Hey everyone On the same track as my exercise post, do any of you use vitamins or supplements? What kind of stuff do you like? Or what should people steer clear from?

I use (with more specifics below):
-protein powder
-creatine
-multivitamin
-fish oil
-glucosamine
-vegetable & fruit concentrate
-protein bars


I use “Muscle & Weight Gainer” Vanilla protein powder from the brand Precision Engineered, and mix it with some creatine (“Creatine Hardcore Powder”, also from Precision Engineered), and some ice cream (for extra calories). I’ve tried both vanilla and orange sherbet with delightful success. Tastes like a shake without any graininess.

I’ve tried many protein bars, and the absolute best (in my opinion) is the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough bars from Balance. They are small, delicious, and it’s a quick 15g of protein. But they can be a bit pricey. Gotta try and catch those on a sale.

I also take a multivitamin (“Ultra Man - Sport”), fish oil, glucosamine (although I’ve recently been told by my personal trainer friend that glucosamine is pointless and ineffective), and something new I’ve been trying out called “Pogo Super Fruits & Veggies”, which allegedly gives you the nutritional equivalent of five servings of vegetable and fruits per serving.


STAY AWAY FROM:
I briefly tried a supplement stack from Cellucor (sold at GNC) that is comprised of three products - "M5", "P6", and "R3". Stay as far away from this stuff as possible. I had a nasty reaction to it (specifically the P6 I believe), and returned it immediately.

Also avoid GNC like the plague. High pressure salesmen who don't know what they're talking about, rediculous prices, and horrible employees in general; I've had two bad experiences with them, and will never shop with them again.



So what kind of stuff has or hasn’t been working for you?

I'd like to chime in here- creatine can only be CYCLED, as in you do it for a period of weeks ONLY. It is not for every day use all year round. It is rough on the kidneys and that is why it is cycled ONLY.

I also must disagree about GNC. Just because you had two bad experiences, that is not enough proof to make a blanket statment about the entire company. I buy my supplements there and have for years. I find their prices excellent and competitive and while they might not be the best in the fitness industry, their products get the job done. When a product I need is not on sale, they are very generous with discounts on the spot. No pressure and very friendly at the one I shop at.

quote:

Originally posted by miss stone:
I'd like to chime in here- creatine can only be CYCLED, as in you do it for a period of weeks ONLY. It is not for every day use all year round. It is rough on the kidneys and that is why it is cycled ONLY.

Indeed. For anyone who is currently taking or is interested in taking creatine, please heed miss stone's words. And follow all instructions on the particular brand you're looking at.

Good post miss stone

Cheers.

One more thing too- I take Glucosamine and will continue to do so. It's for healthy joints for those of you not in the know. If you plan on lifting weights which ANYONE looking to get in shape should be doing, then it is a must.

I also steer away from fruit and veggie "substitutes". The same goes for intaking protein powder only instead of eating chicken, meat, fish etc.

There is a balance of the exact right amount of nutrients and vitamins that is found in each serve of food you eat. It's the way nature intended it.

There have been many studies shown to prove this.

The message is simple here, kids. Don't be lazy and pop a pill etc. Eat real food.

Here are some great links if ya feel like feeding your brain-

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/matt32.htm

http://whattoeatbook.com/2007/06/18/...s-supplements/

and one more-

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?t...=33#disctopics

To sum up-

"Unless you have been diagnosed with a vitamin or mineral deficiency and need to replenish that nutrient in a great big hurry, it is always better to get nutrients from foods—the way nature intended. I can think of three benefits of whole foods as compared to supplements:

(1) you get the full variety of nutrients—vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, etc–in that food, not just the one nutrient in the supplement;

(2) the amounts of the various nutrients are balanced so they don’t interfere with each other’s digestion, absorption, or metabolism; and

(3) there is no possibility of harm from taking nutrients from foods (OK. Polar bear liver is an exception; its level of vitamin A is toxic). In contrast, high doses of single nutrients not only fail to improve health but also can make things worse, as has been shown in some clinical trials of the effects of beta-carotene, vitamin E, and folic acid, for example, on heart disease or cancer. And foods taste a whole lot better, of course."


