Protein shake = No weight Loss???

Any of you experience that when you consume protein shakes, along with your work outs and calories that you don't loose weight? I've been struggling lately and am staying in my calorie zone. Is it possible that i'm just gaining so much muscle with the protein shakes that i don't see any budge?

Replies

  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,209 Member
    I wish.
  • Tourney3p0
    Tourney3p0 Posts: 290 Member
    Is it possible that I'm just gaining so much muscle with the protein shakes that i don't see any budge?

    No, this is not possible. If you are eating fewer calories than you are consuming, you should lose weight. You may gain muscle, and you will lose fat. But the mass of the two will not be equal if you are on a calorie deficit.

    It could be water retention if you're doing a lot of exercises. Otherwise, my guess is that you're either eating more calories than you think (less likely) or burning fewer than you think (most likely).
  • stephanie1133
    stephanie1133 Posts: 211
    I have 2 protein shakes a day some days -- I still lose weight. I work out 6-7 days per week, cardio and weight training. It is pretty much impossible that you are gaining muscle so fast that it is cancelling out your fat loss on the scale. Muscle gain doesn't happen that fast! It is more likely that your deficit isn't enough to give you a loss or you are retaining water.
  • Josie_lifting_cats
    Josie_lifting_cats Posts: 949 Member
    Is it possible that I'm just gaining so much muscle with the protein shakes that i don't see any budge?

    No, this is not possible. If you are eating fewer calories than you are consuming, you should lose weight. You may gain muscle, and you will lose fat. But the mass of the two will not be equal if you are on a calorie deficit.

    It could be water retention if you're doing a lot of exercises. Otherwise, my guess is that you're either eating more calories than you think (less likely) or burning fewer than you think (most likely).

    I call your bluff. 30 days of a 500 calorie per day deficit doing 30 DS, I never lost a single pound. Not even half a pound.

    I lost 4 inches off my waist alone, though!
  • MonicaT1972
    MonicaT1972 Posts: 512
    Protein shakes are not going to make you lose weight. They are just a supplement to boost your protein intake and make you feel fuller longer in most cases. They are also the quickest way for muscles to get a usable form of protein following a workout in order to rebuild.

    And no, unfortunately you cannot gain any amount of muscle fast enough to see a difference on the scale.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    No, it's not the protein shake.
  • sun33082
    sun33082 Posts: 416 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/580019-the-scale-is-a-lying-torture-device-i-m-proof

    I could be wrong, but pretty sure she was eating a deficit. Either way this shows that the scale may not move but your body is changing shape.
  • GasMasterFlash
    GasMasterFlash Posts: 2,206 Member
    Are you expelling any gas produced from consuming the protein shake? Those vapors can add up.
  • masterjosue
    masterjosue Posts: 11 Member
    Protein shakes are not going to make you lose weight. They are just a supplement to boost your protein intake and make you feel fuller longer in most cases. They are also the quickest way for muscles to get a usable form of protein following a workout in order to rebuild.

    And no, unfortunately you cannot gain any amount of muscle fast enough to see a difference on the scale.

    This is the most accurate post I've read here so far. Protein is protein, not weight loss formula. If you're not losing weight, then you're not in a deficit. Look closely at the calculations you base your macros on, and make sure you're on point.
  • nickmast78
    nickmast78 Posts: 65
    I'm going to have to agree that if your calorie intake is at a deficit and your eating REAL FOOD and not garbage, you should be losing weight. You should probably read up on what whey protein is and why you should take it in the first place.

    http://www.muscleandstrength.com/expert-guides/whey-protein
  • ash240791
    ash240791 Posts: 1
    What are Macrons???
  • iLose2Gain
    iLose2Gain Posts: 138 Member
    I think it depends on what type of protein shake you are drinking. If you are drinking the protein supplement, No BUT if you are drinking Protein Meal Replacement Shakes then maybe! I made this mistake once b/c I didn't have time to eat so I bought Met-Rx meal replacement shakes! I lost a ton of inches & dropped a dress size but NO weight! I loved my body so I didn't care! :)
  • Awkward30
    Awkward30 Posts: 1,927 Member
    Is it possible that I'm just gaining so much muscle with the protein shakes that i don't see any budge?

