Overwhelmed Newb

I was referred by a co-worker who also lifts. This site is great and gives you so many options.

I have been lifting for the last 8 months. 5 days and 3 day splits, changing it up whenever I start to hit a wall.

I am heavy set 6'1" 232lbs 25% BF. I started @ 251 lbs 34% BF.

I have started doing cardio 3 mornings week and workout in evening. I started using Cytosport EvoPro during the day and at night and ON Gold Standard 100% Whey for pre/post. Saw some great muscle gains initially for about 3 months but nothing in the last couple of months and now it seems no matter my effort, very little gain in muscle. I was averaging 200 mg protein a day. I eat 5 smaller meals a day.

I have reviewed your options and there are so many. I would like some advice/suggestions on the following:

A - Pre & Post mix
B - Bedtime mix
C - Daytime mix
D - Meal Replacement

I want to continue loosing fat. I think i need better proteins for each scenerio.

I thank all of you for your feedback and suggestions.

SCZ

With calorie reduction you'll see the most progress. the key is lose weight with losing muscle. ie anti-catabolic. How do you stay out of a catabolic state? either take steroids (which you dont want to do) or take some form of protein every 3 to 4 hours whether it comes from tuna, chicken, steak, or whatever or protein powder. As much as the supplement industry likes to make you think you NEED to takeprotein powder everyday you dont. protein powder is nothing more than quality convienent food.


Hydrodipeptides (protein capsules, but most importantly very little calories and will aid in keeping you out of a catabolic state.

Daytime protein. depending on taste. go with more of a slow digesting than fast. Try 60% IPI 40% whey isolate. If you dont care about taste get all IPI.

Postworkout. Oatmuscle and protein 1 to 1 ratio. Again whey isolate. but even better peptopro. again take 15 grams of peptopro and its only 60 calories, goal is to keep calories low.

MRP.
PF MRP or PF low carb MRP

other supplements
Krill oil
and killer qc are o

optional

anymore ? feel free and welcome to the proteinfactory.com

If you have just started lifting and are eight months in, RESIST the temptation to go out and spend a lot of money on supplements.

Get your diet down. That is the MOST important thing for lifting and working out.

Good job on the weight loss, I envy you, your stats mean you are going to see tons of progress in a couple years.

What Debruynda and Alex said.

What are your protein / carb / fat ratio's in your meals? I broke a recent plateau by ensuring that my balance was 33% for each, with my cal's at about 400 per meal. I will then alternate between 4 meal, 5 meal, and 6 meal days (depending upon activity levels).

As you already figured out from your continual changing up of your workout plan, do the same thing with your caloric intake.

Thanks to all for your reponses. As far as the meals, I have been alternating from say apples/peanut butter and oatmeal with fruit and cottage cheese/fruit. I will add nuts, raw veggies, and usually a slice of turkey or chicken breasts. It averages 450 cal per.

I appreciate the advice. I need to focus on getting more carbs and fats in the mix. I am just concerned that my lack of gains were related to my "bad" eating habits.

Alex,

Thank you for the advice. Here is what I have for during day consumption and bed time:

50% PeptoPro,
50% Oat Muscle,
Aminogen
Vanilla
Aspartame

For pre/post:

40% CFM Whey Isolate,
60% IPI Protein Isolate,
Aminogen
Vanilla
Aspartame

Pre/Post: Hydrodipeptide

If I missed something and did not read between the lines, please let me know. I want to order tomorrow since I am about to run out of protein in a couple of days.

Thanks!

SCZ

I reversed the Daily and the Pre/Post. Sorry about that!

Be careful with the Pepto Pro and Oatmuscle because of the taste. Pepto Pro does not taste good, however some flavors can mask the taste very well.

One thing to consider instead of the Pepto pro for post workout could be 20%520 and 30%CFM if taste is a problem for you.

If taste is not an issue, the pepto pro is the best you can get for post workout.

If you are set on trying the pepto pro/ oatmuscle combo, just order one lbs and give it a taste test before ordering a lot, otherwise you'll have an expensive ornament for your supplement shelf.

But as an afterthought, I will say that oatmuscle does a good job of masking the taste of the pepto pro...just how well so that a person unfamiliar with the bad taste of hydrolyzed protein is really up to the individual and what they can handle.

debruynda,

thanks for the heads up. I appreciate it. I am ok with the taste. I had some protein's before that tasted like plaster. I will take your advice and only order a 1lb, not sure how long it will last me, but better be sure than to have a container full of 'plaster' on the shelf.