4.5 months in. Down 44. Should I start Whey Protein drinks?
TracyYates
Posts: 28 Member
I'm down 44 pounds. While loosing the weight has slowed down I'm still motivated. I eat good and healthy and I exercise (Walking w/ jogging spurts) daily. Friends have recommended I do Whey Protein drinks via a powder. SHOULD I? And if so WHY? - Thanks all! 
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Replies
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Have you asked your friends why they recommend it?
I supplement with protein powder occasionally if I'm not going to hit my protein goal other than that I don't think there's really a reason that you should drink it.3 -
the added protein can give your muscles the fuel they need to build more lean muscle which burns more calories. You just want to make sure you find a quality protein... a lot of them out there are full of antibiotics and hormones. 1
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TavistockToad wrote: »Have you asked your friends why they recommend it?
I supplement with protein powder occasionally if I'm not going to hit my protein goal other than that I don't think there's really a reason that you should drink it.
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As stupid as it sounds, I don't know why they recommended it. Just that added protein can help my body burn more calories. I eat some protein. Chicken, Tuna, a lot of eggs, Greek Yogurt every day... Is it possible to get too much? - Thank you, Tracy0 -
TracyYates wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »Have you asked your friends why they recommend it?
I supplement with protein powder occasionally if I'm not going to hit my protein goal other than that I don't think there's really a reason that you should drink it.
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As stupid as it sounds, I don't know why they recommended it. Just that added protein can help my body burn more calories. I eat some protein. Chicken, Tuna, a lot of eggs, Greek Yogurt every day... Is it possible to get too much? - Thank you, Tracy
How much do you eat per day? It is possible to eat too much, but I doubt you are.0 -
schandler1011 wrote: »the added protein can give your muscles the fuel they need to build more lean muscle which burns more calories. You just want to make sure you find a quality protein... a lot of them out there are full of antibiotics and hormones.
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Thank you schanler1011 0 -
If you feel you don't need to supplement protein, then don't. Sounds like you get enough from what you've listed through your diet. Protein will help build, maintain and repair muscle mass. It will also help your appetite remain satiated longer, as will fats. But it won't help burn calories, as it will contain calories itself. Stick to food rather than supplementation. If your weight loss has slowed down, then thats just natural. You cannot expect the same rate of continuous weight loss to occur. It will become slower. Just persist, keep consistent and don't give up.1
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TavistockToad wrote: »TracyYates wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »Have you asked your friends why they recommend it?
I supplement with protein powder occasionally if I'm not going to hit my protein goal other than that I don't think there's really a reason that you should drink it.
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As stupid as it sounds, I don't know why they recommended it. Just that added protein can help my body burn more calories. I eat some protein. Chicken, Tuna, a lot of eggs, Greek Yogurt every day... Is it possible to get too much? - Thank you, Tracy
How much do you eat per day? It is possible to eat too much, but I doubt you are.
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Last seven days: 127, 80, 53, 111, 64, 54, 87. I'm almost 50, 5'7 and weight 201. Thank you @TavistockToad !
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TracyYates wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »TracyYates wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »Have you asked your friends why they recommend it?
I supplement with protein powder occasionally if I'm not going to hit my protein goal other than that I don't think there's really a reason that you should drink it.
_ _ _ _ _
As stupid as it sounds, I don't know why they recommended it. Just that added protein can help my body burn more calories. I eat some protein. Chicken, Tuna, a lot of eggs, Greek Yogurt every day... Is it possible to get too much? - Thank you, Tracy
How much do you eat per day? It is possible to eat too much, but I doubt you are.
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Last seven days: 127, 80, 53, 111, 64, 54, 87. I'm almost 50, 5'7 and weight 201. Thank you @TavistockToad !
That's nowhere near too much, and the days in the 50s and 60s would verge on too low.4 -
...
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I only supplement with protein powders when I'm lifting weights regularly.1
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Do your friends train or exercise? Do they even know anything about your diet to tell you that you are not getting enough protein in your diet dialy?
Lean muscle burns more calories, not protein! If you are just walking and jogging and eating your allotted calories that includes amicable protein, this is not needed. Since you eat chicken, tuna and a lot of eggs I predict you get enough..
The next point is that when a person eats at a deficit, and they do not get enough daily protein, they can loose muslce mass, but this is usually when that person is loosing weight agressively. Perhaps use the .8 grams per body weight rule to keep muscle mass during weight loss... Is your protein around this?
Now if you want to grow lean muscle and do that doing strength training, then yes protein will help, but to build msucle you need to eat at a surplus and do a progressive strength training program..
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Nope! They know very little about what I'm doing. I'm further along in my process than they are - and I'm a beginner. Point taken! I just want to loose weight, (21 pounds to goal) but I do want to start "some" exercising and toning.
It sounds like I'm getting most of what I need from my diet. That's good to know. - I do have some concerns about whether I'm eating enough, but that's another story. I really appreciate your sharing your knowledge with me. Very cool @TavistockToad . Thank you.0 -
hassankarimi82 wrote: »If you feel you don't need to supplement protein, then don't. Sounds like you get enough from what you've listed through your diet. Protein will help build, maintain and repair muscle mass. It will also help your appetite remain satiated longer, as will fats. But it won't help burn calories, as it will contain calories itself. Stick to food rather than supplementation. If your weight loss has slowed down, then thats just natural. You cannot expect the same rate of continuous weight loss to occur. It will become slower. Just persist, keep consistent and don't give up.
