Supplements or Not to Supplement thats the biggest question?

Im switching up my routine in the gym for the past 2 months or so and I cant seem to gain any size. I eat everything I can put my teeth in and I still cant gain the size. I havent been using any supplements or proteins. I really didnt want to go that route but it seems like I've plateau. If there are any suggestions on what I should do to stay natural, without taking the proteins or supplements but continue to grow in size and overall definition, Im listening. I mainly would like to stay natural because I honestly dont know which supps or proteins to take to compete without being disqualified. I know that I will miss out on the Texas Comp. but Im still working hard for the one in Miami.

Tags: and, diet, gains, mass, nutrition, proteins, supplements, weight

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Permalink Reply by Kai on March 16, 2010 at 9:36pm

Great question Rommiean.

It's true, the supplement industry can get confusing sometimes. So many products, such misleading information.

Don't look at things like protein as negative. Protein is a "supplement". Meaning, it should be in your nutritional plan to "supplement" what you are already eating. You should be eating every 2 and a half hours and at least one or two of those meals will be a protein shake. Definitely following your workout you should be drinking a shake and having a carb source, such as a rice cake or even an apple and some almonds.

Truly, I would start there. A lot of men have the same issue, "I eat constantly and can't gain any size". Although it is not nutrition alone that is the deciding factor, it is a HUGE component.

Check out this thread and the link to the protein report at the bottom
http://www.therealspot.org/forum/topics/protein-so-many-options-why

Once you figure that out, I would re-examine your training routine/splits.

Definitely see what others have to say. I'm sure Jason will chime in on this one too :) I'd FOR SURE listen to him as he is THE expert :)

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Permalink Reply by Adam Laura on March 26, 2010 at 2:36pm

Other than protein powder, creatine monohydrate, and multivitamins, supplements are a waste of money. Every big guy I know has built their bodies with whole foods. Optimum Nutrition's protein powders are all good. The kind you get would depend on when you are taking it. Post workout would be their 100% whey gold standard, or their new platinum hydrowhey if you have the coin. If you're taking it throughout the day, then their pro complex would be a better bet. There isn't anything in their proteins that could disqualify you from natural competition. Healthy fats are also extremely important while trying to gain size. Fish oils are super cheap. Eat whole eggs as opposed to just the yolks. Overcoming a plateau can be mental as well. Right now, your mind is convinced that you are stagnant. Your mind is telling your body that your sets/reps/weight will be the same this week as they were last. Change your mindset...envision getting more reps than last week before actually performing the set. The mind muscle connection is stronger than most peope give it credit for.

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Permalink Reply by Marcos on March 28, 2010 at 2:03pm

I'm totally copy this to my notes lol. Wise Adam!

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Permalink Reply by Rommiean Marcell on March 26, 2010 at 5:17pm

Kia and Adam thanks for the advice. I recently purchased muscle milk and I dont know how its going to work but it does fill you up, well almost. But I have been eating more carbs and pushing heavier weight so I'll say about a month or so and I will def. see a difference.

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Permalink Reply by Marcos on March 28, 2010 at 2:02pm

Oh, I'm really thinking on buying supps. Though they're really expensive (cause I would have to import to Brazil) so they would get twice as expensive : (