Supplement recommendations

[BookerNoe]

Hey, first time poster so go easy!!

I've started to get more and more into my exercise/physical activity and realise the even though I have a healthy diet, I find myself getting a little worn out...which has made me think supplements could be the way to go.

First of all my goals: To tone up, remove body fat and not gain too much mass. Improve my fitness and endurance.

What I do: Gym 3 times a week, small amount of cardio before and after. Mountain biking 2 times a week (up to 5 times a week during summer).

I've been looking at buying Horleys Ripped Factors, but after reading a couple of reviews, maybe its not the best option. I'm after something with a good protein percentage and also has fat burning boosters as well.

Also considering some sort of creatine supplement, to help me get the extra out of my gym routine and mountain biking, but I don't know where to start with these.

Any help and comments much appreciated! Cheers :think:

[Chemo]

Yo

Good on ya for getting into your fitness.

My first protein powder was Ripped Factors! I thought it was the shit! but fk 200 dollars?! Never again lol. Its a great protein supp and if was wealthy I'd buy it for sure, but as it stands I couldn't justify Ripped Factor as a sustainable supp, its way too expensive.

After 2 years of buying the stuff i think my fav is Myofusion

http://www.shotgunsupplements.co.nz/sho ... .27kg.html

-Its not a pure Isolate formula (I don't know if this is good or bad, i take BCAA's so good for myself), but it makes up for it with many types of protein that absorb at different rates.

-Its low fat and carb. Safe for restricting calories, and when you need to just add some glucose/simple carbs for your post workout shake.

-It has some minor added vitamins, CLA (used for fat loss)

-Its only 110 dollars for a 2.25 kg, almost half of horleys.

-Tastes great

As for fat loss, theres always coffee as a cheap alternative. However if you wanna get some fat burners, I'd recommend L-Carnitine or a fat burning pill including L-Carnitine. Make sure your diet is tight though, the simple idea behind fat loss/weight loss is that you want to be eating less calories than what you put out, keeping your protein high will stop the loss of muscle. Fat burners are just an aid, and with that be careful with them if you are feeling worn out.

Creatine isnt really used for weight loss, in fact its long been used as a mass building supplement. That being said creatine can be used for fat loss, and is generally an all round beneficial substance.

http://www.creatinemonohydrate.net/

check it out man its quite amazing, ill let you decide whether you want to use it, if you do make sure you get creatine monohydrate, and have some glucose ready as it transports the creatine into your body more efficiently than having it without, and don't forget to drink heaps of water!

[BookerNoe]

Sweet, cheers for the awesome response! :grin:

I've always wondered about the price of the Horleys products compared to others. I have a couple of bodybuilding mates and they always say that you're mainly paying for the brand. I might consider getting some of the stuff that you posted.

As for the creatine, I am quite keen to try it out as I really do suffer from a lack of energy during my workouts (and even more so during my cardio/mountain biking).

Does the price of the L-Carnitine reflect the quality of the product? I am a little hesitant about taking things like this over the long run.

Thanks for your help so far!

[Hennie]

Hey, first time poster so go easy!!

I've started to get more and more into my exercise/physical activity and realise the even though I have a healthy diet, I find myself getting a little worn out...which has made me think supplements could be the way to go.

First of all my goals: To tone up, remove body fat and not gain too much mass. Improve my fitness and endurance.

What I do: Gym 3 times a week, small amount of cardio before and after. Mountain biking 2 times a week (up to 5 times a week during summer).

I've been looking at buying Horleys Ripped Factors, but after reading a couple of reviews, maybe its not the best option. I'm after something with a good protein percentage and also has fat burning boosters as well.

Also considering some sort of creatine supplement, to help me get the extra out of my gym routine and mountain biking, but I don't know where to start with these.

Any help and comments much appreciated! Cheers :think:

What is a healthy diet in your opinion, keep in mind a supplement is exactly what the word says, you will be better off eating 100 Grams of chicken breast or 6 egg whites, tell us more about your diet and we could help you more, this is maybe not what you want to hear cause everyone's first question is, "what supplement should I take", there have been guys here that eat "Cookie Time" 4 times a day and say they wan't to add a protien shake so they can get results.

