Are supplements a must to tone up and lose a bit of fat

czgalway

anyone out there not using any supplements like whey protein or creatine and seeing good results, im trying to do this at the min and in the last few weeks i can see a definite difference and 6kg lost ,i like getting my protein from my food which is hard on the pocket .i have read that as regards muscle size that there is only so much that can be done without supplements ( i dont have anything again them i just want to do it this way ) not looking to get big just normal but toned always had a four pack and the six is not far off now which gives great motivation

Mellor

Creatine won't significantly help weight loss.
Protein supplements are no different to protein from food.

Other "fat burning" supplements are generally caffeine based tablet. Not going to significantly ramp up your metabolism but might give you a bit of focus/energy/buzz for the gym. I prefer getting my caffeine from an afternoon coffee.

czgalway

so are supplements a cheaper way of getting the protein rather than food ,i never checked how much they are or what to use i just have seen lads with a big tub of the stuff

Mellor

I would imagine so.

Impact Whey from MyProtein is €53.29 for 5kg. At about 80% protein content, that's the equivalent of about 16kg of chicken in terms of protein. So to be cheaper chicken would need to be less than €3.33/kg

Pretty Polly

Mellor wrote: »

I would imagine so.

Impact Whey from MyProtein is €53.29 for 5kg. At about 80% protein content, that's the equivalent of about 16kg of chicken in terms of protein. So to be cheaper chicken would need to be less than €3.33/kg

Its €53.29 for the unflavoured pouch and its around €71 for any of the flavoured ones. What does the unflavoured one taste like? Theres quite a big price difference isn't there. I have only ever tried the chocolate flavour before.

grimloch

Pretty Polly wrote: »

Its €53.29 for the unflavoured pouch and its around €71 for any of the flavoured ones. What does the unflavoured one taste like? Theres quite a big price difference isn't there. I have only ever tried the chocolate flavour before.

Order a few samples, you can buy unflavoured samples:

http://www.myprotein.com/ie/products/impact-whey-protein-sample

Unflavoured protein doesn't bother me, but some can't stand it. Best to check out a few samples rather than end up with a sack of powder you can't bear the taste of and that way you'll know whether the premium for flavoured whey is worth it to you.

Pretty Polly

grimloch wrote: »

Order a few samples, you can buy unflavoured samples:

http://www.myprotein.com/ie/products/impact-whey-protein-sample

Unflavoured protein doesn't bother me, but some can't stand it. Best to check out a few samples rather than end up with a sack of powder you can't bear the taste of and that way you'll know whether the premium for flavoured whey is worth it to you.

Great idea!! Thanks, will check it out tomorrow.

H8GHOTI

Pretty Polly wrote: »

Its €53.29 for the unflavoured pouch and its around €71 for any of the flavoured ones. What does the unflavoured one taste like? Theres quite a big price difference isn't there. I have only ever tried the chocolate flavour before.

That's big difference alright. Works out at around 33% more expensive.
The price difference, between unflavoured & flavoured, for the smaller sizes is only around 10%.

RobAMerc

go for unflavoured and buy one or two of the liquid flavourings too. some are great and you can use them to flavour other stuff too ( natural yoghurt, cottage cheese etc )
btw - apple is muck, vanilla ok but not overly string, toffee is loverly.

I wouldn't bother with whey if you are trying to lose weight and tone up. I think its more of a supplement ( convenience ) for people trying to pack on big muscle who want to eat lots of cals in mostly protein form.

concentrate on your routine and your diet ( diet being no 1 )

christmas2012

1. pharmanord cla booster - works!!

2. something even better - iodine pills(take three a day,three times a day) with one measure of pure cider vinegar in a glass three times a day also..watch the fat roll off you in weeks!


you can buy cider vinegar in any health food shop or chemist or supermarket

Inspector Coptoor

RobAMerc wrote: »

I wouldn't bother with whey if you are trying to lose weight and tone up. I think its more of a supplement ( convenience ) for people trying to pack on big muscle who want to eat lots of cals in mostly protein form.

concentrate on your routine and your diet ( diet being no 1 )

Right, that's the 2nd time you've said that.

What are you basing it on?

While I'd agree that people below a certain weight can easily get all the protein they need from regular food, I don't see how you can say that whey is just for people looking to pack on muscle.

What about muscle repair? Protein is also for repairing the damage done to cells while working out.
What about cell growth outside of muscle growth?
As just one example, Have you any idea how many new red blood cells your body makes every month and how much protein (haemoglobin) that requires?
Your body is not going to give over valuable amino acids to producing more muscle tissue if basic protein requirements for metabolism are not being met.

I really think that unless you are completely sure about what you are talking about, then don't bother.

meijin

christmas2012 wrote: »

1. pharmanord cla booster - works!!