    No, this is not possible. If you are eating fewer calories than you are consuming, you should lose weight. You may gain muscle, and you will lose fat. But the mass of the two will not be equal if you are on a calorie deficit.

    It could be water retention if you're doing a lot of exercises. Otherwise, my guess is that you're either eating more calories than you think (less likely) or burning fewer than you think (most likely).

    Well said.

    I have lots of protein shakes because I don't like meat and need to feed my muscles, and I lose weight.
  • GasMasterFlash
    GasMasterFlash Posts: 2,206 Member
    What are Macrons???
    Ingredients

    - 4 large egg whites
    - Pinch salt
    - 1/2 cup sugar
    - 1 (8-ounce) package sweetened shredded coconut, lightly toasted

    Directions

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a mixer fitted with a whip attachment. whip egg whites and salt until they become white and begin to stiffen. Add sugar in 3 parts. Continue to whip until the egg whites are very stiff. Using a rubber spatula fold in toasted coconut.

    On parchment lined cookie sheets, drop a teaspoon of the mixture leaving 1 to 2 inches around each cookie. Place into the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. The outside should be golden brown but the insides should still be moist.
  • Funsoaps
    Funsoaps Posts: 514 Member
    Some things come to mind? Is it made of soy?

    Are you intolerant of dairy/whey?
  • Funsoaps
    Funsoaps Posts: 514 Member
    I use raw honey or honey and stevia would prob work as well.
    What are Macrons???
    Ingredients

    - 4 large egg whites
    - Pinch salt
    - 1/2 cup sugar
    - 1 (8-ounce) package sweetened shredded coconut, lightly toasted

    Directions

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a mixer fitted with a whip attachment. whip egg whites and salt until they become white and begin to stiffen. Add sugar in 3 parts. Continue to whip until the egg whites are very stiff. Using a rubber spatula fold in toasted coconut.

    On parchment lined cookie sheets, drop a teaspoon of the mixture leaving 1 to 2 inches around each cookie. Place into the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. The outside should be golden brown but the insides should still be moist.
  • Awkward30
    Awkward30 Posts: 1,927 Member
    .
  • em9371
    em9371 Posts: 1,047 Member
    if they are included in your calorie allowance not in addition, then the shakes wont make you gain weight, its just another form of consuming your protein.
    You won't gain muscle just from taking protein shakes, it takes a lot of hard work plus eating at a surplus. The protein will help maintain the muscle you have though.

    check you are accurately logging your cals and exercise, and that your cals are set at the right level for a healthy loss goal, as these are the most likely reasons for not losing.
  • SteveTries
    SteveTries Posts: 723 Member


    I call your bluff. 30 days of a 500 calorie per day deficit doing 30 DS, I never lost a single pound. Not even half a pound.


    Sounds like 30 days where you thought you had a 500 defecit but either overestimated TDEE or under estimated intake

    There is not one single documented piece of evidence of anyone ever not losing weight when on a calorie defecit.
  • marycmeadows
    marycmeadows Posts: 1,691 Member
    Is it possible that I'm just gaining so much muscle with the protein shakes that i don't see any budge?

    No, this is not possible. If you are eating fewer calories than you are consuming, you should lose weight. You may gain muscle, and you will lose fat. But the mass of the two will not be equal if you are on a calorie deficit.

    It could be water retention if you're doing a lot of exercises. Otherwise, my guess is that you're either eating more calories than you think (less likely) or burning fewer than you think (most likely).

    This. I have been having protein shakes pretty much daily, sometimes more than one a day, and I have lost over 100lbs.
  • kstep88
    kstep88 Posts: 403 Member
    I actually have a problem like that. It may be my digestive system, but when I have them every day, I do not lose weight. Even when I am under calories.
  • Sarah_Wins
    Sarah_Wins Posts: 936 Member
    My whey protein isolate and almond milk shakes stalled me for awhile, but I loved them so much after a workout that I just kept on with it and eventually broke through the plateau.
  • opus649
    opus649 Posts: 633 Member
    Is it possible that I'm just gaining so much muscle with the protein shakes that i don't see any budge?

