The Fat Ectomorph

I'm currently almost 16 years old, 5'3"ish and I weigh somewhere between 91lbs and 105lbs... my mum is the same size as me except she's very slightly shorter. My fitness teacher used me as a prime example of an ectomorph during physical ed.
I eat breakfast, brunch, lunch, snack, dinner and often supper as well and I'm not particularly active. I have however, always been good at cross country. I went through a phase where I really wanted to put on weight and build muscle...and after about almost a year of doing weight lifting (although I'm pretty weak) every night, and eating a lot of healthy fatty foods (e.g. fish, nuts etc.) I managed to get my weight up to 8 stone. However, in the past year, I'm eating even more and despite this, after having given up on the muscle exercises...my weight has dropped again back down to somewhere around just over 7 stone. I feel happier this way though...I don't think I'm particularly skinny, just incredibly petite. However, I just thought I'd let whoever it was up the top who said that they thought ectomorphs couldn't be short know that they can be.

Firstly mate, I think your maybe on the wrong kind of shake. Not that protein shakes arent helpful, they are, but for gaining muscle only(really). If you wanna put on weight, high carb shakes are the way to go. Go for a specific weight gainers drink, have it three times a day. I have it four times on my days off from work. Ive put on more or less 10 lbs in the last 6 weeks, so believe me, it works! ..and I dont have a 'beer' belly, either. The key to anything if u want to succeed is consistency though, if you flake out with even one shake, that sets the tone for your mind to think its ok, and ull do it again and again. Keep that in mind!

I am 32 and I guess Iam an ectomorph that has gained weight over the past 5 years. My metabolism must be slowing down as I get older.

My entire childhood and adolescence I was very thin. Everyone told me how skinny I was but I could not gain any weight. My mom took me to a doctor once to try to get medicine or ideas to help me put on some wieght, but he said I was not in an unhealthy range and not to worry.

However I now want to loose about 15-20 pounds. I weigh 139 and am a 5'5". I don't want to be skinny again, but I want to be lean. I have joined Weight Watchers, I'm following the point system- is that ok? I am losing about 2 pounds a week without any excerise. Should I be doing weights or something to make sure I don't loose muscle? I walk once a week for a few miles- thats about it. I find every excuse to not work out! What is your advice?

Hey, Im an ectomorph around 6 ft n 8 stone so kinda extreme. I just cant gain weight,
I tried upping my diet to 3000 calories a day, eating more starch carbs then sugars...
I then tried a diet of shakes with my food which was 3 shakes that gave 500 calories each extra.
I then split my meals into 6 keeping at 3000 calories a day.... just 500 each time.

I dunno what else to do, Im off 2 University in a few months and want to gain atleast 1 stone of fat, any ideas?

Hey Maverick, can I ask how old you are? Im 20 and used to wonder why I never gained any weight. Its the only thing I ever thought about and still think about now, how would I feel if I weighed an extra stone or so...Id feel so much more confident. In fact, I think It alters the way we act, the things we do and even the life choices we make in extreme cases. Right now, im trying to put another half a stone on and my calorie boost comes from shakes. I try and eat a bowl of cereal in the morning and grab an apple or banana on the way out to work, as well as cramming in my shake. Its quite alot to handle, but if u want it bad enough, its worth it. I eat a decent meal in my lunch break, and snack on things during the day. Then I come home, have another shake before I do anything else, relax for half an hour, then have another meal, like pasta, something quick and easy. I keep loads of yoghurt's in and normally have 2 a night on top of my normal diet. About half an hour before I go to bed I have another shake, but add a bit extra powder.
Its not particularly healthy, but try to eat loads an hour or so before you go to bed, its when u sleep that your body can get the full benefit of eating extra.

Im in the same situation, Im hopefully going to University in september. I want to be able to wear anything and not feel like I look 'skinny', Im going to reach my goal, im determined. You can too. Think how much you want it. Its up to YOU to make it happen, start thinking it can...and it will.

Good luck.

