Does Whey Protein do anything?
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,398
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From: Beaverton
Scot, if you can't gain 5lbs and you're eating well... try finding someone with a really rigorous routine and very dedicated and workout with them a few times... It will re-motivate you and show you how hard you should be working out... a few times a month I work out with my *future* brother in-law... it keeps me honest about how hard I should be working. Try splitting up what you do differently, do more sets and less movements, or vice versa... try new movements... big muscle groups will increase testosterone production... pair small groups with large ones some days (legs and arms etc).. do a lot of weighted dips, weighted pull ups and squats...
Believe me, I KNOW the feeling of working hard and not seeing gains... take pictures once every month or two so you can remind yourself you have actually gained.. I put on a solid 40lbs over a 4-5 year period... sure it took longer than I hoped, but seeing the difference motivates me.. if I didn't have pictures to see I would still feel like the same skinny bean pole. I've also noticed along the way that I can go months without gaining much then all of a sudden I'm up 3-4 lbs... I try to focus more on the mirror and see what's lacking.
Believe me, I KNOW the feeling of working hard and not seeing gains... take pictures once every month or two so you can remind yourself you have actually gained.. I put on a solid 40lbs over a 4-5 year period... sure it took longer than I hoped, but seeing the difference motivates me.. if I didn't have pictures to see I would still feel like the same skinny bean pole. I've also noticed along the way that I can go months without gaining much then all of a sudden I'm up 3-4 lbs... I try to focus more on the mirror and see what's lacking.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 690
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From: Bay Area
Originally Posted by vtec9,Jun 28 2007, 11:35 AM
You absolutely have to lift to maintain muscle mass if you want to do a lot of cardio. If you want to gain weight, you need to lift heavy and eat heavy (caloric surplus), yet clean with the appropriate balance between protein, carbs, and fat. If you want to lose fat but attempt to maintain muscle, you need to lift heavy and eat a clean caloric deficit.
I am currenty trying to lose weight. I am trying to eat clean (healthy), smaller meals. (I eat about 4 meals a day) For workouts I am doing HIT, (height intensity training) basically 300 type training if you are familiar with that.
Are you saying that I would lose muscle doing these types of workouts? I lift as well but not so much with weights anymore but a lot of bodyweight movements (i.e. pull-ups, dips, etc...)
Registered User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 1
From: Orange County
Protein just gives your muscles the building blocks they need to grow. If you're still burning more calories than you consume, you aren't going to gain anything. Likewise, if you workout and eat more calories than you burn, but don't have enough protein, you're just going to be adding fat.
Back in the day when I could actually bench and squat some nice numbers, I would drink protein mixed with water (not milk... this slows absorbtion) and also eat some "fatty" meals a couple of times a day. I mean literally going to In-N-Out and getting 4x4s.
The thing you need to remember is that calories are fuel for your body. Your body is going to burn the calories it needs to function before it starts using calories to build muscle mass. What you eat outside the protein shakes still need to meet your daily calorie requirements. Otherwise, your body is just using the shakes like any other food.
Back in the day when I could actually bench and squat some nice numbers, I would drink protein mixed with water (not milk... this slows absorbtion) and also eat some "fatty" meals a couple of times a day. I mean literally going to In-N-Out and getting 4x4s.
The thing you need to remember is that calories are fuel for your body. Your body is going to burn the calories it needs to function before it starts using calories to build muscle mass. What you eat outside the protein shakes still need to meet your daily calorie requirements. Otherwise, your body is just using the shakes like any other food.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 34
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Sorry, but acne from roids isnt the way the cookie crumble. Its easily dependent on what your taking, how you eat, and what your body is prone to, go do some serious research, while there are sides, its not going to kill you nore give u the rocky mountains on ur body.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,398
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From: Beaverton
I think roids get a bad reputation due to abuse and the media... everyone is quick to jump on the bandwagon... fact is if they were legal, they'd probably be better and safer with the amount of money that would go into research. It's tough to get any kind of reliable information on how bad they really are. I also wonder if some of them are any worse than current legal oral supplements, since the orals likely hit the liver much harder.
