Gains without protein supplement?

nobodythere

It's that time of the year again when I join the gym. I didn't see any results last year with weights but that was because I knew nothing about nutrition.

I read on ABCBodybuilding that the reason you have to take protein supplements right after a workout instead of eating a bucket full of tuna is because food takes about 2 hours to digest and your body will dig into other things if there is no source of protein for it to use, whereas powder can be digested in about 20 minutes.

I don't like the idea of using protein powder, it's just the way I am. I'm not that pushed on bodybuilding, I just want a bit of muscle and strength. So I'm wondering if I can get the same results without all those supplements. Can I not eat about an hour and a half before doing weights?

tribulus

i would say eat an hour and a half before training as well as a shake afterwards.
I certainly wouldn't consider a protein shake a specific bodybuilding supplement.

Any one i know who takes their training half seriously either for sport or just the gym uses protein shakes so i would recommend it.

If you're set against not using a protein shake then i'd say eat as quickly as possible after your workout or drink some milk.

liquified tuna and diet coke anyone? though not:eek:

Chucky the tree

why dont you like the idea of using protien supplement? You will still be able to gain muscle and strength, it will just take longer.

t-ha

grasshopa wrote:

It's that time of the year again when I join the gym. I didn't see any results last year with weights but that was because I knew nothing about nutrition.

I read on ABCBodybuilding that the reason you have to take protein supplements right after a workout instead of eating a bucket full of tuna is because food takes about 2 hours to digest and your body will dig into other things if there is no source of protein for it to use, whereas powder can be digested in about 20 minutes.

I don't like the idea of using protein powder, it's just the way I am. I'm not that pushed on bodybuilding, I just want a bit of muscle and strength. So I'm wondering if I can get the same results without all those supplements. Can I not eat about an hour and a half before doing weights?

I take a protein supplement for that reason, speed of delivery of the aminos when I'm in a good position to absorb them - however you can certaintly grow without them. Just make sure that you're eating enough food in general, and enough protein to build your new muscle with and you'll be fine. If I was going to ditch my post-workout shake, I'd make sure the meal I had before going to the gym was substantial (probably something like potatoes & tuna so you get a good dose of carbs, Vit C, protein & creatine). There's info in the stickies on how to work out your maintenance calories. Increase them by about 15 - 20% to bulk up. Set protein at at least 1g per pound of lean body mass per day.

...and make sure your work-outs progress in difficulty over the course of the year.

nobodythere

Chucky the tree wrote:

why dont you like the idea of using protien supplement? You will still be able to gain muscle and strength, it will just take longer.

I would just prefer a more natural way of doing things. I don't like this whole "LOCK AND LOAD!!!!" culture associated with bodybuilding and I associate that stuff with it, plus I have the kind of parents that would think I'm on steroids if they saw a protein supplement.

Also I don't know where in my town I can get them or if I can afford them.

Thanks for the tip on pre-workout meal T-ha. People didn't have protein powder for millions of years, I'm sure I'll get by

justsomebloke

grasshopa wrote:

Also I don't know where in my town I can get them or if I can afford them.

Mickk has his supplement store on camden street beside slattery's and has 5lb EAS protein for €50 euro i think and if you are only using it post workout it will last a good while.

If you are a northsider Jon has his shop in Phibsboro opposite doctor Quirky and his prices are online
http://www.iutf-dublin.com/pro-nutrition.htm

In relation to not wanting to be a bodybuilder even if you do take protein powder (whey protein is made from milk so is natural) you probably won't turn into Ronnie Coleman, it take years of lifting and lifting way bigger then you probably will ever do to get to a bodybuiling standard. Protein powders are not some miracle supplement but they can hep people make those gains no matter how small of a gain they are looking for.

That said if you aren't going the protein powder way, just make sure you are getting a good amount of protein from natural sources so eggs in the morning, some beef mid morning, chicken for lunch and maybe some tuna pre workout and then some more meat for dinner with plenty of milk aswell as nuts and seeds and you will be sorted

rubadub

grasshopa wrote:

I would just prefer a more natural way of doing things.

grasshopa wrote:

People didn't have protein powder for millions of years, I'm sure I'll get by

Tuna isn't fished out of the sea in a can either, so is pretty much as "unnatural" as protein shakes. Check out the foods you are already eating, many contain skim milk powder which is processed in a similar way as protein. Think of it as a dairy product without all the fat.

I was reading an interesting site where some doctor had a athelete coming in saying "whats the deal with protein, how much do I need". He compared it to saying "how much vitamin C do I need", how much vitamin C- for what? to stave off scurvy, then 10mg a day, for optimum health? about 1000mg a day.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bbinfo.php?page=Protein

junii

grasshopa wrote:

I would just prefer a more natural way of doing things. I don't like this whole "LOCK AND LOAD!!!!" culture associated with bodybuilding and I associate that stuff with it, plus I have the kind of parents that would think I'm on steroids if they saw a protein supplement.

Also I don't know where in my town I can get them or if I can afford them.

Thanks for the tip on pre-workout meal T-ha. People didn't have protein powder for millions of years, I'm sure I'll get by

If you decide to get some... evergreen foods in the Headford road shopping centre has quite a selection.

daveirl

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nobodythere

OK I've decided to use the protein stuff in the end, guess you've got some good points.

One last thing, I'm told that the carbohydrates in the post-workout drink should be a mixture of dextrose and maltodextrin. From what i can tell dextrose is simply glucose, but maltodextrin? Can anyone name any sources of it?

trollybus

The first meal you ever had was whey, thats if were brest fed! You can't get more natural than that. After saying that though if you don't like supplements I respect your beliefs.

tribulus

maltodextrin is usually a glucose polymer, can be anything fom 20 -200(thats a rough guess) glucose units, probably different for each brand and the linkages may also vary eg, alpha 1, 4 beta1, 6.

daveirl

This post has been deleted.