Adding Supplements?

joannasaurusrex · July 2012

My weight loss has ground to a halt so I've been speaking to a personal trainer and he's recommending I add what seems like an awful lot of supplements to my diet. He's suggesting whey shakes (up to 5 a day), a 'greens' drink, a zinc supplement, a vitamin D supplement, a mineral supplement and fish oil capsules. He's also said I can add a caffeine tablet in before a workout.

Should I be taking all of these things? I train for at least 60 minutes 5/6 days a week - a mix of cardio and strength - and eat pretty clean. Just still trying to lose a bit of weight and continue to tone up, really. I'm 5ft1 and 136lbs, only looking to lose another stone or so.

I've been googling them all but there are so many different kinds of everything and I don't really know where to start. If anyone has any advice on what I should be adding to my diet, I'd really appreciate it!

drewols · July 2012

Some supplements are useful but most would probably be a waste. However, I do use fish oil, vitamin D (not always sunny here) and athletic greens consistently. 5 protein shakes seems like a lot and I would try to get my protein more from food sources. Though, whey can definitely be useful to meet your protein requirements.

joannasaurusrex · July 2012

Will any of them actually help me lose weight or get more from my workouts though? I usually eat a protein bar after a workout (or have half before and half afterwards if I go first thing in the morning and it's too close for breakfast). I tried two kinds of protein drinks in the past but didn't like the taste/chalkiness and the trial and error of finding a good one was getting expensive!

drewols · July 2012

I wouldn't rely on supplements for weight loss as that really needs to come from adjustments to your diet and workouts, especially since you are close to your goal. The protein shakes could help you get more results from your efforts if you aren't getting enough from the food you are eating, though I would drop the protein bar and go with a whey shake. I use Dymatize Elite or Optimum Nutrition and like the taste, but the taste and texture really aren't that important to me

chris1816 · July 2012

Will any of them actually help me lose weight or get more from my workouts though? I usually eat a protein bar after a workout (or have half before and half afterwards if I go first thing in the morning and it's too close for breakfast). I tried two kinds of protein drinks in the past but didn't like the taste/chalkiness and the trial and error of finding a good one was getting expensive!

No supplements legally sold for weight loss actually do jack *kitten*.

Caffeine like any stimulant has a minor thermogenic effect but it makes little difference in the scheme of things. It's good pre-workout for energy but that is about it.

Get your protein from animal sources of protein, they are usually more effective sources of protein, you don't need to be drinking that many whey protein supplements. You also don't need to be drinking a bunch of smoothies, even green ones, and pointlessly spiking your insulin which tends to have the exact opposite of a beneficial effect towards weight loss. If you can't tell yet by the way, d*tch your f*cking trainer.

As far as supplements go in general he was alright in recommending a multi, vitamin d and fish oil, those are pretty much the only supps anyone should be taking. You've already lost 37lbs so you know your *kitten*. Maybe just change up what you are eating, try eating a bit more.

What kind of training routine does this dumbf*ck actually have you on out of curiosity since he is already recommending you empty your wallet?

Edit: That last question was semi rhetorical as I see you using words like tone...so I'm emotionally prepared for your answer.

joannasaurusrex · July 2012

As far as supplements go in general he was alright in recommending a multi, vitamin d and fish oil, those are pretty much the only supps anyone should be taking. You've already lost 37lbs so you know your *kitten*. Maybe just change up what you are eating, try eating a bit more.

What kind of training routine does this dumbf*ck actually have you on out of curiosity since he is already recommending you empty your wallet?

Edit: That last question was semi rhetorical as I see you using words like tone...so I'm emotionally prepared for your answer.

Hahaha! Well I don't actually do any training with him at the moment. He is a friend of a friend who has been some sort of athlete for years but now starting as a personal trainer. He was looking for a few people to work with whilst he builds up his client base, so my friend recommended me to him since he knew my weightloss had plateaued. He sent me through my 'diet plan' today but to be honest I get the impression it was written for a male, who wants to bulk up, and clearly hasn't been tailored for a girl who just wants to lose a bit more weight (4 eggs for breakfast? a whole pot of cottage cheese before bed?!). I definitely won't be parting with any cash for him to train me any time soon!

I mostly just go to classes at the gym. I do Body Pump, spinning, boxing, circuits, body conditioning/LBT classes and occasionally pilates or Body Balance when I'm particularly sore or stiff. I know I'm doing most things right, it's just frustrating that everything's slowed down so much. I didn't mind working so hard and refraining from eating stuff I may want to when I was actually seeing something in return for my efforts, but lately it's been getting a bit depressing and I'm worried I'll eventually fall off the wagon.

chris1816 · July 2012

Hahaha! Well I don't actually do any training with him at the moment. He is a friend of a friend who has been some sort of athlete for years but now starting as a personal trainer. He was looking for a few people to work with whilst he builds up his client base, so my friend recommended me to him since he knew my weightloss had plateaued. He sent me through my 'diet plan' today but to be honest I get the impression it was written for a male, who wants to bulk up, and clearly hasn't been tailored for a girl who just wants to lose a bit more weight (4 eggs for breakfast? a whole pot of cottage cheese before bed?!). I definitely won't be parting with any cash for him to train me any time soon!

I mostly just go to classes at the gym. I do Body Pump, spinning, boxing, circuits, body conditioning/LBT classes and occasionally pilates or Body Balance when I'm particularly sore or stiff. I know I'm doing most things right, it's just frustrating that everything's slowed down so much. I didn't mind working so hard and refraining from eating stuff I may want to when I was actually seeing something in return for my efforts, but lately it's been getting a bit depressing and I'm worried I'll eventually fall off the wagon.

Actually the reason why I asked is because there is no difference between a man and a woman training wise. Lift heavy, period. If you want to look more feminine, healthier, and "toned" then you need to be lifting as heavy as you can, often. Most women have this horrid misconception of them looking manly or overly muscular if they pick up anything heavier than a 5lb dumbell...which is pretty f*cking idiotic. Unless you are drilling each *kitten* cheek with horse testosterone on the regular you have nothing to worry about.

Ditch a lot of the excessive cardio, aerobic, fairy *kitten*. Don't stop entirely, cardio is good for overall health and well being but you will see the most results from genuine strength training.

Here, read this n stuff: http://4chanfit.wikia.com/wiki/Harsh's_Worksheet_(WIP)

joannasaurusrex · July 2012

Thanks! Will have a read. I actually do quite a lot of strength training and a fair bit of heavy lifting

I don't really like cardio - I mostly just do circuits and boxing because it means if I hate something I only have to do it for a few minutes haha. I've only taken up spinning over the last few weeks because I was trying to mix up my exercise, but I don't really enjoy that either.

Adding Supplements?

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