Not saying you don't eat veggies etc, Actorpat- just trying to inform.

quote:

Originally posted by miss stone:
Not saying you don't eat veggies etc, Actorpat- just trying to inform.

I really do need to eat more than I do. But my favorite are green beans, carrots, and edamame. Occasionally cucumbers. And salads are always good, as long as they have green in it and not just dressing.

Chicken is a huge portion of my diet, regardless of heath reasons or not. It's just delicious in all forms

Red meats are good too, but I eat it far less than chicken.

quote:

Originally posted by actorpat:

quote:

Originally posted by miss stone:
Not saying you don't eat veggies etc, Actorpat- just trying to inform.

I really do need to eat more than I do. But my favorite are green beans, carrots, and edamame. Occasionally cucumbers. And salads are always good, as long as they have green in it and not just dressing.

Chicken is a huge portion of my diet, regardless of heath reasons or not. It's just delicious in all forms

Red meats are good too, but I eat it far less than chicken.

Not too many carrots, though. There is more sugar than you think and it can cause an insulin spike.

Try baby spinach in salads. Been doing that lately. SO good for you.

And chicken- well, let's just say I should be grwoing feathers by now.

Tuna too- straight outta the can. Fat free milk, water, water, water.

Asparagus, broccoli, rib eye steak every few weeks and I eat minimal carbs. Tomatoes, cucumber, red or romaine lettuce, mushrooms.

I won't touch anything with hydrogenated vegetable oil or high fructose corn syrup.

Since I changed my lifestyle in May, I went from being a 4 Advil + a DAY headache sufferer, to being headache free. I believe now for a fact (and the PROOF is in the PUDDING), that there are a stupid amount of unnecessary and dangerous additives in most foods.

Eating CLEAN is how to stay healthy.

quote:

Originally posted by miss stone:

Try baby spinach in salads. Been doing that lately. SO good for you.

And delicious!

quote:

Tuna too- straight outta the can.

Forgot to mention that one; I eat it straight out of the can too Sometimes I'll throw it on some toast or mix it in a caserole, but it's an easy snack right out o' the can.

quote:

Since I changed my lifestyle in May, I went from being a 4 Advil + a DAY headache sufferer, to being headache free. I believe now for a fact (and the PROOF is in the PUDDING), that there are a stupid amount of unnecessary and dangerous additives in most foods.

That's awesome! Grats on no headaches I used to have them growing up a lot too, and I finally realized it was because I drank WAY too much soda. I switched to water only in 9th grade, and everything was better I'd say my fluid intake nowadays is 70% water, 20% milk, 10% juice, with soda being negligible.

It's amazing how diets affect our health.

It's just a great way to live.

But don't forget- once a week you can have that cheat meal!

Besides eating clean and taking an organic multivitamin, I supplement with soy protein, spirulina, calcium and iron supplements and - believe it or not - a table spoon of olive oil. I don't know why, but my body really doesn't like whey protein. Obviously, I'm not about bulking up right now, but I might have to try cycling creatine and some of those other supplements if I ever do. I used to date a guy who seemed to spend around half his paycheck on all that stuff ...

quote:

Originally posted by Fishgurl:
...and - believe it or not - a table spoon of olive oil.

I hear that's good for lowering bad cholesterol, while helping out good cholesterol.

quote:

Originally posted by Fishgurl:
I used to date a guy who seemed to spend around half his paycheck on all that stuff ...

Yeah, powders and supplements can get crazy expensive if you use a lot O_o Stay away from GNC - their prices are rediculous. I get my protein and a multivitamin from a place called "Vitamin World"; they have a good discount program (free to join), and every other month I get some great coupons (buy 1 get one free, or even $12.50 off anything). The other two vitamins I buy I just get at Ralph's.