Just got these met-rx protein plus bars. from what everyone said on amazon they're good. so, i got the chocolate bar. tasty right! i have never struggled to eat a god damn chocolate candy bar so much in my life. it's like someone condensed a dry chocolate cake down into this rubbery chocolate log.

anybody else had any bad experiences with any health foods or protien shakes? my mouth laments my wallets purchase.

Either way, I'd forget about wasting money on that crap. You can easily achieve your goals--whatever they may be--eating regular old food. The bars and shakes will just lead to either unbalanced eating, or overeating.

Just my $0.02. FWIW, I'm a bodybuilder. And I don't touch the bars, shakes, or supplements: it's (almost) all just a gimmick to increase gym revenue. As for the non-gimmicks... well, you don't really want or need those either.

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As for my challenge... I need to cut my sugar intake. I'm quite addicted, which is fine for now, but will become problematic later in my life.

__________________
"I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think they will sing to me." -T.S. Eliot

RIP Ari

The reason eating healthier foods over junk food is relevant is because it helps you reach your dietary needs with less intake - if you just reduced the amount of *everything* you ate while keeping the same proportion of (hypothetically, not saying this is relevant to you) snack foods can be hard to hit the important bases.

quote:

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Originally posted by Bugger:
It boils down to one thing and one thing only: calories in vs calories out.
Eat less.
Exercise more.

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Eat brown bread, too. It's better for you.

quote:

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Originally posted by flophaus:
Well, you don't actually need to eat less, you just need to eat "smarter". There are plenty of things that you can eat that will fill you up without filling you up with calories.

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This. Watch for carbs (pastas for instance), or burn them right after.

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Originally posted by Volcanon:
I lost a bunch of weight using my mom's Weight Watchers system ten years ago. You get points and stuff and if you're good about not cheating and keeping to your "points budget" then you'll slowly lose weight if you also do some cardio.

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This works. A friend of mine used the WW program too and the result was incredible!

quote:

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I also lost a bunch of weight later by not having money for food.

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This is almost funny if it wasn't sad

__________________
/Thunder in the wind/No rain/Peace mourns its passing/

"So, I decided to get back on my miniature horse and get back into something resembling the human form again other than a gelatinous piece of crap. Got the dietary food, started working out, etc..."

"Cut down on meat. You can get just as good of protein out of brown rice and beans, which also has glorious fibre for toilet happiness."

"I also lost a bunch of weight later by not having money for food."

Not cutting up, just pointing it out

My .02, I was once a fat ass myself back in high school then my uncle who's a doctor gave me the most sound dietary advice: "Just lift some weights, you'll be fine."

Since then I've dropped about 45-50 pounds and haven't looked back. You don't even have to get crazy about it, I lift three times a week, when I wake up, for about 20 minutes or less. My diet includes lots of beans and rice, though I do have a gluten allergy so that kinda blocks me from eating crap for lack of a better term.

I also jump rope or some other exercise every other morning that I'm not lifting, but just enough to get the blood pumping and then I go eat something.

That's what I got,
Jesse

Now I've cut out soda for the most part (boy I still love the taste of a freshly cracked Pepsi though), eating less red meat and started eating fruits and vegetables (which I wouldnt touch in the past) and stopped eating chips/chocolate except for a once a week "treat day", I'm also trying to cut down on breads and yeasty things in generally.

So I'm pooping good again and I don't have any digestion pains but I literally have to eat twice as much food to keep myself from getting hungry now that I'm eating less meat. For example yesterday I had:

2 large Salads
750ml of Yogurt
Large French Canadian Pea soup
LG Slice of WW Veggie Pizza
Tuna Caserole
LG Ghormeh Sabzi
+ a large fruit tray

and probably about 3-4 litres of Water and I was still feeling hungry at various parts throughout the day. So it's work in progress but generally a whole lot healthier than what I have ate for most of my life, I need to find something to give me a good energy kick... though it might be that I'm also missing Coffee in my diet which I stopped drinking too.

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Originally posted by Goaswerfraiejen:
Just my $0.02. FWIW, I'm a bodybuilder. And I don't touch the bars, shakes, or supplements: it's (almost) all just a gimmick to increase gym revenue.

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This might be the single worst advice I've seen on MOTL in all my time on this site...and FWIW I think you're probably the worlds worst bodybuilder or have some freakish natural testosterone imbalance.

Who knows...you might be a genetic freak...just most people I know who are "bodybuilders" take supplements and everyone takes some form of Whey Protein.

How do you get away with not taking whey? How do you get away with out BCAA's? Multi-vitamins for recovery? There are SOOOOO many supplements I could list that 99.999999% of "bodybuilders" like you claim to be swear by on their life.

