Supplements

[Greg Woody]

Looks like there hasn't been any new topics in a while so i figure I might see what i can come up with. I'm curious, what kind of supplement plan is everyone on? I personally take a multivitmin, Protien shakes, creatine, glutamine, flaxseed pills and CLA. Anyone else had a list of their magic pills and powders?

[Sand33p]

I take:

Morning smoothie:Blend of -  Blueberries, Goji Berries, Macca Powder, Cacoa Powder, E3live, Greens for life, 0.5pint of alkaline water.

Supplement: Vitalzym

Snacks: Promax protein bars

Pre-workout Juice: Asparagus stalks, Brocerlly stalks, red cabbage, cellery, cucumber, apple, ginger

Post-workout shake: Recovermax

[Paul]

Sand33p, that morning smoothie and pre-workout drink sure look good!  Thanks for the tip, I'll try it. 

Do you use RecoverMax for strength and cardio training recovery? 

Here's my drill, embarrassingly basic with the usual suspects like multi vitamins and Glucosoamine.  Before a strength training workout I'll grab an apple and a bannana and then either a full or half MetRX protein shake afterwards depending on how hard I worked out and how long before dinner.   

For hard cycling or swimming days I pre-hydrate - about a quart of water during the hour before I start training along with a bannana or two.  The longer and hotter the ride the more I'll drink in advance.  Post ride I'll have a protein shake but still looking for that magical recovery potion.

Other than that I've found the best training aid is more sleep and lots of water.  Anyone else please jump in because as they say, more training mistakes are made in the kitchen than in the gym.

 

[Sand33p]

Hi Paul,

"Do you use RecoverMax for strength and cardio training recovery?  "

This is the first month I've been using it, and I use it straight after my strength and Cardio session (before I hit the shower!), not sure how effective it is, but will be trying Maximuscles ProMax product next. I just want an overall product.

I might switch the promax bars to the promax diet version.

I'd give juicing a go pre-work out, I get a real buzz from that stuff and its all natural and good!

The morning smoothies are great and easy to do in a blender.

A lot of the Smoothie and juicing info I got was from a great book called: Aggressive Health by Mike Nash (would highly recommend this to all!)

[Paul]

Hey Sand33 thanks for the detailed juicing info and book referral. 

I have a juiceman floating around so I'll dig it out, put it on the kitchen counter and try your pre-workout routine.  I'm guessing juice digests faster than solid form of the fruit?  I'll give it a shot and report back.   

So far my only recovery drink is a MetRX shake but I'll give Recover Max a try.  A buddy is an ultra marathoner so I'll ask her for some recommendations on recovery brews and let everyone know what I find out.

Anyone try a supplement called Sport Legs?  Supposed to be good for endurance and lactic acid dissipation.  The advertise heavily in teh bike mags.

Thanks for checking in and keeping us all informed! 

[Paul]

Promised I'd report back on magic potions for training and recovery so here goes. 

Based on a recommendation from a serious pro friend who does 100 mile ultramarathons I've been using 1st Nutrition EFS as a sports drink during my hard training rides and their Ultragen recovery drink right afterwards.  This stuff works miracles!  I've knocked significant time off my personal bests for several routes but most important is that I don't bonk and don't require 2 days to recover after an all out effort.

Looks like the EFS has about 5 times the potassium and sodium as Gatorade plus all sorts of amino acid hocus pocus so I really notice it in my legs mid ride and the last few miles.  Virtually no bonk, minimal lactic acid burn, and when combined with Ultragen much faster recovery.   

I'll mix two scoops of EFS in a 24 oz bottle for a 2 hour ride and start sipping every 15 minutes.  I also have some plain water to sip here and there - even the best of endurance drinks give you that slippery greasy saliva that you need to rinse out.  While I'm stretching and cooling down I sip a 12 oz mix of Ultragen.  It's very light compared to other protein shakes but still has plenty of protein.

First time using this stuff I did a very hard ride with lots of hills and sprints and wondered why I wasn't wiped at the end.  Got home and did 150 body weight squats along with my shoulder rehab routine (due to a huge bike crash in April) and next day wasn't sore at all anywhere. 

Granted, my old approach was prehistoric - water only most of the time with no gels or stingers or anything except some original Gatorade - so maybe I'd be just as impressed with any similar product but for what its worth this stuff has transformed my training. 

[E]

Hi,
I have been doing an intense boot camp workout in the early mornings for about 3 weeks now, and I wanted to know if anyone has any recommendations about what to take and/or eat for ENERGY and stamina before and after the workout.  I am not a morning person, but I am so comitted now bc I am on a mission to lose 60 pounds and get healthier for life!  And advice, motivation would be helpful.  Thanks!

[sister of kong]

Hi E,
Great to meet you!  Are you doing these workouts AFTER breakfast or before?  You need some fuel in your system.  If you're working out before breakfast, make sure you have a Powerbar or banana and lots of water beforehand.  It's very important to keep well hydrated. If your "intense" workout goes for more than 30 minutes or so, and gets your heart rate fairly high, I'd suggest you try EFS that Paul mentioned.  I started using the 1st Endurance for my bike rides after reading Paul's post and I find it helps keep my energy level up.  Afterward, I take the EFS Ultragen as well.  I usually only take half a serving and that's enough for me.  I'm trying to lean down too so I need to make sure I don't eat too much of anything!

[Paul]

Hey E-
That's sure a handsome little fellow with you in your photo - does he join you in your workouts? 

I agree with Cheng on the supplementation.  Are these boot camp workouts mostly strength or hardcore cardio?  If you're doing killer cardio for more than 30 minutes (heart rate at 80% max) you'd benefit from the EFS Ultragen. 

If you're doing a mix of strength, stretching, and minimal cardio you don't need it.  Instead, focus on getting some energy into you an hour before you workout.  I know some folks workout before breakfast but that's hard to do on an empty tank. 

One thing I would definitely recommend is the Ultragen recovery drink (or protein drink of your choice).  If you're working out hard you'll need a lot more protein and Moms especially need some supplementation.  Make sure you take something within a half hour or less after your workout because your body is desperate for some fuel.

Keeping your bod fueled before and during workouts and supplementing afterwards will make you stronger and help avoid burning out.

One final thought, you said you want to lean down and lose some lbs.  Focus on your bodyfat percentage rather than total body weight.  Here's why, especially early on you might not see dramatic weight loss because you're actually replacing fat with muscle.  You'll feel better, look better, but the scale might say you only lost 5lbs!  The reality is that you dropped 10lbs of fat and added 5 of pure muscle so don't get too freaked over the scale.

Long post but wanted to wish you success. 

Paul   

[E]

Hi, thanks so much for the information.  It has really helped me.  I just got around to reading the posts.  And that makes so much sense about the body weight.  Yes, I have gotten frustrated in the beginning when the pounds don't change too fast, but the inches is wonderful.  I have dropped 2 dress sizes, and my strength when working out has really increased.  SO again, thanks for the tips.Every motivation inspires me to keep on going!

[Team FitSync]

Hi E-
Two dress sizes?!  Now that's something to be proud of.  Looks like you're making solid progress so keep it up.  You're getting stronger with each workout and really doing great so don't forget to congratulate yourself on your achievement.   Nice work, keep it up.

John Morgan

[sister of kong]

way to go E!  now you'll need a whole new wardrobe