I have some questions and thoughts(Need feedback)

[TheMusician777]

Hello all,

I'm new here and I have some questions about weight loss, exercise, and building muscle. First off, I have been working out at the local YMCA now for about five months. My exercise routine consists of weight training M-F (MON-Arms; TUES-Shoulders; WED-Legs; THURS-Back; FRI-Chest) AND Cardio(MON-WED-FRI 40mins Eliptical)

My height is 5'7 and my weight is around 210lbs. To help aid my exercise schedule, I take several supplements including CLA, 3G of Acetyl-L-Carnitine per day, L-Glutamine before bed, and a protein shake after every workout. The protein shake has 24G of protein and is low carb.

My goals are to lose weight and add muscle, but I'm concerned because I don't know if I'm going about it the right way..

Questions:

1) Should I take a protein shake after each workout or not?

2) I pay over $120.00 a month for supplements, but are they really worth it?

3) Can certain foods help the fat burning process?

4) Is there a difference between fat loss and weight loss?

5) Finally, should my diet be low carb?


I'm very interested in your feedback and the things that have helped you burn fat and build muscle.

Thanks,

Nathan

 

[KaraCooks]

Nathan - welcome to the site.

Honestly it looks to me like you've taken a bunch of random information you've found in magazines or on the Internet and sort of cobbled it together into a mishmash of ... I'm not sure what. Rumor, bro-science, and ... stuff.

First of all, as far as the weight lifting part goes, please read the sticky post in the exercise forum titled The Conceptual Side of Weight Lifting. Read the whole thing and really understand it. I think you'll get a lot out of what Steve has to say. (And in fact, read all of Steve's posts in the exercise area of the forum - there's a lot of good information there).

To answer your specific questions:

1) Should I take a protein shake after each workout or not?

Protein shakes are just a tool in the toolbox. Do you need the additional protein? Is it easier and faster to suck down a protein shake? Is it more convenient? Then sure. Why not. Otherwise, if you're getting sufficient protein from other sources, it's not necessary. There is nothing magic about protein shakes - post workout or any other time.

2) I pay over $120.00 a month for supplements, but are they really worth it?

No. Complete and total waste of money, IMO. Eat real food.

3) Can certain foods help the fat burning process?

Nope. Some foods (spicy foods, etc.) do have a higher thermic effect than others. But in the grand scheme of things you're talking about a fraction of a percent. Don't put your faith in "fat burning foods" because they simply don't exist.

4) Is there a difference between fat loss and weight loss?

Absolutely there is. Losing weight is achievable by simply reducing calories - eating less than you burn. But when you lose weight you are losing fat and lean muscle mass. When you make sure to eat healthily, get sufficient protein, and exercise properly (which means a combination of weight/strength training and cardio), you can skew the proportion of loss more towards fat and less towards lean muscle.

5) Finally, should my diet be low carb?

Why? What's magic about "low carb"? (Hint: Nothing. Healthy carbs are a part of a healthy and balanced diet.)