To Whey or not to Whey?

shannonman81

So I have been doing a fair bit of lifting lately...Starting to see some change in my body. Shoulders are getting bigger and so are my arms. Chest is tightening too which is great as it was my main problem area.

The question I have is If I start to take whey protein will I bulk up or will i get definition? I dont want to be bulky as such because it would affect my sport(I play soccer) but I would like to get more definition.
I have vastly improved my diet and I think this is helping too.

Blacktie.

Taking whey protein will be just like eating a chicken breast. Keep doing what you're doing it sounds like it's working.

Celly Smunt

If you feel you're not getting enough protein through your food then whey is probably the way to go.If you get enough through your diet then you're grand.

I have whey in the house to get some protein in when I couldnt be arsed to cook. Its handier, but steak or some chicken breast is far tastier.

NoQuarter

I find nothing funnier than when people think they will get "too big" from either lifting heavy weights or taking protein.

RidleyRider

If your protein requirements are down for the day then whey is a good way of getting in the last 25-30g in the day. It's not going to make you bulky but the added kcals will have a small effect on weight which will probably be counter balanced on training days anyway.

dylbert

If your seeing good results and your nutrition is good than there's no real need for whey, unless there's a couple of hours between finishing training and getting some food in, then whey could be convenient. It's not going to make you bulky.
I only use whey after training to help recovery.

shannonman81

NoQuarter wrote: »

I find nothing funnier than when people think they will get "too big" from either lifting heavy weights or taking protein.

Geez thanks...I was asking a question I didn't know an answer too
And if you find "nothing funnier" then you should get out more.

SPS1

shannonman81 wrote: »

Geez thanks...I was asking a question I didn't know an answer too
And if you find "nothing funnier" then you should get out more.

You need to calm down. It is common for people to think touching a weight will make them balloon, despite a moments thought of how much work the big guys in the gym have put in over years to look like they do.

A moments thought & very basic understanding of nutrition, will also tell you. That there is nothing magical about dried powdered protein, that you do not get from meats etc.

JJayoo

Blacktie. wrote: »

Taking whey protein will be just like eating a chicken breast. Keep doing what you're doing it sounds like it's working.

100% the above. One scoop of whey = one chicken breast, just a lean source of protein.

Its All Wright

JJayoo wrote: »

100% the above. One scoop of whey = one chicken breast, just a lean source of protein.

A protein shake is not a meal replacement

JJayoo

Its All Wright wrote: »

A protein shake is not a meal replacement

Your comment only makes sense if you consider a single chicken fillet a complete meal.

Alf Veedersane

Its All Wright wrote: »

A protein shake is not a meal replacement

I didn't read it like that.

I read it as 'have a chicken breast....it's the same as having a scoop of whey'.

No one would prefer when to chicken.

Its All Wright

JJayoo wrote: »

Your comment only makes sense if you consider a single chicken fillet a complete meal.

There was comment further up that stated they have a protein shake when they cant be arsed to cook. Protein shakes are not meal replacements, they are a supplement. An average chicken breast contains 21g of protein, Gold Standard whey protein contains 32g of protein so it depends what your comparing a chicken breast to. The body needs protein but its not going to grow without carbs. You dont feel full after a protein shake, if you had 2 scoops of protein your are not going to feel as full as you would if you ate 2 chicken breasts. You could have a protein shake & then have a nutritional meal

Alf Veedersane

Its All Wright wrote: »

There was comment further up that stated they have a protein shake when they cant be arsed to cook.

Yes, it was "handier, but steak or some chicken breast is far tastier."

Hardly a ringing endorsement for protein shakes over meat.

JJayoo

The 2 advantages of whey = Cheap source of good quality protein and it's very convenient.

shannonman81

SPS1 wrote: »

You need to calm down. It is common for people to think touching a weight will make them balloon, despite a moments thought of how much work the big guys in the gym have put in over years to look like they do.

A moments thought & very basic understanding of nutrition, will also tell you. That there is nothing magical about dried powdered protein, that you do not get from meats etc.

I understand your point and I appreciate the work and dedication that goes into getting BIG. The reason I asked the original question was I know guys who lift and take supplements but are aren't muscular just more bulky.

Clearly I needed to ask the question and I do appreciate the replies

dylbert

JJayoo wrote: »

The 2 advantages of whey = Cheap source of good quality protein and it's very convenient.

Exactly, a steak is much nicer than whey but a shake is much easier to get down the neck after a heavy session.

dylbert

shannonman81 wrote: »

I understand your point and I appreciate the work and dedication that goes into getting BIG. The reason I asked the original question was I know guys who lift and take supplements but are aren't muscular just more bulky.

Clearly I needed to ask the question and I do appreciate the replies

It's not the supplements that make them bulky it's the total calories their consuming each day.

IK09

Hey OP
I play football aswell.
I train football once a week.
I do cardio on my own once a week.
I lift 3 times a week.
I train BJJ once a week.

I might sound like an idiot here, but I honestly feel that I wouldnt be so active if I didnt use Whey Protein. I have 1 shake in the morning and 1 shake after exercise.

I understand your concern about "getting to big". A short story if your interested...I got injured, i tore my quad and was on crutches for 12 weeks. During this time I said I would go to the gym and make some upper body gains (including other leg).

When I was back from injury, i had put on a good bit of muscle. As a result I felt I was much slower than I was originally. This was a big issue for me as my speed was what i relied on in football. I remember being so depressed during my first session back. I was so slow, i blamed all this "new muscle" for making me slow, seriously I really took it hard. But after 3-4 weeks of being back training football (while still lifting), i felt unreal. I was stronger and faster than i ever was. Im not joking I was amazed. Now that i am doing both at the same time, my physicality in the game has been transformed, not to mention my mental strength to push both myself and my team mates.

So dont worry about getting "too big", there is no too big. If you are both playing football and lifting at the same time, it will be so much easier for you. Your body, strenght, durability and speed will be increasing. It is a big transition that takes alot of time (3-4 months). But it is worth it.

So go for it.

xfireblade

anyone here take hemp protein? I stared a few weeks ago, you get 14 grams per shake. I find it great if you want to avoid dairy or the crap they put into some brands.

RidleyRider

xfireblade wrote: »

anyone here take hemp protein? I stared a few weeks ago, you get 14 grams per shake. I find it great if you want to avoid dairy or the crap they put into some brands.

Kind of pointless if you're not lactose intolerant though. I imagine it's expensive. Just get isolate.

xfireblade

RidleyRider wrote: »

Kind of pointless if you're not lactose intolerant though. I imagine it's expensive. Just get isolate.

I got a tub of it for 20 euro in holland and barrett, i have it 2 weeks so far with a bit left. Not too bad. Its just pure hemp with nothing else. If you read the ingredients in some whey I think its a good alternative: Whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, [Emulsifer : soya lecithin], Glutamine, Leucine, Flavouring, thickeners (guar gum, xanthan gum), Sweetener (sucralose).

RidleyRider

The only issue there is the sucralose and I don't think, correct me if I'm wrong, that there's any in unflavoured protein.

You say you got a tub, I'm gonna guess it's a 900g tub, if you work that out against 5kg of unflavoured at 63e or so then it gets expensive. Like I said, if there's no intolerance all you're doing is pissing your money away for less protein.