a good all in one supplement
Discussion
Well I am after a bit of advice and before i start I know supplements are not the answer to everything and diet/rest is vitally important.
I have done a bit of weights for about the last 15 years and always considered myself in reasonable shape. Normally weigh just under 13 stone at 5 11. Over recent months however i have lost the motivation to do weights and have found it much easier to run and cycle. Now i have started to notice that i am loosing tone and shape.
I would like to get it back, i realise i need to gain motivation to do more resistance training however i struggle with diet and sleep patterns. Working 24/7 shifts in a job where i dont get regular meal breaks makes this hard.
I am going to try and improve my diet however can anyone reccomend a good all in one supplement or pack of supplements that is likely to help me gain some lean mussle over the next few months.
Im not looking to get massive just to get a bit shape back.
I have done a bit of weights for about the last 15 years and always considered myself in reasonable shape. Normally weigh just under 13 stone at 5 11. Over recent months however i have lost the motivation to do weights and have found it much easier to run and cycle. Now i have started to notice that i am loosing tone and shape.
I would like to get it back, i realise i need to gain motivation to do more resistance training however i struggle with diet and sleep patterns. Working 24/7 shifts in a job where i dont get regular meal breaks makes this hard.
I am going to try and improve my diet however can anyone reccomend a good all in one supplement or pack of supplements that is likely to help me gain some lean mussle over the next few months.
Im not looking to get massive just to get a bit shape back.
From the way I read it. No 
I assume you still go to the gym or at the very least do bodyweight exercises?
Can you not make a weeks worth of food and freeze it in them lunchbox type things that are microwaveable?
As for a supplement I would suggest a mild weight gainer. The reason being I'm guessing as you're not eating regularly or enough a weight gainer would get the essential carbs, good protein content and enough calories to keep you going and out of a calorie deficit. (Edit): I mean the one where your body tries to keep hold of any fat because you're not eating properly; not the one where you can loose weight
By mild I mean 50/50 max split of carbs to protein
Im sure others will probably disagree but this is my opinion
I assume you still go to the gym or at the very least do bodyweight exercises?
Can you not make a weeks worth of food and freeze it in them lunchbox type things that are microwaveable?
As for a supplement I would suggest a mild weight gainer. The reason being I'm guessing as you're not eating regularly or enough a weight gainer would get the essential carbs, good protein content and enough calories to keep you going and out of a calorie deficit. (Edit): I mean the one where your body tries to keep hold of any fat because you're not eating properly; not the one where you can loose weight
By mild I mean 50/50 max split of carbs to protein
Im sure others will probably disagree but this is my opinion
Edited by smiffy180 on Friday 24th May 21:23
smiffy180 said:
From the way I read it. No
I assume you still go to the gym or at the very least do bodyweight exercises?
Can you not make a weeks worth of food and freeze it in them lunchbox type things that are microwaveable?
As for a supplement I would suggest a mild weight gainer. The reason being I'm guessing as you're not eating regularly or enough a weight gainer would get the essential carbs, good protein content and enough calories to keep you going and out of a calorie deficit. (Edit): I mean the one where your body tries to keep hold of any fat because you're not eating properly; not the one where you can loose weight
By mild I mean 50/50 max split of carbs to protein
Im sure others will probably disagree but this is my opinion
In a word "no" with regards to the food for work, because there isnt a microwave in my car and it isnt always possible to return to my place of work to use the bait room.I assume you still go to the gym or at the very least do bodyweight exercises?
Can you not make a weeks worth of food and freeze it in them lunchbox type things that are microwaveable?
As for a supplement I would suggest a mild weight gainer. The reason being I'm guessing as you're not eating regularly or enough a weight gainer would get the essential carbs, good protein content and enough calories to keep you going and out of a calorie deficit. (Edit): I mean the one where your body tries to keep hold of any fat because you're not eating properly; not the one where you can loose weight
By mild I mean 50/50 max split of carbs to protein
Im sure others will probably disagree but this is my opinion
Edited by smiffy180 on Friday 24th May 21:23
Yes I still do the odd weights session but my motivation is lacking, i probably do cardio 6 days out of 7 but now i find it easier to go out and run 5 miles than to drag my backside to the gym. I need some motivation and focus
ED209 said:
In a word "no" with regards to the food for work, because there isnt a microwave in my car and it isnt always possible to return to my place of work to use the bait room.
