Need Help Choosing a Supplement

• paulindy
  
  Posts: 20
  
  
  Sep 08, 2012 7:00 PM GMT

  Alright guys, I'm new here and really could use some help. For those that have seen my profile you will know that I have been on a "personal journey" to lose weight and take control of my life again. 3 years ago I was 420 pounds, today I am 266. I lost 86 lbs of that this year alone. Now that I am "slimming" (albeit I am still a big guy) I need help in choosing which supplements would be most beneficial to me when working out in terms of "starting to build definition". I am NOT talking about "roids" but honestly since I dont know the names of any I would not know if I was taking them.
  
  Please help guys. There are enough of you on this site to be able to help a struggling dude figure this out.
  Thanks
  
  
  
  

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  Sep 08, 2012 7:41 PM GMT

  Not sure whether anyone can give you too much advice on what you've told us. I really don't believe any supplement should be taken just for the sake of taking supplements. I think they should be taken to correct imbalances. Like if your knees are grinding... you may be low in folic acid; if you've taken a lot of zinc supplements for repairing muscle.... and you're feeling tired all the time you may be lacking copper; if you want to become more vascular and you don't have a blood pressure problem ... you would take an NO product.
  
  Personally I think you're doing a great job.... you're probably restricting your intake and burning calories off more efficiently. I've found cycling really helps me. I have a road bike.... they say it takes 25min to burn the fat out of your blood stream then the last deposited is used. I also do the no wheat/no corn diet unless i'm out on the town. Hope that helps... take care bud

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• paulindy
  
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  Sep 08, 2012 8:01 PM GMT

  I thought about taking up cycling....and Ive never heard of the no wheat/no corn thing. I will have to look into that. Yes, my caloric intake is somewhere around 17-1900 a day. There are times I will go as high as 2300 but thats very rare.
  
  I currently take creatine (half a scoop prior to working out w. orange juice and half a scoop post workout the same way).
  
  I also take yoimbe, green tea extract, l carnitine and glutamine. bodybuilding.com knows me quite well. In fact I just received my latest order.
  
  Thanks for the information. I will take it to heart.
  
  Congrats, 2000, you are doing an awesome job!!!!

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  Sep 08, 2012 8:10 PM GMT

  paulindy saidand Ive never heard of the no wheat/no corn thing. I will have to look into that.

  
  
  I've done it, it just emaciated me.

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  Sep 09, 2012 1:45 AM GMT

  Congrats om the weight loss!!
  
  Exercise rather than a supplement wrks best every time!

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  Sep 09, 2012 2:14 AM GMT

  There is no need to take supplements. However, if you aren't eating fish a few times a week, consider an omega-3 supplement and a general multivitamin is recommended for everyone who doesn't eat a balanced diet. If you live above the 30th parallel and/or have little exposure to the sun or wear sunscreen consider 2000 IU of Vitamin D for overall health (research has fair evidence of it preventing a variety of cancers).
  
  Avoid weight loss pills and gimmicks. That's all they are--gimmicks! Caffeine won't help you lose weight. Only continuing your caloric deficit by eating smaller portions than you usually do and/or switching to more "health food" (which is lower in calories and more filling and more nutritious, which is why it works).

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  Sep 09, 2012 2:46 AM GMT

  A good multivitamin, and light on the fast sugars.
  
  If you haven't yet, get your testosterone levels checked. Optimally adjusted it can make life easier, improve mood, lower fat, raise muscle mass, decrease blood pressure, and protect against diseases of aging, and improve your sexual function as well.
  
  Get plenty of water, and feel free to drink some coffee.
  
  I don't know that I'd bother with the creatine, but, if you like it no foul. I find myself bloating when I use it.
  
  Low glycemic index meals, often, and HIIT, is a sure fire bet to improving your cardiac threshold and staying lean.
  
  If you haven't already, you might want to have thyroid test done. Just to see where it's sitting, and a CMP with a HBA1C if you haven't already.
  
  Make sure that you do weight bearing exercise to keep your bones strong, maintain your lean muscle, and prevent type 2 diabetes.

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  Sep 10, 2012 7:18 AM GMT

  Congratulations on the weight loss! I really like the concepts behind the Chinese (traditional Chinese medicine) herbals. There is a store that I order from called Dragon Herbs, run by Ron Teeguarden. You might find some things on their website or you can call a herbalist for advice for free.
  
  I get other vitamins too and can't always get the best, but I usually try to buy the best brand / formulation I can afford.

