Have you noticed at the gym, or in sports magazines adverts, they display a various array of protein powders, tablet and bars with beautifully toned and muscled men and women? They appear to be an important part of any gym goer’s diet if you want to get that perfect body. Maybe you wouldn’t dare have anything more than an isotonic drink for fear of buying the wrong thing or have bought every single powder and tonic going.
These supplements are fantastic in terms of providing that energy boost or to aid muscle recovery. However, for the average dieter or gym goer, in taking large volumes of these are not necessary as they actually may contribute to weight gain.
Carbohydrate bars are eaten with the intention of obtaining that initial burst of energy, and yes, I have been known to eat one in bed before getting out for a super hard morning gym session as that guarana boost doesn’t take many minutes to kick in. However, an intense workout is required to ensure that you have burned the calories consumed and of course fat. A sedate half an hour on the exercise bike is not going to cut it. Intense cardio and resistance training for over an hour where you feel your heart rate work at over 80% will work wonders for losing that weight, so a little cereal bar like that is negligible.
The same goes for protein shakes where you add milk to a powder and have that after your work out? You’re looking at approximately 100 calories per scoop of protein powder PLUS milk – whole or semi skimmed? That workout is beginning to look a bit pointless now…
I believe now and again as an occasional boost or as a quick substitute that these supplements are an easy and convenient way of getting the nutrition you need, but these supplements are intended for athletes and the hard core exercisers. Ideally, you need to get your nutrition to run your body from the food you eat. I think for the average dieter, it’s easy to think of a protein shake as a quick fix to a ripped physique, but there are more considered ways of doing it.
Amelia
Have you noticed at the gym, or in sports magazines adverts, they display a various array of protein powders, tablets and bars with beautifully toned and muscled men and women? They appear to be an important part of any gym goer’s diet if you want to get that perfect body. Maybe you wouldn’t dare have anything more than an isotonic drink for fear of buying the wrong thing or have bought every single powder and tonic going.
These supplements are fantastic in terms of providing that energy boost or to aid muscle recovery. However, for the average dieter or gym goer, in taking large volumes of these are not necessary as they actually may contribute to weight gain.
Carbohydrate bars are eaten with the intention of obtaining that initial burst of energy, and yes, I have been known to eat one in bed before getting out for a super hard morning gym session as that guarana boost doesn’t take many minutes to kick in. However, an intense workout is required to ensure that you have burned the calories consumed and of course fat. A sedate half an hour on the exercise bike is not going to cut it. Intense cardio and resistance training for over an hour where you feel your heart rate work at over 80% will work wonders for losing that weight, so a little cereal bar like that is negligible.
Will you really burn this off to see the benefits?
The same goes for protein shakes where you add milk to a powder and have that after your work out? You’re looking at approximately 100 calories per scoop of protein powder PLUS milk – whole or semi skimmed? That workout is beginning to look a bit pointless now…
I believe now and again as an occasional boost or as a quick substitute that these supplements are an easy and convenient way of getting the nutrition you need, but these supplements are intended for athletes and the hard core exercisers. Ideally, you need to get your nutrition to run your body from the food you eat. I think for the average dieter, it’s easy to think of a protein shake as a quick fix to a ripped physique, but there are more considered ways of doing it.
Total Chunk Tip – be wary when looking at protein supplements. These are intended for athletes so may be more calories for energy that you need
