How to Use BMI For Weight Gain

Those with a low BMI can use the Body Mass Index for weight gain. This is achieved through a specific calorie intake, choosing the right foods for weight gain, changing how you exercise, and developing the correct mindset.

The Body Mass Index is typically used for weight loss. However, BMI can also be used to track weight gain for those who fall in the underweight category. This is a very similar process but used for different results. Many people who fall in the underweight category may have medical conditions that cause them to have trouble gaining weight. If you have a low BMI, it’s essential to go to a medical professional for further screenings.

In this article, we will discuss how precisely to use the Body Mass Index when trying to gain weight. Typically those in the underweight category may struggle to gain weight. Through some simple lifestyle changes and the right state of mind, moving from the underweight category to the healthy weight category can be easy.

How Calories Affect BMI

Calories directly affect your BMI. If you’re not consuming enough calories to maintain a healthy weight, you begin to lose weight. The number of required calories in adults can vary from 1,600 to 3,000 calories. That is a significant difference. This is why it’s important to know how many calories you require based on your gender, age, and activity level. Once you are aware of the amount of calories you specifically need, you can begin to track your calories. Tracking calories can be one of the most important parts of weight gain. Likely, to gain weight, you will need to eat more calories a day than your standard requirement. It’s important not to overdo this step. You don’t want to change your caloric intake too drastically at first. Many who are trying to increase their BMI may be starting from having too little of a caloric intake. The first step is to increase slowly until you are taking in your recommended calories. Some can even get to a healthy weight BMI just by increasing their recommended calories. For others who have more trouble gaining weight, increasing caloric intake to above the recommended amount will be necessary.

Choosing the Right Food for Weight Gain

It’s important to know the amount of calories in the food you eat as well as the drinks you drink. You may eat a meal and feel full but still not have had enough calories. Many people who are trying to increase their BMI will automatically turn to unhealthy food to gain weight. You can eat healthily and gain weight at the same time. An excellent strategy for gaining weight is to add protein shakes to your diet. There are many people who struggle to eat breakfast every day. It’s very simple to have a protein shake for breakfast. This will give you plenty of nutritional benefits, and you can make a shake that is the perfect flavor for you because you can choose exactly what’s in it. Make sure you are including carbs into your diet. Rice is a great way to add necessary carbs into your diet. Carbs and protein are great ways to help increase BMI and also have a nutritious diet. You can choose to consult with a nutritionist to develop a diet specific to your needs, especially if you have certain foods that don’t fit well in your diet. A nutritionist can help you find replacements for things you can’t or shouldn’t eat that are nutritious and help you gain weight. 

Change How You Move

Everyone should have some movement in their routine. Activity level affects BMI quite significantly. Exercise must be monitored for those who wish to gain instead of lose weight. Too much cardio will make it difficult to gain weight. You don’t have to eliminate this type of exercise entirely. It’s essential to have a balance. Muscle weighs more than fat, so adding a bit of muscle will help you reach a healthy weight category as well. Focus on increasing your strength training over cardio. If you frequently exercise, the best strategy for weight gain is to focus on muscle gain. Change up your routine a bit and combine this with a proper diet, and you’ll be on your way to working toward a healthy BMI.

Mindset is Everything

Any change you attempt to make in your life has to be approached with the correct mindset. Those who need to change their lifestyle habits for a healthy BMI need to want that change. It would be best to find a reason to choose to be healthy. It may sound simple, but there are many who are stuck in their ways and may have a hard time making a change. Once you’ve decided to make an effort to be healthier, you can start to set goals. Setting a significant end goal is not the best way to go about gaining weight. Keep in mind your ultimate goal but focus on your step-by-step goals first if you want the best chance of success.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes gaining weight is not always as easy as others believe and can be a challenge for some. Those with too low of a BMI need a structured plan to work toward the healthy weight category of the Body Mass Index. The first and possibly one of the most essential parts of weight gain is tracking calories. Weight can only be gained when you take in enough calories to gain more weight. However, it’s almost just as important to eat foods that will help with weight gain. Even eating more than enough calories might not make enough of a difference unless you are choosing the right foods. Exercising is a healthy habit for everyone. For those who need to gain weight, it’s crucial to regulate the amount and type of exercise practiced. Without the correct frame of mind, it can be challenging to make a change in your BMI. It’s all about setting realistic goals and choosing to be healthy.