Hey,

Just wondering out of curiousity how quickly an ecto can put on weight. Assuming you're eating the right foods regularly, and don't mind putting on a reasonable amount of fat...any ectos managed to up their weight significantly and also quite quickly? I always get the feeling ectos are putting on a few pounds a month while other are putting on a lot more.

Hardgaining is a myth. Eat more.

You'll put on weight proportional to how much you eat.

The amount of net weight you gain or lose over the longterm is determined by the difference between how many calories you consume and how many you burn.

Science has never once found a single exception to this, and I don't believe there is any reason to think one group of people ("ectomorphs") respond differently.

No reason you shouldn't be able to gain 1 lb every 7-10 days with minimal fat gain if you are indeed eating enough.

I wouldn't worry about comparing yourself to a different body type since this is completely out of your control.

Hardgaining is a myth. Eat more.

You'll put on weight proportional to how much you eat.

Sure, but you can't deny people have different metabolisms and respond differently to exercise. For example, I had many friends at uni who wouldn't eat great, went out and got drunk loads, and still managed to add a lot of mass by working out 3 times a week without eating huge. Just like if your average person ate and worked out like Arnie, they wouldn't put on muscle like him.

Sure, but you can't deny people have different metabolisms and respond differently to exercise. For example, I had many friends at uni who wouldn't eat great, went out and got drunk loads, and still managed to add a lot of mass by working out 3 times a week without eating huge. Just like if your average person ate and worked out like Arnie, they wouldn't put on muscle like him.

Not sure what you're getting at. I never denied anything.
Conservation of energy applies to every individual. If you want to get bigger, eat more. It's very simple.

Sure, but you can't deny people have different metabolisms and respond differently to exercise. For example, I had many friends at uni who wouldn't eat great, went out and got drunk loads, and still managed to add a lot of mass by working out 3 times a week without eating huge. Just like if your average person ate and worked out like Arnie, they wouldn't put on muscle like him.

Age, genetics, muscle fiber type, insulin resistance, all play a factor. I am an ectomorph and if I ate and drank like your friends do, I would not have achieved the success I've had in my career. There comes a point of diminishing returns. There's also a difference between quality "mass" and just "mass".

If you are on a quest for lean mass gains as an ecto, by increasing your clean calories to where you have a daily functional eating plan, you'll get to where you wanna be, and blow your buddies out of the water. There is no "quick" method towards success. If you want quick mass, be prepared to put on fat like your friends. If you want lean mass gains with a profound reversal of body composition and muscle distribution, be prepared to work hard with the basics in the gym, and eat accordingly. Alcohol is never an option.

I have seen these young guys, much like whom you've described in the gyms I've trained, and I am always never impressed. If you want to be and look different instead of like everyone else who just half asses things, it'll take the dedication, discipline, and a willingness to think against the grain while not worrying what your friends or everyone else is doing.

If you wish, you can give us your stats and I (along with others here) will give you suggestions on a good nutritional plan to get started. Good luck to you! :tucool:

Thanks guys.

I'm on a nutritional plan of sorts. I've started cooking all my meals for the week on the weekend, and packing them into tupperware boxes.

My stats: 21y/o male, 5'9", 65kg, approx 13% BF

Here's an example of what I ate today. I haven't done a caloric breakdown for today, but it's usually around 3000cals.

Meal 1: 3 eggs

Snack: 2 slices toast w/ peanut butter

Meal 2: full plate quinoa (like cous cous) + mince

Meal 3: PWO shake

Meal 4: 2 full plates tuna + pasta

Meal 5: sirloin steak + potatoes

Meal 6: 3 eggs


Betastas - sorry if I come across like an ignoramus, I just find it difficult (and perplexing) to see some people eating pizza and beer and packing on mass!

I think 5 pounds a month is quite reasonable.

See my new thread:

1 Year Ectomorph Transformation
http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showthread.php?t=37667

I list my composition changes and a lot of other information :)