Pre workouts and protein shakes

missmassi23
missmassi23 Posts: 1 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Any recommendations? I'm trying to lose fat and tone up. Legs arms abs. Not really gain muscle weight but to look more toned in those areas.
Pre workouts preferably more natural ones/gluten free, ya know lol but if not I'm willing to read up about it.

Replies

  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    Neither of these two items will directly aid in losing fat or toning up. What are you hoping they'll do?
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    Pre-workouts are great for energy if you find yourself dragging through a workout, but many people prefer a snack or coffee instead. Pre-workouts are not natural at all. They are a chemical mixture meant to provide increased blood flow and quick energy.

    Protein shakes don't make or break it when you are trying to get lean. Protein shakes are good for helping meet protein intake if you struggle to meet it with regular foods. It's not magically going to help you shed fat and build muscle (which is what tone means).
  • HutchA12
    HutchA12 Posts: 279 Member
    missmassi23 wrote: »
    Any recommendations? I'm trying to lose fat and tone up. Legs arms abs. Not really gain muscle weight but to look more toned in those areas.
    Pre workouts preferably more natural ones/gluten free, ya know lol but if not I'm willing to read up about it.

    Pre = caffeine
    Post = balanced daily diet

    "Toning" is just pc for getting the fat off my muscles. You do that by eating right. If you want more prominent muscles you have to work on building them up. You aren't going to become the hulk by accident.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,988 Member
    Supplements don't "tone" you up. That's comes down to calorie deficit and working on your physique physically.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    usmcmp wrote: »
    Pre-workouts are great for energy if you find yourself dragging through a workout, but many people prefer a snack or coffee instead. Pre-workouts are not natural at all. They are a chemical mixture meant to provide increased blood flow and quick energy.

    Protein shakes don't make or break it when you are trying to get lean. Protein shakes are good for helping meet protein intake if you struggle to meet it with regular foods. It's not magically going to help you shed fat and build muscle (which is what tone means).

    If someone is lacking energy for a workout they would be better off determining the root cause instead of injesting pre-workout supplements
  • Carlos_421
    Carlos_421 Posts: 5,132 Member
    usmcmp wrote: »
    Pre-workouts are great for energy if you find yourself dragging through a workout, but many people prefer a snack or coffee instead. Pre-workouts are not natural at all. They are a chemical mixture meant to provide increased blood flow and quick energy.

    Protein shakes don't make or break it when you are trying to get lean. Protein shakes are good for helping meet protein intake if you struggle to meet it with regular foods. It's not magically going to help you shed fat and build muscle (which is what tone means).

    Ding!
    That about covers it.
  • Carlos_421
    Carlos_421 Posts: 5,132 Member
    Packerjohn wrote: »
    usmcmp wrote: »
    Pre-workouts are great for energy if you find yourself dragging through a workout, but many people prefer a snack or coffee instead. Pre-workouts are not natural at all. They are a chemical mixture meant to provide increased blood flow and quick energy.

    Protein shakes don't make or break it when you are trying to get lean. Protein shakes are good for helping meet protein intake if you struggle to meet it with regular foods. It's not magically going to help you shed fat and build muscle (which is what tone means).

    If someone is lacking energy for a workout they would be better off determining the root cause instead of injesting pre-workout supplements

    But sometimes I'm not able to go back and get a better night's sleep.
    Still, I prefer coffee.
    I've also experience better stamina during longer, high volume workouts if I take BCAAs before/during.
  • homecraftedmom
    homecraftedmom Posts: 13 Member
    I have been following this because I need preworkout and postworkout info as well. I dont drink coffee, so I usually have a "snack" - protein and fruit before my workout. I do this because I dont want my blood sugar level going too low while I workout or just after. I like shakes, easy to add protein powder and fruit, but I also want something that is low in sugar, and low in cost. Suggestions?
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    homecraftedmom wrote: »
    I have been following this because I need preworkout and postworkout info as well. I dont drink coffee, so I usually have a "snack" - protein and fruit before my workout. I do this because I dont want my blood sugar level going too low while I workout or just after. I like shakes, easy to add protein powder and fruit, but I also want something that is low in sugar, and low in cost. Suggestions?

