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Whey Protein Shake -
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Whey Protein Shakes - How Much Is Enough?
Many people starting on a fitness program have no idea how much protein they should be consuming on a daily basis. This is understandable because even professional athletes get this wrong sometimes. Here is the first mistake that most amateurs make.
The #1 mistake of all time: More is better.
If you're into bodybuilding and want to compete, then maybe this is true. But the truth is that for most individuals, we don't want to take part in bodybuilding competitions. Not everyone wants to look like an incredible hulk! Unless that's your aim, then the rule "more is better" must be ditched.
Walk into a gym and look at the people around you. Talk to them. You'll be surprised at how many wanted to become bigger. Becoming bigger means eating more. But how much more? How much bigger does the individual wants to become? Where should the individual stop? There are no fixed answers for these questions. It all depends on 2 things.
1) What result do you want to achieve?
2) How far do you want to go?
As you can see, the answers are different for everyone. Only you can come up with the correct answers (for yourself).
The task of deciding how much whey protein to consume is difficult mainly because of number (1) - what result do you want to achieve?
Obviously, if you want to take part in a long distance event, big doesn't mean good. You don't want to carry all that extra weight with you while you are running 40km or cycling 200km. On the other hand, if you are taking part in some power events like sprinting, then being bigger definitely helps.
Once you know exactly what you want to achieve, the next step is to customize your exercise program and eating plans based on your individual needs.
Start with targeting the right muscle groups. Muscles adapt to very specific movements. If you are into cycling, then spend more time on the bike - and not just any bike, it must be the bike you are racing in. As you train, your body will adapt to the movements and very specific parts of your body will start to develop.
Many amateurs think that having a stronger core helps improve cycling abilities. So they spend a lot of time building a stronger core with ab exercises. Unfortunately, the abs fail to perform when they undertake a 200km cycling event. Why is that so? The answer is simple - the abs simply isn't used to the kind of movements (and stress) during a 200km ride. So focus on simulating the actual activity during your workouts.
Next comes your diet. Do some research and figure out the ideal weight that will give you your best performance. There is always a power/endurance trade-off. So you must consume the right proportions of protein. The right amount will give you the best possible performance.
Also, with regards to consuming whey protein, don't eat like a pro if you are just starting out. Your body simply isn't used to the additional protein yet. Your metabolism is also not as high as the pros. So take it easy when starting out. Increase your whey protein consumption gradually. If you are eating 100 grams of protein daily, then start with 150 grams for a couple of weeks. Watch how your body respond. If you're responding well, increase you intake to 200 grams, then 150 grams, etc. It'll probably take a few months before you'll get to where you want to be.
For beginners, GNC protein shakes come highly recommended as they are affordable and works very well. Another whey protein powder that comes highly recommended is here - body fortress super advanced whey protein review.
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