Questions

[Gaffa]

Hello all
Basically i need to lose weight and i was just wondering if it would be worthwhile to take ECA when not training,for example while im at work?(i work in a steelworks as a bricky so im very busy).Also would there be any problem stacking ECA with creatine?.....while im on the subject,im reading up on creatine so if anyone could recommend a product for me id be very grateful,MuscleTech Cell Tech seems to be the best at the moment,just be nice to here other ppls opinion.
cheers all

 

[Mr_Sinister]

Well, here's my 2 cents:

1) Cell-tech is unneccessarily expensive because you're paying for a bunch of sugar. 75 g of sugar are in one serving. You could buy regular creatine and add the sugar for way less $$. Or you could omit the sugar. But since you're aiming to cut bodyfat, creatine shouldn't be on the priority list at this time.

2) Also you're trying to drop fat, why ingest sugar?

3) ECA isn't a miracle pill, if you don't watch your diet it won't really do much. You'll feel a buzz, but you could drink coffee to get that.

4) What are you eating? Post up the menu, others will give you some valueable insight on what you should/could be doing to get to your goal.

5) Now, the best supplements are actually the ones that cost the least. Supplement with a multi, extra zinc, fish oil, and if needed add fiber. Go for generic brands, you'll also find these companies add less filler, and frills.

 

[Gaffa]

Thx for the reply m8.
1.I wanted the creatine to help build my strength and muscle as i am weight lifting 3 times aweek,but your prolly right about the suger as i am dieting.

2.I was hoping that the amount of training im doing at the moment(cardio/weights)Suger wouldnt come into it?with regards to weightloss.

3.I run at 6am before i go to work,then either the gym after or i run again(20-40mins)i try to run everyday.I just wondered if ECA would take any effect while i wasnt training?Im not all that happy about the buzz,expecially after training.

4.Im trying to eat on average about 2000 cals.Ive changed my diet drastically atm,my diet WAS shocking......ill give a 2 day example-

MON..

1.Alpen+Banana+prot shake(whey)

2.chicken+salad

3.Chicken+Brownrice

4.5 small potatoes+Salmon

5.1 whole egg,3 egg whites(all scrambled)+Tuna+1 slice of whole meal bread+Pshake

Tue

1.Alpen +Banana+Pshake

2.Eggs scambled+ham

3.4small potatoes+Cod+peas

4.Steak+runner beans

5.Tuna+1wholemeal bread+Pshake

This is a work in progress,as my diet before really sucked,so im finding this tough but ive been at it for 2 weeks.I will be getting Flax seed oil and vit C today.
Im 27,6ft about 230lbs(16 1/2 stone)or was.Im not really that fat,just got a belly and im abit loose.

 

[Mr_Sinister]

Well you could take the sugar post workout, but I still wouldn't recommend cell-tech since I don't want you to spend your money on slick marketing. Simple creatine monohydrate, and then add dextrose is much more cost efficient.

As for ECA, it's true value lies in it's ability to give you the energy to perform work.

Also the diet, the best thing to do is eat the carbs before you do strenuous work, and as the day winds down eat meals with meat and fiberous vegetables. And ry to get in 230 grams of protein. How about this as an example:

1: Shake w/ fruit or egg whites and oatmeal

workout

2: Creatine + dextrose, protein shake
3: Chicken, sweet potatoes
4: Tuna salad with olive oil + vinegar
5: Steak/Chicken with sauteed spinach
6: Shake

 

[Gaffa]

Thx Mr Sinister ill follow your advice.I wont take creatine for perhaps a month or so just to help me lower my BF%,then ill go for a simple less expensive creatine monohydrate.Ive just bought oats for my first morning meal so ill give your example diet ago.Any advice on what i could snack on?..i get alittle hungry sometimes after 8 amd im unsure if i can eat anything,ive read nuts are ok,but im not a walnut fan,are kashu nuts outta the question?.....thx for the advice buddy much appreciated

 

[Mr_Sinister]

If it's late night, I usually double the dinner portions, and save one for later. If I wake up, then the second portion is my late night 'snack'. Some people have suggested sugar free jello, cottage cheese w/cinnamon and artificial sweetener, grilled chicken strips, protein pudding (flavorless fiber and gelatin, protein powder, ice-cubes then blend), pickles, 1 handful of mixed nuts. Go ahead and try some of these when you want to snack. Also if you feel the diet start to go bland look up recipes in the muscle meals forum, you can tailor most recipes to fit the amounts of carbs and fats you prefer. Also just to keep you sane, give yourself a meal or two of food you've been craving every 1 day out of the week. I usually eat something like fat free ice cream and pasta.

 

[Gaffa]

THx again m8,i will be trying some of those foods,the protein pudding sounds fine .......Im away for a week as of now so ill keep u posted on how its going when i get back.Once again thx for the advice

 

[Slyder190]

ECA 2weeks on/2weeks off 2-3x a dat depending, is a common practice for success. But it won't make up for a poor diet and lack of cardio.

 

[Gaffa]

Back from my short break,diet went down the pan for 2 days ,i got really angry at the slightest thing and became quite tired(i was missing most of my meals for the first 2 days).Didnt think id get that pissed off about my diet and not being able to train,so i just dropped it all for 2 days just to stop being grumpy.As of tommo its all back on.

 

[Mr_Sinister]

Your calories may be too low for the amount of work you do. Here is something you may find handy for altering food intake.

http://www.johnberardi.com/updates/july262002/na_masscalculator.htm

Also,

http://www.fitday.com

This is a free journal to track your menu plan. Simply search for the foods you plan on eating and enter them in. The site automatically keeps tabs of your protein/fat/carb ratio, and calories for the day. I won't lie to you, at first you'll have to change some things to fit your lifestyle and plans and it's a lot of work, but once you get going things will be much smoother.