whey protein after workout- will I bulk up or just get neede

iheartralphie

I am mainly vegetarian, eat some seafood, and I always have used protein shakes to make up for missed protein. They were the ones that have about 24 gr of protein in them. Well, I started using this stuff called Body Fortress whey protein (52 gr of protein) b/c I have been working out 60-90 min a day, and just cannot get the amount of protein MFP is saying I need through the foods I eat. I am just mainly doing cardio, and I am not going to be lifting heavy weights when I do start toning, so I won't bulk up or gain weight from this will I??? I count it in as a mini meal, so I am not just adding it to my calories, since it is 270 cal.

stevemcknight

270 calories of anything won't bulk you up.

Aim for your bodyweight in protein a day and you'll see some nice muscle gains while you do your lifting. I actually drink mine during my workout (1 scoop during - 1 after) which helps recovery and builds during the actual workout. (although that being said - I'm taking a month off dairy currently)

Egger29

OK... Heavy weights don't make you bulk up and toning is just a word used by women't fitness magazines.

Women in general do not have enough of the hormone Testosterone required to build large bulky muscles. So try as hard (or as heavy) as you want, and you won't bulk up.

Regardless, with any strength training, you need to work to maximal effort in whatever exercise you're doing......that means...if you're doing 12 -15 reps...it should be physcially impossible for you to do 16, 17, 18, 20, 24 or any other number at that same weight.

Pick a weight...and ask yourself "How many CAN I do?" If you're doing 40 reps with a 5 lb barbell...you're really not doing anything for your muscles.

Find a weight that allows you to do 12-15 Maximum and make 15 your goal. If you can only do 8...that's ok. Next time...do 9....then next time...do 10 and so on and so forth.

Once you reach 15...then pick a slightly higher weight and repeat the process.

There are alot of great references out there that dispell alot of the myths regarding women and weight training. New Rules of Lifting for Women is a great read that'll point you in the right direction!

Cheers!

schnarfo

no not at all - women cant really bulk up like men do.

id say lift heavy with low reps to get toned and follow your workout with a shake hasnt done me any harm and ive been doing that since aug last yr and ive had some good results

iheartralphie

Thanks I just noticed that there were specific instructions on it for body builders, so I was worried for a sec. LOL

iheartralphie

@schnarfo & Egger...
Thanks, I do have a couple of female bodybuilder friends who have defititely showed that a woman can bulk up and whle thats great for them, its definitely not my thing, and I do not want to look like that, plus I'm short and already have a naturally bigger frame thats why I was worried. Thanks for clarifying

schnarfo

@schnarfo & Egger...
Thanks, I do have a couple of female bodybuilder friends who have defititely showed that a woman can bulk up and whle thats great for them, its definitely not my thing, and I do not want to look like that, plus I'm short and already have a naturally bigger frame thats why I was worried. Thanks for clarifying

to develop a build like a body builder you would have to have the routine of a body builder... i doubt very much that you would from just going to the gym to do 'toning' a protein shake alone wont give you muscle... its the hours and hours of heavy heavy lifting theyve done that gives them their muscle