2. something even better - iodine pills(take three a day,three times a day) with one measure of pure cider vinegar in a glass three times a day also..watch the fat roll off you in weeks!


you can buy cider vinegar in any health food shop or chemist or supermarket

maybe you could stop suggesting iodine to people?

ebixa82

christmas2012 wrote: »

1. pharmanord cla booster - works!!

2. something even better - iodine pills(take three a day,three times a day) with one measure of pure cider vinegar in a glass three times a day also..watch the fat roll off you in weeks!


you can buy cider vinegar in any health food shop or chemist or supermarket

:D:D:D

lennyloulou

just wondering about the iodine.... was told last week my thyroid gland is underactive and ive started a herbal remedy instead of the medication route... I want to try this first. i know 2 people who went striaght onto the medication route.. they are on it for life and have put up loads of weight.
anyhow I am eating right,exercising with personal trainer but the weight is very very slow to come off... ive lost none... this is not like me,,,,i am healthy but need to loose a bit since i got married a year ago...
would the cider vinegar and iodine help do you think

WeeBushy

lennyloulou wrote: »

just wondering about the iodine.... was told last week my thyroid gland is underactive and ive started a herbal remedy instead of the medication route... I want to try this first. i know 2 people who went striaght onto the medication route.. they are on it for life and have put up loads of weight.
anyhow I am eating right,exercising with personal trainer but the weight is very very slow to come off... ive lost none... this is not like me,,,,i am healthy but need to loose a bit since i got married a year ago...
would the cider vinegar and iodine help do you think

Was it a herbalist who diagnosed you? Go to a real doctor and get checked properly if you think you do.

What's a typical day like food wise? It's more likely that the issue is there of you're exercising as well. And be honest

Mellor

Inspector Coptoor wrote: »

Right, that's the 2nd time you've said that.

What are you basing it on?

While I'd agree that people below a certain weight can easily get all the protein they need from regular food, I don't see how you can say that whey is just for people looking to pack on muscle.

What about muscle repair? Protein is also for repairing the damage done to cells while working out.
What about cell growth outside of muscle growth?
As just one example, Have you any idea how many new red blood cells your body makes every month and how much protein (haemoglobin) that requires?
Your body is not going to give over valuable amino acids to producing more muscle tissue if basic protein requirements for metabolism are not being met.

I really think that unless you are completely sure about what you are talking about, then don't bother.

All your points are reasons why the body needs protein, especially when training. But mean nothing in terms of taking protein supplements or not.
That level of protein is easily covered by general food in your diet. In fact, even those looking not looking to cut should be meeting that need through diet in general.

Whey contains calories. And its fine to take whey and track these calories, it is just a foodstuff at the end of it all. But you need to understand what you are eating to benefit. In general, the people who post questions like; "I'm training really hard in the gym to lose weight, which protein do i need" don't understand this area by virtue of asking the question to begin with. They would be better off focusing on their diet and getting a handle on the basic stuff first. 1 scoop of whey is 100-120 calories and 25g protein and not going to harm anyone. But its not the main concern for 99% of people.

lennyloulou

porridge & yoghurt 8.20am made with water/tea no sugar
break- banana/yoghurt
lunch- chicken & salad wrap/maybe homemade soup
dont eat white bread. i make my own brown bread, no yeast, loads of seeds
dinner- chicken/beef stir frys brown rice, eat hake/salmon, one small potato
fruit- grapefruit/pineapple/melon
i dont eat white bread/rice. started gluten free pasta.
have choc rice crackers if i wnat something sweet.
drink a good bit of water daily, some days vary
gave up alcohol a year a go. never smoked.

i just started weights today in gym. loved that. did my 2nd 10k yesterday, found it tough- havent ran much before.
i find i am tired alot lately, struggle with motivation... will keep going though.

Inspector Coptoor

Mellor wrote: »

All your points are reasons why the body needs protein, especially when training. But mean nothing in terms of taking protein supplements or not.
That level of protein is easily covered by general food in your diet. In fact, even those looking not looking to cut should be meeting that need through diet in general.

Whey contains calories. And its fine to take whey and track these calories, it is just a foodstuff at the end of it all. But you need to understand what you are eating to benefit. In general, the people who post questions like; "I'm training really hard in the gym to lose weight, which protein do i need" don't understand this area by virtue of asking the question to begin with. They would be better off focusing on their diet and getting a handle on the basic stuff first. 1 scoop of whey is 100-120 calories and 25g protein and not going to harm anyone. But its not the main concern for 99% of people.

1. A huge number of people DON'T get enough enough protein in their diet therefore basal protein requirements are NOT always easily met.
A lot of people might only get protein in the morning from milk in their cereal, from ham in their lunch time sandwich & might get a proper amount of protein with the evening meal, nowhere near enough.

