Protein Powders!!!!!

[Confused]

Hello ladies,

I have been working out for about 1 1/2 straight 5- days a week. I lost 40 pounds and am down to 113 pounds I'm a petite woman, but my daughter really did some damage! Anyways, I am looking for a protein powder that will help me gain muscle growth/stregth and not gain fat!! It seems that it's a man's world when it comes to fitness, and was hoping somebody could help?



PS i tried Creatine for woman a syrup (didn't work)


HELP!!

 

[NorwayFitness]

I think it's hard to tell you what kind of protein powder you should use. Everyone's different, but I use a powder with lots of protein and minimum of fat and carbs.
And about the creatin syrup...what was it supposed to do ???

NF

 

[Confused]

Well i was very tired, and i read up on creatine and i thought it would give me that extra boost so that i could train harder. I.e. build more muscle But it didn't work and i gained no muscle. SO, i thought about trying protein powder but was confused at what to use. Do you know any good brands that have done you well in the past?

 

[NorwayFitness]

Well creatine can help you build muscle, but it doesn't give you a boost like say ephedrine would do...
How long did you try it for ? I think you should give it a few weeks a least and with proper training and diet I think it will help you...
I don't have any brands for suggestion, 'cause they only sell them in Sweden I think...

NF

 

[Confused]

Really, thanks i will look into those brands of creatine. Are they powders and for woman? I've read up alot on creatine before purchasing, and alot of experts say that it just doesn't work well for woman. What were your results and did it really give you added stregth?

I'm looking for a Protein poweder for these reasons

Stregth (tired)

Muscle Gain, not fat!

There is alot of junk in these powders, and i figure i need to talk to other woman to see what worked for them.

Do you have any suggestions?

PS i'm skinny now, 113 pounds 5'2 and want to be able to push more weight and go longer with cardio, to acheive better results, I want to tone and boost! ha ha

 

[Confused]

I used the syrup, i used it for a month, and still it really didn't help my proformance like i wanted. But as the last poster said syrups are a joke i guess, didn't work for me. I need to find some replacements that are going to help me but am really scared of experimenting!

 

[Confused]

I read it in Muscle&Fitness Womans. It was a study they were talking about.

I work out 5x a week,

Cardio and weight training, have been doing this for 1 1/2 now.

My diet, consists of 3-4 meals a day (i know i know) needs to be more but i'm so busy i barley have time to think, but working out and training is very important to me.

Mornings i have some bran or wheat ceral, banana, orange juice, wheat bread or egg whites.

Afternoon
Rice or potatoe, freen veggie and chicken or meat,

Snack. Granola bar, as of late..

Dinner
same-
Could be better that is also why i need to look into the protein shakes, because i just don't have the time for cooking...
I'm basically tired, and need something. I want to be able to train harder, lift more weight etc.. etc..

I lost 40 pounds and am working my way up from there to try to gain muscle. That is why i tried the creatine, so that i would be able to be better preformance wise.

 

[Confused]

I don't know it, but i could have someone check my body fat tomorrow at the gym, I don't want to talk to the triners there, Why? well because they look like *in a word* shit.. and i don't trust what they tell me if they don't follow it. I could post tomorrow with the %.

I'm not looking to competite no, but overall am looking to tone and look good. I already have a few things that are not in my corner.
#1 i have a daughter (2 yrs)
#2 strech marks that you would hate to see!
#3 Stomach just won't go away

Now, knowing that, i want to try the best i can to look the best that i can. I want to tone everything and gain stregth an muscle at the same time, i want to be fit but still in a womanly sorta way.
What do you think about NITROTECH by muscle tech?


I need help!!!! haha

 

[Temple]

Protein powder is a matter of personal taste - I like Designer brand chocolate. I mix it with water and a little ice in the blender or some soy milk.

 

[Confused]

Do you have any suggestions for my diet?

I actually am close to San Francisco State. Well, i want to be lean, first and formost, but without being stron i just don't see it happening, i'm tired...

Did you suffer from any strech marks, stomach problems?? meaning the little pooch that is there forever it feels like?

I need some advice any advice you can give me on gaining muscle without gaining fat.

OS if you have any sugg about my diet, that would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks much!!!