    No, this is not possible. If you are eating fewer calories than you are consuming, you should lose weight. You may gain muscle, and you will lose fat. But the mass of the two will not be equal if you are on a calorie deficit.

    It could be water retention if you're doing a lot of exercises. Otherwise, my guess is that you're either eating more calories than you think (less likely) or burning fewer than you think (most likely).

    I call your bluff. 30 days of a 500 calorie per day deficit doing 30 DS, I never lost a single pound. Not even half a pound.

    I lost 4 inches off my waist alone, though!

    If your weight was EXACTLY the same (within 1/2 a pound) between two weighings a month apart, you are a statistical miracle. My weight fluctuates more than a pound between my morning wizz and breakfast.
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    What are Macrons???

    "Macros." Allocations of protein, carbs and fat in the diet, e.g., 40/30/30.

    "Macron" is a diacritic.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macron
  • stanvoodoo
    stanvoodoo Posts: 1,023 Member
    Without seeing you diary no guess is going to be correct!

    We have to see what and how much you are eating.

    Protein shakes are great for weight loss and helping to build lean muscles.

    It is also true that sometimes you don't lose weight you lose inches, the scale should be used together with regular measurements.

    But for further comments or advise we need to see your diary.

    You should be at a min of 1200 net calories - that's after exercise. A min of 64oz of water and extra fiber to help process all that extra protein.

    Limit sodium, fat, simple carbs and you should see a loss. Another factor might be the type of exercise.....

    If you are not conforming to any one or combination of the above that is most likely your issue.

    Best of Luck and if you want more assistance, just open your diary.

    Take Care!!!
  • ccmccoy09
    ccmccoy09 Posts: 284 Member
    What are Macrons???

    Macros. Your percentage of calories that come from carbs, protein and fat.

    MFP defaults to something like 55% of calories from carbs, 15% from protein and 30% from fat. A lot of people (including myself) follow 40% carbs 30% protein 30% fat so to build more muscle and develop a nicer shape.

    to OP: Thinking on that, what's the nutritional content of your protein shake? If it's like 300 calories, 40 g carbs and 20 g of sugar, the protein may not be the problem.
  • There is no possible way that you are gaining that much muscle in that short peroid of time. If so, give the name of that protein powder and your daily meals so I can add to my 21" arms. Lol.

    What is happening IMO is that you are retaining water due to your exercise. Also there can be a cortisol. So are you getting enough rest, how is your stress level? Then there is the whole hormone thing.

    I know that if I weigh myself the day after heavy lifting my weight is up by 2-3 lbs.

    Also, I notice Monday that I didn't get much rest that night and when I weighed myself that Tues morning I was up 1 lb. I went to bed Tuesday at a decent hour and woke up and weighed myself and I was down 2 lbs.

    So there are many factors.
  • godglo
    godglo Posts: 3
    Same thing happens to me but I am slightly intolerant of soy, even soy oils like soy lethicin, and anything I eat with soy stalls me out. Test yourself with soy milk! I'm not allergic but it gives me severe gastric upset to the point of ridiculousness. Gained 7 lb (albeit probably water weight) overnight once from a quarter cup of soy milk after lunch which ended the day's eating calories below normal & that's how I know! Virtually every protein powder has soy lethicin.
  • gigglesinthesun
    gigglesinthesun Posts: 860 Member
    no calorie deficit = no weight loss

    http://www.acaloriecounter.com/blog/why-am-i-not-losing-weight/

    however if you are working out a lot (water retention), take in a lot of sodium (also water retention), TOM for women ... all those things can cause temporary stalls
  • keem88
    keem88 Posts: 1,689 Member
    you might not be eating enough. maybe you aren't drinking enough water and are retaining water weight. or you may just not be hitting the correct macros that your body needs for weight loss. have you tried playing around with different intakes and exercises to see if that helps budge it?