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2004/04/06, 05:53 PM
This post is aimed mostly towards beginners who are considering supplements.
Most Beginners Don't Need Supplements - at least that is how it seems to me. I wont profess to be an expert, but I use myself as an example, first let me give you a little info
I am almost 19 now, and my whole life I had been below average weight, despite generally being above average in height (I finished out at 5 11). My weight before lifting was about 133 pounds.
Before the start of my senior year (02-03) in high school I decided I needed to gain weight because I was going to be the captain of the hockey team. I started lifting in July 2002, weighing as I said 133-135 pounds. By the time I started college (August 2003) I weighed 158-161 - an increase of over 25 pounds in barely a year.
And this was despite losing one month to mono, two months to wrist tendinitis (from hockey, not lifting) and two weeks after I had my wisdom teeth pulled:angry:.
I did it by lifting three times a week :dumbbell: - no exceptions (cept my off-week). I had to sacrifice of course - I spend a few weekends lifting rather than going out with my friends, and had to be picky when I went out to eat - but it was well worth it. I had spent so long working so hard and eating as healthy as I possibly could and it was extreamly rewarding to have put on such significant weight. I lead my team in scoring and when summer came around my friends, who had made fun of my work ethic before, were asking me for advice on how to bulk up fast. :big_smile:
My point though is this - in that time period i used ZERO supplements. I just worked hard and watched what I are and my weight shot up. Once I got to 160 I couldnt eat enough to gain any more weight - so I burned off some fat (which had gone from about 7% to about 11% - I got it back to 8-9%) and put on several more pounds of muscle. Now that I have maxed out what I can eating naturally I will start using suppliments when I resume lifting (once again...wrist tendinitis.
My point though is that people who are just starting out have a long way to go before they really need supplements - and in my opinion its better (not to mention cheaper) to just eat regular food as long as you can and still be putting on weight.
Anyhow, thats my two cents worth to people starting out who want to put on muscle but may be reluctant about suppliments for whatever reason.
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2004/04/06, 06:00 PM
Smart guy. Listen to what he says.
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If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.--- Desiderata, Max Ehrmann, 1927
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2004/04/06, 07:06 PM
so very true, i started lifting sophomore year in high school. i lost weight, put on muscle and got loads stronger simply by lifting and working my tail off. i didn't start taking supplements until roughly thanksgiving of my freshman year in college. the greatest gains are made when you first start, after about a year of lifting it begins to become very routine and you must work much harder for the gains. so anyone who is new should lift and work hard, supplement free and they will amaze themselves so much at what they can accomplish that they will learn to love the lifestyle.
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Get your weight up, kid
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2004/04/06, 09:46 PM
It could be argued that nobody needs supplements. For that matter, I've heard people insist that all that's needed is a multivitamin. Gains with supplements are simply faster than without. Granted, newbie gains are often quite fast as it is.
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2004/04/06, 09:51 PM
A good multi vitamin is a good basis. But there are some supplements that become a necesary evil. Since nutritional gaps are formed supplementation in the form of mrps or whey protein are in order. I think a more specific statement would be that pro hormones and what not are not needed.
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I am that
which must be feared, worshipped and adored. The world is mine
now and forever.No one holds command over me. No man. No god. I am a beast and that is enough.
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2004/04/07, 03:09 AM
Truth is, everyone wants a wonder pill; something to allow then to get fitter, leaner, and stronger. What’s more the results are needed now. As DMGetz said these results took him a while but results will come.
Training requires a lot of work, both mentally and physically and when everything tells of how this of that powder/pill is essential followed by a short garble of pseudo science it’s easy to believe it. There is a lot of money to be made in supplements that’s why there is the money to advertise them – your money.
My advice is if you don’t truly understand why you are taking something and it’s not been medically prescribed you should not be taking it. Once you cut through the advert 99% of the time you will realise you don’t need it – specifically if you are starting out.
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2004/04/07, 09:50 AM
I believe that you can make great gains without dietary supplementation, but you have to have the time and money to purchase and prepare the meals. That being said I also find it cheaper to use a protein powder than trying to get the same amount from whole foods. As a relative beginner to body building I do try to limit the amount of supplements I use and stick with protein and creatine. I try not to get caught up looking for the quick fix, personally I'd rather bust my ass than get something fast and easy. It all comes down to personal choice and hopefully that choice is based on sound research and education.
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2004/04/07, 02:53 PM
another thing to consider is that at age 19 and being male you are at the hiehgt of your testosterone production. Not everyone is at the same place, hormonally or metabolically.
Most beginners do not need supplements - but protein powders, mrp can make it a lot easier on a busy schedule to get enough protein. And some supplements can help accelerate the effects of a good eating plan and exercise routine.
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If you fall down seven times, get up eight.
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2004/04/08, 04:25 PM
I've wondered the same thing. Right now I'm using a multi-vitamin and Met-Rx, I'm going to start using creatine within the week. At this point I'd like to see some gains in rappid succession to get me up to my potential ability without all the supplements, my main goal is to be in good shape befor shipping off to basics. But I have wondered if this would really help me, or if it would be the same without it? I've been told and read that creatine can help with strength gains, not only temporarily but also can be kept after usage if you continue working out. Met-Rx is to help with the protein intake (I don't always get to eat as many times a day as suggested), but I do wonder sometimes is this going to have a negative effect if I stop taking it or if I use it for the long term. Just my 2 cents and thoughts.
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A determined mind is the best weapon in any situation, a strong body is the road to victory. G.R.C.
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2004/04/09, 08:05 PM
I use protein shake and MRP to meet my intake needs, not because I need them but because their cheaper and quicker than whole foods. I did however go without them for a month and made noticable gains without it.
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