    I like Trutein protein powders and C4 for preworkout. For me, the preworkout has a 90% 'forgot to take" rate.
  • ClicquotBubbles
    ClicquotBubbles Posts: 66 Member
    homecraftedmom wrote: »
    I have been following this because I need preworkout and postworkout info as well. I dont drink coffee, so I usually have a "snack" - protein and fruit before my workout. I do this because I dont want my blood sugar level going too low while I workout or just after. I like shakes, easy to add protein powder and fruit, but I also want something that is low in sugar, and low in cost. Suggestions?

    Chocolate milkshake low fat/skimmed/0 fat milk perhaps? Cheap and easy to make just need to keep and eye on the portions/size that your drinking. Its what I do so is not gospel :) Im sure others have better suggestions :)
  • Josh_lol
    Josh_lol Posts: 317 Member
    edited January 2016
    Typically, I do a lot of cardio so I'm not sure if this applies to you. But I tend to eat cereal bars to fuel my workouts. I try to find the ones with less sugar in but it doesn't matter too much since you'll be using the energy anyway. As for protein powders, MyProtein is a pretty good brand. The summer fruits flavour is pretty nice with water or milk.

    I should probably also add that hydrating yourself before you workout is important as well so drink a glass or 2 of water beforehand and take a water bottle you can sip while working out. This might just be me but I don't like drinking much while I'm working out because it fills my stomach up and makes me feel a little bloated if I drink too quickly.

    I only tend to go for electrolyte drinks like lucozade or gatorade if my cardio sessions are gonna last longer than an hour so water is probably best.
    missmassi23 wrote: »
    Any recommendations? I'm trying to lose fat and tone up. Legs arms abs. Not really gain muscle weight but to look more toned in those areas.
    Pre workouts preferably more natural ones/gluten free, ya know lol but if not I'm willing to read up about it.

  • bearabull
    bearabull Posts: 2 Member
    If you need the pickup then a pre-workout drink with caffeine (coffee) or just a caffeine pill (cheaper than coffee).
    Working out after a long day a work - the tired feeling or need for a pickup is common.

    Any carb drink needs to be sugar type as you are drinking a pre-workout drink for energy that you plan to burn. That's sugar, fructose etc.. If you drink a slow digesting carb, it does nothing for your workout energy level. Also, you need to burn what you consume - remember that.

    If you are trying to lose fat - just drink water or some caffeine.

    Most of these workout drinks are just marketing to get you to buy a product. You don't need many supplements or engineered foods. Rule #1: Body's are made in the kitchen not the gym.

    I find it's far more effective to time your meals correcty for when you work out.
  • elsinora
    elsinora Posts: 398 Member
    Lean protein POST workout is better to aid muscle recovery.
  • HutchA12
    HutchA12 Posts: 279 Member
    edited January 2016
    homecraftedmom wrote: »
    I have been following this because I need preworkout and postworkout info as well. I dont drink coffee, so I usually have a "snack" - protein and fruit before my workout. I do this because I dont want my blood sugar level going too low while I workout or just after. I like shakes, easy to add protein powder and fruit, but I also want something that is low in sugar, and low in cost. Suggestions?

    Do you have a condition? Your blood sugar shouldn't be going crazy just from a low to mid lvl workout. If you do then you should make a specific thread. Most pre workouts are 0 cal and well protein is protein.
  • DrifterBear
    DrifterBear Posts: 265 Member
    Have a small snack 40-60 minutes before working out. Caffeine is good for energy. I like some espresso before a workout since I get up at 440 and workout at 6.

    Be very careful with preworkout drinks. As most people have said, they're a mix of chemicals and aren't regulated. I have used NO Explode on and off over the years. I had been using it for a few weeks and had a physical in December and the blood test showed my liver enzymes are a little high. We've retested a couple times and it hasn't come down yet. There's a lot of people talking about that on the internet, I've always been aware of it, but now it's affected me. I've stopped and gone back to coffee and the next retest should show normal levels. The effects aren't worth what it can do to your body. Besides affecting the liver, there's a whole bunch of other unpleasant side effects.

    Stick to a small snack, water, and coffee or tea to get going.

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