Protein Shakes

chicksoccer8
chicksoccer8 Posts: 1 Member
edited February 12 in Introduce Yourself
Hello, I've been swapping my lunch with a protein shake. I don't normally eat breakfast except a granola bar, and I usually eat a normal sized meal once I get home. I've lost 3lbs so far, but I've been doing this for 4 weeks. Am I doing something wrong? when i talked to my boyfriend about it he said he would use a protein shake to gain weight not lose it.

Replies

  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    Protein shakes aren't meant to be meal replacements as they generally only provide protein. It depends what nutrients you're getting from the rest of your intake. Try to make sure you're getting enough of everything else too. From what you've said (and without knowing what your "normal sized meal" is comprised of), it doesn't sound like you're really going to be getting enough energy overall. How many calories are you taking in?

    However regarding what your boyfriend said, protein supplementation can be appropriate for people trying to gain or lose, or even maintain their weight. It's just about getting enough protein. You gain or lose depending on how much energy you're taking in vs how much you're burning. Protein shakes won't stop you losing weight if you have your calorie intake sorted out.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    If your ticker is accurate, you've lost 3 pounds in 4 weeks? Congratulations! That's really good progress. It may not be as fast as we want it, but a pound a week is good, healthy weight loss.

    Protein shakes can absolutely be part of a balanced diet for weight loss. As long as you're in a calorie deficit you should lose weight (water weight fluctuations not withstanding).
  • ataylorgardner
    ataylorgardner Posts: 203 Member
    I would say from what you posted here you may not be eating enough. Track everything and make sure you are at 1200 calories minimum. it really isnt healthy to eat less than that. Also 1-2 pounds per week is really pretty good. so be patient. We dont generally gain weight in large quantities all at once so you probably arent going to lose them that way either. If you want a meal replacement look for something that is specifically listed as a meal replacement shake not just a protein shake. a meal replacement shake will make sure you are getting many of the other nutrients your body needs to maintain proper health.

    Are you just watching you eating or are you exercising too?
  • CipherZero
    CipherZero Posts: 1,418 Member
    I would say from what you posted here you may not be eating enough. Track everything and make sure you are at 1200 calories minimum. it really isnt healthy to eat less than that.

    Broscience. 1200 calories isn't a hard limit.
    Also 1-2 pounds per week is really pretty good. so be patient. We dont generally gain weight in large quantities all at once so you probably arent going to lose them that way either.

    100% of this. Three pounds in four weeks is good progress! Over eighteen months I averaged just under a pound a week of weight loss, but some weeks it was as much as six pounds down (wtf) and four pounds up (again, wtf).
    If you want a meal replacement look for something that is specifically listed as a meal replacement shake not just a protein shake. a meal replacement shake will make sure you are getting many of the other nutrients your body needs to maintain proper health.

    My opinion is meal replacement shakes are a total waste of money. Protein shakes are for getting more protein in at a great protein:Calorie ratio.
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