When I graduated from highschool, I was 5'10' and 135 lbs. I was not fat and pretty skinny, now, at age 25 I'm 160 lbs. the worst part is that it is all packed in a tire around my middle! I used to eat whatever I wanted, and never gainned a pound, but now I don't exercise at all, and you know the rest. What should I do?

um...exercise? and maybe dont eat so much. Obvious answers i suppose.....

all u ectomoprhs have to consume around 3000+ cals with high protien and bodybuilding i myself am part ecto im considerd an ecto-mesomorph im 5'11 154lbs and in jan i was 110lbs eat fats too u dont have to worry it will help us not burn muscle to and when u workout main exercises are deadlifts squats and benchs for maxium growth hormones for mass

Hi, I am 14 year old male and am about 5'9 and weigh 116 pounds. I am really tired of being skinny and I now take in more than 115 grams of protein from protein powder and eggs that I eat everday. I also am working on my arms since they are so thin, trying to give them more of a muscular look by working with 10 pound dumbells. Am I doing everything alright or am I still missing something?

P.S My sister made a remark that my face looks a bit too small for my body, are there any suggestions in which I can increase the size of my face weither if its jaw muscles or anything else.

Im 16 years old and ectomorphic, I've been weight training and eating right (6 meals a day) for two months so far, being 5"9 110 lbs when I started my self steem wasnt very high, specially since most of my friends are very muscular.

Two months later I've gained 20 lbs of mostly muscle, and still going at it, for all you ectos, don't give up. Two months ago I'd never have thought I could even get to 115.

Hello Everyone... My name is Niko and i am an author of a book called "Extreme Bodybuilding & Fitness Program, 4 Ectomorph Body Type". Allot of people from teens to elderly have a difficulty gaining weight or muscle mass. People who have a difficulty gaining weight and muscle mass are Ectomorphs in body type. My book is specifically written for the Ectomorph Body Type of a person. In this book you are given a step by step guide to a new you and a new body. Complete detailed book, workout guide, diet program, pictures, everything that you need to change your body, very understandable. You dont have to be a doctor to understand the material. This is not a Gimmick. The book is coming out in July of 2006, so if you or a family member are ready to change your body forever, email me personally and i would be happy to send you free information.
EMAIL: FITNESSPROGRAM@SBCGLOBAL.NET, again my name is Niko and Thank You very much...

Hi Rajan-

My advice: stop listening to your sister. As a sister, I know that most comments that we make are hurtful and critical, even though we believe you are really dying to hear our advice and insight.

You're only 14, you've still got growing to do. Guys change in appearance tremendously between the age of 14 and 24. Especially in the face. You're allowed to look young. You are!

-Danielle

I'm 19 5 ft 10 and 143 lbs. I have always looked lean and always tried to gain wait. I think the biggest thing that bothers me is when you're at the pool or beach and you feel like people are looking at you and wondering "Why are that guys arms so skinny?". I think we all hate that feeling. It's hillarious how when I eat more all my weight just goes straight to my gut and doesn't like to fill in anywhere else. I think the only way for me to gain weight is to lift weights. Pack some muscle on to my arms and chest. I think one thing all of us ectomorphs have in common is that we all seem to hate being skinny and this is because we don't want to look so different from those around us. What I need to work on is sticking with lifting weights. I saw a big difference in my arms when lifting weights. I wasn't lifting for that long and they felt and looked noticabley bigger and more normal. The key is definatley consistancy though, when I didn't work out or missed my schedule I would see the size of my arms go down. I don't believe it's imposible for ectomorphs to gain muscle at all. There's no way it could be. Anyone can gain more muscle mass. My goal is to have about the same size arms normal guys my age have that are mesomorphs. I think with much bigger arms and a bigger chest, my body will look much more attractive. And my self confidence will improve. I've read everyone's comments on this site. I can't tell you how much better it makes me feel. With you guys I feel like we're in this together. I feel much more motivated after reading these comments. And by the way, excuse my spelling/grammer erros.

36, 215lbs, 6'4", getting strong as hell & gaining 1 to 2 lbs per week.
I weigh almost 100lbs more than when I graduated HS. 100lbs!!!!
If you can, invest in a trainer that is succesfull with hard gainers- will get you going in the right direction & get you motivated w/results.
Research workouts & diet for "hard gainers". DO NOT DO CARDIO IF YOU WANT TO GAIN...NONE! Do basic building lifts- deadlifts, squats, bench, straight bar curls...etc. These lifts require multiple muscle groups, build POWER and stress the body into releasing growth hormones.
Eat every 2-2.5 hours.
Ensure you are getting the rest you need.
You have got to be consistant, no magic cure for being skinny. If your doing the correct things in the gym and not seeing gains of 1 to 2 lbs per week, you must up your caloric intake (100 to 500) per day.
I spent counless years of being so insecure and fretting about being the skiniest one around & decided I had had enough. Look, time is going to pass regardless of what you do, you can pack on 20 to 50lbs on over the next year or you can not do anything and still be whining about being scrawny.