[diamond]

LOL, those cookie time cookies are hard to resist

[BookerNoe]

What is a healthy diet in your opinion, keep in mind a supplement is exactly what the word says, you will be better off eating 100 Grams of chicken breast or 6 egg whites, tell us more about your diet and we could help you more, this is maybe not what you want to hear cause everyone's first question is, "what supplement should I take", there have been guys here that eat "Cookie Time" 4 times a day and say they wan't to add a protien shake so they can get results.

You do have a good point, I have always looked at them as "supplements"...not something that is a wonder food but something to help supplement what I lack in my diet.

My diet generally consists of a bowl of cereal for breakfast (cornflakes with no sugar).

Around 10.15am I have a piece of fruit (generally an apple) and a black coffee...both I've heard are good hunger suppressors?

Lunch time can very between leftover dinners, toasted sandwiches (with includes cheese, tomato, onion, and some canned chicken), or a salad with some canned chicken.

Afternoon another piece of fruit and a muesli bar.

Dinners, I don't eat much red meat but each a bit of chicken. Chicken tonight on rice is a common one, quite often have fish/salad/cous cous, chicken/pasta etc.

I guess I shouldn't have used the word "healthy" as such, more "careful" I guess. I try and avoid overly fatty foods and takeaways as much guts don't normally like me eating them.

[Flex]

You do have a good point, I have always looked at them as "supplements"...not something that is a wonder food but something to help supplement what I lack in my diet.

My diet generally consists of a bowl of cereal for breakfast (cornflakes with no sugar).

Around 10.15am I have a piece of fruit (generally an apple) and a black coffee...both I've heard are good hunger suppressors?

Lunch time can very between leftover dinners, toasted sandwiches (with includes cheese, tomato, onion, and some canned chicken), or a salad with some canned chicken.

Afternoon another piece of fruit and a muesli bar.

Dinners, I don't eat much red meat but each a bit of chicken. Chicken tonight on rice is a common one, quite often have fish/salad/cous cous, chicken/pasta etc.

I guess I shouldn't have used the word "healthy" as such, more "careful" I guess. I try and avoid overly fatty foods and takeaways as much guts don't normally like me eating them.

Mate you don't need hunger suppressors unless your following some sort of low carb or keto diet. Food is good for you as long as you eat the right food.

Cornflakes with no sugar? - cornflakes are about as good as table sugar so they're as bad as each other. Oats are your best friend for breakfast. And protein. You need protein with each meal - not just lunch and dinner. And how much canned chicken are you eating? Personally I'm not a big fan of canned chicken offcuts from the factory floor in china.

And I'm not sure those chicken tonight things are particularly low in fat. Not that fat's a bad thing so if you are going to eat something with fat in it you may as well make it good fats - olive oil, avocado's, almonds, seeds etc

With that much exercise you really only need to eat better, more often - more protein, less convenience foods (eg chicken tonight/toasted sandwiches/cornflakes), and the fat should fall off. All you need is a good basic whey protein. Clean your diet up and follow a good diet for 3-6 months before looking at fat burners.

Ripped Factors is pooh unless you're on a low carb diet, or strict as all shit with your diet and training. The l-carnitine in it is completely redundant as it's at too low a level to really do much for you except make it more expensive. And then it's got 100mg of caffeine per serve which is no good at night. WPI's are not necessary at your level or with your diet. WPC or a blend of WPC and WPI will be fine.

Protein powders with added fat burners are just an expensive way of getting a whole lot of underdosed ingredients that you didn't need in the first place.

[PeterDolan]

I'm with Flex on this. Personally I'd clean up my diet first, let that take it's course for at least 6 weeks then add in supp's. L-Carnitine, thermo's (if not sensitive to stimulants), which would mean you should go cold turkey on caffeine until you take them so that you get the full benefit of them, CLA's and other omega's (fish and evening primrose). Also, more important than ANYTHING ELSE are multivitamins and fibre supplements!

