Supplements for Beginners?

OneMan · April 5th, 2009, 11:27 AM

Hi guys, first post, just found this forum yesterday, and boy does if have LOADS of information!

Anyhow, I had a couple questions about taking supplements, I'm a hard gainer, and I've been looking into "Whey Protein" and basically "Protein Powders", but I don't know which is the best, I have no experience in bodybuilding/gaining weight whatsoever. Here are my "stats" I guess you could say.

Age: 16 (almost 17)
Height: 5'9"
Weight (don't laugh): 120
Gender: Male

I recently started weightlifting, but nutrition is IMPORTANT! and I have no idea how to gain weight (I naturally have a high metabolism), all my buddies keep suggesting "Protein Shakes with Whey Protein", but I don't know what to buy, or if its safe. So please help me out guys, I really want to gain weight, for my age/height I'm WAAAAY UNDERWEIGHT! Whey Protein seems like the only way to go.

**tooncesthecat** · April 5th, 2009, 11:38 AM

Well, you probably do have room on your frame for additional muscle. Most important is EATING the right foods, and lots of them. Now you're 16 so I am not sure how committed you are to following a super strict diet, but you should take in most of your nutrients via food vs supplements. Eat lots of protein, prob 150 grams or so for your body weight (chicken, steak, fish, and some protein powder). Eat lots of good carbs like oatmeal, brown rice, cream of wheat, as many veggies as you can eat, some pasta, etc. Eat GOOD fats like those found in salmon, fish oil supplements, flax seed oils (you can add this stuff to oatmeal or other things you eat). I am taking something called Udo's Oil which doesn't taste like crap like the fish oils do. Google it and check it out. You will prob have to buy it online or at a healthfood store.

You should post your current workout routine and diet if you want me or others to give you more specific advice

**pliny_2001** · April 5th, 2009, 11:39 AM

Ignore your friends. Eat more food.

Make every meal larger. Add in an extra meal.

**tooncesthecat** · April 5th, 2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pliny_2001

Ignore your friends. Eat more food.

Make every meal larger. Add in an extra meal.

Yeah, I forgot to mention this...credit to pliny

I would recommend eating up to 6 or 7 meals each day. Eat like every 2-3 hours and include protein, good fats, and carbs in each meal. Watch yourself in the mirror...don't get really fat. A bit of extra fat is fine. If you're getting too fat, maybe cut out a meal (do 5-6 instead). If you are not putting on weight, eat more at each meal.

BTW, none of this applies unless you do weight training...

**torofuerte** · April 5th, 2009, 01:53 PM

OneMan, if your school has a weight training, powerlifting or wrestling team, join them.

Also, you are 16, you don't need supplements. At least you don't need them until you have made sure you are eating plenty of greens, whole grains and meat/fish/poultry and dairy products to your heart's content.

A supplement is just that, a supplement, not a replacement for good food. And adding a supplement on top of a deficient/shitty diet makes no sense at all.

ssobbom101 · April 23rd, 2009, 06:00 PM

Hopefully I am doing posting this in the right place. It's been a while since i've been to the forums. I am 32, 5'8" weighing around 205 (mainly fat). 3 weeks ago I started on a calorie counting diet taking in 1,934 calories per day. Started doing push ups and recently dumbell work with 20lbs weights, run walking about 1.3 miles six days a week. I am trying my best to lose my fat and gain muscle t. I've always wanted this but never had the discipline to build the body I want. I do now. Next week should be my first week at the gym are there any supplements I need or should be taking. All help with all aspects would be greatly appreciated

**tooncesthecat** · April 23rd, 2009, 07:54 PM

A good multi vitamin is always a nice supp for anyone. To help with fat loss you could look at chromium picolinate. Additional supps depend on the diet you are adhering to. Counting cals is only one part...post up the actual types of foods you are eating. You can also track your foods at fitday.com to see how many cals you are getting from fats, carbs and proteins.

shootg32 · April 24th, 2009, 03:28 PM

**I AGREE WITH THE OTHER FELLAS, FIRST EAT FOOD, FOOD, FOOD. YOUR YOUNG SO LET YOUR BODY DO ITS THING***

With today’s chemically enhanced food products from meats down to the veggies it is without a doubt harder for our bodies to stay that perfect oiled machine we all want it to be! Our bodies try its best to suck up the minerals and vitamins and protein from each meal but I don't think today’s meals truly satisfy our engine!! We all put in hard days of work and working out so the toll from that each day adds up fast and hard!
Needed to say that cause I believe in Eating first but I add in what the food is lacking to my engine!!

Basic Work-out supplements to have on hand for each day for me is following:
Whey Protein (Dymatize Elite whey protein is great!!)
Liquid Creatine
Fiber
Acidophillis (Promotes Digestive Health)
Milk Thistle or Drink all natural Lemon Juice it's great for the liver!!!
Fish Oil
Vitamin C
Multi vitamin
Minerals
Drink Tea (not the sugar down stuff) Tea bags in hot water!!
Drink h20
Glutamine
Glucosamine
Sounds like it may have a high price tag but it doesn't at all compared to how long the supps will last and benefit the user! SO like always keys are DIET, DIET, weights, Cardio, DIET!!!

kereen · May 7th, 2009, 01:25 AM

You need to eat larger meals with lots of protein and good carbs. You can make protein shakes and also take a multivitamin. Continue with the weight lifting.

**Mr. Stone** · May 28th, 2009, 03:13 PM

Lot's of good info on here. It's always good to see the regulars giving out the truth!

**IMFREAKZILLA** · May 28th, 2009, 04:39 PM

you don't need supps, just a healthy intake ,when its all said and done 'basically you are
what you eat,proteins,carbs etc,you have tons of room to grow on your own.

**ImageDynamix** · July 2nd, 2009, 07:14 PM

Let's see:

To get BIG, you need to KISS (the acronym, not activity :P ):

Lift BIG
Eat BIG
Drink BIG (water)
Sleep BIG
and EAT BIG

Supplements are good because they're in powder form, which can be broken down faster by your body as opposed to whole foods. This is especially true for whey protein, which is good for immediate ingesting post-workout.

Then again, supplements are expensive when compared to whole foods. ... That said, they can taste REALLY good and are a good alternative to sweets

msid17 · July 31st, 2009, 05:35 AM

The "Ideal" Supplement Routine
I use the word ideal here because a supplement program involves
many variables. Factors such as timing, cycling, and absorption can affect
the potency of your supplements. Its important to remember you can't have
everything perfect all the time, but the closer you get to that level, the more
effective your supplement program will be. Your goals will dictate what kind of supplement system you want to be on at a given time. If you are in a muscle building phase, you will want to structure your supplement program so it reflects this. If you want to get
down to 5% body fat, you are going to follow a completely different routine.