What supplement should I have post-workout?!

SuperheroSadie
SuperheroSadie Posts: 167 Member
edited November 2015 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey all,
I'm currently trying to cut weight and gain muscle. My schedule is kinda tight, which makes this a question instead of 'which protein powder is the best?' Here's my normal schedule:

7am: Breakfast
8am-9am: Gym (15 min cardio, 45 weight lifting)
9-9:30: get ready for work
9:30-10: Walk to work/start shift
6:30: Head Home

And before you ask, yes, I've tried working out after work. I say 'tried' because I'm usually tired and anxious by the time my shift is over, and in no shape to go work out! I haven't missed a workout in 3 weeks though going in the morning.

So, as I like to put it, I always have the 'post-gym hangries'. I've been eating an Oscar Meyer P3 Protein Pack when I get to work, and that does a pretty good job to satiate my hunger until at least 1. They have 12-13g of protein, and about 190 calories. However, I almost feel like calorie vs protein is kind of out of whack in that situation, and that there might be a better fit out there.

I don't know if I could make protein shakes, because I'm literally moving from 8am until I get to my desk at 10am. Is there one that could go un-refrigerated that long that I could cook up in the morning and drink on my way to work? Or is there a protein bar that won't completely decimate my 1200 calorie limit for the day, and also isn't total junk?

Any recommendations are welcome!

Replies

  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Protein powder is dry, it will keep forever. Mix it up when you get to work if that's what works best for you. Or mix it up at home, and throw it in a bag with an ice pack or something if you're worried about temp (i.e. if you are mixing it with milk or something).

    Otherwise, you probably don't need to worry about it.

    Do you have a refridgerator at work? Keep a jug of milk or water in the fridge and a can of powder at work, mix up a shake whenever you need it. That's what I do and the convenience of it is great.
  • SuperheroSadie
    SuperheroSadie Posts: 167 Member
    jacksonpt wrote: »
    Protein powder is dry, it will keep forever. Mix it up when you get to work if that's what works best for you. Or mix it up at home, and throw it in a bag with an ice pack or something if you're worried about temp (i.e. if you are mixing it with milk or something).

    Otherwise, you probably don't need to worry about it.

    Do you have a refridgerator at work? Keep a jug of milk or water in the fridge and a can of powder at work, mix up a shake whenever you need it. That's what I do and the convenience of it is great.

    That makes sense. Is there one you'd recommend over another? Last time I tried going to the gym on the regular I bought whatever was cheapest at Shaw's, but I have a feeling that's not the best way to go about it :wink:
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    SuperheroSadie wrote: »
    Hey all,
    I'm currently trying to cut weight and gain muscle. My schedule is kinda tight, which makes this a question instead of 'which protein powder is the best?' Here's my normal schedule:

    7am: Breakfast
    8am-9am: Gym (15 min cardio, 45 weight lifting)
    9-9:30: get ready for work
    9:30-10: Walk to work/start shift
    6:30: Head Home

    And before you ask, yes, I've tried working out after work. I say 'tried' because I'm usually tired and anxious by the time my shift is over, and in no shape to go work out! I haven't missed a workout in 3 weeks though going in the morning.

    So, as I like to put it, I always have the 'post-gym hangries'. I've been eating an Oscar Meyer P3 Protein Pack when I get to work, and that does a pretty good job to satiate my hunger until at least 1. They have 12-13g of protein, and about 190 calories. However, I almost feel like calorie vs protein is kind of out of whack in that situation, and that there might be a better fit out there.

    I don't know if I could make protein shakes, because I'm literally moving from 8am until I get to my desk at 10am. Is there one that could go un-refrigerated that long that I could cook up in the morning and drink on my way to work? Or is there a protein bar that won't completely decimate my 1200 calorie limit for the day, and also isn't total junk?

    Any recommendations are welcome!

    I'm not big on the supplement side of things but.....you're trying to gain muscle on 1200 cal per day?
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    SuperheroSadie wrote: »
    jacksonpt wrote: »
    Protein powder is dry, it will keep forever. Mix it up when you get to work if that's what works best for you. Or mix it up at home, and throw it in a bag with an ice pack or something if you're worried about temp (i.e. if you are mixing it with milk or something).

    Otherwise, you probably don't need to worry about it.

    Do you have a refridgerator at work? Keep a jug of milk or water in the fridge and a can of powder at work, mix up a shake whenever you need it. That's what I do and the convenience of it is great.

    That makes sense. Is there one you'd recommend over another? Last time I tried going to the gym on the regular I bought whatever was cheapest at Shaw's, but I have a feeling that's not the best way to go about it :wink:

    I like Optimum Nutrition personally, but I won't pretend to know enough about the different protein sources to understand why one might be better than another. While getting what's on sale might not be the most ideal, it's probably not a bad place to start.

    There have been a zillion threads about what powder is the best/most popular... perhaps a quick search of the forums will give you some good info.
  • SuperheroSadie
    SuperheroSadie Posts: 167 Member
    BrianSharpe wrote: »
    SuperheroSadie wrote: »
    Hey all,
    I'm currently trying to cut weight and gain muscle. My schedule is kinda tight, which makes this a question instead of 'which protein powder is the best?' Here's my normal schedule:

    7am: Breakfast
    8am-9am: Gym (15 min cardio, 45 weight lifting)
    9-9:30: get ready for work
    9:30-10: Walk to work/start shift
    6:30: Head Home

    And before you ask, yes, I've tried working out after work. I say 'tried' because I'm usually tired and anxious by the time my shift is over, and in no shape to go work out! I haven't missed a workout in 3 weeks though going in the morning.

    So, as I like to put it, I always have the 'post-gym hangries'. I've been eating an Oscar Meyer P3 Protein Pack when I get to work, and that does a pretty good job to satiate my hunger until at least 1. They have 12-13g of protein, and about 190 calories. However, I almost feel like calorie vs protein is kind of out of whack in that situation, and that there might be a better fit out there.

    I don't know if I could make protein shakes, because I'm literally moving from 8am until I get to my desk at 10am. Is there one that could go un-refrigerated that long that I could cook up in the morning and drink on my way to work? Or is there a protein bar that won't completely decimate my 1200 calorie limit for the day, and also isn't total junk?

    Any recommendations are welcome!

    I'm not big on the supplement side of things but.....you're trying to gain muscle on 1200 cal per day?

    By 'gain muscle' I mean 'develop ANY'. I just moved up from only being able to bench the bar.
  • SuperheroSadie
    SuperheroSadie Posts: 167 Member
    jacksonpt wrote: »

    There have been a zillion threads about what powder is the best/most popular... perhaps a quick search of the forums will give you some good info.

    Thanks! :smile:
  • _Bropollo_
    _Bropollo_ Posts: 168 Member
    My post-workout supplement: Pop Tarts.

    Seriously, don't overthink it too much. Just get calories in and spike the insulin levels to help keep your body in an anabolic state. Carbs are important pre and post workout, protein is something you need to be supplying in small amounts all throughout the day.

    And agree with other posters. Unless you are 4ft tall, there is no way you are in a surplus at 1200 calories. You can't build muscle in a deficit. You can't "cut weight" in surplus. You need to choose what you want to do, or you will set up unrealistic expectations and get frustrated with yourself when your plan doesn't seem to work out.
  • Facetious73
    Facetious73 Posts: 9 Member
    I just finished bigger leaner stronger. to gain muscle for you, 10 grams protein just before working out, 25 grams protein with juice after and then another 25 grams protein 2 hours later. The reason for adding carbs post workout is to restore glycogen levels which helps to pull water into the cells aiding in recovery.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    edited November 2015
    nevermind.

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