Lifting weights without protein shakes, creatine etc..
Discussion
Just curious really...It seems every I know that lifts weights has protein shakes and usually other supplements too.
I've prevusly been advised by a doctor not to go on a high protein diet. I've just started weight lifting and just wondered if anyone else lifts but doesn't have protein shakes?
Even if I could have protein shakes, I'm not sure I would. I'm curious to see what gains can be made without. I'm not going for the body builder look. Just a slightly toned look.
Would be curious to hear people's thoughts, especially those who have tried lifting with and without a ton of protein in their systems.
I've prevusly been advised by a doctor not to go on a high protein diet. I've just started weight lifting and just wondered if anyone else lifts but doesn't have protein shakes?
Even if I could have protein shakes, I'm not sure I would. I'm curious to see what gains can be made without. I'm not going for the body builder look. Just a slightly toned look.
Would be curious to hear people's thoughts, especially those who have tried lifting with and without a ton of protein in their systems.
You'll need to use a diary system eg MyFitnessPal to check you're getting enough protein. I eat a lot of chicken and it can get a bit boring but I equate this to having to stop at petrol stations (another boring task). I'm trying to eat about 150g of protein a day.
As Leokault says, you'll make decent "newbie gains" initially, anyway.
Why did your doctor recommend a high protein diet? Do you need to lose weight?
As Leokault says, you'll make decent "newbie gains" initially, anyway.
Why did your doctor recommend a high protein diet? Do you need to lose weight?
Hoofy, I think you mis-read slightly. I've been advised Not to go on a high protein diet due to being susceptible to kidney stones and having just the one (possibly damaged) kidney.I think there is a concern that my sole kidney would struggle to cope with a lot of protein.
I do however eat meat in 90% of my lunch and evening meals and that seems just fine - no problems with the kidney.
Co-incidently I have used myfitnesspal to get from 23% body fat to 13% where I'm at now though.
I do however eat meat in 90% of my lunch and evening meals and that seems just fine - no problems with the kidney.
Co-incidently I have used myfitnesspal to get from 23% body fat to 13% where I'm at now though.
Ooops! Speed kills, specifically speed reading. 
Ask your doctor to define "high protein". 50g? I read somewhere for a healthy person, 600g is the limit.
As for eating meat, the protein in meat varies so you need to use MFP to log it to ensure you hit your daily targets otherwise levels will slip. It's alarmingly easy to eat too little protein (for someone who is trying to build muscle).
Warning! Warning! I am not a doctor! <---
Ask your doctor to define "high protein". 50g? I read somewhere for a healthy person, 600g is the limit.
As for eating meat, the protein in meat varies so you need to use MFP to log it to ensure you hit your daily targets otherwise levels will slip. It's alarmingly easy to eat too little protein (for someone who is trying to build muscle).
Warning! Warning! I am not a doctor! <---
Edited by Hoofy on Sunday 21st July 11:45
Interestingly; a colleague of mine has had a kidney removed and is similar situation to you.
He decided to ask his doctor what a high protein diet was defined as and was told protein shakes etc are fine at a normal level.
Most recreational training people don't go near what would be considered a 'high protein diet' anyway.
Just listen to your body would be my advice and if you are concerned it may be worth seeing a sports dietitian.
He decided to ask his doctor what a high protein diet was defined as and was told protein shakes etc are fine at a normal level.
Most recreational training people don't go near what would be considered a 'high protein diet' anyway.
Just listen to your body would be my advice and if you are concerned it may be worth seeing a sports dietitian.
Jimbo NW said:
Interestingly; a colleague of mine has had a kidney removed and is similar situation to you.
He decided to ask his doctor what a high protein diet was defined as and was told protein shakes etc are fine at a normal level.
Most recreational training people don't go near what would be considered a 'high protein diet' anyway.
Just listen to your body would be my advice and if you are concerned it may be worth seeing a sports dietitian.
What's considered a normal level?He decided to ask his doctor what a high protein diet was defined as and was told protein shakes etc are fine at a normal level.
Most recreational training people don't go near what would be considered a 'high protein diet' anyway.
Just listen to your body would be my advice and if you are concerned it may be worth seeing a sports dietitian.
Thanks all, I will carry on without the protein shakes. Quite excited to see what difference there will be after maybe 6 weeks of 3x weight sessions a week. Also aiming to do 20 press ups every day outside of the gym.
Another point of controversy could be that I'm trying to add volume to my upper body with a calorie deficit. Will have to see how that one goes!
Another point of controversy could be that I'm trying to add volume to my upper body with a calorie deficit. Will have to see how that one goes!
goldblum said:
EB89 said:
I'm not going for the body builder look. Just a slightly toned look.
No supplementation of any kind required.I am currently 84kgs at 5' 7" and benching 110kgs or 40kg dumbells, dead lifting 160kgs(never been good with the dead lift) and squatting about 140 when I do, although I avoid training my legs very often as they are a bit disproportionate! I am probably fitter and healthier than I ever have been. All on a good diet with a reasonable amount of sleep, diet is courtesy of my wife who serves up a good balanced meal every day.
As other have said, My Fitness Pal is a great app and can make it so much easier to balance your diet than It ever has been. Watch your processed carbs, keep your meat sensibly lean and your the rest of your diet well balanced and you should see good gains very quickly.
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Desiato said:
This, I am 46 years old now and have been into weights since I started doing Olympic lifting at school when I was thirteen. I have never found the need to take protein shakes or anything else. A good balanced diet with plenty of the right food groups should be more than adequate unless you want to go super sized, either bodybuilding or weight lifting. During my mid twenties I peaked at about 97kgs with a 48" chest and lifting silly amounts on a five day training cycle.
I am currently 84kgs at 5' 7" and benching 110kgs or 40kg dumbells, dead lifting 160kgs(never been good with the dead lift) and squatting about 140 when I do, although I avoid training my legs very often as they are a bit disproportionate! I am probably fitter and healthier than I ever have been. All on a good diet with a reasonable amount of sleep, diet is courtesy of my wife who serves up a good balanced meal every day.
As other have said, My Fitness Pal is a great app and can make it so much easier to balance your diet than It ever has been. Watch your processed carbs, keep your meat sensibly lean and your the rest of your diet well balanced and you should see good gains very quickly.
.
Great post, well done.I am currently 84kgs at 5' 7" and benching 110kgs or 40kg dumbells, dead lifting 160kgs(never been good with the dead lift) and squatting about 140 when I do, although I avoid training my legs very often as they are a bit disproportionate! I am probably fitter and healthier than I ever have been. All on a good diet with a reasonable amount of sleep, diet is courtesy of my wife who serves up a good balanced meal every day.
As other have said, My Fitness Pal is a great app and can make it so much easier to balance your diet than It ever has been. Watch your processed carbs, keep your meat sensibly lean and your the rest of your diet well balanced and you should see good gains very quickly.
.
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