Here here. Well said Eric. I took a while for me to realise its only yourself who is stopping things from really happening. I mean REALLY happening, noticeable results. Im not talking a few pounds....or a slightly bigger chest or arms or whatever, im talking bulk ...all over. It may not be what you want, but i know its what I want. Dont you find bigger people isntantly seem to get more respect...JUST for being bigger. It s a human instinct to give respect to those bigger than ourselves.
I think everyones main problem, is not doing the right things, its doing the right things and giving up after a few weeks. Dont do things half heartedly, if your going to do something, BLOODY WELL DO IT! Ive been lazy the past few weeks, and stopped gaining weight, more or less. Im still on 1-2 carb shakes a day, but its hardly worth it, since im not working out, and missing out on fruits and snacks in the day. Its still good to hear from people on here, and it seems to kick start me back into doing something again. GOAL? 20 pounds by the start of september. I might need some gee-ing up!

Derek - Nice to hear your story, Get it goin man, you can do it!

Harry- geddy up! 20lbs in 2 1/2 months is going to take some work...head down & do it! Lift big, eat & rest.
I'm shooting for another ten by then, 225lbs! I can't even imagine that I was 125lbs @ 6'3" when I gratuated high school. Once I reach that #, the work begins to maintain that weight while I SLOWLY loose fat & replace w/muscle.

Very Admirable Eric! I think Im on about 172 right now, anything near 190 by september would be excellent. Its been a good last week, I weighed myself yesterday, and im 2 pounds over what I thought I was! Anyways, good luck to all ye who want not to be skinny anymore! haha.

Hey everyone, I'd like to know if anyone could give me any insight on my objectives. I'm about 5'8'' 130 pounds and i have an ectomorph body, however I have a good deal of abdominal fat which is very annoying especially because I'm getting to the point where I really want a girlfriend. Is there any way I can turn this fat into muscle? I mean i look like i weigh more than 130, but I think it's just because my bones are small, and I don't possess a lot of muscle. I look and fit with clothes on, however whenever I take off my shirt, I feel a little embarassed. Any insight would be tremendous, thank you.

May I ask how old you are matey?
Well, one thing I know about abdominal muscles is, everyone has them. This may sound obvious, but the elusive 6 pack that guys crave, and girls swoon over is there in us all. Eh? Well, the reason you can see your six pack, is becuase you have too much fat covering your stomach muscles. Basically, it wont really matter how many exercises you do on your abs, they'll never show unless you lose some weight down there. Id recommend you try some running to start with. At the same time try not to eat crap food. The stomach is a notoriously hard place to lose weight from, so dont expect instant results, BUT if u keep at it, ill guaruntee within a month you'll be looking much better, and feeling it too!

*...cant see your 6 pack

I'm 16 years old, and i really haven't passed through puberty, could the fat possibly be pre-pubescent, and when i go through puberty that fat will disipate?

Hey, Can anyone help me gain weight ? I am about 5'1 and weight 81 pounds. I can't gain weight and i eat like a pig. any suggestions?

i am an ectomorph who is constantly conscious of my weight-or lack of. i am tryong to put on weight and am failing. my new thing is the protein shake. does it work?

Steph and V- look back several entries to mine on June 5th- basic outline- do it and you will gain! Protein shakes are a good supplement and help me meet my daily goal of 220 plus grams of protein per day- I typically have 3 to 4 (40 grams)per day- in between meals, immediatly post work-out (make sure this one contains 2:1 carbs to protein) and prior to bed. You need protein AND carbs to grow. Shoot for 1 gram of protien per lb of body wieght.

Hi I'm a ecto like most of the people here, I'm nearly 5ft7 and weigh just 105lb. I've tried for about two years to get my weight up but if I excercise I just burn up more weight and if I try to eat all the time sometimes I seem to lose more weight (I really dont know how). I'm starting to accept it as a gift though because when I'm stood alone against a mirror I look fine its just when I compare myself to others that I realise how slim I am. I'm not flat chested and I have an hourglass figure so I really dont see the problem

Oh and does anybody else hate the constant size references with whoever you meet.

