I asked a personal trainer and registered dietitian for her top four tips to build muscle—here’s what she had to say

Woman works out with dumbbells in her kitchen.

While many people see the new year as a good opportunity to shed a few pounds, slim down or get a bit fitter, I’m on a mission to get heavier.

I used to be much stronger—and a fair bit heavier—than I am today, but ill health led to a decrease in my muscle mass. The number on the scale has gone down over the past year, but so has the weight of the dumbbells I can manage.