Protein powders/ muscle drinks- BS?

[rammstein]

OK- I have always been really thin. In high school, I worked out hard for about 7 months and put on close to 10lbs of muscle, which I promptly lost in college.

Fast forward to today. I have been going to the gym at least 3 days a week for about a month. I am getting stronger, and certainly feeling more fit.

Problem is, I entered into a bit of a bet with a friend of mine for motivation. He has to lose 10lbs, I have to gain 8lbs. So far, I am at +/- 0. So I went to GNC to see about any protein beverages, and after being in there about 10 minutes, I left. The whole thing seemed to scream SCAM to me. I have been making smoothies with eggs in them, but otherwise eating as normal.

Is there anything I can add as a supplement that isn't completely garbage? Am I just being impatient?

[legion]

Eat lots of carbs/drink lots of beer. That will slow that metabolism right down.

(I have the opposite problem...)

[widebody911]

[rammstein]

beefCAKE! BEEFCAKE!!!!!!!!!

[scottmandue]

Sorry, no sympathy for you folks who "can't gain weight" I have had the battle of the bulge all my life... while skinny people all around me are downing cookies, cake, ice cream, candy, etc.

Okay enough with the whining...

I have had to cut carbs to keep my weight down, do you like bread, rice, pasta? If you do try adding more to your diet.

[livi]

Since the hey days of your gov. Arnie, the basic recipie for weight gain has been short, intense and heavy workouts but with a long enough resting period for anabolism to take place. Most are eager, too eager and so they do too much and too often but lacking the intensity and power once in the gym.

Food wise, I believe at a beginners or intermediate level, eating a mixed, healthy diet is sufficient. If you want to try out the powders I would go with a mixed carbohydrate/protein powder. The protein part is high tech science. Different kinds of whole proteins, amino acids and enzyms have been tested. For the most part I believe it will make rather little difference on a non elite level - as long as you fulfill your needs within your normal diet.

In summary, at this level, I think the most common mistake is to overtrain. Go with very basic, rather heavy exercises. Only a few each time and plenty of rest in between. The muscles do not grow during the actual exercise. They grow while you are lying on the couch having a beer the days after the workout.

[Jims5543]

When bulking up (I have not in years, mostly just trying to keep weight off) I used to use Whey Protein.

http://www.designerwhey.com/

If you are blessed with a fast metabolism I would try 2 servings a day. Understand, what your body does not need immediately it will flush out, the optimum time to take in the protein is right after weight training.

Also, if you are not doing it make sure your doing a LOT of stretching in addition to the weight training it will promote muscle growth as well.

And one other thing, try to get as much of your protein from whole foods as possible, Eggs, Tuna, Almonds and whatever high protein foods you can eat. There is even high protein pita's.

I wish I was closer to you I need a workout partner.

[robs944]

start smoking

quit smoking and gain weight

oh wait that kind of conflicts with the whole working out healthy idea

Anyway if your just looking for 8lbs then good ol' meat and potatoes always worked for me. If your looking for lean muscle mass then yes some of those products are beneficial. I have used complex whey protein powder in my drinks with whole milk, yogurt, fruit, etc. I have always stayed away from any pill supplement just because I didn't want to abuse my kidneys several times a day.

I would give it another couple of weeks of steady workout and eating habits and see what results you get, remember you are working out more therefore burning more calories, you need to increase your calorie intake to keep up.

+1 Livi,
Heavy weight low reps = bulk
Light weight high reps = toned

[livi]

Originally Posted by robs944

Heavy weight low reps = bulk
Light weight high reps = toned

Heavy weight high reps = boned

[Jims5543]

Try this to find out how much protein you will need to take in a day, try to get most of it from food only using the drink once or twice a day, especially after the workout.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/calpro.htm

Oh, and +1 for heavy lifting lower reps.

And also do not neglect the legs, strong legs and core are the key.

[rammstein]

Sounds to me like I am close---

I always have at least 1 day off, and I have 3 routines that I cycle, so I think I am getting adequate downtime. I stretch a LOT, mainly because it really feels good to stretch. I wanna see if I can do the Van Damme split someday.

And I do work out my legs- in fact, today is legs and shoulders day! Hooray!

I think my biggest problem is probably insufficient calories. I really don't eat a lot. Thinking back, in high school I gained some weight by eating milkshakes made out of ice cream, heavy cream and eggs, and having steak daily (really easy when mommy makes it). Now, with cholesterol being an issue, I cannot get my calories the easy way.