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  Sep 10, 2012 4:13 PM GMT

  paulindy said I need help in choosing which supplements would be most beneficial to me when working out in terms of "starting to build definition". I am NOT talking about "roids"
  

  
  There isnt any supp that can do what you are asking as there isnt any magic bullet. Diet and exercise is all that you need. Even those that do 'roids' have to diet correctly and work out hard in the gym. Definition shows with a low bodyfat percentage. Train to retain muscle mass.
  
  Consider taking fish oil caps. You could also take a multi vitamin but if you are eating right you should get all you need from food.

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• paulindy
  
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  Sep 11, 2012 11:28 AM GMT

  Thanks everyone, I appreciate the words of encouragement/advice.
  
  I am not looking for a "magic pill, powder or drink". I just figured with so many of you looking so friggin great that I would seek advice. I know that some SWEAR by Creatine, glutamine...etc....just wondered if there was something I was "missing".
  
  I have been working my ass off all year and think I've done some incredible things, I just want to take it to the "next level" and continue to lean while building mass. I want that "WOW chest, legs, arms, back"...I know its going to take a long time.
  
  I have not tried fish oils yet. I have actually heard mixed results but hell...I can always try it for myself, right? LOL.
  I eat TONS of fish and chicken and eggs.
  
  
  
  Thanks again to everyone who has posted. It helps me realize I'm not alone in my "journey".
  
  Paul!

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• HottJoe
  
  Posts: 21366
  
  
  Sep 11, 2012 4:42 PM GMT

  I like to change up my supplements often. Lately I've been enjoying an oldie but goodie: vitamin C. I read it can interfere with weight loss though. I'm taking it more for healthy skin, hair, and nails.

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• Koaa2
  
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  Sep 12, 2012 12:36 PM GMT

  Try taking a spinning class, great workout and if you have a good instructor the time fgoes by fast and you have a major accomplishment. Hang in there.

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  Sep 12, 2012 12:54 PM GMT

  Its a ton more effort, but try the Paleo diet. You might find the Robb Wolf book helpful.

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• paulindy
  
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  Sep 13, 2012 10:54 AM GMT

  Koaa2 saidTry taking a spinning class, great workout and if you have a good instructor the time fgoes by fast and you have a major accomplishment. Hang in there.

  
  
  Thanks Koaa2, the problem is my work schedule is not "user friendly". I normally have to work out between 4 - 5 am because of having to get my son up and about for school and then busting tail to get to work. By the time I get out of work (providing im not out of town) its time to do homework, bath and get him ready for bed just in time to get a PM workout in....
  
  the class schedule at the gym ((for some stupid reason)) caters to those who are fortunate enough to stay home during the day. LOL.
  
  
  

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  Sep 19, 2012 3:43 AM GMT

  Keep doing what you've been doing. It's obviously working.
  
  When you hit a plateau for a few months, go Paleo.
  
  <-- ex-fatass, lost 70 lbs

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• paulindy
  
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  Sep 20, 2012 1:08 AM GMT

  I have considered Paleo. I have purchased some of the products they offer but honestly dont feel it to be a "good economical value". I may give it a shot again though.

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• paulindy
  
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  Sep 20, 2012 1:09 AM GMT

  paulflexes saidKeep doing what you've been doing. It's obviously working.
  
  When you hit a plateau for a few months, go Paleo.
  
  <-- ex-fatass, lost 70 lbs

  
  
  Congrats on the weight loss. I know first hand how you feel.
  
  

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  Sep 20, 2012 1:12 AM GMT

  Congrats on all your progress! If you're weight training, you might consider taking a whey protein after your lifting sessions. You could add it to the creatine you take.

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• Beeftastic
  
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  Sep 20, 2012 1:30 AM GMT

  Big congrats on your progress!
  
  I have lost some weight over the last few years. The key was finding out that my testosterone levels were extremely low (I had some other hormonal issues too, but I think the test had the most to do with my transformation). When I got testosterone supplementation, I lost 30 pounds in 6 months, without really trying, and then was able to really apply myself to the gym and cardio which brings me to the place I am today.
  
  There is some talk that high dose biotin might help burn fat. I take it and it does give me a lot of energy for the gym.
  
  Also get your vitamin D levels checked, even if you supplement. Vitamin D is absorbed into fat tissue, and is then not free to do it's good work. A lot of people who have been heavy are deficient.

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• paulindy
  
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  Sep 21, 2012 12:25 AM GMT

  thanks.

