If I take Beta Alanine . . .

[Java Cafe]

I am a college professor. One night, after hours of desk work, I went to bed very late, and slept for about three hours before I had to wake up and go teach class. Needless to say, I was very groggy. I am not a morning person, and am slow for my early morning classes to begin with.

So, that morning, I thought, what the heck, if Beta Alanine can stir me up enough to make me feel energetic for working out with weights, why not give it a try as a "pre-lecture supplement." So, I did. And, of course, it made a difference. I was upbeat and razor sharp. It was a great class for me!

So, my question is . . . if I do take Beta Alanine, or better still, BSN Hyper FX (which contains caffeine and Niacin, as well) -- my favorite pre-W/O supp -- before going to class (or before any kind of presentation, etc.) will I be doing myself any harm? (Also, does this amount to abusing the supplement? Why would it be? I do take coffee to wake myself up frequently.)

Do any of you have any experience in ingesting these and not expending a ton of energy following that?

Thanks.

 

[Zivic]

I am a college professor. One night, after hours of desk work, I went to bed very late, and slept for about three hours before I had to wake up and go teach class. Needless to say, I was very groggy. I am not a morning person, and am slow for my early morning classes to begin with.

So, that morning, I thought, what the heck, if Beta Alanine can stir me up enough to make me feel energetic for working out with weights, why not give it a try as a "pre-lecture supplement." So, I did. And, of course, it made a difference. I was upbeat and razor sharp. It was a great class for me!

So, my question is . . . if I do take Beta Alanine, or better still, BSN Hyper FX (which contains caffeine and Niacin, as well) -- my favorite pre-W/O supp -- before going to class (or before any kind of presentation, etc.) will I be doing myself any harm? (Also, does this amount to abusing the supplement? Why would it be? I do take coffee to wake myself up frequently.)

Do any of you have any experience in ingesting these and not expending a ton of energy following that?

Thanks.

I think the biggest concern I would have would the frequency I took it. now would you be taking it twice a day some days? Dehydration would be my upfront concern then maybe high blood pressure/heart rate.

Personally, if coffee didn't do it, I would take 1/2 a 5 hour energy before taking a preworkout to keep my from beeping groggy

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Supplements should not take the place of good habits. I know it's not ALWAYS an option, but for the most part you should try to sleep and eat well thus not needing the supplements. Seems a little much to me.

 

[smackababy]

I'd think simple caffeine pills would probably work just as well, be cheaper, and probably easier on the body. Perhaps eating a decent breakfast might help as well. I've been known to get quite a few hours less of sleep than my normal 5 or 6 hours a night, and eating breakfast really helps me.

 

[Koing]

I take a beta alanine and creatine supp pre training. I never take it if I don't train. But going by your name I think you have a higher tolerance to caffeine?

Some people like to cycle creatine but I'm not one of them. I take it every single day. The only time I don't take it is if I'm on holiday. I don't want the hassle to take a white powder through customs. I already have my protein with me.

Koing

 

[Java Cafe]

I'd think simple caffeine pills would probably work just as well, be cheaper, and probably easier on the body. Perhaps eating a decent breakfast might help as well. I've been known to get quite a few hours less of sleep than my normal 5 or 6 hours a night, and eating breakfast really helps me.

I appreciate all of the preceding advice from each of you. Well, if and when I get sufficient sleep, I am just fine (after my morning coffee). But, I always don't have that luxury.

But, breakfast does not work for me at all. I do not eat except between about 5pm and 10pm. I have been an "intermittent faster" since February; it has helped me to maintain a caloric deficit, which in turn helped me shed about 33 lbs between then and now. Also, breakfast makes me slow and tired, and hungry within two hours of finishing one. If I don't eat in the mornings, I can go the entire day without eating (but drinking plenty of water, however, and an occasional sugar-free chewing gum). I understand that IM is not for everybody. But, for me, there is just nothing that comes close to keeping me from gaining fat.

 

[darkxshade]

You should do coke instead, it'll definitely give you a nice morning jolt... or you can do what every other normal person does and just drink coffee.

 

[Teizo]

It would be better to take straight Beta-Alanine with coffee in the morning and then take the PWO a little later on...unless you are taking Hyper FX because it has D-Aspartic Acid.

You will likely be ok...just understand that caffeine intake above 500mg a day can cause problems over time.

My personal advice would be to buy plain D-Aspartic Acid (or a combo formula like Alpha Protocol from BB.com) and then get plain Beta-Alanine (Now Sports makes a very good Carnosyn formula for a very good price). That way you could more easily monitor and adjust your caffeine intake.