 

[takniteasy]

The little pouch may never go away completely. Not trying to be a bearer of bad news, just reality. I have been weight training for several years, my son is 18 and I still have a little pouch. My pouch as well as alot of other women, is loose skin. It just never regained its elasticity. However, buiding abdominal muscles may fill it in some.

If you want to remain lean and gain strength, you need to eat a whole lot more and lift HEAVY and CONSISTENTLY. Include a post workout shake consisting of protein and a low gi carb (dextrose I think is a good one) to refuel your body.

Lastly, the protein I use is Isopure. Expensive, but no carbs and I love the taste. Oh yeah, try a search for Spatts cutting diet. She has a great plan that can be modified easily for either maintaining or bulking. She generally included her training routine as well.

Good luck and welcome!

 

[takniteasy]

Um, yup! I cant remember what it is then. Lemme get back to ya on that one.

And duh on the cutting diet. Spatts you just beat me to it and I am just now noticing. Sorry!

I am going to bed now. Myeyes are crossing and I forgetting way too much.

 

[lil k]

I have a 2 year old. Brickgirl, new@, bikinimom, kronkette, ANN, VDL, TONS OF MOMS on here! No excuses there.

damn straight! no excuses, but tons of support...

all the advice here is top notch, i would add something but its all been covered.

i will say that for protien i have many favs...i use either designer whey or isopure bottles mixed with dextrose post workout with ala. i like the bottles becuase they are like juice not a shake, flavors like orange, grape, apple melon, and they are wonderful, like drinking kool aid

during the day, i use iss m3, or time released designer why (strawberry). i also have zero carb isopure, and the mrp isopures are great, try the tropical packs....

 

[Daisy_Girl]

I don't think there are any protein powders that women should take or shouldn't take. Protein powder doesn't discriminate between men and women. You just have to try a few and find one you like. As you said, a lot of them have crap in it that is useless or that you don't want. You just have to know what you want in a protein powder and look for that.

If you want a meal replacement, look for one that has a mix of fast and slower digesting proteins (caesinate, soy, and egg are slow, whey is fast) some fat and moderate carbs. If you want one for after a workout, look for one with whey and some carbs, little to no fat.

The supplement (and food) world has made tons of money making food for "just women". Most people don't need to eat special food for their gender, in my opinion. Just find a food or supplement that you like, that works for you and stick with it.

Oh, I like EAS Myoplex Lite protein - tropical mix is great. Also, EAS Simply Protein is good (both choc and van).

 

[VeggieLifterChick]

I feel like the Conossieur (spell?) of Protein Powders. cuz I've tried so many! My absolute top 2 favorite brands in order are Grow! by Biotest both in vanilla and chocolate as well as Triple Threat 360 by Mass Quantities in both vanila and choc. I like these two because they're sweet and flavorful and thin enough to mix well with other things, like fruit. They're also very low carb and low fat. I have tried Myoplex Light and I find it to be too thick, like drinking sludge, though I do like the way cappucino flavor tastes. Wasn't a fan of Isopure, not enough sweetness or flavor for me. Hope this helps...

 

[witkowsd]

I never buy Muscle and Fitness Hers - too FO FO! I read Muscle and Fitness, Ironman. They always have good articles on food and exercise. I buy all my supplements from Proteinfactory - they have good prices and they make all kinds of proteins which you can mix yourself and buy them already mixed.

 

[Confused]

Thanks girls!
You are really such big helps!!! I'm so glad i found this sight so that i could talk to other woman...


Pardon my ignorance, but i'm not to savvy when it comes to the technical jargon your giving advice on? I don;t know what a GI is or CHO median? I'm pretty retarded when it comes to that... Couls some one talk to me like i'm my daughters age 2?!!! LOL,

I appreciate all the help once again girl, and now i have so much to go by..

Spatts- How do you find the time to do all this training at differant times of the day?? I have one time mostly to be at the gym, at lunch and i'm usually there hour and fifteen minutes a day.

On the heavy weight how many reps must i squeeze out? At first, it might be hard for me.. but i will try. This is really good advie i want to make sure to get it right.
AS far as the protein powders go, i've heard alot about the pure protein website, how do you know what to mix with eachother??

 

[lil k]

Thanks girls!
You are really such big helps!!! I'm so glad i found this sight so that i could talk to other woman...


