NoMoYoYo:
NEVER GUACAMOLE haha. I've tried to like it, but I can't do it. I just don't like avocados. I know I'm in the minority on that one! I'll eat just about anything else.

Thanks again for the tips. Like I said, I still want to gain. I just want to do it smarter. At the pace I'm going, I'd reach my goal next year. I don't want to do that. I'm hoping to spread the gain out over the course of a few years.

ForeverFFA:
You're welcome! The best thing to do is experiment with variety and see what you like. The good thing about eating healthier is that it can always be adapted to whatever your weight goals are.

ForeverFFA:

Edit: Just to clarify what I mean by more fruit, you want something with more vitamins than apples and bananas typically deliver. Things like berries, kiwis, citrus fruits, and mangos.

NoMoYoYo:
But doesn't an apple a day keep the doctor away?!?!

I like berries, but they haven't looked great recently at the store and they're stupid expensive.

ForeverFFA:
Apples aren't a terrible choice but it's still important to change things up to avoid deficiencies. Off the top of my head, you weren't getting much vitamin C, since I'm assuming the broccoli in the stir fry wasn't raw.

You're right about the berries, especially since they're out of season in these parts of the world now. You could experiment with different types of frozen fruits - the texture can be iffy, but they're cheaper and good mixed in yogurt/smoothies/desserts.

Citrus season is coming soon, and bags of oranges can also be bought pretty cheap then.

Another generally affordable option is raw bell pepper (if you like it). I find it good chopped up in pasta salad or dipped in guacamole or hummus as a snack.

ForeverFFA:

Edit: Just to clarify what I mean by more fruit, you want something with more vitamins than apples and bananas typically deliver. Things like berries, kiwis, citrus fruits, and mangos.

ForeverFFA:
If health is a priority, I would add more fruits and vegetables as well - you could add fruit to your granola and vegetables to your scrambled eggs, for instance. It won't significantly raise the calories that you're consuming, though it could make you fuller faster and give you less desire to continue eating. Just a thought.

NoMoYoYo:
I am having a lot of trouble getting started on excercises...and still eating a ton. This despite reading these excellent posts, and others, recommending it. Having said that, I'm not completely sedentary.

I haven't gotten on the scale (doing it on the 1st every month), but I'm preeeetttty sure Its going to be more than I was hoping to if I succeeded in slowing down.

Munchies:
If you have trouble getting into it, the don't do it alone. You have kids, right? Do something fun and active with the.. that counts for exercise.

NoMoYoYo:
I'll admit I haven't done much exercise at all since starting this gain. I go on short walks and took my kids swimming twice but thats about it. I haven't touched a weight or other strength training since the beginning of July.

Munchies:
I would get back into it. Depending on how you go about things, you won't lose weight by exercising. If anything, it will allow you to be more comfortable as you gain weight.

NoMoYoYo:
As I've mentioned in other topics, I love how soft this gain has been. I want to gain even more softness. In my belly, in my chest. I want to be squishy and jiggly. Could strength training affect that?

Munchies:
Unless you are putting in the work to make serious muscle gains, it will not. If anything, it will help you in your goal to be squishy.

Your body burns visceral fat (the hard fat surrounding your organs) before it burns subcutaneous fat (the squishy fat under your skin). So if you do light-to moderate strength training and cardio, it will help you to be softer than if you didn't exercise at all. You just have to keep up your calorie intake.

NoMoYoYo:
Ahh interesting. Well, I'm sure the calories won't be a problem. I eat a lot lol. I am going to try the month-long weaning you wrote about cause I need to slow down. I have some of my old bigger clothes, but I had to buy a bit more so I'm not wearing the same three or four things.

Bills225:
Great discussion here. I want to add that my experience has been exactly how Munchies has described. I finally got back into working out this year and the only thing that’s happened is that I gained 5 pounds. But I feel better, have more energy and I’m generally much happier. Eating healthier and exercising doesn’t mean giving up on gaining. If anything, I think a weight training diet and low impact cardio can help with making the numbers on the scale increase.

Munchies:
That makes me happy to hear.

Conventional wisdom in feedist circles is to be as sedentary as possible to promote weight gain. While I won't deny a sedentary lifestyle helps you get fat, it also prevents you from enjoying things you used to enjoy.

When I first joined FF, I saw a lot of posts talking about making sacrifices to get bigger. And while you do need to give up some things once you hit a certain size, I don't think you need to make yourself so out of shape you can't enjoy life outside of feedism anymore.

I've spoken to a number of feedees between 150 - 300 lbs who are too out of shape to do much more than laze around and eat. Meanwhile, there are plenty of feedees who are in decent shape. There might be some things that they are too heavy to do, but they are still able to enjoy most things.

If you enjoy being out of shape, then more power to you. Let your freak flag fly. But if you don't enjoy it, just know you have other options.