hardgainer - what to do?

[fspot]

hey,

found this website by accident and im really glad that i did. ive been reading a lot from the archives ..

a bit about me: ive been working out for 2-3 years but havent gained any mass - i have gained strength though (not too much) im 5'9, 145 lbs and can bp 185 lbs. so thats pretty ordinary.

most of my focus during the last three years has been to not get fat .. i gain weight in my tummy, face very easily - ive been training for marathons (recently ran the chicago '03) which has kept my weight down. ive been doing abwork too and have some definition down there.

however, i want to gain some serious muscle and trust me ive tried everything: creatine, protein bars, shakes, ive read magazines but i just cant gain mass at all. i dont have good genes so i know i need to work really really hard, but how hard? i have no clue what to do ..

if i eat a lot, i gain weight in the wrong areas .. if i dont eat, i stay skinny. anybody with any suggestions on how to get started? maybe i should have sessions with a personal trainer?

thanks,

[WillKuenzel]

www.fitday.com

Go there. Track your progress for a couple weeks. If you aren't gaining any weight. Increase your calories. When you learn how you eat, you learn how to grow.

[SquareHead]

:withstupi

He may surf the net wearing nothing but a gold thong but he knows what he is saying there!

[thetopdog]

Stop running marathons

[Darracq]

Yep your never going to gain much weight if you do much running

[SashokNYC]

*not scientific*
hey fspot i was in your position about 3 years ago. i was on my high schools track team and specialized in the long distances. I also about the same time took up weight trainiing in the hopes of putting on some muscle mass. However, if you run alot, like i did your body eats up all the unnecessary muscle for running. i cant explain it scientifically but look at those marathoners they have no muscle mass. I didnt even run the marathon so if you seriously run marathons you are burning everything away.

i was 125 in my hs track days now im at 157. my weight/muscle mass cuz i didnt gain much fat has gone up as soon as i dropped running.

[fspot]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Homeyield, ill give fitday a shot.