is it neccessary?

[getaway]

is things such as nutrition supplements or protein drinks/powder really necessary for body building. Would just eating enough protein and nutrients in your food be enough?

[maverick]

yes

[getaway]

yes to which one

[maverick]

the 2nd one.

[Todd]

If you are able to prepare, eat and have at your disposal enough protein, carbs, etc every 2-3 hours, then hey go for it and eat just plain foods. Supplements like protein powders simply make things more convenient, and easier to get your daily requirements. The only time I'd say protein powder supplements are really better than solid food protein is during post-workout, because whey protein will get absorbed a lot quicker than solid food protein...and that is precisely what you want right after your workouts...the faster you get the protein into your muscles, the better.

Also, a lot of people don't have time to cook chicken breasts, steaks, ground beef, fish, or whatever other solid protein, for each meal of the day...so, having a protien shake here and there throughout the day provides quality nutrients to your muscles without much effort or preparation time.

But there are plenty of people out there who ingest solid food meals 100% of the time pretty much, then there are others who like their supplements as well. A structured diet comes first anyways, then you can add supplements to it, if you like.

Me personally, I have about 3-4 protein shakes per day along with my regular food meals. One with breakfast, one before workout, and one right after my workout as well. Sometimes I will have one other one as a part of my 3 hour post-workout feeding time slot. For me, it is just easier to shake up a protein shake in 30 secs than to grill or BBQ a gazillion chicken breast or whatever per day.

[getaway]

are creatine pills like steroids, any bad effects?

[threenorns]

no. creatine is a natural substance that is created in your muscle tissue.

steroids are hormones.

[cursor]

... hormones are natural ...

[threenorns]

lol - yeah, true: but do i really want to get into detail?

creatine is not a hormone; steroids are hormones.

steroids are illegal, creatine is not.

steroids can have serious side effects; creatine has, so far, not demonstrated any.

creatine is dirt cheap; steroids can be extremely expensive.

that's about the bottom line.

[getaway]

steroids are not illegal. =S only in olympic games etc. They can be purchased from any body building magazine

[.V.]

http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/cngrtest/ct031604.html

http://www.theorator.com/bills108/s2195.html

Afraid they are. Best leave them alone without a really valid reason and a prescription from a licensed physician.

Yes, hormones are natural. Anabolic steroids are imitation lab created hormones - not real ones.

There are also two kinds of steroids, corticosteriods (like decadron) are just anti-inflammatories (with kick ass side effects). Anabolic steroids are the ones more likely to be abused and misused tryint go get big. They both have their place in medicine. But neither one is completely safe and neither should be taken lightly. That is why a prescription is required for the use of either one. Usually they are supposed to be administered by a licensed medical professional. That is because most forms are injectable, not all - but most.

[getaway]

confusingi'm really confused. Those bottles in the muscle mags arent like creatine, because i doubt 12lb of muscles can be gained in

[.V.]

gataway, you are just starting out right?

Do it clean, do it natural, learn your way around the gym first.

Then after many years, once you have hit your maximum genetic potential, then consider thinking about steroids. Then think again.

The ads in the muscle magazines - that's what they are - ads. They want to sell you a product.

Taking creatine, steroids, tribbulus, androsteindione, or any other such thing is not going to turn you into Ronnie Coleman.

There are no short cuts. Just lift the weights, eat right, eat enough, get enough rest, get your cardio. If you do these things, you won't go wrong.

[getaway]

i havent just started out, i haf started out to do it properly, my old routine for 5 months wasnt building the muscle i should have been building and i know, im not thinking about steroids im just asking what are some supplements that assist in the growth of muscles

[threenorns]

furthermore, the bottles in the magazines are crap. if you read the ad VERY carefully - usually in the really tiny print, you see the word "placebo" or the sentence "results not typical".

"placebo" means no medicinal value whatsoever.

"results not typical" means the model didn't get that big by using the product advertised.

right now, you need the same thing i do: food, sleep, weight-training, and cardio.