Protein Shake Question

[maz]

Hey guys, Quick Question. I've started working out again but have never used any protein supplements. Someone told me I'll see a huge difference if I use a protein supplement. I'm told I will see muscle gain larger and quicker than exercise alone. Is that true? If so, a product was recommended to me by a lot of different people called Muscle Milk but no one has the same answer when I ask when I take it and how much. So here's my question, if I start using this Muscle Milk product when do I take it? Before workout? After Workout? When I wake up? Please help me out, I definitely don't want to take too much or take it at the wrong time and gain weight but not muscle mass. Thanks guys!

[mutandis]

Not even close...whey is just a way to get a bit more protein in your diet. Muscle milk is a meal replacement shake and are VERY yummy.
If you're looking for some whey just get a 5lb tub thats cheap. Take 1-2 scoops after working out and with bit of simple carbs.

Honestly, there is only one supplement where there will a noticeable difference and that is steroids.

Want to be big and strong? Lift hard. Eat alot (of clean foods). Do this for a few years.

[cruzmisl]

I've never used Muscle Milk primarily because of the high carb content. I don't need any more of those but you may depending on your body type.

If your an average guy trying to lose some fat and gain muscle your best bet is to use a whey protein prior to and/or after working out and a micellar casein blend of protein any other time. The casein will stay in your gut longer and is not as easily digested as whey giving you a slower release into the body. IT willmake you feel full longer.

Anyway, get your body weight in grams of protein/day and you'll be all set. Preferably from food and lean protein sources and supplement if necessary.

[AtEase26]

Muscle milk is a good choice. There are alot of protein supplements out there that taste like garbage but muscle milk tastes the best. My opinion. Protein is used for the growth and repair of tissue and will help the recovery process. Therefore I usually take it after a workout. Depending on your wieght and what you are looking to achieve your body needs a certain amount of grams per day.

[Grift]

To gain muscle mass, conventional wisdom is about 1 grams of protein per day per pound of body weight (give or take half a gram per pound depending on who you're talking to.) So, if for instance if you're 150 lbs, you should be taking in about 150 grams of protein per day (or between 100 and 225, depending on who you're talking to.) It's virtually impossible to do that with food alone. That's where supplements come in.

Your protein should be spread out over about 6 meals per day, every 2-3 hours. Make sure one of those meals is within a half hour of finishing your workout, as that is the time when your body is looking for fuel. If you don't give it some within a fairly short window, your body will go catabolic and start eating muscle tissue instead of fat, which is of course counter-productive.

For me, I like protein supplements because it seems to speed recovery. Whether after lifting or running, I am less sore the next day if I have some whey immediately after working out.

[charlydevo]

The problem with protein shakes is that they come with lots of calories. I gave up on them. But, I try to maitain weight for grappling. I don't think that you can take protein supplements to get bigger without getting a bigger gut as well. I had the same experience with creatine. I got bigger, but so did my belly. Plus, my running was affected with both protein shakes and creatine. To each his own, but I say just stick to good conditioning and steady weight training. You might not get bigger, but you'll get stronger.

[maz]

The problem with protein shakes is that they come with lots of calories. I gave up on them. But, I try to maitain weight for grappling. I don't think that you can take protein supplements to get bigger without getting a bigger gut as well. I had the same experience with creatine. I got bigger, but so did my belly. Plus, my running was affected with both protein shakes and creatine. To each his own, but I say just stick to good conditioning and steady weight training. You might not get bigger, but you'll get stronger.

Yeah I defintely don't need to get a bigger gut, have one now I'm losing so I don't need anything to mess with that. I just have small arms and legs haha. I guess old fashioned weight lifting is what I'll keep doing. Thanks everyone for your posts!

[Grift]

To put on lean muscle and avoid getting a gut, just make sure your protein mix has as high a ratio of protein to calories/fat/carbs as you can find, and keep up your cardio. Also, don't drink a thousand calories worth a day. It's just about awareness of what you're putting into your body. Have a protein shake or two (200-400 calories) instead of having a couple sodas or beers later on in the evening. You need protein, and you might need more than you're getting from your diet.

[KnightRider3702]

I've been bodybuilding for a good bit now and tried a vast array of products. The ones I can keep coming back to and trust are the ones developed by teh company MRI.

I've been seeing excellent results with their protein PRO-NOS, plus the taste is good too.
I personally take the "stack" of:
NO2 Black
CE2 Hi-Def
Black Powder (pre workout only)
GNC Mega Men's Ultra Sport Multivitamin
and use the PRO-NOS as the protein supplement.

I'm 5'7" and at my best with my size was about 215. Recently with many diet slipups and the new desk job I've been fluctuating between 225-245.

