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2003/04/12, 12:22 AM
Hiya,
Ive been perusing these forums and using the search feature in order to educate myself on the various supplements (ala stuff you can buy at GNC). However, I think I am more confused now than ever.
A little about my goals and history. My former experience as a soldier and bac ground in the medical field makes me no stranger to exercise and fitness; but, all that was 7 years ago and now I've gained roughly 40 lbs over my ideal weight and working an overnight schedule is making dieting tough- though ive managed to cut out most of the caffiene and sugar (read Soda lol). Ive started a regimen of exercise at the local gym starting small with some cardio on the bike and treadmill (about 30 minutes worth) and next week i'm going to begin a bit of split training using nautilus equipment and focusing on different muscle groups on different days.
So the primary goal is weight loss and muscle toning.
right now, nothign foreign enters my body other than food or water (and the occasional Wendy's...im not sure i can consider that food though).
What supplements do you suggest that I buy?
Ive been considering Hydroxycut- for weight loss, a Creatine Supplement- for muscle building, Cytomax- to help reduce soreness, and maybe a protien supplement of some sort to maximize the creatine.
I'm not expecting to be back to 6 pack abs next month or even 6 mos fro now. Is any or all of this worth it- I cant see through the hype? Im searching through articles and information on the web and doing the research. But I would like to hear what some of you might suggest.
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2003/04/12, 10:47 AM
I got some good results from Hydroxycut, but my diet was really clean and my program right on, so how do I know if it was the Hydroxycut? When I plateaued I did Lean-system 7. That is a product that I really felt worked and I did get some results, so if you are looking for some fat-burning help that is a good one.
Creatine will help if you are lifting really heavily, as it helps with energy resynthesis and muscle rcovery, whther you need it or not is up to you. but you don't ned one with lots or sugar - that has been dispelled.
I am not sure what cytomax is.. good nutrition and adequate rest should help with soreness (enjoy the soreness, it menas you worked out hard), though you may wany a glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM product to help yourjoints handle the stress, it has been proven with research to be useful in preventing cartilage damage.
Protein doesn't maximize creatine as far as I know, but I am not claiming total knowledge.
A good protein supplement/meal replacement will help you eat right with your bust schedule and avoid Wendy's.
Try eating right, resting enough and working out consistently before you start loading up (and emptying your wallet) on supplements, then try things a little at a time to see if they seem to make a difference.
There are cheaper places than GNC, check around your area, or if you aren't in a hurry, look online.
Good luck!
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Challenge + Consistency = Results
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2003/04/12, 11:19 AM
Right now I would opt for no supplements at all! Fix your diet, ditch the Wendys, and train hard on your new routine. Let your body reach its own "peak" so to speak, you will make great gains anyway in the beginning. After about a month or so when things level off a bit, then you may think about a fat loss supplement to aid you some. They are after all supplements to the diet. You don't meniton if you are male or female, but in either case, if fat loss is your main goal, then you may want to shy away from the creatine for a while. A good protein supplement to help you meet your protein needs is always welcome. Just some advice, remember, if you do supplements right away, how do you know if they even worked? Was it your normal work load and diet?? Or was it the supplements. Use the supps after you "plateau". Just my thoughts.
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The one goal you will NEVER achieve is the one you never attempt.
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2003/04/12, 12:59 PM
I wouldn't spend money on all that stuff at the beginning.
I would let the body adjust and re-act to your new training, and after about 4 weeks see where you are.
You will see changes and gains. At that point you decide which way your gonna go. If you find you can't feed yourself with good protein loaded food, then that would call for protein supplementation.
Save the creatine for later on.
I srtrongly recomend for beginners or experienced multi-vitamins, and vitamin c.
Hope this helps.
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We must become the change we want to see.
Ivan Montreal Canada
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2003/04/12, 01:12 PM
many thanks!
I will stick with these recomendations =).
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