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  Sep 27, 2012 1:03 PM GMT

  - whey protein isolate
  - multivitamin (if you are not getting enough nutrients from your food groups)
  - creatine
  
  Those are the only one's that have been packed up from scientific evidence. There's heaps out there but I would not go beyond that. Focus more on getting a proper diet with adequate protein, carbs and good fats, that should be your base.
  
  Then a good resistance training workout. Remember supplements are simply just what they are, something to supplement but not be the basis of your progress.
  
  Good luck!
  

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  Sep 27, 2012 1:05 PM GMT

  Just my two cents to the poster who suggested do Paleo. I wouldn't recommend it! Not only expensive but it's hard to maintain and there's no evidence to show people lose weight on a long term basis on it. Instead you could do modified Paleo, but still make sure you have some good carbs - don't cut out food groups.

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  Sep 27, 2012 2:01 PM GMT

  chuckystud saidA good multivitamin, and light on the fast sugars.
  
  If you haven't yet, get your testosterone levels checked. Optimally adjusted it can make life easier, improve mood, lower fat, raise muscle mass, decrease blood pressure, and protect against diseases of aging, and improve your sexual function as well.
  
  Get plenty of water, and feel free to drink some coffee.
  
  I don't know that I'd bother with the creatine, but, if you like it no foul. I find myself bloating when I use it.
  
  Low glycemic index meals, often, and HIIT, is a sure fire bet to improving your cardiac threshold and staying lean.
  
  If you haven't already, you might want to have thyroid test done. Just to see where it's sitting, and a CMP with a HBA1C if you haven't already.
  
  Make sure that you do weight bearing exercise to keep your bones strong, maintain your lean muscle, and prevent type 2 diabetes.

  
  
  +This.
  
  The thing about Paleo diets is that people have to be disciplined to follow them, much like any other regimented eating plan...
  
  If you have this kind of discipline, you will probably be able to make any of the diets work for you.
  
  If you're going to add supps to your diet, do them slowly, observe the progress if any you're expecting against the actual results and continue or drop the supplement.
  
  Don't go big bang, it rarely assists to do anything other than empty your bank account ;)
  
  Good luck

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  Oct 08, 2012 8:24 PM GMT

  sc69 said

  chuckystud saidA good multivitamin, and light on the fast sugars.
  
  If you haven't yet, get your testosterone levels checked. Optimally adjusted it can make life easier, improve mood, lower fat, raise muscle mass, decrease blood pressure, and protect against diseases of aging, and improve your sexual function as well.
  
  Get plenty of water, and feel free to drink some coffee.
  
  I don't know that I'd bother with the creatine, but, if you like it no foul. I find myself bloating when I use it.
  
  Low glycemic index meals, often, and HIIT, is a sure fire bet to improving your cardiac threshold and staying lean.
  
  If you haven't already, you might want to have thyroid test done. Just to see where it's sitting, and a CMP with a HBA1C if you haven't already.
  
  Make sure that you do weight bearing exercise to keep your bones strong, maintain your lean muscle, and prevent type 2 diabetes.

  
  
  +This.
  
  The thing about Paleo diets is that people have to be disciplined to follow them, much like any other regimented eating plan...
  
  If you have this kind of discipline, you will probably be able to make any of the diets work for you.
  
  If you're going to add supps to your diet, do them slowly, observe the progress if any you're expecting against the actual results and continue or drop the supplement.
  
  Don't go big bang, it rarely assists to do anything other than empty your bank account ;)
  
  Good luck

  
  
  + 2 - On another important factor which many men realize to check is their Estrogen levels. The reason I bring this factor is that no matter how much exercise, discipline, supplements, and healthy foods you are taking in - if your endocrine system is out of whack you will not loose the weight. High levels of Estrogen levels in men will warrant you from losing the weight, since high levels in men will induce: water retention, excessive male breast development, and body fat accumulation. So have your doctor checks these, if they are high then he will need to put you on an Estrogen blocker. Men do have Estrogen levels, testosterone is the primary substrate used in the male body for the synthesis of estrogen.

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  Oct 21, 2012 3:56 PM GMT

  i take herbal supplements from the IT WORKS company. I'd been taking them for a bit and was loving them. They have a drink mix called "greens" so that i get all of my nutrition from vegetables because I HATE eating vegetables and another supplement called "its vital" which makes sure my body is getting everything it needs to lose the fat and get toned. check out the website, i get it shipped to me monthy so i'm never out i couldn't live without them
  brycevandyke.myitworks.com

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