Charlotte, I empathise so much with you there. It wouldnt be so bad, if people didnt say things about your size or shape or weight in comparing situations. Its not needed. I used to hate it when people rabbed me for whateevr reason, and said..."god, ur so skinny!", talk about twisting the knife when its in. All I can say is, try and not take it to heart, people who do say that stuff, only say it bcos either theyre 1) stupid 2) insecure about themselves 3) full of crap and not worth taking any notice of anyway.
By the sounds of it, you have the perfect shape, and proportion is the key. You'll ost probably fill out in your own time anyway, as long as you dont go along that silly young girl modelling phase of dieting. (god i hate that!) Im sure you'll be just fine.

*grabbed

I'm mainly ectomorphic. my problem is that i swing, if i do weights i can gain muscle, but i have to eat in order to gain the muscle and alot of that weight goes on my gut. on the other had to trim my gut i have to do alot of cardio which then eats away my muscle so i just look skinny again.
does anyone know anyway i can have both muscle and a 6-pack? :(

hey there!
i think... i'm pretty certain... i'm a mesamorph whose life has carried her away... unitl i had no time for things i enjoyed, i was a very masculinely built 5'6" and about 150. right after boot camp i was wearing little girls clothes at that weight. i've never been real good with the aerobic exercise, i don't seem to have the endurance for it, but the intense, short burst from wieght lifting or other anaerobic execise i seem to excel at. i lost an extra 10 pounds with my first two pregnancies, and held extremely demanding physical jobs that i enjoyed. i could eat whatever i wanted and still fought to keep my weight and energy levels up. now i'm working in a bakery...not much heavy lifting or other anaerobic exercise there.... and noticing that i have put on an extra 50 lbs or so. i'm a full time college student now, woroking a 30+ hour a week job, and i have 3 kids. i don't have time to go back to bodybuilding, and i can't go back to the factories that provided the workout for me without giving up college and my future. any advice would be appreciated

I am 5feet 4ins and barely weighing 100 pounds. Used to weigh 110 approx. before going on a de-tox and using veg and fruit for about 2 weeks. Now I look too bony and need desperately to put on 25 pounds. I am using non soy proteing twice a day and using light weights. Will this work and is there anythin else I can do. Being told constantly that I am skinny and that I have lost weight is not cool.

hello all, i am 29 and the textbook example of an ectomorph. (6' 145lbs.) my question is: how can someone with a vegan diet get the necessary protein requirements for muscle gain? I consume high quantities of soy and nut proteins daily, but they never add up. I do not want to break my personal vow and start consuming protein that is animal derived.

during the last ten years i have managed to gain 15 pounds and a nice tone for what muscle i do have. Recently however (in the last year) i have notice my gut taking on a mind of it's own (age?). excersise is not a problem since i work in logistics which requires LOTS of lifting and moving. i eat regularly, get plenty of rest and try to maintain a positive attitude. most people laugh at my rigid eating schedule and are amazed at the calories i consume daily (4000+).

i am tired of the same old response: "eat meat you idiot!!!!" so i show them pictures of the men in my family.... all ectomorphic and all of them meat eaters...

Everbody that says that they cant gain weight are just not trying hart enough and ar quiters. I have been years too thin. I was eating like normal people. but still didn't gain weight. The secret is to eat 6 meals on a day. 3 big ones and 3 small. eat things that make you fat. and eat healthy. for example. instead of eating salad eat spinach. eat alot of bread. eat potatoes, beans, peanuts, chicken, steak and fish, bananas, apples. And eat it everyday. Dont skip a meal. Every meal is important. Eat every meal after 2 or 3 hours. If you stick to this gaining diet you WILL GAIN WEIGHT. Dont try just do!!!! Dont only eat alot do some serious workouts. Weightlifting is the best thing to do. Do it like 3 thimes a week.Take a day rest after the day you did your workouts in this time you give your muscles the change to grow. Use heavy waits to shock your body so it will start groing some muscle.Dont overdoo it you dont want to end up in the hospital.When you feel myalgia rest untill you dont feel it anymore.Sleep 8 hours every day. Sleeping enough also will make you gain. Drink 8 glasses water everyday. This will also help the muscle to grow. And remember muscle weighs more then body fat. This is the way to gain weight. If it worked for me it will work for you. It works if you stick to it. It will take some time before you'll see results. You can gain 1 or 2 pounds a week. So in a month you can gain like 8 pounds. The most important thing is to stick to it and dont give up and learn to love yourself the way you are.