The biggest thing is to remove the crap, if your liver is constantly 'cleansing' the body it doesn't give enough attention to fat metabolism

[BookerNoe]

I like your style Flex...straight to the point!

Once I've run out of cornies I'll start up with the porridge/rolled oats. What can I have as protein for breakfast? A shake?

The biggest problem with me for changing my diet is a lack of ideas for what to have. Breakfast - oats, easy as to change. But what sort of meals can I have for lunch and dinner?

I do quite like the taste of the canned chicken, I try not to think that it is all the shitty bits but I just don't have time to cook up chick every night.

[Monarchking]

Hi man

I just don't have time to cook up chick every night.

Ive been pretty lazy the last couple days. So ive been banging stuff in the slow cooker over night. Silver side, leg of lamb etc. and by the morning the kitchen is smelling good and your daily protien is already prepared!

[teamfatboy]

I'm with Flex...

Buy a George Foreman Grill or a Breville Healthsmart Grill, do chicken breast in batches - properly cooked and stored in the fridge covered, it's good for several days.

Then there's tuna - the chicken of the sea. Tuna in water, not oil. Learn to love it!

Steak - you mentioned you're not a big red-meat fan, but it's a decision between food you like, and fuel for growing and getting lean.....

Watch the overall sugar over the course of a day... doesn't take much in things like muesli bars for it to add up to a waistline killer.

Have to say I'm not a fan of thermo caps... I'd leave them until you've already lost the easy weight and it's down to the stubborn stuff. Clean up the diet with real food first and you'll be surprised at what you can do without mystery 'science in a bottle'.

[Chillicat]

I like your style Flex...straight to the point!

Once I've run out of cornies I'll start up with the porridge/rolled oats. What can I have as protein for breakfast? A shake?

For protein with breakfast my personal favourite is to add a scoop of protein powder to my oats. Oats can be a bit bland on their own unless you add something like cinnamon, but I've tried a bunch of different protein powder flavours and love them all with my oats - favourite right now is Optimum Nutrition Chocolate Coconut with my oats - heaven!

[TonganTerror]

For protein with breakfast my personal favourite is to add a scoop of protein powder to my oats. Oats can be a bit bland on their own unless you add something like cinnamon, but I've tried a bunch of different protein powder flavours and love them all with my oats - favourite right now is Optimum Nutrition Chocolate Coconut with my oats - heaven!

hell yeah chillicat scoop of super quad double choc into two cups of oats, milk, microwave 3min whole can of fruit in and wallah heaven in a plate!

[BookerNoe]

For protein with breakfast my personal favourite is to add a scoop of protein powder to my oats. Oats can be a bit bland on their own unless you add something like cinnamon, but I've tried a bunch of different protein powder flavours and love them all with my oats - favourite right now is Optimum Nutrition Chocolate Coconut with my oats - heaven!

hell yeah chillicat scoop of super quad double choc into two cups of oats, milk, microwave 3min whole can of fruit in and wallah heaven in a plate!

Don't quite think I could stomach all that first thing in the morning!!

Thanks heaps for the suggestions! Breakfast from now on will be Oats + a scoop of protein powder.

I might post up another thread for "Diet Recommendations" eventually.

[Chemo]

Scifits coconut creme+mango, mix that in some oats and drooooool <3 protien powders

[rimma]

hell yeah chillicat scoop of super quad double choc into two cups of oats, milk, microwave 3min whole can of fruit in and wallah heaven in a plate!

Lol solid-ass breakfast TT!

But yeah I mix protein powder in with my (one cup) oats and whole fat milk for brekkie, slice a a banana and chuck some yoghurt on top.

Sure beats a bowl of ricies or cornflakes :grin:

[Gym rat]

For breakfast have cup of cooked oats with a egg,1tsp of flaxseed,banana,200ml of yoghurt and protein shakes plus it sure beats having any ceral that is out there ie corn flaxes etc.In the way of supplements it depends what you can afford to buy like balance they are good brand to use plus there supplements are not to expensive to buy.