Yes I still do the odd weights session but my motivation is lacking, i probably do cardio 6 days out of 7 but now i find it easier to go out and run 5 miles than to drag my backside to the gym. I need some motivation and focus
1) get a gym buddy - makes workouts way more funYes I still do the odd weights session but my motivation is lacking, i probably do cardio 6 days out of 7 but now i find it easier to go out and run 5 miles than to drag my backside to the gym. I need some motivation and focus
2) cardio IMO isn't the solution for trimming up - heavy weights = more calories burned = weight loss and muscle growth.
3) write down goals and achievements - keep a record of everything you do so next week you can match or beat it even it's one rep or a kg heavier.
4) something that while its not ideal is eat as much as possible prior to work - maybe something calorie dense too? Eg. Nuts are really good for this.
5) maybe buy a bodybuilders food bag/rucksack. They're tiny and can pack 6 meals or something daft - you could fill with protein bars etc. Also a chicken wrap is a healthy easy to make option where by you don't need a microwave unless you're fussy
6) wait for other opinions which are probably better than mine
Sounds to me like you've lost your motivation so my thoughts would be to figure out what motivated you to do weights before and if you know, reignite that motivation.
Maybe its a up and coming holiday or event or some other goal. I'm a big believer in understanding motivation and then constantly working on it because without motivation you're just attending at best and at worst not attending at all.
For me, I've got a plan of what I want to achieve and then I watch videos (youtube) and listen to music before I go, I also spend time reading on the subject and looking to see how I can improve which I do for pure motivation as much as I do it for the improvements.
I don't see a problem in using a supplement as a way to get motivation to achieve something, in fact it can be very useful if working hard with something that improves performance.
If you want to be super aggressive, make sure you understand the subject first as it comes with risks but look at prohormones.
Maybe its a up and coming holiday or event or some other goal. I'm a big believer in understanding motivation and then constantly working on it because without motivation you're just attending at best and at worst not attending at all.
For me, I've got a plan of what I want to achieve and then I watch videos (youtube) and listen to music before I go, I also spend time reading on the subject and looking to see how I can improve which I do for pure motivation as much as I do it for the improvements.
I don't see a problem in using a supplement as a way to get motivation to achieve something, in fact it can be very useful if working hard with something that improves performance.
If you want to be super aggressive, make sure you understand the subject first as it comes with risks but look at prohormones.
ED209 said:
Not interested in any hormone type stuff. I dont want to get massive or risk any serious health issues, just put a bit lean mussle on whilst still maintaining cardio fitness.
ordered me 5kg of hurricane xs from myprotein. will see how it goes.
Fair enough although no protein supplement will give you what you're seeking.ordered me 5kg of hurricane xs from myprotein. will see how it goes.
I'd encourage you to focus on diet and just train hard and then supplement with protein if required.
Pills and supplements will not magically give you a solid built and ripped physique
OP, you've answered your own question that it's training and nutrition. If it was that easy, wouldn't everyone be swanning around on holiday with a body that would make Hugh Jackman look fat?
Taking something in the hope to add (lean) mass on it's own is useless without lifting some iron/body/compound lifts plus good amounts of cardio.
OP, you've answered your own question that it's training and nutrition. If it was that easy, wouldn't everyone be swanning around on holiday with a body that would make Hugh Jackman look fat?
Taking something in the hope to add (lean) mass on it's own is useless without lifting some iron/body/compound lifts plus good amounts of cardio.
amare32 said:
Pills and supplements will not magically give you a solid built and ripped physique
OP, you've answered your own question that it's training and nutrition. If it was that easy, wouldn't everyone be swanning around on holiday with a body that would make Hugh Jackman look fat?
Taking something in the hope to add (lean) mass on it's own is useless without lifting some iron/body/compound lifts plus good amounts of cardio.
I know that, Im not Hugh Jackman, I dont have access to personal trainers, chefs, loads of money for my diet and the unstressed lifestyle.OP, you've answered your own question that it's training and nutrition. If it was that easy, wouldn't everyone be swanning around on holiday with a body that would make Hugh Jackman look fat?