I have always been thin growing up and it was possible for me to eat anything and everything. However after child birth I have gone up and down. Just recently at a very stressful job I gained about 30 pounds in a matter of six months. I wasn't eating differently, as a matter of fact I was eating less. Doing the same work out regime and still major weight gain. I turned to a fitness trainer three days a week and I was still gaining. Come to find out I had multiple nodules on my thyroid. My thyroid test came back normal however I couldn't express why i was so tired all of the time or why I was having skin issues, I could never sleep at night anymore(more aggravated then usual), I noticed a rapid decrease in muscle tissue. So much that everything I would put on would be gone by the next week. I had depression and anxiety, extremely high blood pressure, even my blood sugar was affected having high numbers and extremely low. I came accross a website which became very useful http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/article.cfm?id=77

hey im definatly a endomorph:but here the problem: im only in middle school and im in a middle school filled with underweight children at that. it makes me really emmbarrassed but im afraid to ask my mom to put me on a diet (they all cost money these days) and the more upset i get about being fat, the more i want to eat. i have a few friends who are ectomorphs and they know how i feel about my weight and they try to make me feel better about myself by calling themselves fat but it just makes me feel worse
but i guess this is on the bright side, i think im a mesomorphic endomorph(not because i have muscle, but because i am very strong) but ive tried going on secret diets by myself,but i always end up losing about 3 or 4 pounds and then i gain 5 about 5 pounds more
i dont even want to be an ectomorph. i want to be a wirey mesomorph

Hey everyone,

I am around 5,11 and weigh about 125 Pounds.. Seems I only gain weight when I get taller, I'm preety sure im an ecto but im kinda confused with all this bodytype stuff.. so yea, my wrist are very skinny, and my knees have almost no fat on them (They stick out) but I dont really care.. I continue to take my protein, eat as much as I can, but I do work out alot, and I run track.. So hopefully once i get a bit older (15) My metabolism will slow down and I will pack on some pounds.. I think 135-145 would be good for my frame, but my bones frame seem small so not sure if I will ever gain much Weight.. My dad was skinny till he hit his 30s now hes 6,3 215Lb.. So if I did get this by genetics atleast I know I wont be skinny forever LoL.. I would just like to add maybe 10 pounds for my track season.. I'm guessing Ill have to sleep alot, take alot of protein, drink lots of milk, and eat small meals alot.. Its really fun tho having a fast appitite... I ate a 6inch Chicken and Bacon sandwich from quiznos.. 30 minutes later I ate a burger and some frys, then like 30 more minutes from that I was hungry enough to eat my dinner.. So yea its just about eating alot.. as long as I dont feel like im overeating no problem..

TO HARRY:
I too am in your same postion: 21 yrs. old, 165-170 lbs, 6'2". I would very much like to e-mail with you about your regimen for gaining muscle mass as well as give you suggestions on things that seem to work for me. I can't figure out how to e-mail you, but if you see this message, e-mail me at johndoe912345@yahoo.com.

Best of luck,
John

I am 16 years old, Reaching 17

9 Months ago in January I was 16 Stone, Now I am down to 13st 11lb - I have been doing gym training mainly fitness.

The problem I have is I big thighs, Big lower Belly hanging and most of all i have big man boobs

A down fall whilst loosing weight was my neck has gone allot thinner, It seems longer but thinner

I really am determined to loose the flab but I need guidance and answer

Why has my neck shrunk as much as it has?
How do I loose my man boobs, Belly and Thighs?

I am 19 and stand 5'9-5'10 and I'm about 115lbs. I'm in the united states army and often find myself carrying large weight that I cant lift or carry.What would be the best way i could gain weight and muscle mass with out losing my speed?

Daniel - eating more protein but mostly, more calories overall. You can't grow muscle if you don't eat more calories than it takes to maintain your weight.

HI. Like 'John' I too am 17, 6"2 tho and 172lbs. I have recently lost 44 kilograms and now my arms are extremely skinny. I nolonger have man boobs or a double chin or any weight on my face really but I still have a large gut. I am told that i'm a "fat ectomorph."

What can I do about my stomach buldging. I dont really have a lot of fat over it, I can vaguely see a 4-pack if I tense and pose but even that '4 pack' is sort of buldgying.

What can I do about this? I've been doing weight training aswell, 3 times a week. BTW, my legs are quite big (not really fat, more muscle) if that is significant...

thanks

-paul