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So, you’ve decided to take a weight gain shake to help you bulk up.
Will this give you the mass gain results you want in a week? A month? A year?
How Long Does It Take to See Results from a Mass Gainer?
The quick answer is: It all boils down to what kind of results you are looking for.
If your goal is to grow fast and chubby, a mass gainer can help you achieve that in around 2 weeks. But if you want to grow a lean, muscular and well-toned body, it’s going to take more than just a few weeks to hit that target.
Taking a mass gain shake can definitely help you grow in size. But taking it without any form of exercise or any nutritional plan will probably end up with you wrecking your physique.
So how do you get results as fast as possible? Read on and find out!
Why Is It So Hard to Gain Weight?
Most people today are always on the lookout for the perfect weight loss diet or fitness program to LOSE WEIGHT.
Some people (like you), however, are looking for a way to GAIN WEIGHT and improve their skinny physique. Several factors can contribute to slow weight gain, such as:
A Fast Metabolism
Some people barely eat and yet still put on extra weight.
Some just can’t stop eating anything in sight yet still have trouble putting on extra pounds to their physique.
This is where body metabolism comes into play.
Metabolism is the process by which your body burns calories and converts food into energy.
Your body burns off calories while you take on your day-to-day activities, while you exercise, and even while you are at rest.
If you have a fast metabolism, your body burns calories at a quicker rate.
This means that you need to consume more calories every day just to maintain your weight.
Not Eating Enough
This one is pretty obvious. There’s no way you can bulk up if you are not consuming enough calories throughout the day.
According to the US Department of Health, a typical adult male generally requires roughly 2,000 to 3,000 calories per day to maintain weight.
Adult females, on the other hand, need around 1,600 to 2,400 calories daily.
If you are skinny and trying to pack on mad weight, you should aim to consume around 300 to 500 more calories than what your body burns every day.
For example, if your body burns 2,800 calories daily, you should strive to consume 3,100 to 3,300 calories every day to achieve a caloric surplus.
Overdoing Exercise.
Exercising is always a good idea if you are trying to stay fit and active. If done properly, it can also help you build mass and gain weight. But if you overdo it, that can slow down your mass-building progress.
For example, spending hours doing cardio training can burn off massive amounts of calories. If you were trying to lose weight, that is a good thing.
But if you are planning to bulk up, you really don’t want to lose your muscle gains by exercising too much.
If I Take A Mass Gainer, Will It Help Me Gain Weight Fast?
A mass gainer can help you increase in size, there’s no question about that.
But you would have to be more specific on what type of physique you are trying to build.
Are you going for a chubby physique with a bulging belly? Go ahead and drink a mass gainer every day without any form of exercise – you will probably get that fatty look in just a few days or weeks.
But if your goal is to build lean muscle and achieve a well-toned body composition, you have to be prepared to put in countless hours of strength training, follow an effective weight gaining diet plan, and stay committed to your fitness program.
How Long Does Mass Gainer Take To Digest?
Mass gainers are not built the same. Some deliver more calories, some are enhanced with performance-boosting compounds, some have less protein. It boils down to choosing one that works with your fitness goals.
If you are looking for a fast-digesting mass gainer, pick one that uses simple carbohydrates, such as glucose, maltose, lactose, or sucrose.
This type of mass gainer is ideal to be taken in the morning or after exercise as it gets absorbed by the body right away and delivers a quick boost of energy.
If you need a mass gainer that delivers a sustained release of nutrients, select one that uses complex carbohydrates, such as waxy maize, oat flour, or maltodextrin.
This type of mass gainer makes you feel full and keeps your body nourished for a longer time. Take this mass gainer shake before bedtime or for those moments when you won’t have access to a full meal for many hours.
How Do You Gain Weight in as Little Time as Possible?
When it comes to packing on lean muscle, there are no shortcuts to take. Here are some tried-and-tested tips on how you can build lean mass at a steady rate:
Consume more calories.
If you are on the skinny side, you have to be ready to eat more food throughout the day.
Your body will need a good amount of carbohydrates to give you the energy you need for your workouts. Add more potatoes, brown rice, whole grain pasta, or whole-grain bread to your diet to supply your body with healthy carbs.
You will also be needing a good source of protein to fuel muscle growth and repair.
Eat more lean meat, seafood, eggs, cheese, or beans. Drinking a protein shake or snacking on protein bars can also help you meet your body’s high protein needs.
Eating foods rich in fat gives you added energy and calories to help you bulk up. Snack on nuts and nut butter, olives, high-fat yogurt, or avocados to load up on healthy dietary fats.
Consuming a large plate of food in one sitting, however, can be hard for some people.
If you are one of those who have a weaker appetite, you can try eating smaller-sized meals every 3 hours or snacks on healthy food throughout the day so that you don’t feel overly full all the time.
Using a mass gainer can also help you meet your caloric requirements. Mix it with milk and consume a serving in the morning, after exercising, in-between meals, or before bedtime.
Just keep in mind that a mass gainer is just a supplement to give you extra calories. Don’t rely on it to take the place of a well-rounded meal all the time.
Work Your Muscles.
Now that you’ve increased your daily caloric intake, does that mean that you can expect to see lean muscle growth right away? The answer is, not yet.
Aside from consuming more calories, you also need to start exercising to stimulate muscle growth and burn off unwanted fat at the same time.
Lifting weights is perfect for strengthening, growing, and toning your muscles.
Taking on compound exercises, such as squats, bench presses, barbell rows, or deadlifts is an excellent way to trigger muscle growth as it engages several muscles at the same time.
If you are just beginning your weightlifting journey, start light and make sure to use proper form to prevent you from getting injured.
Don’t Forget to Rest.
As mentioned earlier, too much exercise can be detrimental to your weight gain plans.
Working out without resting can cause your body to break down lean muscle tissue and use it for energy. Instead of building muscle, you end up destroying your hard-earned muscle gains.
It is important to note that muscle growth only occurs when you are at rest. Whenever you lift weights, tiny tears form on your muscle tissue.
Your body can only repair these tears and increase your muscle size whenever you rest. This is why getting enough sleep and taking breaks from exercise are essential if you are looking to build mass effectively.
Stay Focused on Your Goal.
Accept the fact that building mass won’t take a few days or weeks.
With the right training program, a good diet, and a healthy lifestyle, it can be safe to say that you will probably see visible changes in your physique in as little as 3 to 6 months.
If you are not yet satisfied with the results, push on and don’t look back. It all depends on your commitment and dedication to transform your skinny physique into a muscular one.