Pardon my ignorance, but i'm not to savvy when it comes to the technical jargon your giving advice on? I don;t know what a GI is or CHO median? I'm pretty retarded when it comes to that... Couls some one talk to me like i'm my daughters age 2?!!! LOL,

I appreciate all the help once again girl, and now i have so much to go by..

Spatts- How do you find the time to do all this training at differant times of the day?? I have one time mostly to be at the gym, at lunch and i'm usually there hour and fifteen minutes a day.

On the heavy weight how many reps must i squeeze out? At first, it might be hard for me.. but i will try. This is really good advie i want to make sure to get it right.
AS far as the protein powders go, i've heard alot about the pure protein website, how do you know what to mix with eachother??

ok, here is a breakdown of the terms you asked for:

CHO = Carbs

GI = Glycemic Index (the glycemic index is a numerical system of measuring how fast a carbohydrate triggers a rise in circulating blood sugar—the higher the number, the greater the blood sugar response. so a low G.I. food will cause a small rise, while a high G.I. food will trigger a dramatic spike.

PRO = Protien

my post workout drink consists of 40 grams of whey protien, and 50mg of dextrose and 500mg of ala. the dextrose i take has more to do with my size as i am very short 4'11 however the level optimizes my insulin production.

for me fingding the time is a bit easier now than when my daughter was two. i train now in the mornings when she is at school, then i pick her up and start the day....during the summer i took her to the gym and put her in the gym daycare while i trained, she loved it and is very much part of the lifestyle.

maybe you can try doing your cardio at home and use your gym time to lift weights, try to judggle a few things around and you will figure it out.

remember, us moms can kick ass and take names, trust me, there are a ton of us here and several of us compete, so if anyone tells you, you cant have abs or be fit, tell them their wrong and you got proof!

lastley, look to the mods for help. spatts is one of the most brilliant female mods we have, she will help you without a doubt!

train hard!

 

[Confused]

Spatts- thanks for the clarification, i'm learning and taking notes! As for the protein, i meant the site that lets you mix your own protein powders, How do you know what to put in and what not too? Has any of you mixed your own thru this website?


Wow! Your son sits and plays while you train, he is a good boy lol, ive tried bringing my daughter to the gym (24hr) and they called me after 10 minutes. Tried again and the same thing.. I'm going to keep on trying, but the only "sane" time i have is at lunch..
Background: It's just me and her, no husband.... My mom watches her while i work, and really is tired to watch her for me to go to the gym. I will "make" time some how because this is extremly important to me and i have not stopped and have been on-going for a year and a half. I'm just not very educated and trying very hard to be.

Kronkette- Thank you for your kind post! You all are so very helpful and friendly around here!! People in San francisco are rarley this nice!!!! LOL I get input from my boyfriend who is a body builder but sometimes he really doesn't understand my body
and i needed some woman to shed some light *plus he's lazy*

I will try some of these suggestions on protein powders, and try to follow your "cutting Diet" guide spatts!
What are your routines?

kronkette, you are close to my height (5'2) maybe a little shorter, what does your workout consist of? spatts,kronkette your pictures are really nice, and your bodies look excellent.......

Your moms too! WOW! gives me hope

 

[Confused]

One more question, When do you take protein powders (how much, time of day) and meal replacements? I assume they are not the same thing.


Boy! i have allot ot learn!!

 

[Confused]

Spatts ,


Not at all!! I was just giving a little background, so that you have an idea of what my day/night looks like.

Have you found that any of the protein/meal replacements make you gain weight in your stomach area? It's a problem area for me that i'm working on.... That is the site i was talking about, cool! Thank you.... Now are these protein powders or meal replacement?

So you take twice a day? In your opinion someone my size (5'2 113 pounds *getting the % of b/f for you today) I take Multi vitamin,B12,B6,and Vit C, daily...

I have your food guild but what kind of workout would you choose for someone like me?
Problem areas: STOMACH (mostly lower) hips

Areas wanting to improve (more muscle growth definition)
Thighs! Calves! BUTTTTTT! I have been doing squats, lunges,leg press till kingdom come (think i need something differant)


Mon- Cardio (30-40 min) Shoulders

Tuesday- Bic,tri,chest

Wedsday cardio (30-40 min) back

Thursday all cardio 55 minutes

Friday legs

That is where i'm at now

Ps again, thanks for all the help guys!!

