Protein shake - good or bad?

1tiamat

Hey everyone.

This is my third month watching my diet and exercise. Both February and March I had a protein shake for breakfast along with some fruit and sometimes an egg.

I stalled in weight on my second month and barely lost 3 lbs. This month I haven't had a protein shake mostly due to running out and not replenishing the supply. I've noticed that I've been losing weight a lot faster now that I've stopped having the shake. I've switched to a fiber rich breakfast and reduced my protein intake by about 40g.

Have any of you had this effect or do you suppose protein shakes are meant for body building? I'm not sure what to make of this.

DatMurse

Hey everyone.

This is my third month watching my diet and exercise. Both February and March I had a protein shake for breakfast along with some fruit and sometimes an egg.

I stalled in weight on my second month and barely lost 3 lbs. This month I haven't had a protein shake mostly due to running out and not replenishing the supply. I've noticed that I've been losing weight a lot faster now that I've stopped having the shake. I've switched to a fiber rich breakfast and reduced my protein intake by about 40g.

Have any of you had this effect or do you suppose protein shakes are meant for body building? I'm not sure what to make of this.

protein shakes are not just used for bodybuilding.

it doesnt make you fatter, it may have been a coincidence.

Laurelthequeen

Many protein shakes have additional "stuff" in them that may react poorly with your particular physiology. Otherwise, I find that if I drink my calories, I feel less satisfied overall, so I'm more likely to consume more other stuff to make up for it. Getting high fiber and high fat items that I had to chew in my belly helps keep me feeling full and less likely to overeat.

DatMurse

what are you talking about with stuff that will alter your physiology?
What stuff?

1tiamat

It may have been a coincidence, I just noticed that was one of the biggest things that changed in my diet. I don't think they are bad, I'm just not sure if it is right for what I was using it for.

Thanks for the tips guys.

Sqeekyjojo

I would think that it just made it that bit easier to reach maintenance cals, you were exercising so held a little more water in your muscles, you had slightly more sodium, that kind of thing. So all the little things you did combined.

I have meal replacement ones instead of breakfast most days because, no matter how hard I try, I am not a breakfast kind of person. I never have been and, coupled with feeling rough from meds, it's either a shake or nothing. I'm still losing. Slowly, as I'm meant to, despite erratic exercise, hours and regular unhealthy stuff. Sometimes weight loss comes in fits and starts, too; I know I can gain and lose the same five pounds over the course of a month four times and still end up lower at the end of it.

It's still a simple in vs. out equation. They aren't magic potions (despite how some are advertised), so don't, can't, make people gain weight, gain muscle or lose weight by themselves.

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

You're probably just losing more muscle now. It takes a 3500 calorie deficit to lose a pound of fat but it only takes a 600 calorie deficit to lose a pound of muscle.

DatMurse

You're probably just losing more muscle now. It takes a 3500 calorie deficit to lose a pound of fat but it only takes a 600 calorie deficit to lose a pound of muscle.

due to the availability of fat vs muscle it is unlikely right now

jill1147

I think I am experienceing something similar, I have a reasonable level of fitness and was attending PT sessions once per week and working out on my own at least twice per week. Having lost 9lbs over 4 weeks my trainer suggested that I start taking 'diet' protien shakes to avoid bulking up however gain the benefits of additional protien. I then changed my training to attending a minimum of two spin bike classes per week along with at least 2 other workouts whilst having a shake for breakfast each morning, I have not lost a single lbs in 4 weeks now.......

DatMurse

I think I am experienceing something similar, I have a reasonable level of fitness and was attending PT sessions once per week and working out on my own at least twice per week. Having lost 9lbs over 4 weeks my trainer suggested that I start taking 'diet' protien shakes to avoid bulking up however gain the benefits of additional protien. I then changed my training to attending a minimum of two spin bike classes per week along with at least 2 other workouts whilst having a shake for breakfast each morning, I have not lost a single lbs in 4 weeks now.......

a protein shake is not for dieting. it is protein.

you can get the same benefit from eating chicken. it is no different,. the only benefit is the fact you can put it together very fast.