Protein Powder

Well, I've already tried looking on google, but this computer hates me, and freezes every time I try to look at google..so I figured I would ask you fella's...

I recently (2 weeks apurgo) decided to being working out, I went out and purchased a weider weight bench, and 100 weight set, just to start me off. I have a friend who is really into working out, and we were walking through the mall and he went into a health food store, to look for more protein powder. And being that Im new to this, I asked..what, the hell is that, and why do you take it, I figured it was some type of steriod, or enhancer.

And he said no. You mix up a milk shake, and drink it, then work out, your muscles will get bigger quicker. So...I was looking through a health section, and found some jars of this, and was wondering, Is it safe? What exactly does it do? Im looking to get back into shape, And get buff. Would this stuff work for me? If it helps, im 17 years old, 6'1, 170lbs. Can someone tell me the answers to my questions? I would greatly appreciate the help.


PS: Is the stuff that you find at the dietary section at walmart just as good as that in the health stores?

Protein shakes are completely healthy. They do not make your muscles bigger than they would be with an excellent diet. You need an excellent diet and use protein shakes to get extra protein when you can't form your meals. For the protein to be delivered it needs to be taken with carbs. Either eat some high card foods like pasta or oatmeal with your shake or buy some maltodextrin or dextrose powders. (They are really cheap)

You mentioned that your friend takes a shake before working out, most people take 1 shake after working out because you need protein after your workout to get to your muscles quickly. Taking the shake with water is important so it absorbs quickly. Another common time is to have a shake before bed so your body has protein while it is resting. (your muscles don't grow while you workout, they grow while you rest)

The most common type of protein is whey protein. It is the same protein that is found in milk. It is cheap and fast absorbing. (Best for after workout) I would recomend Optimum Nutritions 100% Whey or MRMs Metabolic Whey. Both go for about $25/5lbs online. Both are rich in BCAAs (branch chain amino acids) and taste great.

At night you need a slow absorbing protein. Casein or egg proteins work well. Both are a bit more expenisve then whey but no supplements are cheap. I have never tried any casein proteins but Optimum Nutritions Egg Protein tastes great.

Find a good workout program that fits your scheduele. Some that I can recomend are Max-OT, HST, or Size Surge. Following your routine is very important.

There is tons of information out there about protein so do more research if you are still unsure. Here are some links (specifiaclly whey):

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/whey.html
http://www.bodybuilding-supplements-resource.com/whey-protein.html
http://www.healthwell.com/healthnotes.cfm?contentid=2933008&org=newhope
http://healthfraud.org/tx/resources/factsheets/whey.htm

If your using it as a post workout shake you do not want to take it with milk. Milk will slow the digestive process which kind of nullifies the purpose. If your using it as a post workout shake make sure you ingest it within 45 mins of working out.

Great, thanks a lot guys, So...do you think it would be worth my while to try it out? maybe just buy a small jar? Is there a certain period of use that you have to use..? like..once you start you cant stop for 2 weeks? or could I use it for one week...then wait three weeks..and do it again?

I really appreciate your help guys. :smile:

Take it whenever you can't get enough protein. To build muscle you should try to get about 1g per pound of lean body mass. I don't see the point of buying a small jar, the more you buy, the cheaper it is. Don't expect to go through a small jar (or any size jar for that matter) and gain 25lbs of muscle. You can use it whenever you want or don't want but don't use a small jar and think its crap 'cause you didn't turn into Ronnie Coleman.

Im 16, weigh about 143, and bench about 165 or 170, up from 155 when school ended. ive been using ON'x 100% whey protein this summer.seen good results. with shipping its about $30 for a 5 lb at advantagesupplements.com. this site sells all kinds of fitness supplements.but yeah, protein shakes are absolutely safe, just another way to get vital protein, the building blocks of muscles. protein is also important for your immune system, i havent felt bad a single day this summer. i take mine with milk before and after workout, maybe ill start taking with water after workout now though. i also eat tuna before i go to bed, its low in fat and choleteral, but no carbs. one can gives about 32 grams of protein. theyre only about 50 cents a can too.make sure you get plenty of rest though, muscles get bigger during rest, exercise stimulates growth, then growth occurs during sleep.and a little heads up, most protein shakes dont taste great, some are good, most are tolerable, some terrible. ON strawberry is ok with milk, tolerable with water, but the better it tastes the more unhealthy it is. taste isnt that important, protein content and price are whats important.its only a few seconds of chugging.lol.

not a good idea to cycle protein, just use it continueasly, cause if your body doesnt get protein it needs for necessary functions, it will revert to taking the protein from muscle cells to perform needed functions, so get plenty of protein.also lots of vitamins and minerals that help with muscle building and anabolism(the period when muscles grow). im not sure of all of them, but i think vitamen c, vitimin e, magnesium, think vitimin d and some others. do a little research.

The only Problem at least with me is that whey protein makes me shit a lot, but it beats aeating a ton of meat

fiber