Q: Hi Mike, I am 30 years old, about 5'5 and 125-130 punds. I have been conistent with me weight all my life even after I had my two children. Over the last three years I've completely changed the way I eat. Everythign that you suggest for your meal plans are the foods I consume except the red meat. However, I have always had high metabolism and have always been able to put food away with the best of them. I want to gain about 10-15 pounds. I've tried to do your calorie intake of 2090. In addition to it being to much for me to eat DAILY. I haven't seen any results. What am I doing wrong? For someone my size and such high metabolism do you have any toehr suggestions or suggest another work out plan? FYI: I sit all day at work so eating is nota problem. When I go home I usually do my weights at ngiht and cardio in the morning. Thanks, Slim:-)

A: It sounds like you are doing everything right and simply need to eat more because of your high metabolism. Your metabolism is actually a blessing, although it may seem like a nuisance now as you are trying to gain weight. High metabolism means it's easier to gain muscle and lose fat as needed, just as long as you are willing to eat enough.

My meal plans err on the side of safety, meaning that they start slow to prevent overly fast weight gain. It is up to you to increase calories, mainly as carbs to keep gaining weight. My favorite bulking tool for hard-gainers like yourself is peanut butter and banana sandwich: take two pieces of whole-wheat bread, slather natural peanut butter on them (natural peanut butter should only list peanuts and sometimes salt as ingredients), and slice a banana in between to make a sandwitch. That's quick, tasty, and reasonably healthy 400-500 calories right there! Add that as a meal to your current meal plan and you should start gaining weight. If not, then add another PB+banana sandwich as another meal!