Should I start drinking Protein shakes?

Cappuccino

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2013
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I'm female. I only do Cardio and free weights. I don't bench press or anything manly.

I was wondering if I should drink protein shakes? Will it just make me fat? Like I said I only do Cardio exercises and low free weight exercises.

Will protein shakes benefit me? If yes what should I buy? The protein shake in the gym shop are icky and disgusting, because its handmade and people don't wash there hands (lol) :mad:
 
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Saint Nick

Lifer
Jan 21, 2005
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There's that word again. AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! A friend on my FB seems to think you can "tone" muscles as well. Lols all around!

To answer your original question...no. You do not need protein shakes unless you are seriously deficient in protein. What is your diet like currently?
 

rga

Senior member
Nov 9, 2011
640
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Most likely, you don't need protein shakes. If you want to look "toned", eat lean meats, good fats, and low carb from complex sources. A toned look is just one of low body fat.
 

Cappuccino

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2013
4,018
726
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There's that word again. AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! A friend on my FB seems to think you can "tone" muscles as well. Lols all around!

To answer your original question...no. You do not need protein shakes unless you are seriously deficient in protein. What is your diet like currently?
What else do you want me to say? I want 10inch biceps? I'm no fitness expert lolz :confused:

I get my 5 fruit and veg a day and I eat more fish than meat.
 
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blackdogdeek

Lifer
Mar 14, 2003
14,453
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getting toned thats all. :)

If you're looking for help with losing fat I highly recommend the fat-loss sticky at the top of this forum.

Can you tell us your physical stats like height and weight and also what your diet currently looks like?
 

Cappuccino

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2013
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If you're looking for help with losing fat I highly recommend the fat-loss sticky at the top of this forum.

Can you tell us your physical stats like height and weight and also what your diet currently looks like?
I am not fat at all!

I'm 5'8 and I'm 8 1/2 stone.

My diet is very random but most of time i eat fish and ALWAYS eat 5 fruits/veg a day. I rarely eat meat. Maybe twice a week. Chicken most of time. Junk food maybe 3 times per month lol.

I been going to the gym since Uni, so around 5-6 months now. I can see my sixpack now, but my arms are not showing. People recommend me to drink protein shake, but I'm not sure though. Also, the taste.. EWWWWWW! It's like drinking a slushy cappuccino but watery :(
I tried adding milk, but that will certainly make me fat >_<
So overall, I think I should eat more lean meat. ;P
 
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Saint Nick

Lifer
Jan 21, 2005
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If you want more muscle definition, you need to at least lift some weights. This will cause your muscles to grow. You won't become a she-hulk. High weight, lower reps. Don't be afraid to try squats, bench presses, rows, presses, and deadlifts.

Fat is not a function of the type of food, but rather the quantities in which you consume them.
 

Cappuccino

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2013
4,018
726
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If you want more muscle definition, you need to at least lift some weights. This will cause your muscles to grow. You won't become a she-hulk. High weight, lower reps. Don't be afraid to try squats, bench presses, rows, presses, and deadlifts.

Fat is not a function of the type of food, but rather the quantities in which you consume them.
I do biceps exercises and rows. The others you listed I don't. I guess I could try those out. 'You won't become a she-hulk' I blame you if I do! :twisted:
 

Zivic

Diamond Member
Nov 25, 2002
3,505
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91
I do biceps exercises and rows. The others you listed I don't. I guess I could try those out. 'You won't become a she-hulk' I blame you if I do! :twisted:

you honestly think you go to the gym, start lifting "manly" lifts like the bench press and you will turn into a she-hulk????

I hear that BS all the time from men and women... I don't want to get too big.... well, unless you plan to train heavy, which includes squats and deads, for yrs on a consistent basis, all the while watching your diet... and have decent genetics, I don't think you have too much to worry about.

do the manly free weight exercises, and build some muscle. it wouldn't hurt to throw in a protein shake in the morning and maybe sometime during the day, like after a workout. I promise you won't magically turn into a she-hulk.

for recommending a protein, everyone's tastes are different. some of the ones I prefer.

