Anyone Here Do Lots of Lifting without Protein Shakes

I rarely drink protein shakes. Sometimes I will make a protein pancake with protein powder. The only supplements I take are a multi vitamin and vitamin D 2000 units. I lift 4 days a week.

for the first time i am bulking now without any supplements except L- creatin. its working perfect with me.

I wakeup 4:00 am, lift, shower and rush out to make it to work ontime. earliest time i can eat is 9 am. No time for anything before that, other that protein shake i sip on during workout. And as others mentioned, to hit my protein macro

I've not been using protein powder recently, as the last one I tried disagreed with me, but I'm looking for one for spring because it's the only way for me to get decent protein in my smoothies (I hate yoghurt in them, so even if I use milk as the liquid the macros are still pretty poor).

I'm a pescetarian so even though I'm only lifting 3x/week at the moment I'm usually a bit short on my protein goals.

for_ever_young66 wrote: »

I want to preface by saying that I have nothing against protein shakes or people that drink them. I love lifting, whether it's free weights, machines, cables or just using my own body weight. However, I have not developed any kind of urge to drink protein shakes or to go shopping for protein powder. I also use no supplements. I'd rather get my protein from eating "real food." Any one else out there like me in that regard?

For those who do drink protein shakes, what benefits do you derive from drinking them?

Thanks for stopping by.

Jason

Remember one thing, protein powder is food. That's like saying "Does anyone lift weights without using yogurt?". Protein powder has it's merit, but the problem is with all the marketing out there, protein is given the image as a must which is not true. Protein powder is convenient for those who need protein on the go, for example, I lift at 5 am, I do not have time early in the morning to cook myself something and give myself time to digest before hitting the gym, so that's when protein powder becomes useful. On days that I workout during the day when I don't work, then I won't use protein powder because I have time to cook something and wait for the food to digest before hitting the gym. I don't classify protein powder as a supplement, but more as like food. As I stated, they are not a must, you only need protein powder if you're in a situation where you can't cook yourself a meal or if you just enjoy the taste of it.

for_ever_young66 wrote: »

Well, to clarify, I meant to say traditional meals ,(meat with veggies and a starch) instead of real food. One of the other posters mentioned the taste and I'm not a fan of it. With my high blood pressure, I'm afraid to take creatine. Some days, I struggle to reach my protein goals too but I do keep some almonds or protein bars nearby just in case. I also make it a point to meal prep on Sunday so that I won't be in a position to lack whatever nutrients that I need. We have an awful cafeteria at work and meal prepping is necessary for that reason alone.

Creatine doesnt have an effect on blood pressure. Its an intramuscular saturated which can enable you to lift more.


I cook with protein powders but never have protein shakes.

I'm in the same boat as most others here. I virtually only make a protein powder shake when I find it hard to hit my protein goal for a day (while still in my calorie limits) and that doesn't happen too often, perhaps once per week or two. And as some do taste good, I sometimes use it as a dessert alternative, though in that case, i do prefer more something like Fast protein pudding instead.
But I never go to a gym with a Protein shake with me.