So... After testing things around. Start the day but eating one fatty food, one salad, water, then fill up the rest by whatever you feel like. Then by the end of the day, so long as you go the gym once during that day, finish by having something fatty, a salad, and water (or just water if you don't have any room). It's crucial that you don't end the day being stuffed to the point you can't eat any more. once I started this pattern, i've been consistently gaining.