AST VP2
ON Pro Complex
Designer whey
 

billbobaggins87

Senior member
Jan 9, 2012
213
0
76
if you cant stand the taste of protien shakes try muscle milk... non ideal shake for many but it tastes the best imo
 

QueBert

Lifer
Jan 6, 2002
22,567
836
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Protein shakes are awesome, brands and flavors I've tried.

BSn Syntha-6 Chocolate & Chocolate PB - DELICIOUS
MusclePharm Combat - Chocolate Milk, Chocolate PB, Cookies & Cream - DELICIOUS
Muscle Tech - Anabolic Halo - Chocolate DELICIOUS
Nutek Pro 5 - Chocolate, not the best tasting, but pretty good and a great profile.

The Ones I listed minus the last could all pass for a junk food shake because they taste so good. I also have some Combat Orange Creamcicle, it's good but it's more cream than orange tasting. I do 2 shakes a day and I look forward to them, you can also get Cinnamon roll, Berry and about 10 other different favors. I suggest looking into the new Cellucor Proteins, not too expensive and are getting almost perfect marks for flavor.
 

blackdogdeek

Lifer
Mar 14, 2003
14,453
10
81
I am not fat at all!

I'm 5'8 and I'm 8 1/2 stone.

My diet is very random but most of time i eat fish and ALWAYS eat 5 fruits/veg a day. I rarely eat meat. Maybe twice a week. Chicken most of time. Junk food maybe 3 times per month lol.

I been going to the gym since Uni, so around 5-6 months now. I can see my sixpack now, but my arms are not showing. People recommend me to drink protein shake, but I'm not sure though. Also, the taste.. EWWWWWW! It's like drinking a slushy cappuccino but watery :(
I tried adding milk, but that will certainly make me fat >_<
So overall, I think I should eat more lean meat. ;P

Um, I never said you were fat. I asked you if you wanted to lose fat. If you can't see the muscle definition in your arms then there is still fat covering them. In order to see the muscle definition, you must lose more fat. You can't just lose the fat in your arms. You have to eat in a caloric deficit in order to lose fat overall and your genetics will determine from where you lose the fat at each stage. All of this is covered in the fat-loss sticky.

Personally, I don't think you need to consume anymore of anything but you could probably start working on squats, deadlifts, presses and rows.
 
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Phanuel

Platinum Member
Apr 25, 2008
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And probably pull ups/chin ups (just not the kipping Crossfit abominations)
 
Apr 17, 2003
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if you have a fish heavy diet and do cardio/light weights, I really don't see why you would protein. It sounds like you have been doing your routine without it...why do you feel like you need to take it now?
 

nwo

Platinum Member
Jun 21, 2005
2,308
0
71
If your six pack is showing, then that means your body fat is at a fairly low level and your diet is fine. Therefore, it is safe to say that fat is not the reason why your arms have no definition. Try doing some isolation resistance exercises for your arms and build some muscle, because it sounds like there is not enough there right now to show.

Alternatively, it could be genetics, because people lose fat in different places at different rates, but for most people the mid section is a good indicator of your body fat percentage.
 

mchammer187

Diamond Member
Nov 26, 2000
9,114
0
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I'm female. I only do Cardio and free weights. I don't bench press or anything manly.

I was wondering if I should drink protein shakes? Will it just make me fat? Like I said I only do Cardio exercises and low free weight exercises.

Will protein shakes benefit me? If yes what should I buy? The protein shake in the gym shop are icky and disgusting, because its handmade and people don't wash there hands (lol) :mad:

That is your problem you need to lift heavy. If you can easily do 10-20 reps of something you are wasting your time.

Squats, deadlifts, bench, rows, pullups, chinups and dips and go hard. If you are not struggling to finish your hardest sets than you are not training properly.

The She Hulk excuse is complete bunk because it takes years of dedication to get to that point. Your body composition changes relatively slowly so train hard get to the point you want and then you can focus on maintaining.