Whey Protein question

[corteztk19]

Hey,
I recently started using Whey Protein as a supplement to gain more muscle from working out and to help curb breakdown. I'm 20 yr's old, weigh 150, and try to take 180 grams a day in 3 servings of 60 grams in milk spaced throughout the day. However, I was wondering if my body can use this all to make muscle? if not what happens to the extra? is it converted into fat? if so, do you have any alternatives or suggestions? I realized that I was getting a lot "wider around the abs, but I'm not sure if it's fat or muscle being built up under the fat. anything would help. Thanks.

[Kitara]

What does the rest of your diet look like? You usually can't just pick out one thing and say "that made me fat". Also, seems like you're relying a LOT on whey protein for your protein intake. The majority of your protein should come from real foods like tuna, chicken, egg whites, lf cottage cheese, etc. Whey protein should be taken after workouts because it's a quick absorbing protein. I've been told first thing in the morning is also good after fasting for 8 hours or so. But, at other times is up for debate. Real food it always a better suggestion over protein powder.

If you're trying to gain mass do a search on "bulking" or "bulking diet" and you'll get a wealth of information on what do do, what to eat, when, how, etc. You want to eat more calories than your maintenance calories, but they need to come from good foods, not junk food or you'll just gain fat.

Yes, you need protein to build muscles, but more whey protein will not, by itself, bulk you up. You need to lift heavy and eat clean.

[Jock]

Good advice Kitara.

[YellowJ]

Whey in excess cant really make you fat as casein or egg could. An excess of whey will be secreted via urine, others can go and be converted into glucose, where if not used, can store as fat. Kitara gave great advice, so I'll leave it at that. But whey protein is a fast absorbing protein, once a day, post workout is when it should be consumed, no other time, its in and out of your system in roughly 45 minutes so its not a good meal replacement.

[Plucas8916]

Tuna has like 1g of fat and 21g of protein.. Thats the best stuff right there. (1 can)

[corteztk19]

I did some searches on bulking diets, but couldn't really find any helpful stuff. got any Ideas? (when you bulk up, what is it that causes you to "bulk"? is it fat, muscle or the combo of working out wth more calories?) sorry, i'm new to this. Thanks

[cursor]

The only "bulking" that makes sense is muscle. Don't you agree?

In order to build muscle mass, you have to lift weights of sufficient intensity (and with regularity) that the muscles are forced to grow to meet the demands that you're placing upon them. In order for ANY growth to take place, however, you have to feed your body with both the proper volume and balance of nutrients. If you abbreviate its needs, optimal growth will simply not happen. On the other hand, if you pump more calories into your body than can be put to good use, your body will tend to save it for later (in the form of body fat).

Do currently have a workout routine? Do you already attempt to monitor what you eat? If so, what is your current plan?

[corteztk19]

I don't really have a workout program yet, still in the process of putting one together.I'm also getting a personal trainer this week to help with motivation and to help me to put together a weight program for my goals. I am looking to gain some serious mass in my arms, shoulders, and chest because they need it the most, then move on to incorporate my legs and abs into the workout. I've only recently started to put this whole thing together as a big plan so I don't really have a food plan set up yet, however, I take 3 protein shakes a day to get in enough protein. any suggestions that you think might help?

[Brewsky]

I have also just started taking whey protein shakes (100% whey protein brand). I am just taking 2 shakes a day right now, one in the morning/afternoon and another after workout. I think that works out to 44 grams. Is that enough of should I look to add another shake daily?

I am going to start keeping track of what I eat. However, my diet isn't the greatest and has quite a bit of variability from day to day. An example of my diet: breakfast-yogurt or pop-tarts, lunch-ham and cheese on wheat with mustard and chips and salsa or pretzels, snack-carrots /maybe another sandwhich, dinner-who knows/eat out alot

I am a college student with varying schedules every day and I can't cook very well, so I have a hard time eating good. But with a diet similar to the one above, should I consume three of those whey shakes?

[cursor]

You can adopt any number of attitudes when it comes to nutrition (as you can when designing—and then following through with—your exercise plan). If you don't take it very seriously, and don't want to mess with details, then your results will be less than optimal. If, on the other hand, you're interested in getting primo results, then it will require more preparation (and intensity) on your part.

What is your attitude—how much effort are you willing to give?

[Brewsky]

LoL Cursor. I don't mind at all putting in the time at the gym, but eating tuna and egg whites every meal isn't an option. But I am trying to eat better and smaller meals instead of large ones. But the question remains should I take 3 shakes or keep to 2 and just force down a can of tuna?

[Plucas8916]

I actually hated tuna, I cant stand fish at all (Except in my saltwater tank.. ha) But I cant eat them. And after a while I've just started liking tuna on toasted bread w/ Mayo.