Pounds

[cellboy]

1. I lost 3 more pounds this week. Probably because I ran out of protein powder, and therefore less water retention. Now that I have started the protein drinks again, lets see what happens.
2. I made the switch to turkey bacon. I could actually eat the whole package of real bacon with no problem. And I figure I could do the same with turkey bacon too. It is very very good!
3. Now that would defeat my diet now wouldn't it? :)
4. Since I start vacation next Friday, my trainer is working me doubly hard, and maybe almost every day next week. :(. Oh! I mean :)

Comments

[kc-risenphoenix.livejournal.com]

I have some protien powder and have never really used it. Does it help or hurt weight loss? What's it really for??

Congrats on the weight loss!!!

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

In general, if you're not training hard, you'll merely gain weight (the bad kind) from protein powder.

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

Do you have a Tanita scale?

It'll give you your relative % of water/fat/bone. Very handy, and vary depressing sometimes ;-)

[cellboy.livejournal.com]

Yeah I know. I have actually maintained for the year (185-189) with my non to very low fat(.5g) protein, while building some muscle (do not take on days off). Last month, I have just started using Cassin (slow burning protein) for night time, and so far no changes. I stopped using all of it last week, and got down to 182-183, so figure less sodium, less water retention. Also I have cut down on the bad carbs (less bread) which has helped, and the new M&F calorie cycle diet has helped too (feel less sluggish). Yeah, I am training hard( to look good on vacation) thanks to my wonderful trainer pushing me hard :). In fact, today was so hard, I am forgoing the Castro and staying in to rest and sleep (LOL!). Since I'll be away on vacation starting Friday, we may be training almost every day this week, = more sleep!! :)

[cellboy.livejournal.com]

It is used to build and repair muscle after workouts. So one usually takes 30min-1hr before gym, and 30 minutes after work out. Although there is some controversy as to if one really needs to take it within that time frame after workout. Some say no later than 1 hr, or maybe even later than that. And theoctothorpe is right; If you just drink it without exercise, it can turn into useless weight gain (I did that once yrs ago, and gained 15 lbs!). The body needs to burn and utilize it up.

[cellboy.livejournal.com]

Not yet. I keep thinking about getting one. Someone told me it really is not that accurate. The best way is to do the water displacement test in the tank thing instead (now where am I going to do that? LOL). I will get one though, but sometimes it's best not knowing :)

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

The question isn't of absolute accuracy (they're right, it's not absolutely accurate), but rather, relative accuracy. Example, the number may say that you're 200lbs, 16% fat and 55% water. If, 2 weeks later, you are suddenly 205lbs, 17.5% fat, and 55% water, you have in fact gained 1.5% bodyfat (no, I didn't do the math to see if all those numbers make sense). The question is were you really at 16% bodyfat to start with. That doesn't really matter too much, as you're really just trying to make that number smaller.

And yes, the most accurate method today is the dunk tank. Sometimes gyms will have a special event so you can get dunked. Ask your gym when they're going to have their next dunking session, and if they didn't have any planned, to plan one.

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

My current protein supplements (during heavy training) are:

AM breakfast: Optimum Nutrition's Oats and Whey (chocolate) with skim milk. The oats are slow burning and there is a nice balance of other high quality (whey protein isolate is best) slow/fast burning complete proteins.

Post workout PM: Optimum Nutrition Pro Complex Gainer (I currently use the gainer which is actually pretty low in calories for a gainer, and low in sugar because I lost *a lot* of weight over the last 3 months being ill, and not working out nor eating in that time)

I don't have a protein supplement on non-workout days.

Both are cheap, and the Pro Complex can be purchased in 10lb bags. Very convenient. I just refill a tub from the bag.

I've found the cheapest place to get prettymuch anything involving workout supplements is http://dpsnutrition.net

[cellboy.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I will give those products a try. I was for a long time, using AST Whey Protein Isolate for pre and post workouts. About an 45min to a hour before gym, just some instant oatmeal, which I find gives me that pep (also for pep, once in awhile Amino Acid Fuel (Twin Labs).

A few trainers suggested I change my protein supplements once in awhile (mix it up as to give the body something new. Like mixing it up when working out). So I recently switched to Myofusion (Gaspari Nutrition) for pre and post workouts (that's also part of Dwayne Johnson's plan and it's a good price), and Casein Gold (Optimum) for bedtime snack (peanut butter chocolate (yum).

One body builder also suggested (since I'm older) to give Vitrix (Nutrex) a try. It works for endurance too (and makes one cum in loads).

I used dspnutrition for some time too. But so far have found that bodybuilding.com's prices are $3-5 cheaper, and the delivery fee is also less (and if your order is $75 or more you can choose a free gift)

As for an after workout, or the next day am breakfast; Oatmeal, 1 egg and 4-6 egg whites (sometimes with a slice of low fat Swiss cheese), and one piece of toast. And turkey bacon 2-3 days per week. M&F has a great Carb/Protein diet in this month's issue.