Taking something in the hope to add (lean) mass on it's own is useless without lifting some iron/body/compound lifts plus good amounts of cardio.
I work full time, 24/7 shifts with a crap sleep pattern and little time to eat or prepare food.Its also difficult to get a training buddy as i exercise at odd times dependant on my shifts.
I know i wont get ripped and thats not my aim, I just want to get a bit more lean muscle. I will be shifting my exercise away from cardio a bit towards weights. I have however always exercised nearly every day so the motivation to exercise is there i have just found it hard to get motivated for the stop/start nature of weight training for a while, and its far easier for me to take the dog out for a 4-5 mile run with me as daily exercise than to go to the gym knowing the dog still need walking when i get home.
ED209 said:
I know that, Im not Hugh Jackman, I dont have access to personal trainers, chefs, loads of money for my diet and the unstressed lifestyle.
I work full time, 24/7 shifts with a crap sleep pattern and little time to eat or prepare food.Its also difficult to get a training buddy as i exercise at odd times dependant on my shifts.
I know i wont get ripped and thats not my aim, I just want to get a bit more lean muscle. I will be shifting my exercise away from cardio a bit towards weights. I have however always exercised nearly every day so the motivation to exercise is there i have just found it hard to get motivated for the stop/start nature of weight training for a while, and its far easier for me to take the dog out for a 4-5 mile run with me as daily exercise than to go to the gym knowing the dog still need walking when i get home.
Concentrating on the last bit, if you go for runs why not do every other lampost a press up one day and then a squat the other day. So you're implementing bodyweight exercises in and you can do cardio too. I admit you may look strange but it's your body and sacrifices have to be made I work full time, 24/7 shifts with a crap sleep pattern and little time to eat or prepare food.Its also difficult to get a training buddy as i exercise at odd times dependant on my shifts.
I know i wont get ripped and thats not my aim, I just want to get a bit more lean muscle. I will be shifting my exercise away from cardio a bit towards weights. I have however always exercised nearly every day so the motivation to exercise is there i have just found it hard to get motivated for the stop/start nature of weight training for a while, and its far easier for me to take the dog out for a 4-5 mile run with me as daily exercise than to go to the gym knowing the dog still need walking when i get home.
smiffy180 said:
Concentrating on the last bit, if you go for runs why not do every other lampost a press up one day and then a squat the other day. So you're implementing bodyweight exercises in and you can do cardio too. I admit you may look strange but it's your body and sacrifices have to be made
I do pressups fairly often, can maybe do about 60 off the belt. Its more weights i need to make the effort to do at the gym.Doing pressups when out with the hound would be a bad idea as he would alost certainly decide to lick my face mid exercise.
I think its my decision to set myself stupid targets for running over the last couple of years that has caused me to loose the muscle i had, for example last year I set myself a target of running the distance from John Ogroats to lands end over the year. I ended up running 920 miles over the year along with a good bit mountain biking and cycling. This year I toned it down a bit and made my targets to run 600 miles and cycle 600 miles. Already ran 305 miles and cycled about 290.
I suspect that level of cardio work is not good for trying to maintain or increase level of muscle. For example three years or so ago I could flat bench 127.5kg for 6 reps, now I can maybe only press 100kg for 6 reps. I also acknowledge my diet of quick and easy meals doesnt help for exaple at work I will often just eat a pack of noodles or some cous cous as there quick and easy to make. At home if the Mrs is at work I am also quite bad for just making easy stuff that takes minimum of effort. Nopt necessarily fatty stuff but not exactly highly nutritios either.
@ OP, are you sure your not burning yourself out. So many people loose interest or motivation when their over training or doing the same routines day in day out..if that's the case take it easier and try and put the enjoyment back in to it. You can still build a great body when enjoying it as well.
Topbox said:
Hurricane xs from my protein? I'm a fan.
Yes.I almost went crazy looking at different supplements. Theres so many of them.
I went for one without the hype in the end and more reasonably priced. About 60 quid for 5 kg. I had used my protein before and know they are a reputable company.
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