BCAA, protein, other supplements?

RunnerGirl238

Any benefit to BCAA for pre workouts?

Any real benefit drinking for marathon training and weight lifting ?

What BCAA drink do you recommend? Protein mix?

Anything else? I take a B complex vitamin and loads of coffee...that's about it.

I have done neither but I am feeling incredibly fatigued as my mileage ramps up, and I just can't eat more, but I feel like something must be lacking.

apullum

Why can’t you eat more? Is it because you feel full, or because you are certain that you’ve already eaten all your calories (i.e., using a food scale to weigh all your food)?

Are you eating exercise calories, and if so, how did you calculate them?

If you’re in a deficit, how much weight are you trying to lose, and what pace of loss did you select?

dewd2

I sometimes use a protein shake (more of a meal replacement shake that is high in protein) after a long run. I do this mostly for convenience. There is some benefit but not nearly as much as the chocolate milk marketing department wants you to believe.

Other than that, I think it is a waste of money.

RunnerGirl238

apullum wrote: »

Why can’t you eat more? Is it because you feel full, or because you are certain that you’ve already eaten all your calories (i.e., using a food scale to weigh all your food)?

Are you eating exercise calories, and if so, how did you calculate them?

If you’re in a deficit, how much weight are you trying to lose, and what pace of loss did you select?

I'm full. I ate my calories but not my exercise cals. Not looking to lose anything. I also don't like to eat after 730 ...messes with my sleep. I'm trying to maintain lean muscle mass, avoid fatigue, stay strong and recover thoroughly.

ncgirl8

I use Scivation Xtend BCAAs. I know there are a lot of conflicting opinions, but to be honest, I enjoy them (they have some great flavors). My only objection is that they advertise 0 calories, but *apparently* that's due to FDA labeling requirements (so I just count 4 calories per gram, as protein) - and if you're in marathon training, I don't think that would be a concern! They also have a protein powder that has BCAAs added in, but I sort of think that is overkill.

MikePTY

RunnerGirl238 wrote: »

apullum wrote: »

Why can’t you eat more? Is it because you feel full, or because you are certain that you’ve already eaten all your calories (i.e., using a food scale to weigh all your food)?

Are you eating exercise calories, and if so, how did you calculate them?

If you’re in a deficit, how much weight are you trying to lose, and what pace of loss did you select?

I'm full. I ate my calories but not my exercise cals. Not looking to lose anything. I also don't like to eat after 730 ...messes with my sleep. I'm trying to maintain lean muscle mass, avoid fatigue, stay strong and recover thoroughly.

If you are not eating your exerice cals, you are not really eating close to your cals, because your MFP goal doesn't include them. You are likely feeling fatigued because you aren't intaking enough of them. If you can't eat anymore of them, look at drinking some of them through sports drinks or shakes.

apullum

MikePTY wrote: »

RunnerGirl238 wrote: »

apullum wrote: »

Why can’t you eat more? Is it because you feel full, or because you are certain that you’ve already eaten all your calories (i.e., using a food scale to weigh all your food)?

Are you eating exercise calories, and if so, how did you calculate them?

If you’re in a deficit, how much weight are you trying to lose, and what pace of loss did you select?

I'm full. I ate my calories but not my exercise cals. Not looking to lose anything. I also don't like to eat after 730 ...messes with my sleep. I'm trying to maintain lean muscle mass, avoid fatigue, stay strong and recover thoroughly.

If you are not eating your exerice cals, you are not really eating close to your cals, because your MFP goal doesn't include them. You are likely feeling fatigued because you aren't intaking enough of them. If you can't eat anymore of them, look at drinking some of them through sports drinks or shakes.

This. If you aren’t eating all your calories, then you’re not giving your body enough energy. No wonder you’re fatigued. If you feel full, add high calorie/low density foods like peanut butter.

RunnerGirl238

Thanks yall.

Darn....more peanut butter

TrishSeren

BCAAs aren't needed, if you eat animal products then you'll be getting them from your food. BCAAs have become the go-to marketing push for Instagram influencers currently.

My other half coaches Olympic athletes and none of them take BCAAS. If they don't need them, then you don't need them.

kshama2001

RunnerGirl238 wrote: »

Thanks yall.

Darn....more peanut butter

Which you can have with cheese, yum!

apullum

kshama2001 wrote: »

RunnerGirl238 wrote: »

Thanks yall.

Darn....more peanut butter

Which you can have with cheese, yum!

Did someone say peanut butter cheesecake?

Wait, maybe that was just me...

sammidelvecchio

I like BCAAs. I used to take them when I lifted a lot and lifted heavy 5-6 days a week. I would drink them during my workouts instead of plain water. I have always used Sparta Nutrition gum drops flavor BCAAs. They did not give anywhere near the same effect as a pre-workout would, and I didn't expect them too. They just helped decrease muscle soreness which I appreciated.

I'd say most people don't NEED them, but they were a welcomed addition to my workouts.

sammidelvecchio

Oh, I also drink a protein shake for breakfast Monday-Friday. Also sparta nutrition. This is because it gives me a lot of protein for not a lot of calories, and I can easily add in a fiber supplement too. It tastes good and keeps me plenty full until lunch time. This is very easy and convenient for me and I enjoy it

oocdc2

ncgirl8 wrote: »

I use Scivation Xtend BCAAs. I know there are a lot of conflicting opinions, but to be honest, I enjoy them (they have some great flavors). My only objection is that they advertise 0 calories, but *apparently* that's due to FDA labeling requirements (so I just count 4 calories per gram, as protein) - and if you're in marathon training, I don't think that would be a concern! They also have a protein powder that has BCAAs added in, but I sort of think that is overkill.

Do I need it? Probably not, but for me, a quart of water goes down easier with the Xtend BCAA mix added in. My personal favorites are pineapple and blue raspberry.

oocdc2

RunnerGirl238 wrote: »

Any benefit to BCAA for pre workouts?

Any real benefit drinking for marathon training and weight lifting ?

What BCAA drink do you recommend? Protein mix?

Anything else? I take a B complex vitamin and loads of coffee...that's about it.

I have done neither but I am feeling incredibly fatigued as my mileage ramps up, and I just can't eat more, but I feel like something must be lacking.

Also, have you had your vitamin D levels checked recently? Many people have a deficiency that can cause a lack of energy. It's a blood test prescribed by a doctor.

mmapags

sammidelvecchio wrote: »

I like BCAAs. I used to take them when I lifted a lot and lifted heavy 5-6 days a week. I would drink them during my workouts instead of plain water. I have always used Sparta Nutrition gum drops flavor BCAAs. They did not give anywhere near the same effect as a pre-workout would, and I didn't expect them too. They just helped decrease muscle soreness which I appreciated.

I'd say most people don't NEED them, but they were a welcomed addition to my workouts.

Current research indicates that, as an incomplete protein, BCAAs do nothing for either MPS or recovery other than placebo effect. This has been demonstrated in multiple studies. Whey protein is a complete protein and a better choice.

sammidelvecchio

@mmapags thanks for the info! I'm sure it will go back and forth more than a few times. Placebo or not, I felt less sore quicker with BCAAs

ncgirl8

sammidelvecchio wrote: »

@mmapags thanks for the info! I'm sure it will go back and forth more than a few times. Placebo or not, I felt less sore quicker with BCAAs

And I think that is what matters! It seems to be current thought trending towards nutrition being highly individualized. Plus, the older I get, it's more about how I feel than how I'm told to feel But that's me....