Are Protein Shakes Right for Me?

samaram4
samaram4 Posts: 7
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
So I'm looking into starting on protein shakes. I've been doing some research and it seems they make work in my favor but I'd llike to get some opinions on this. So here is some information on me. My goal at this point is to lose 1 to 2 more pounds. I'm current 5'2, 116.4 pounds and 16% body fat. I'm definitely trying to tone up quite a bit more. I'm vegetarian and I do pay close attention to my protein. I take, as I lift weights 5 to 6 days a week, however I feel that maybe I'm still not getting enough protein to build as much muscle as I'd like. I was looking into the products by Jym from bodybuilding.com as the work by Jim Stapponie seems to be widely accredited. Plus i love that he tells you exactly what and how much of what's in there is in there.

Replies

  • samaram4
    samaram4 Posts: 7
    By the way, I probably butchered the spelling of his last name...
  • EK00001
    EK00001 Posts: 85
    samaram4 wrote: »
    So I'm looking into starting on protein shakes. I've been doing some research and it seems they make work in my favor but I'd llike to get some opinions on this. So here is some information on me. My goal at this point is to lose 1 to 2 more pounds. I'm current 5'2, 116.4 pounds and 16% body fat. I'm definitely trying to tone up quite a bit more. I'm vegetarian and I do pay close attention to my protein. I take, as I lift weights 5 to 6 days a week, however I feel that maybe I'm still not getting enough protein to build as much muscle as I'd like. I was looking into the products by Jym from bodybuilding.com as the work by Jim Stapponie seems to be widely accredited. Plus i love that he tells you exactly what and how much of what's in there is in there.

    I personally don't take protein shakes. I usually eat boiled eggs, tuna, or chicken for most of my protein, but since you're a vegan, try searching at your local supplement store for "vegetable protein". It's basically protein extracted plants. The only reason I don't take them is because they're too expensive for me (20 bags for $50). I'm a student, so there's only so much I can reach for.
  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    Why are you lifting 6x a week? Are you doing muscle group splits or something, which are really only ideal for... well, not many people? Or are you overworking everything such as 5-6 full body workouts?

    Your ticker indicates you want to lose another pound. I'm assuming you are still in a caloric deficit then? You won't be building muscle. 100g protein is more than enough as a start, which is pretty easy to reach on a non-veggie diet. But if you eat things like eggs, cheese, legumes, and nuts you might reach your needs without protein powder. I consume 150g of protein and find it hard to reach this with only meat sometimes.

    So.. if you can't reach your protein intake needs with just food, then sure, supplementing is fine.
  • threnjen
    threnjen Posts: 687 Member
    If you really want a protein supplement, don't overcomplicate it. They carry tons of protein powders at Costco. It doesn't need to be anything fancy.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    I don't really know about Jim Stefani, or any other member of no doubt.

    Since you're a vegetarian, you may not jive with the dairy, but if you do. Most of the major brands are fairly decent. Optimum Nutrition and Cellucor working the best for me personally, but you'll want to try a few to see what digests best.

    With how close you are to your goal, you'll want to make sure your macros are dialed in. Eat at maintenance level and lift heavy. See what happens for you there. Although, I could be totally reading this whole thing wrong, since you do mention "toning". You might not be doing any major compounds or anything. *shrug*

    If you're toning, you will probably want to eat at a hair under maintenance.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    What ana said , why are you lifting 6x a week? No idea how much you are lifting or whether you are doing groups. Actually +1 to what ana said.Get some of the lifters to check your workout imo as Id be concerned theres not enough time for muscle recovery and you need to be sure you are lofting at effective levels.

    I prefer real food over protein supplements, but I have them on standby just in case I need quick protein as they are convenient.
  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    999tigger wrote: »
    What ana said , why are you lifting 6x a week? No idea how much you are lifting or whether you are doing groups. Actually +1 to what ana said.Get some of the lifters to check your workout imo as Id be concerned theres not enough time for muscle recovery and you need to be sure you are lofting at effective levels.

    I prefer real food over protein supplements, but I have them on standby just in case I need quick protein as they are convenient.

    protein bars are nice and easy but $$, so protein powder is a better deal for sure. I love it for baking purposes more than for drinking now myself! PRotein pancakes, banana bread, baked oatmeal.... so yum :)
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    ? Not sure i said bars? My point was i prefer real food over supplements. Each to their own.
  • nosebag1212
    nosebag1212 Posts: 621 Member
    protein shakes are only need if you fail to get adequate protein in your diet; which is 1 gram per lb lean bodymass, so for you would be about 100g, so just add up how much protein you get from your diet and see if it's at or above this, they are gram for gram one of the cheapest sources of protein so in that way they are useful.
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