A couple of questions.

[Master_sou]

Alright so i'm looking to lose weight and build mucsle. The problem is i don't really know where to begin. I watched alot of t.v. ( why i'm not in good shape) and saw alot of those diet pills on t.v. I know most of them don't work but there are enough of them out there that you figure some of them must be effective. I''m a chef at a hotel so eating a proper meal daily isn't usually an option. I'm usually tasting sauces and dishes and not eating regularly. I do go to the gym 3 times a week for about an hour though. My question is for a person to really make a change and burn carbs, lose weight and build muscle what is the best supplement out there that can help me acheive this. My friends mentioned a couple of products that added water to your system to help expand your muscles or something damn thing. I don't have tons of money so i'm not going to waste on useless crap. But i will buy a product if i'm told it's effective so please any input from you guyz/gals will greatly help me. I know the pinned thread had some stuff on supplements but i really wanted something updated.

[threenorns]

the supplement your friends told you about is probably creatine. it's not what you're looking for.

so far as i've been able to determine, the only truly effective OTC diet pill is an ECA stack - ephedrine, caffeine, and aspirin. it's DANGEROUS. if you have heart problems or blood pressure issues, this stuff can kill you.

i hate to break it to you, but the only way to really "make a change" is to get off your ass and do the cardio to burn fat, do the weights to build muscle, and eat properly. fine, you have to taste food as a chef - there's no law says you have to swallow.

[Master_sou]

So all the positive reviews of creatine are lies? Also you can't really truly taste a food unless you swallow it. You couldn't have 10 chef walking over to the garbage and spitting in it after tasting.

[Lady C]

I wouldn't say all the reviews are lies. You, as a beginner, will NOT benefit from it. Not until you have made a habit of going to the gym and are well on your way to reaching your ideal weight would you even need to consider creatine. BTW, creatine is also found in most meats, so eat a chicken breast.

[Maxgain]

The first place to begin is to decide whether to lose weight or build muscle. Only the blessed few can achieve both at once you will just end up frustrating yourself.

For fat loss as 3norns says eca is pobably the best otc supplement -in fact it would be better than precription fat loss drugs also I believe this is banned in most countries now. Caffeine can be very good on its own for fat loss increasing lipolysis and bmr at doses of 250mg plus. However such doses can cause aggitation increased heart rate and insomnia in people. Calcium can also increase fat loss.

I would wait before taking creatine. It can be excellent for muscle gain but you need to know what standard you are at how much you can lift and have your calorie requirements in order before benefiting from its effects.

Eliminate television from your life while you are trying to lose weight and build muscle. I believe you'll have greater success.

[Master_sou]

Did anyone hear me. I;m going to the gym 3 times a week for an hour each visit. I'm looking for an AID to help me achieve my goal faster.

Can't figure you out. You are going to the gym 3 times a week for an hour and you are not in good shape (your words, not mine).

Everyone hears you. It may be that you are not listening.

There's no magic pill that's going to give you what you want, a quick fix. You gotta add some intensity to your workout and watch what you put in your mouth. Works for me, I'm 50, so it will work for you.

[CF-OC_gal]

Try fitting in a cardio routine working up to 45 minutes on days you don't go to the gym. If that doesn't work do a second workout on days you go to the gym but make this one a cardio workout. It sounds like you need to kick start weight loss. if you can get to the gym regularly for 6 days a week then you can decide if you are having problems building muscle at the same time.

Eat real food and worry about supplements after you've run out of ideas on what to eat to support your program.

You are not going to achieve your goals faster by taking pills and taking it easy.

[Master_sou]

Rofl who has time to go to the gym 6 times a week. and i don't take it easy i go 3 times a week which is a decent effort i think on my part. Thanks for your guyz help.

[.V.]

Please post what you do on those 3 days. With more information, it may be possible to help you find a more effective workout plan that will give you faster results.

Quick results are possible, but controlling what you eat is very important. I understand as a chef, you have to do a good bit of tasting. I know you don't want to go to the gym 6 times a week either.

However, if what you are doing now isn't working, let's find something that will.

Post your workout and cardio routine and we'll go from there. And sorry, there isn't a "magic pill". The ECA stack referred to is ephedrine, caffeine, and aspirin. Effective as an appetite suppressant - not actually a real fat burner. It does have some thermogenic properties (raises your body temperature) which may help a little with fat burning, but mostly it just keeps you from being hungry. Some people are now using sudafed(pseudoephedrine) in place of the ephedrinem with similar results. Since putting food in your mouth is part of your job, and appetite suppresant isn't going to do it for you.

[CF-OC_gal]

You don't have to go to the gym for cardio. I often run at 8 or 9pm if that is the only time I can. A pair of runners and a road will do. I've even been known to use the stairs at home when the weather is bad. Also a good circuit training routine using body weight will sub as cardio.

Maybe Gearloose can give you suggestions of how to live as a chef and stay fit.
Pierini can help you with the cardio and bodyweight routines.

[Klinger]

Originally Posted by Master_sou

Rofl who has time to go to the gym 6 times a week. and i don't take it easy i go 3 times a week which is a decent effort i think on my part. Thanks for your guyz help.

Lots of people work out 6 days a week. They have job pressures, children and all other kinds of responsibilities, yet they make the time because they realize that fitness improves their quality of life. If you don't want to commit to that effort, that's OK, but don't expect to achieve your goals quickly by working out three hours a week.

[.V.]

Another benefit of going to the gym more frequently is that by going more often, you don't have to put in as much time each day. However, you can get into better shape and achieve good health by doing it 3 times a week.

When you post what you do, you will recieve several suggestions about how to make it more effective. Then just choose the ones that you think will be most beneficial to you and that you can live with. Then just do it.

[-AC-]

Originally Posted by Master_sou

Rofl who has time to go to the gym 6 times a week...

The same people who watch at least an hour of television everynight.

You need to make your mind up as to what is more important. Time spent in front of a glowing screen, or your health.