 

[w84me]

I believe Spatts has also posted a 'glossary' for all of us to refer to when the acronyms get too heavy .... maybe she can bump it up to make sure you see it on the board. Its a great reference.

Do you mean that the shake makes you feel bloated? or you actually gain weight thru the middle?

 

[w84me]

that was the one that I was thinking about ... but I checked and it didn't have the acronyms in it ... was there another one? or was this just another blonde moment for me ??? ....

 

[Confused]

I think i understand now, haha little slow there just blurting out questions ya know..

Well, i guess i will start with the diet plan, then try to figure out what powder to start out with.

Do you have any sggestions for my workout?

I was reading over your cutting diet, do you eat these foods alone for example 8 am is Red potatoe w/ salsa

Ohh, and i did the % of b/f today at the gym.. Even though i'm skinny GEEZZZZ, the body fat is high i think!! EKK. 23%

What do you think

 

[valerie]

Confused-There are many good tasting, clean protein powders and meal replacement products on the market. I am a retailer and a competitive bodybuilder so I understand your concerns. Just to make your life easy I would suggest a protein powder made by Optimum Nutrition as a good place to start . It is economical and tastes good. I would stick with the vanilla or choc. The main tip I can give you is to be consistent, find a product you like and stick with until you understand dieting a little better.

Get on a diet plan and follow it to the letter and let the food work its majic. Your tummy won't be the first thing to change, but in time it will. Your energy level should improve as well. I would suggest using the search button to look up past threads.

You will find that this board is excellent, we have the best posters and these girls and guys know their stuff. Just to let you know -I'm 44 and never touched a weight until I was 40. We have all sizes,shapes and ages here! Hope this helps-Valerie

 

[Confused]

Thanks for the posts guys, and spatts... yep your exactly right "skinny fat" and i didn't take it in a bad way, like you said, i wouldn't be asking for help if i didn't want it..


I will go to the protein factory and see if i can find it.

Do you usually use yours as meal replacements?

Before/after workout...
I'm trying to train myself to follow these diet tips, i'm trying to get out of that "starving mode" where i feel that eating alot of times, not nessasarily alot of food is not going to hurt me...

Valerie- thanks for the advice, i take all i can get!!!!

 

[Confused]

Understood I will do that, but unfortunitly for me i don't have the time to cook all the meals that i would need in a day, Although i sure as hell am going to try this cutting diet you have put together.

I wan to be able to embrace change and most importantly do the right things the right ways! So that what i'm trying to acheive isn't for nothing.

Do you always eat this way (cutting diet) or do you do this when you need to get more lean? I was just wondering if after you acheive all your goals if this is the way everyone eats that looks so marvelous!! Also, do you just bring a whole buncha food for snacking during the day to work? You cook everything night b4 and then do it that way?

You are super mom!!!!

 

[Confused]

Wow! that's great 140-150!! Well, i better get crakin! I'm going to check out that site now....


I'm sure i'll have plenty more questions/concerns when i get all this together.....

 

[NorwayFitness]

I just wanted to add...

In your workout split, do you do cardio first and then weights ?
It looked like that and if so stop immidiately !!

You need to lift FIRST and then maybe do some cardio, or else you will be completely drained before the weights.

NF

 

[Confused]

Hey guys!! Good catch, thank you-

Yes!! I do do weights AFTER, it wasn't always that way... but it has been for about 6 mnths, (maybe another reaon i'm tired) I will change that up ASAP!!!

What do you think about doing Legs? I usually do them on fridays, rest weekend. Sometimes i can't walk though if i want to go out and i'm all retarded.. LOL When do you recommend.

 

[Confused]

Uhh ohh! Well, i better change ASAP!!! Yeah i have to take the weekend off for my sanity!! I'm just a normal girl trying to be happy at what i look like in the mirror, and make up for all the damage that was done after the baby.... Or at least die trying!!


5x weekly is enough for me! LOL

I will try the shakes, the diet and Cardio AFTER weights, and as far as legs go... Geez, i don't even think i COULD do cardio after i barley can walk!!!!!! LOL LOL

 

[Confused]

Thanks so much!! I'll write back in a few!

You girls are great!! I would have been lost !