Protein Powder...Confusion...

I DO NOT want to gain muscle mass. I wouldn't mind toning, but I definitely don't want to gain a bunch of muscle, if that makes sense.

Toning is simply the muscle size vs bodyfat in a given location. If you want to tone you either lose fat or gain muscle in a particular area and it will look more "tone". Secondarily, gaining muscle is substantially difficult and requires a number of conditions to be met. You aren't going to drink a shake and wake up with big muscles.

Lastly, gaining muscle is a very, very good thing for women. It will only cause visual improvements.

Is too much protein going to make me gain weight?

Too many calories cause weight gain. It is not caused by overconsumption of a particular macronutrient provided that you don't exceed your caloric maintenance.

Gain muscle? Will it only make me gain muscle if I drink right before or after I work out?

No and no. You don't need to drink it immediately after a workout, but doing so will also not cause direct muscle or mass gain. I am assuming you are in a deficit and I'm assuming you are not applying progressive resistance while weightlifting. Given those conditions, you won't likely gain muscle, unfortunately.

Essentially, what are the "ins and outs" of protein powder? Should I just stick with SlimFast?

HELP! TIA

It is a macronutrient. Whey is very bioavailable, conveneint, and cheap. It's a very good source of protein and I would recommend it over slim fast, however you need to account for the calories in the whey.

well... you are drinking slimfast so it would appear you want to lose weight... protein shakes are better for you than 'slim fast'.... less carbs is key... My trainer says always mix carbs/protein, protein & fat,... never carbs & fat. i mix my protein shake w/a 1/4cup of half/half or cream & the rest water so it tastes better... and i get my fat (helps you feel full).. if you are drinking slimfast you are probably in the beginning stages of your journey so i'd defininely do some more research... good luck

First off, I'd like to assure you that we, as females, don't produce enough testosterone to build bulky muscles. That being said protein powder is a more versatile, cost effect way to get protein in your diet. You can put it in shakes, or baked goods and buy it in a variety of flavors without the extra calories or sugar as the premade shakes. I personally use the powder, and use it after weight workouts to help provide my body with the nutrients it needs to repair/build muscles. And more muscles = more calories burned, definitely a plus! :bigsmile:

I want to know a good one too. But I know Slim Fast has a lot of sugar and not enough protein in it. I wouldn't stick with that one. Let's see what others say. But no, not unless you get the muscle building type protein shakes are you going to build muscle mass from taking the normal Protein Shakes like Whey or Designer Protein and the such.

Protein powder, milk, raw oatmeal in a blender with ice. Whey protein is just high quality protein. Eggs are high quality protein too but whey is higher. A basic whey protein powder is not a size gainer or a mass gainer or a weight gainer or steroids or anything like that, its just high quality protein. If you dont wanna drink too much protein powder, then all you gotta do is only put half a scoop in your cup or shake, and just LIMIT how much you take of it. "Optimum Nutrition's 100% Whey" and "Gaspari Nutrition's Myofusion" are fine to start with. Actually, now that I think about it, there's other EVEN MORE BASIC whey protein powders out there. cant think of any right now though.

What the hell is toning?

^ This would have been a better answer than the one I gave, but I attempted to clarify for OP.

Well played though.

I was going to involve class participation in the learning process, I admire the patience in your answer. I'm not called FeatherTactful for nothing.

I DO NOT want to gain muscle mass. I wouldn't mind toning, but I definitely don't want to gain a bunch of muscle, if that makes sense.

Toning is simply the muscle size vs bodyfat in a given location. If you want to tone you either lose fat or gain muscle in a particular area and it will look more "tone". Secondarily, gaining muscle is substantially difficult and requires a number of conditions to be met. You aren't going to drink a shake and wake up with big muscles.

Lastly, gaining muscle is a very, very good thing for women. It will only cause visual improvements.

Is too much protein going to make me gain weight?

Too many calories cause weight gain. It is not caused by overconsumption of a particular macronutrient provided that you don't exceed your caloric maintenance.

Gain muscle? Will it only make me gain muscle if I drink right before or after I work out?

No and no. You don't need to drink it immediately after a workout, but doing so will also not cause direct muscle or mass gain. I am assuming you are in a deficit and I'm assuming you are not applying progressive resistance while weightlifting. Given those conditions, you won't likely gain muscle, unfortunately.

Essentially, what are the "ins and outs" of protein powder? Should I just stick with SlimFast?

HELP! TIA

It is a macronutrient. Whey is very bioavailable, conveneint, and cheap. It's a very good source of protein and I would recommend it over slim fast, however you need to account for the calories in the whey.

This. All of this. Sidesteal knows exactly what he is talking about so please consider your question answered.

I want to know a good one too. But I know Slim Fast has a lot of sugar and not enough protein in it. I wouldn't stick with that one. Let's see what others say. But no, not unless you get the muscle building type protein shakes are you going to build muscle mass from taking the normal Protein Shakes like Whey or Designer Protein and the such.

1) Plenty of good whey out there. Optimum Nutrition is one good and reputable brand.
2) Not sure what you mean by "muscle building" shakes.

When you're looking at whey you should really just compare caloric content, grams of protein, and price. If you for some reason need to track sugar intake due to a medical condition, then you can look there as well, but for most people that's irrelevant.

The only type of shake that could even remotely "cause muscle gain" would be weight gainers, but even those don't cause muscle gain, they cause you to eat a bunch of calories with your protein. You (for all practical purposes) need to be in a calorie surplus to gain mass, and weight gainer shakes/high calorie shakes assist you in doing so.

Only mentioning this for clarity so people don't get the wrong idea as to the function of protein supplements.

I take Syntrax Nectar protein shakes. Love them! Look them up.