Some quick questions!

[Dude_man123]

Hello-

I am 19 and weigh probably... 130 lbs. Well, between 120-140. I am around 5ft 7-8 inches also. Anyway, I've been doing toning exercises, and gotten some results, but not fast enough for my liking. I want to gain mass and weight too.

Generally, my work out routine is random. I'll work out one day, and then the next few days my muscles will be sore for a few days, then on the day my muscles do NOT hurt, I skip that day and work the next day. So I work out every 4 days, generally. Is this ok? I want to improve, and I don't mind the soreness from my muscles, but I don't want it to be a waste of time either, as long as I get results, I am ok with that.

I decided to grab a protein supplement from walmart today. It was around $13-15. It was called Body Fortress 100% Whey Protein. Heres a review:
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=641356

Anyway, I don't mind the taste. Think this stuff will give me a boost or something? When should I drink this supplement? Before or after a workout? Is it ok to drink it on days I do not work out? Will it benefit me if I do not work out, yet my muscles are sore that day?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Quiksilver]

You should really read some of the threads in the H&F Vault, as well as give the Where to Start program a shot.

From what I read, you don't really know what you're doing, and giving direct answers doesn't teach you the fundamental Right and Wrongs of getting excellent results.

You shouldn't be buying supplements yet. Spend the money on steak, beef, eggs, and vegetables.

-

In answer to your questions, take your protein supplement immediately after your workout. Your body is desperate for nutrients to repair the muscles from the workout, and that is the time that your body will be most receptive to protein. Don't forget to mix the protein with carbs, to assist the absorbtion.

It will not give you a boost. Take a caffeine drink preworkout(coffee/no sugar), or creatine.

Again, browse throught the H&F Vault sticky and read anything that looks pertinent to your questions.

 

[Dude_man123]

Ok, I will check that out, because I am serious about bettering myself. I am way to skinny... I need some meat on my bones, and I mean muscle, not fat.

And your right, I don't really know what I am doing. So I will check into the things you have suggested.

By the way, is it safe to take creatine and protein at the same time?

 

[navyseal2101]

Protien and creatine is good. Eat as much protien as you can, you need it to live anyway. The soreness will fade after you start a consistant workout routine, like every other day. Ive been doing running one day and lifting next and just switchhing off. Ive gained 20lbs in a few weeks so thats good and i've remained cut ab wise not 6 pack but definition, I lost the pack , but thats b/c of how much im eating anyway.
NOTE: Running will make progress slower bulk wise.

 

[Quiksilver]

Yeah, I do that before every workout. Again you should be spending that money on steak and spinach, not creatine. For the first year or two, you won't notice(physically), the results that creatine can give you because you still won't be near your body's full potential.

If you're bent on getting it, buy CEE(Creatine Ethyl Ester), not creatine monohydrate.

Are you truely serious about bettering yourself? Don't answer that question with words, answer it with actions. Follow the Where to Start sticky, let us help you, and 12 weeks down the road you'll be a new man.

 

[jackofasses]

I've generally found that taking in protein within 2 hours of your workout as a milkshake will actually produce better results. Glutamine is also a supplement you should look to adding as it increases the absorption rate of protein into the muscles and helps that whole process of converting that protein into healing the muscle or whatever.

Another thing to look into are amino acid supplements. I'm sure i can dig up the information somewhere but taking in a certain amount of amino acids after a workout (within 2 hours as described with the protein) can actually increase results by up to and extra 50% or more.

Most protein supplements also contain some amino acids (as was the case with the one i was using) and strangely enough if i doubled up my protein shakes after a workout it gave me the proper amount of amino acids. So generally speaking rather than have 2 shakes a day (one in the morning and one at night) I'd just have 2. One right when i got home from the workout. The other one about an hour and a half later.

I actually got some really nice results from that.