How to Gain Ten Pounds

Although the thought of trying to gain weight makes me more than a little nervous, I can accept that there are lucky ladies out there who naturally resemble sticks.

So I’m going to put aside my jealousy and tell you the secret to packing on the pounds. I found this how-do guide in my Time Out New York this past week. If you’re looking to lose ten pounds, do the opposite. It’s as simple as that.

Case Study:
One very thin New Yorker (5′8, 105 lbs) was tired of looking like a model and vowed to bulk up. When her buddy told her that he lost 10 pounds after giving up his two-beer-a-day habit, she started drinking two beers a day.

“Unlike Ensure, beer is tolerable to me, has loads of carbs and is low in sugar,” she says. “I’ve been swigging everything from monk-made ales to fruity lambics.” She raves about the quick results. Keep her words in mind you beer pong lovers. If you notice your pants are a little tight, maybe it’s time to cut out the sauce.

According to Sharon Akabas, a nutritionist at Columbia University Medical Center, a consistent daily increase of 300-500 calories should be enough to help someone put on ten pounds in 6 months. With 12 oz of beer ranging from about 110 calories (Bud Light) to 210 calories (Anchor Porter), it’s easy to see why drinking can help you gain weight. If each game of beer pong requires about…let’s say 4 beers. That’s about 440 calories if you’re using Keystone Light.

Here are the other tips:

1. Eat Bigger Portions: At every meal, eat a third more than normal.
2. Nibble throughout the day: Keep trail mix in your bag and have 1/2 cup a day. Those of you who constantly snack while studying should watch out for this one.
3. Consume late-night snacks: Eat a peanut butter, jelly, and banana sandwich on whole-wheat bread.
4. Shake it up: Between meals, drink a 12 oz smoothie (with yogurt, bananas, strawberries and raspberries).
5. Indulge: Eat ice cream for dessert.
6. Have a drink….

There you have it. A fool-proof plan to make you 10 pounds heavier.