Gaining

Coming to terms that you want to put on weight is a difficult and lengthy progress,including myself.It took me 2 and half years to finally decide I wanted to gain weight.

What exactly is holding you back?

It might help if you think in terms of small, interim goals. 5-10 lbs here and there.

You might also not want to think in terms of a final goal, because either it's so far away that it seems demotivating as you said, or you do reach it only to find it's not enough. Having a major goal is fun to think about, but I don't think you should be overly focused on it, or when you might reach it.

Using small goals like I said, you will get there eventually, if you really want to.

you can take your time with it, it's a slow and gradual thing + just really learn to love food!

i really struggled at first, i think it was because my fatter, flabbier body was clashing with the mental image i had of myself as a lean, athletic guy. a couple of times i freaked out a little and rushed back to the gym. but the path back was just too hard.

it took me probably a year for my mental image to shift to match where my physical self was heading.