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No giving up here @hassankarimi82 ! I'm feeling great! - Thanks for the input and valuable information!!1 -
TracyYates wrote: »Do your friends train or exercise? Do they even know anything about your diet to tell you that you are not getting enough protein in your diet dialy?
Lean muscle burns more calories, not protein! If you are just walking and jogging and eating your allotted calories that includes amicable protein, this is not needed. Since you eat chicken, tuna and a lot of eggs I predict you get enough..
The next point is that when a person eats at a deficit, and they do not get enough daily protein, they can loose muslce mass, but this is usually when that person is loosing weight agressively. Perhaps use the .8 grams per body weight rule to keep muscle mass during weight loss... Is your protein around this?
Now if you want to grow lean muscle and do that doing strength training, then yes protein will help, but to build msucle you need to eat at a surplus and do a progressive strength training program..
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Nope! They know very little about what I'm doing. I'm further along in my process than they are - and I'm a beginner. Point taken! I just want to loose weight, (21 pounds to goal) but I do want to start "some" exercising and toning.
It sounds like I'm getting most of what I need from my diet. That's good to know. - I do have some concerns about whether I'm eating enough, but that's another story. I really appreciate your sharing your knowledge with me. Very cool @TavistockToad . Thank you.
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Ahh @RoxieDawn !! THANK YOU! So cool to get good information from you guys. Thanks!
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It's unnecessary but I'd aim for at least 120g of protein a day (it helps retain muscle mass when losing). If you can't reach that, then yeah, you can benefit from protein powder.1
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I happen to like a protein shake most days with my breakfast, but that's strictly a preference, not a requirement based on my activity level. Most people eating a varied diet will get all the protein they need without supplementation. I would agree with the posters who suggest 80-120 grams of protein a day, depending on your activity level. That being said, if you'd rather have a Greek yogurt to get an extra 15-20 grams/day instead of a protein shake then you should do it that way. I personally prefer plant based protein shakes, rather than whey. Again, a personal preference, you should do what makes you feel healthy, happy and satisfied.1
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I happen to like a protein shake most days with my breakfast, but that's strictly a preference, not a requirement based on my activity level. Most people eating a varied diet will get all the protein they need without supplementation. I would agree with the posters who suggest 80-120 grams of protein a day, depending on your activity level. That being said, if you'd rather have a Greek yogurt to get an extra 15-20 grams/day instead of a protein shake then you should do it that way. I personally prefer plant based protein shakes, rather than whey. Again, a personal preference, you should do what makes you feel healthy, happy and satisfied.
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Great input @StacyChrz ! Thanks. - My activity level isn't great. I try to reach 10K+ steps a day. I throw in short jogs, mostly because that's about all I can handle so far. (Hey! I used to be a couch potato stuck on an iPad!) So ... THANK YOU!1 -
Getting off the couch is a great start! And you're making really good progress so far, you should be proud of yourself.0
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Getting off the couch is a great start! And you're making really good progress so far, you should be proud of yourself.
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Aww Sweet @StacyChrz . I'm very proud. Its been an obvious transformation that folks can clearly see. It's great. I love the recognition! I've dropped sizes and my face and body is so much thinner! I'm doing good but KNOW I can do more. THANK YOU!!1 -
What's your goal weight? Are you currently in a progressive lifting program?0
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I struggle to get enough lean protein, so I mix whey protein from Costco with water once a day. It's usually my dinner. So quick & easy, I love it!0
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schandler1011 wrote: »the added protein can give your muscles the fuel they need to build more lean muscle which burns more calories. You just want to make sure you find a quality protein... a lot of them out there are full of antibiotics and hormones.
Eating more protein by itself does not build muscles, you need to do resistance training and eat at a caloric surplus to build any appreciable amount of muscle.
Generally speaking most adults need about .8g of protein per kg of body weight (.36 g per lb) If you're a body builder you need more.
People often forget that protein has calories too, like carbs it's about 4 cal per g so it's not a magic weight loss bullet. The one advantage I can think of with upping your protein intake is satiety, higher protein / fat (9cal per g) diets tend to leave you feeling full longer but if you're an aspiring runner you don't want to give up your carbs.0 -
With the kind of food and exercise you describe, it isn't so much the protein value you can get as it is the money you can afford to spend and calories you add. You've had success with what works for you and I don't see a reason to mess with it.0
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I recently started doing indoor rowing and bc I can only do it after work rather than going home and eating (I'll throw up if I do) I have a whey protein drink w half cup almond milk and the rest water. I like it, noticed my arms are taking shape but! I only drink the whey protein on the days I go to the gym otherwise I don't use it. For me is convenient so is a personal choice.0
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I use them as they are a quick and easy way to supplement my protein to the level I want to support my lifting goals and maintain my lean muscle mass while in a caloric deficit. They certainly aren't necessary, more along the line of "do I want chicken or fish for dinner".0
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