2. Of course whey/casein have calories. Did I somehow imply they didn't?

3. I agree with you re: the OP's question, I was taking up a point from a subsequent poster.

czgalway

thanks for all the info lads and lassies so basically since i am getting the correct amount of protein from my solid foods there is no reason why i should need supplements because protein is protein.whey is just cheaper than chicken eggs and fish but its everyones right to choose what to use and i dont want to use supplements because i see this as a lifestyle change and i dont want to be buying my protein in a pot for the rest of my life .i was in holland and barrett yesterday looking for 100% natural peanut butter and wow is there a lot of strenght ,muscle supplements and names i never even heard of but they are for another thread

Will Heffernan

czgalway wrote: »

anyone out there not using any supplements like whey protein or creatine and seeing good results, im trying to do this at the min and in the last few weeks i can see a definite difference and 6kg lost ,i like getting my protein from my food which is hard on the pocket .i have read that as regards muscle size that there is only so much that can be done without supplements ( i dont have anything again them i just want to do it this way ) not looking to get big just normal but toned always had a four pack and the six is not far off now which gives great motivation

Supplements are not a must.

The best thing you could do is to imagine you are already at your ideal weight and then eat as if you are trying to maintain it. If supplements are a part of that whether it be for convenience or to meet a specific goal then so be it.

Mellor

Inspector Coptoor wrote: »

1. A huge number of people DON'T get enough enough protein in their diet therefore basal protein requirements are NOT always easily met.
A lot of people might only get protein in the morning from milk in their cereal, from ham in their lunch time sandwich & might get a proper amount of protein with the evening meal, nowhere near enough.

That's an example of a terrible diet. It's still a terrible diet when you add a protein shake. It's also completely reinforces my point. Those people are far better off fixing their diet on a basic level rather than trying to fix it by adding a shake.

2. Of course whey/casein have calories. Did I somehow imply they didn't?

I was referring to people who don't have a decent understand of what they should be warming and hiw much. I'm not arguing against supplements, I take them daily. My point is that when ask which protein they need, they prob need to sort their diet and get a grip on the basic stuff. Once they understand that they'll be able to manage adding supplements

RobAMerc

Inspector Coptoor wrote: »

Right, that's the 2nd time you've said that.

What are you basing it on?

While I'd agree that people below a certain weight can easily get all the protein they need from regular food, I don't see how you can say that whey is just for people looking to pack on muscle.

What about muscle repair? Protein is also for repairing the damage done to cells while working out.
What about cell growth outside of muscle growth?
As just one example, Have you any idea how many new red blood cells your body makes every month and how much protein (haemoglobin) that requires?
Your body is not going to give over valuable amino acids to producing more muscle tissue if basic protein requirements for metabolism are not being met.

Mellor explained the points quite well so there is no need for me to reiterate it.

But you missed the most important line in my post : "concentrate on your routine and your diet ( diet being no 1 ) "

Inspector Coptoor wrote: »

I really think that unless you are completely sure about what you are talking about, then don't bother.

So you are 100% right then ?

Advocating the use of Protein supplements for someone whom you have no idea of their circumstances is actually idiotic if you ask me.

Anyone who wants to tone up should be advised to get the basics right first.
Those at the protein supplement stage would be asking a lot more specific questions re their diet macros and workout schedule etc.

czgalway

ok i was under the assumption that if i keep doing the same reps same weight as i was before the low carb high protein,then i would minimise the muscle loss and promote fat loss is this not true?

RobAMerc

czgalway wrote: »

ok i was under the assumption that if i keep doing the same reps same weight as i was before the low carb high protein,then i would minimise the muscle loss and promote fat loss is this not true?

yes - but you could do low carb/high protein without supplements.

My point was that just taking a protein shake won't help you lose weight if your diet and routine ain't up to scratch. I'm really against companies selling protein to just about everybody who goes to the gym as some sort of weight loss supplement.

If you are happy with diet and routine and want to get as much protein as possible in a low cal easy to take manner then by all means supplement.

Do you know how many grms of protein you should be getting per day? Does your diet provide those levels ?

czgalway

RobAMerc wrote: »

yes - but you could do low carb/high protein without supplements.

My point was that just taking a protein shake won't help you lose weight if your diet and routine ain't up to scratch. I'm really against companies selling protein to just about everybody who goes to the gym as some sort of weight loss supplement.

If you are happy with diet and routine and want to get as much protein as possible in a low cal easy to take manner then by all means supplement.

Do you know how many grms of protein you should be getting per day? Does your diet provide those levels ?

yes i read 1gram per 1lb of body weight and i am curently 187 lbs and my protein from food is about 210grams so thats covered and since im on a low carb i am getting 70 grams carbs per day no bread thats all from vegetables i was told to make up the rest of the callories with good fats ,i am doing that which is 100 grams fat per day .my question i know its good fat but when is too much