Whey Isolate Protein for Weight loss?

AlexBoBalex79

I'm drinking 2 Whey Isolate protein smoothies a day. One for breakfast and one for lunch. I mix in apples, pears, strawberries, bananas, blueberries; basically 2 or 3 fruits in with the shake, made with water. My breakfasts and lunches are usually around 300 calories each. I'm not a snacker but I do have a really good dinner with the family. Is that a good way to incorporate the whey isolate or am I shooting myself in the foot?

Some other quick info (kids are pulling at me to play!): I'm a SAHM, with a goal to lose 20 lbs. 2lbs a week for the first 10 and will ease up on the second 10. Most of my exercise comes from playing w/ the kids. I'm a little bit confused as to how many calories I should be eating and what my "activity level" is for MFP profile.

I'm a female 5'1, 142lbs, 33 years old trying to lose baby weight and creep weight.

Thoughts?

GauchoMark

You don't need protein shakes to lose weight. They won't help you or necessarily hurt you. You drink protein shakes for other reasons. Although it is preferable that you get the majority of your protein from whole foods, the whey protein shakes will not hinder your weight loss as long as you have the calories for them.

If you only have 20 lbs to lose, 2 lb//wk is too quick. I would start at 1 lb/wk for the first 10, then 0.5 lb/wk for the last 10.

jacksonpt

You don't need protein shakes to lose weight. They won't help you or necessarily hurt you. You drink protein shakes for other reasons. Although it is preferable that you get the majority of your protein from whole foods, the whey protein shakes will not hinder your weight loss as long as you have the calories for them.

If you only have 20 lbs to lose, 2 lb//wk is too quick. I would start at 1 lb/wk for the first 10, then 0.5 lb/wk for the last 10.

Agreed.

Keep your total cals in check, have a decent macro breakdown (fats, carbs, and protein), eat what you like that will help you hit those goals and sustain the diet long term. If you need protein shake(s) to hit your protein goal, then have one. If you don't, then there's no need for them.

GauchoMark

Based on the stats you just posted, your bmr is about 1400 calories. Its best not to eat less than that as a minimum. As for your activity, you just have to decide on a level then try it out for a while to see if it is accurate. I prefer to enter it in as sedentary, then log exercise, but to each their own.

AlexBoBalex79

And BMR is the minimum calories I need to exist or the calories I should have after exercise?

dirtybadgermtb

If you only have 20 lbs to lose, 2 lb//wk is too quick. I would start at 1 lb/wk for the first 10, then 0.5 lb/wk for the last 10.

I agree with the above statement about the aggressive weight loss plan. As for the whey protein, for someone that has trouble getting enough protein, I like the idea. If you are not having trouble getting enough, whole foods are typically preferable unless immediately after a hard workout.

Just remember it took us years to put the on the weight, taking a few extra weeks to loose it is more sustainable.

jacksonpt

And BMR is the minimum calories I need to exist or the calories I should have after exercise?

Minimum cals you need for basic functions (blood flow, breathing, etc). Once you start "living" (walking, doing house work, running errands, exercising, etc) you need more cals than that.

AlexBoBalex79

Thanks for the helpful advice, everyone. My thought when buying the Whey Isolate was that protein would keep me feeling fuller between meals. If it's not harming me I'll finish up the jar. I spent $60 on it!

GauchoMark

Thanks for the helpful advice, everyone. My thought when buying the Whey Isolate was that protein would keep me feeling fuller between meals. If it's not harming me I'll finish up the jar. I spent $60 on it!

whey is probably the worst protein you could get for making you feel full. It is a fast digesting protein. For that effect, casein would have been better.

However, for what you are doing, I would probably just make smooties using plain greek yogurt, fruit, and maybe a little unsweetened soy milk. You'll get about the same amount of protein.