I've never done any for the fact there is not enough good information, and the PCT required is often the trickiest and hardest part to get ahold of.
I've never done any for the fact there is not enough good information, and the PCT required is often the trickiest and hardest part to get ahold of.
Former Moderator
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,852
Likes: 1
From: New York
You never mix Whey with milk. You are defeating the purpose of whey. Also, stop taking it. As with any supplement, unless you know how it works and why it works, you shouldn't be taking it.
Former Moderator
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,852
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From: New York
Originally Posted by other_vortechs2k,Jun 28 2007, 11:12 AM
Agreed on the half dosage part.
One of my favorite products is NOXplode....I think that's the name. Nitric Oxide and Creatine mixture. Some people don't like things like that, but I can tell you after a day or two of taking it you can feel the extra energy and stamina in your workout.
One of my favorite products is NOXplode....I think that's the name. Nitric Oxide and Creatine mixture. Some people don't like things like that, but I can tell you after a day or two of taking it you can feel the extra energy and stamina in your workout.
Former Moderator
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,852
Likes: 1
From: New York
Here is a post I made on 6speedonline when some members asked for my help regarding some workout supplements and routines.....
(This was more geared towards creatine, but has info on other things as well)
Creatine DURING a workout is worthless. It needs a minimum of 30 minutes to work its way into your blood.....
Some creatine facts....
1)Loading phase is pure bullshit. It is a sole marketing ploy to get you to buy more.
2)Overdosing on creatine causes terrible diarrhea, as all the water you retain gets flushed out of you.
3)Overdosing on creatine causes your body to turn it into creatiNINE, and you piss it out, literally pissing money down the drain.
4)Creatine, if used right, WORKS, anyone who tells you different is clueless.
5)Creatine is NOT AT ALL bad for you. You eat it everyday.
6)Creatine works best when combined with glutamine.
7)Creatine "dies" if you mix it with acid (ie orange juice)
8)Creatine/Glutamine get into your blood faster if taken with dextrose (white grape juice is the best)
9)If used properly, you do not NEED to stop using it....there are no ill effects.
10)You must monitor your urine when taking creatine. If your pee is yellow, you need to drink 200% more water than you are. Usually, for the average male, you need about 8 gallons of water a day, no, Im not kidding. (Remember, not all of your body's water is water that you drink. Everything you ingest has water)
11)Creatine SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN WITH PROTEIN. Protein is slow digesting, and creatine needs to be absorbed as fast as possible. Taking creatine WITH protein causes it to absorb slowly.
On a side note, for all those taking supplements....
Anything with the word TECH in it is 100% pure, unadulterated garbage. Please, if you take supplements (nothing wrong with it) take 100% pure whatever you are taking. DO NOT BUY BLENDS. NitroTECH and CellTECH are very popular, and are garbage. They contain 75g of dextrose per serving. Dextrose is the simplest sugar a human body can ingest. 75g of it will give you A HUGE sugar rush, which is why people think it works....they get energy. Also, the serving sizes are massive, causing you to buy a lot of it, and it is expensive.
If you want a good tip you can trust....
1)Take all your supplements with white grape juice 30 minutes PRE WORKOUT, excluding WHEY. Take whey right after your workout.
2)Take ONLY 100% pure supplements from reliable makers (Nature's Best is considered one of the best, and is easy to get)
3)This is the most important one...IF YOU DONT UNDERSTAND 100% HOW/WHY A SUPPLEMENT DOES WHAT IT DOES, WHAT IT IS, AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR, DONT TAKE IT. I cant tell you how many times I see people guzzling crap, and have no clue what it does.
4)If you are considering supplements, but dont want to take too many, or not looking to be a bodybuilder, the only TWO you need are WHEY and Glutamine.
5)Dont let ANYONE tell you what to take. Do you own research, and if you still have a question, THEN ask. 99% of people are clueless about supplements, and take things because everyone else in the gym takes them.
