Protein: does this sound ok?

mcwilliams

First of all,sorry for all these threads I'm starting.

Basically I've started taking a postworkout protein shake and am planning to work out every day. Howver I just want to gain muscle and not get fatter as I've put on slot off effort to get to the weight I'm at.

I'm working on my arms,shoulders and chest intensly. However,my right arm is stronger than my left and there is a difference in size. What should I do to balance this. And how much time do you reccomend I spend with weights each day to get these gains?

Thanks guys

rocky

Don't measure it in time, but in tonnes

xgtdec

mcwilliams wrote: »

However,my right arm is stronger than my left and there is a difference in size. What should I do to balance this.

M.u..st....re...sist...bad......jokkeeeee......:D

i remember this when i started on arms and chest, but without sounding like ive no answer...they evened out after a while!, thats all i got

Degsy

mcwilliams wrote: »

and am planning to work out every day....Howver I just want to gain muscle

Big mistake mate.
In order to gain muscle you cant work out every day..you need recovery time for the muscles to rebuild themselves and get stronger.

If you work out every day it'll end up being counterproductive as muscle grows when you rest it not when you work it.

Three or four days per week for weights is plenty.

rocky

Serious question: why have you started taking protein supplements?

mcwilliams

rocky wrote: »

Serious question: why have you started taking protein supplements?

Well was reccomended it for muscle growth and repair and was told I would gain slot more and benefit alot more from weights while taking it.

Would a day on day off schedule with regards weights b ok?

rocky

mcwilliams wrote: »

Well was reccomended it for muscle growth and repair and was told I would gain slot more and benefit alot more from weights while taking it.

You need to get your diet fixed first. After you've done that, you can think about supplementing protein. 30g protein is a small chicken breast. Do you really need the shakes? I'm not saying you don't btw, but it's not as simple as take protein shakes post workout and you'll grow.

mcwilliams wrote: »

Would a day on day off schedule with regards weights b ok?

If you recover sufficiently, it's fine.

SpookyBastard

I've found day on day off for lifting to be a good way to go. If you're eating well and getting rest then you'll be doing fine. As for the extra protein, don't worry about getting fatter. Assuming your normal diet is good (getting a nice body really does start in the kitchen) you'll be fine, the extra protein wont have a negative effect.

mcwilliams

SpookyBastard wrote: »

I've found day on day off for lifting to be a good way to go. If you're eating well and getting rest then you'll be doing fine. As for the extra protein, don't worry about getting fatter. Assuming your normal diet is good (getting a nice body really does start in the kitchen) you'll be fine, the extra protein wont have a negative effect.

Ok sounds good

With regards the protein shakes,should I still take them even on days I don't do weights?

SpookyBastard

I would, even though its not a workout day your body is still ticking along as normal and needs its food for growth and repair. I myself take my shake just after a workout and when I wake up on the rest day. You could also look at something like cottage cheese/yoghurt and a glass of milk before bed to get some Casein into you for overnight.

mcwilliams

SpookyBastard wrote: »

I would, even though its not a workout day your body is still ticking along as normal and needs its food for growth and repair. I myself take my shake just after a workout and when I wake up on the rest day. You could also look at something like cottage cheese/yoghurt and a glass of milk before bed to get some Casein into you for overnight.

I'd drink about 2 litres of milk a day anyway...

SpookyBastard

mcwilliams

Think that's too much....? Or is that ok?

SpookyBastard

I drink about a litre a day but I've no idea how much is too much I'm afraid

Sea Sharp

some people recommend drinking up to 4 litres of milk a day.

You should be aiming for 1 gram of protein per lb of body weight every day when building up.
A litre of milk has about 30 grams of protein.

sharky86

Degsy wrote: »

Big mistake mate.
In order to gain muscle you cant work out every day..you need recovery time for the muscles to rebuild themselves and get stronger.

If you work out every day it'll end up being counterproductive as muscle grows when you rest it not when you work it.

Three or four days per week for weights is plenty.

I'm sorry but I have to disagree with this (although I know very very little!!:D).. Maybe if the OP is training for bodybuilding. I am training on even days with weights and odd days I cycle and run. I've gone from ~75/76kg to 89kg. I'm bigger than ever and much stronger now too...

Hit the legs big and it will make all the difference to the upper body too

SpookyBastard

I think you're misunderstanding. I think he meant you need to rest after lifting with different body parts specifically. Of course you can still do other stuff. A rest day doesn't mean you must stay in bed and not move, just that when the OP is lifting heavy (he mentions upper body work) he'll need have some time off to rebuild. Weights one day, cardio the next is very common but I only know a couple of people who work the same body parts every day (and they're not great gainers shall we say ) Ideally he'll want to be doing the big 3 anyway but rest is important no matter what training/lifting you're doing.

sharky86

Ah I'm just in a bad humour

Mellor

mcwilliams wrote: »

I'm working on my arms,shoulders and chest intensly. However,my right arm is stronger than my left and there is a difference in size. What should I do to balance this.

I'd worry less about left verses right arm and worry more about upper body verses lower body.
You aren't doing any leg work???