Gaining fat weight is going to be more a concept of diet than anything else so as
long as you are being smart in the kitchen, you don't need to perform hours of cardio
to remain lean. Cardio is just going to further burn off precious calories that
could have gone towards building you new muscle mass. For you, calories are a hot
commodity and should not be spent on the treadmill.
If you want to keep up some cardio for general health sake, fine, but limit this
to two or three twenty minute sessions per week - TOPS. And make it low to moderate
intensity as well. The only place you are to be intense is in the weight room.
This leads to rule #4.
REST! You've put in your effort at the gym, fed your body with some good food and
now what? Plans to go out partying all night with your buddies? You might want to
rethink that. While you definitely want to maintain your social life while trying
to gain weight - and you should - it should not come at the sacrifice of sleep.
Sleep is primetime when it comes to your body repairing itself and growing stronger
so short-circuit sleep and you are short-circuiting your results. Just don't do
it. Period. It's that simple.
Get ready for rule #5.
Technique. Ever seen that guy in the gym who is hoisting so much weight on his barbell
for barbell curls that it looks like he's got more momentum going on than the Gravitron
at the fair? He's pretty much working every muscle in his body
except his
biceps. Not so beneficial. Not only that, but give him two weeks and a hundred bucks
says he's out with back pain.
You must maintain proper form throughout your weight lifting, not only to prevent
injuries but also to see the muscular gains you are looking for. If you cheat form,
you are only cheating yourself. If you don't know what proper form is yet, book
a session with a trainer or find yourself a spotter who can help you.
And now, bonus rule #6
Find a mentor. You want someone who's been there, done that. They used to be a skinny
bastard just like you and they've managed to overcome the curse and now tip the
scales and dominate the weight room. This guy will do wonders for your motivational
levels. Don't feel like lifting? Have a good look at his body. You'll want to pick
that weight up after that. Furthermore, he can let you in on some of his tried-and-true
secrets that just might be key for you as well.
So to sum up your new approach to your weight lifting sessions - get in, train hard
and with proper technique, get out, eat and rest. Repeat this process over a few
months without getting distracted or becoming too much of a party animal and you
will make this the year you change your dreaded skinny image.