Protien Drinks

[MrFun]

Well, the type of exercises I do on the machines work the muscles in my back, legs, upper arms, and chest. I do free weight lifting with lighter weights to work the muscles in my wrists and lower arms.

I do about two sets of ten reps on each machine and I do two sets of 12 reps with the free weights for my lower arms and wrists.

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by MrFun
Anyway, I think I will try something less drastic -- two protein bars (20 grams per bar) twice everyday, and in addition, drink more milk than I do now, or start eating some cottage cheese on a daily basis.

That sounds more expensive. ~5lbs of whey would go for around $20 (Amazon), I'd recommend it over the bars. I can't stand how the healthy protein bars taste.

[SpencerH]

I've been a weightlifter for more than 30 years and I've rarely (if ever) taken protein shakes (or any of the other protein supplement varieties that have been popular over the years). The closest I came was when I took dessicated liver tablets back in the 70's.

I wont say they're a rip-off or worthless but they're not necessary.

[LordShiva]

In the end, all that matters is that you get enough protein, preferably (if you're prone to putting on weight) without any unnecessary fat or cholesterol. Shakes are just an easy way to do it, and can help with the "timing" (i.e. high quality protein immediately before and after working out) and with picking up the slack if you don't eat right that day.

[Bosh]

Originally posted by MrFun
Well, the type of exercises I do on the machines work the muscles in my back, legs, upper arms, and chest. I do free weight lifting with lighter weights to work the muscles in my wrists and lower arms.

I do about two sets of ten reps on each machine and I do two sets of 12 reps with the free weights for my lower arms and wrists.

You do how many different exercises in one day? Sounds like you're overdoing it.

[Dis]

the problem is I can't drink milk. Are there any protein drinks that don't contain milk?

I pretty much rely on power bars.

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by Dis
the problem is I can't drink milk. Are there any protein drinks that don't contain milk?

I pretty much rely on power bars.

You can get egg protein and soy protein powder. Never tried them. I've heard that soy raises estrogen levels, but then read that that's not true.

[Footie Mad]

If you've trained with machines for a year it's about time you started with some "real" exercises. These would include things like squats, bench presses and deadlifts. Done with free weights of course. This is a must if you are interested in serious strength and muscle gains, find and instructor that has own experience in strength training and let him guide you.

Here is a good website for exercise instruction, but I would highly recommend getting an experienced instructor or other person with his/her own training experience to help you IRL.

https://www.exrx.net

Protein powder is the same thing as food only more concentrated, so the people saying "just eat alot of food" are actually right. It's just that protein powder is a cost efficient, quick and simple way of getting high amounts of protein into your diet.

In general protein powders are made of whey, a dairy protein that's absorbed quickly by the body. The other protein in dairy is caseine, and that is also used especially for "night time" protein since it is absorbed more slowly by the body.

A thing to consider with protein is that all protein derived from animal sources has the full range of essential amino acids, there are 8, that are needed for muscle growth. While vegetarian sources are not "complete" so they need to be complemented with eachother to get the full range of essential amino acids in every meal. This makes vegan and vegetarian bodybuilding somewhat more complicated.

Medical professionals with no experience of heavy weight training sometimes claim that "1 gram of protein per kg of body weight is enough for everyone in a day", do not believe this since it is proven beyond doubt that higher amounts are needed for maximum gains. 2 - 2.5 grams of protein per kg of body weight is more viable.

Dis, there are some people who are major soy haters for various reasons so you might want to look into their arguments before stuffing yourself with the stuff.

[Jon Miller]

Soy is a complete protien.

JM

[Footie Mad]

Here's one of those soy sites, http://www.soyinfo.com/dangers.shtml

[Jon Miller]

I definitely have too much of a processed soy intake. And yeah, everything in ballance.

But you can go on and on about the dangers of almost any food (especially non Organic).

I eat lots of oranges, but I have heard hair raising stuff about them. Same with lots of other fruits. And I don't even need to mention the issues with meat.

Jon Miller

[Footie Mad]

Yes, that is the conclusion most educated people within nutrition have given me when I've asked them. Everything is potentially bad for you if it takes to much of a place in your diet. The whole debate about artificial sweeteners is a prime example of this, and how some study can get blown out of proportion totally.

[Jon Miller]

I eat maybe 7-10 servings of processed soy a week. And another 7-10 servings of more 'raw' soy (tofu and soymilk).

Maybe that is a bit low.. as somethings I don't think about might have some in it. The rest of my protien comes from dairy (limited, I don't drink milk or eat cheese generally) and beans.

Jon Miller

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Bosh


You do how many different exercises in one day? Sounds like you're overdoing it.

I forgot to also include situps.

I do about six or seven different exercises in one day (no cardio).

[Jon Miller]

Cardio is important!

JM