuben's rationale for reducing protein consumption involves something called the Specific Dynamic Action, in which the body suddenly increases its metabolic rate by 30 percent. This is simplifying it a lot, but he claims that protein is a major initiator of this type of sudden reaction, which causes the body to burn calories more quickly than if it were digesting other types of food.
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