6)Know symptoms of overdosing. Creatine I explained above. Glutamine is yellow urine, and possibly stomach pains. Whey, constipation, terrible gas, and bloating.
7)In a nutshell, creatine "opens" your muscle fibers, and water floods them. This allows OTHER SUPPLEMENTS to reach their target quicker. This is why creatine should be used with other supplements, and is a waste if taken alone.
If you have any other questions, Ill be glad to answer them. I used to be into bodybuilding, and studied supplements for a number of years. I can back up my statement with data. Hope this helped a bit.
Here is IMHO the best place for supplements. http://www.a1nutrition.com/
They are VERY cheap, have almost ALL the major brands, are always fresh (yes, that does make a difference) and are reliable. Ive been using them for YEARS.
I also STRONGLY advise you to use Nature's best.
http://www.a1nutrition.com/brand/natures_best/
Their stuff is VERY well controlled, pure, tastes good, and not a ripoff. They make EVERYTHING you need. (For WHEY, use their 0 carb Isopure)
My backup brand is Scitec
http://www.a1nutrition.com/brand/scitec/
Anything you heard of like Met-RX, etc is worthless.
To reiterate, PLEASE, do NOT TAKE BLENDS. When dealing with supplements, you NEED to be able to control doses, and that is NOT possible with blends. With blends, to get a desired amount of protein, you need to ingest a heap of other crap you dont need/want.
Best of luck!
Edit..and one more thing....of all the crap creatine out on the market, the only one that should ever be taken is 100% CREATINE MONOHYDRATE.
Here is my post on NoXplode
I recieved a PM from a member regarding what I thought of BSN No Xplode.
Here is my take on it....
I would NEVER put this stuff in my body.
First of all, they break rule #1, its a blend.
Second, the product has high doses of caffeine, (which is why you THINK you have a ton of energy) and the company doesnt even tell you how much caffeine is in it. The label on this product looks like the period table of elements, WAAAAY too much crap in it that you dont need. Many users develop dizzyness and headaches after a few weeks of use. Some have reported twitches and heart palpatations. No Xplode works by upping your nitric oxide levels, which in turn, widens/opens your blood vessels (making you look like you have garden hoses for veins. This is used to increase bloodflow, and deliver whatever you take faster. This product can, and probably works as advertised. However, the risks are simply not worth it. This is NOT a true supplement. A REAL supplement is a substance (like creatine) that you ALREADY NATURALLY ingest, but you need a little more. This is a lot of stuff that is not necessary, and the risks involved are simply not worth it. Remember, ephedra works as well.
(This was more geared towards creatine, but has info on other things as well)
Creatine DURING a workout is worthless. It needs a minimum of 30 minutes to work its way into your blood.....
Some creatine facts....
1)Loading phase is pure bullshit. It is a sole marketing ploy to get you to buy more.
2)Overdosing on creatine causes terrible diarrhea, as all the water you retain gets flushed out of you.
3)Overdosing on creatine causes your body to turn it into creatiNINE, and you piss it out, literally pissing money down the drain.
4)Creatine, if used right, WORKS, anyone who tells you different is clueless.
5)Creatine is NOT AT ALL bad for you. You eat it everyday.
6)Creatine works best when combined with glutamine.
7)Creatine "dies" if you mix it with acid (ie orange juice)
8)Creatine/Glutamine get into your blood faster if taken with dextrose (white grape juice is the best)
9)If used properly, you do not NEED to stop using it....there are no ill effects.
10)You must monitor your urine when taking creatine. If your pee is yellow, you need to drink 200% more water than you are. Usually, for the average male, you need about 8 gallons of water a day, no, Im not kidding. (Remember, not all of your body's water is water that you drink. Everything you ingest has water)
11)Creatine SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN WITH PROTEIN. Protein is slow digesting, and creatine needs to be absorbed as fast as possible. Taking creatine WITH protein causes it to absorb slowly.