So basically, I think my body consumes its own muscle. Oh well... I will try to be patient.

[the]

If you eat 10,000 calories per day, you'll gain weight.

That shouldn't be too hard. One regular sized milkshake from Carl's Jr. is something like 700 calories. A couple of those every day, and you are well on your way. Snack on macademia nuts throughout the day, it's easy to eat 2000 calories of macademias (they are incredibly calorie intense).

Just do like Homer did when he tried to get over 300 lbs to get on disability. (Bart: "Don't eat that fruit, that's just empty vitamins!").

[Sonic dB]

No scam on the Protein Shakes, you need it if you want to gain muscle.... to gain muscle you need at least 1 gram of protein per lb on your body per day and body builders usually up that to 1.5 to 2 grams of protein per lb per day.

so if you now way 150, you need 150 grams at least per day of protein, and probably more if you want to make gains.

Also lift heavy, I would advise getting 1 or 2 sessions with a private trainer at the gym, it will cost a little but be definitely worth it as they will show you proper training techniques + give you advice on nutrition. good luck

[svandamme]

copious amounts of amphetamines and steroids

guaranteed success in the gym, as well as a sunshine disposition

[TyFenn]

Originally Posted by Jim Cesiro

And one other thing, try to get as much of your protein from whole foods as possible, Eggs, Tuna, Almonds and whatever high protein foods you can eat. There is even high protein pita's.

--this is good advice. You want the most diverse protein spectrum that you can possibly find/have. Eggs in the morning, milk in the morning, chicken for lunch, steak for dinner - before the gym, the gym, then a can of tuna. Eat like king for breakfast, a prince for lunch and a pauper for dinner.

Again, heavy sets but with proper form! Rest between sets.

One word my friend - CARBS! I used to eat a pound of pasta for my second lunch. And I mean a pound topped with fat-free dressing - very little.

To put it in a nut-shell, you want to be ABSOLUTELY full at all times during the day. You want to be sooo full that the mere mention of dinner makes you sigh at the thought of having to eat again.

In one year, I went from 148 to 193! 45 big ones. I used to drink 10 yogurts - one every hour I was awake. At 250 calories each (11 grams of protein) that was 2500 calories right there. Then I would eat 5 full meals a day. Two breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner.

To answer your question, if you do it right, you do NOT need a protein shake. However, since the rule of thumb is one gram of protein per pound THAT YOU WANT TO WEIGH. If you're trying to get to 300 - that's one heck of a lot of protein so you might need a drink then or in those type of situations. Seldom otherwise.

Good luck!

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by rammstein

OK- I have always been really thin. In high school, I worked out hard for about 7 months and put on close to 10lbs of muscle, which I promptly lost in college.

Come live with us for awhile. My wife's cooking will change that. I put on 75 pounds within a couple years of meeting her.
I used to have a a hard time keeping at 150 while eating like a horse...no more.

[livi]

One little thing though. Eating like a pig and downing extra power calorie drinks will risk putting your bodies metabolism in not only a 'build bigger muscle' condition, but also a 'save for a rainy day' condition. There is a pretty thin line between just enough for max muscle growth and additional fat 'growth'.

Gaining weight is fairly easy, but gaining only muscle weight is tricky and above all it takes time. A lot of time. And sleep. Never underestimate the effect of sleep. 7-8 hours. And stress. Donīt stress.

Tough job being a body builder.

[911Rob]

the book "Body for Life" has some excellent menu choices for body building; also a great workout/diet routine. Calls for 6 days a week though.

My college room mates were both body builders and my cousin was a California Chip 'n Dale dancer that lived with me for awhile too. These guys worked out 6 days a week and inhaled protein with almost every breath; albeit they were all on the juice too.

[Jims5543]

o.k. my wife is chiming in now.

5 years ago she took 1st in Womans novice at the Gold Cup Classic in Palm Beach. I trained her, well, I was her spotter, I dieted and mirrored her diet and was her motivator when she was training. She is really good at setting up diets and advising routines etc...

She wants to know how much you weight and we will go from there. How long do you have to gain the weight? Adding 8 lbs of muscle will take time.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by svandamme

copious amounts of amphetamines and steroids

guaranteed success in the gym, as well as a sunshine disposition

piss off you euro bastard

oops, late to lift. ciao.