Check out the specific supplements yourself if you wish: http://www.mri-performance.com/products.php

[pafindr]

I went to GNC's website and you can check a products label

What the label says for Muscle Milk

DIRECTIONS
Mix two scoops in 10-12 fl-oz. water. Tastes like a real milk shake.
BEFORE & DURING WORKOUTS Take MUSCLE MILK one hour prior to
workout. For a truly awesome workout, take FAST TWITCH™ Power Workout
Drink Mix before and during your workout.
AFTER WORKOUTS Take MUSCLE MILK within one hour of completing your
workout. After workouts, the body is in a catabolic state. MUSCLE MILK helps reverse
this muscle breakdown by providing the necessary nutrients for muscle synthesis.*
PRIOR TO BEDTIME Sleep is actually a catabolic period. Remember, breakfast
means to "break your fast." During any fast, you break down precious muscle
tissue for energy. MUSCLE MILK will help you wake up more anabolic.*

I hope it helps
Pafindr

[bluelightzgrl]

I use Muscle Milk and I have not grown "bigger"; that takes years not just months of the proper workout, eating habits and supplements. Actually, where is the resident knuckle dragging gorilla to give us directions and proper information on this? You know, the crossfit freak. ;)


Anyway, back to my point. I have been taking Muscle Milk for a little over a year now. It's the best tasting one I have found; and if I get tired of one "flavor" they have a few to choose from. I usually spend 3 days in the gym, 3 days running and I’m sitting between 155 and 160 (sorry not a weight nazi) at 5-11. If anything it has helped me tone, but that could just be my over-active imagination. I use Muscle Milk as my morning breakfast (mostly) and I prefer actual milk (1%) to mixing it with water; gives it more a milk shake type substance. Occasionally I actually drag my swing shift rump out of bed early enough and hit the gym and have my shake once I get back.

[RemyG]

I use Muscle Milk and I have not grown "bigger"; that takes years not just months of the proper workout, eating habits and supplements. Actually, where is the resident knuckle dragging gorilla to give us directions and proper information on this? You know, the crossfit freak. ;)

What, no mention of the plain ole resident knuckle dragging gorilla gym rat? :D

Here is what I would suggest;

If you are at the weight you want to be at, or are attempting to lose weight, try a whey protein, or whey protein isolate. Those generally have a 100calorie/0carb/20g+protein ratio in them.

If you are attempting to gain weight, then by all means go for muscle milk.

I would rather spend my money on other quality foods, and not get all that saturated fat in the muscle milk.

Also, if you are looking for a 'poor mans' version of caesin protein, try whey protein and fiber (like metamucil). It works the same way by slowing down the digestion of protein.

Honestly, there is only one supplement where there will a noticeable difference and that is steroids.

Want to be big and strong? Lift hard. Eat alot (of clean foods). Do this for a few years.

100% true. You will not notice a difference overnight, but slow maintainable progression with legal supplementation.

All of this is coming from a 265 lb semi-powerlifter ;)

[Switchback]

Ok... I know I am a little late on this one, but I kind of have to respond... being called out by Blue and all.

I use Nitrotech Hardcore. While there are cheaper mixes out there, Ireally like the taste of it. I have had vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, and (more recently) double chocolate.

When I was trying to bulk up, I was taking a double-shot in the morning and then a single later in the evening. This was in addition to eating large healthy meals and the occasional protein bar. I was overseas during these times and I used water, as milk was hard to come by. I was also expending a lot more calories each day than I might do here in the states.

Now days, being happy with my weight, I normally have 1 shake a day. It's a double-shot, with peanut butter, ice and skim milk. I throw them all in the blender and it taste a lot like a reeses peanut shake.

My weight is pretty stable with a decent diet and workout routine... YES, Blue, CROSS-FIT ALL THE WAY!!!! :D

... and I am nowhere near the size of Remy. Nor, can I call myself a powerlifter of any sort. However, I was a long-time skinny guy (around 175 lbs) who is now 205+, benching 350, deadlifting 450, still running a sub 10min 1.5 mile, all while having the same waste-line as high school (when 150lbs)... and that was a couple years short of 20 years ago! LOL

[dinarguy]

Hey guys, Quick Question. I've started working out again but have never used any protein supplements. Someone told me I'll see a huge difference if I use a protein supplement. I'm told I will see muscle gain larger and quicker than exercise alone. Is that true? If so, a product was recommended to me by a lot of different people called Muscle Milk but no one has the same answer when I ask when I take it and how much. So here's my question, if I start using this Muscle Milk product when do I take it? Before workout? After Workout? When I wake up? Please help me out, I definitely don't want to take too much or take it at the wrong time and gain weight but not muscle mass. Thanks guys!

I haven't read everyones post, but protein is essential for your body, but you will not bulk up in three months. If you want quick bulk, you need roids (which of course I am completely against).

Also, muscle milk (MM) has a good amount of fat in it, which I didnt like. If you have a low bodyfat percentage, then I wouldnt worry about it, but I know several people who BULKED up (I mean gained like 30lbs in two months or less) because they were going through MM like kool-aid.

Personally, Optimum Nutrition, "ON" 100% whey, double chocolate is sooo good. Barely any fat either.

Make yourself a lifting schedule, then take your protein accordingly. If you eat a lot of meat, then you really don't need to drink a lot of protein drinks. I normally drink about 2-4 a day, depending on the situation and the day. Good luck!

[CelticSmackdown]

I've been using the GNC 20g Chocolate Whey Protein powder with 2% milk and a banana blended together after my workouts. It tastes great and I've bulked up a tad bit over the last 8 months.