On a side note, for all those taking supplements....
Anything with the word TECH in it is 100% pure, unadulterated garbage. Please, if you take supplements (nothing wrong with it) take 100% pure whatever you are taking. DO NOT BUY BLENDS. NitroTECH and CellTECH are very popular, and are garbage. They contain 75g of dextrose per serving. Dextrose is the simplest sugar a human body can ingest. 75g of it will give you A HUGE sugar rush, which is why people think it works....they get energy. Also, the serving sizes are massive, causing you to buy a lot of it, and it is expensive.
If you want a good tip you can trust....
1)Take all your supplements with white grape juice 30 minutes PRE WORKOUT, excluding WHEY. Take whey right after your workout.
2)Take ONLY 100% pure supplements from reliable makers (Nature's Best is considered one of the best, and is easy to get)
3)This is the most important one...IF YOU DONT UNDERSTAND 100% HOW/WHY A SUPPLEMENT DOES WHAT IT DOES, WHAT IT IS, AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR, DONT TAKE IT. I cant tell you how many times I see people guzzling crap, and have no clue what it does.
4)If you are considering supplements, but dont want to take too many, or not looking to be a bodybuilder, the only TWO you need are WHEY and Glutamine.
5)Dont let ANYONE tell you what to take. Do you own research, and if you still have a question, THEN ask. 99% of people are clueless about supplements, and take things because everyone else in the gym takes them.
6)Know symptoms of overdosing. Creatine I explained above. Glutamine is yellow urine, and possibly stomach pains. Whey, constipation, terrible gas, and bloating.
7)In a nutshell, creatine "opens" your muscle fibers, and water floods them. This allows OTHER SUPPLEMENTS to reach their target quicker. This is why creatine should be used with other supplements, and is a waste if taken alone.
If you have any other questions, Ill be glad to answer them. I used to be into bodybuilding, and studied supplements for a number of years. I can back up my statement with data. Hope this helped a bit.
Here is IMHO the best place for supplements. http://www.a1nutrition.com/
They are VERY cheap, have almost ALL the major brands, are always fresh (yes, that does make a difference) and are reliable. Ive been using them for YEARS.
I also STRONGLY advise you to use Nature's best.
http://www.a1nutrition.com/brand/natures_best/
Their stuff is VERY well controlled, pure, tastes good, and not a ripoff. They make EVERYTHING you need. (For WHEY, use their 0 carb Isopure)
My backup brand is Scitec
http://www.a1nutrition.com/brand/scitec/
Anything you heard of like Met-RX, etc is worthless.
To reiterate, PLEASE, do NOT TAKE BLENDS. When dealing with supplements, you NEED to be able to control doses, and that is NOT possible with blends. With blends, to get a desired amount of protein, you need to ingest a heap of other crap you dont need/want.
Best of luck!
Edit..and one more thing....of all the crap creatine out on the market, the only one that should ever be taken is 100% CREATINE MONOHYDRATE.
Here is my post on NoXplode
I recieved a PM from a member regarding what I thought of BSN No Xplode.
Here is my take on it....
I would NEVER put this stuff in my body.
First of all, they break rule #1, its a blend.
Second, the product has high doses of caffeine, (which is why you THINK you have a ton of energy) and the company doesnt even tell you how much caffeine is in it. The label on this product looks like the period table of elements, WAAAAY too much crap in it that you dont need. Many users develop dizzyness and headaches after a few weeks of use. Some have reported twitches and heart palpatations. No Xplode works by upping your nitric oxide levels, which in turn, widens/opens your blood vessels (making you look like you have garden hoses for veins. This is used to increase bloodflow, and deliver whatever you take faster. This product can, and probably works as advertised. However, the risks are simply not worth it. This is NOT a true supplement. A REAL supplement is a substance (like creatine) that you ALREADY NATURALLY ingest, but you need a little more. This is a lot of stuff that is not necessary, and the risks involved are simply not worth it. Remember, ephedra works as well.