Now, a lot of the bars and pre-made shakes aren't good for you....ie Muscle Milk is a waste. Yea, it tastes good...probably a clear cut sign that it isn't going to help you.

Also, whoever said cut down on meat...well you're half wrong. Cut down on red meat. Chicken is perfectly fine...as long as you don't add things to it to make it bad(ie Cheese,Sauces). Grilled chicken is a great source of protein.

When dieting remember...fat is GOOD and NECESSARY, just be sure you are getting the right fats. Fats from EVOO(extra virgin olive oil) Nuts(a handful of Almonds is an excellent example), and anything else with low saturated fat but high Mono and Poly-saturated fat are very good. Just as always....keep everything to a minimun.

Best advice I can give you....EAT BREAKFAST. Nobody is blowin smoke up your ass when they say it's the most important meal of the day. It gets your metabolism off to a good and healthy start. You NEED that meal. If you are struggling to stomach food it's from years of not eating breakfast and your body isn't use to the food. I know, I was the same way, you have to force yourself that food....even if it makes you feel sick. Eventually, you'll stop feeling sick, and when you wake up you'll feel starved. Thats good.

Also.....RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN. The best way to lose weight is to run...this is no secret. Cardio = loss of weight. Diet and other exercise help a lot to achieve this goal but Cardio specifically isthe best thing you can do for your body, and especially the health of your heart.

Portion control. Try to eat multiple small meals in place of the 3 large meals most eat during a given day. Eating something like 4-6 oz. of fish/chicken paired with 10-15 almonds, asparagus(steamed) or some other fiber-rich vegetable, and some brown rice goes a long way. By eating multiple small meals a day(like 5-6) instead of the usual 3 large meals this means your metabolism will constantly be working...which means you'll constantly be burning food, creating fuel for your body...in turn you'll feel a lot more energized to do the exercise.

quote:

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Originally posted by daner:
This might be the single worst advice I've seen on MOTL in all my time on this site...and FWIW I think you're probably the worlds worst bodybuilder or have some freakish natural testosterone imbalance.

Who knows...you might be a genetic freak...just most people I know who are "bodybuilders" take supplements and everyone takes some form of Whey Protein.

How do you get away with not taking whey? How do you get away with out BCAA's? Multi-vitamins for recovery? There are SOOOOO many supplements I could list that 99.999999% of "bodybuilders" like you claim to be swear by on their life.

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A few things are worth noting, daner:

1.) dhamil3's stated goal was to get back in shape, not to get colossal. None of that crap is going to help, and odds are it's going to impede his/her goals. If telling dhamil3 to forget the bars, shakes, and supplements is the single worst advice you've ever seen on MOTL, then you haven't been around long enough.

2.) Even if the goal was to get colossal, most of that crap is just a marketing gimmick that'll end up leaving you puffy. The single most important non-exercise factor for muscular hypertrophy is testosterone. While it's true that a fairly high protein intake seems to increase muscle protein synthesis, it's usually vastly overstated. If you're serious about bodybuilding (i.e. you want to compete), it's not that hard to hit the required amount of protein (no more than ~1.8g/kg body weight) even without whey and co., although it can be a useful shortcut.

3.) I should have specified that I'm an amateur bodybuilder (not a professional, as you seem to have assumed)--I have no desire to compete. I'm a big, muscular guy nonetheless (6ft, 206lbs). The only point here is that one doesn't need to overeat to achieve a very respectable physique, and one shouldn't associate "getting into shape" with the supplements marketed to amateur builders (the vast majority of whom aren't using them right anyway).

If you want to compete, then things are a little different--and I'm sorry to say that in that case you're probably going to have to do some cycles 'roids among other unpleasant things. Nobody here has expressed that desire, however.

__________________
"I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think they will sing to me." -T.S. Eliot

RIP Ari

quote:

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Originally posted by Goaswerfraiejen:

1.) dhamil3's stated goal was to get back in shape, not to get colossal. None of that crap is going to help, and odds are it's going to impede his/her goals. If telling dhamil3 to forget the bars, shakes, and supplements is the single worst advice you've ever seen on MOTL, then you haven't been around long enough.

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Daner making gross exaggerations, misunderstanding other people's posts, and telling other people what to do? Shucks, must be a day ending in "y".

quote:

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Originally posted by Bugger:
Daner making gross exaggerations, misunderstanding other people's posts, and telling other people what to do? Shucks, must be a day ending in "y".

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Oh, I'm sorry? Do you KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT? No, probably not. You have no idea what you're talking about little boy...go away. I'd love to meet you one day...I really would. I'd love to see how smart you are in person, or how many witty comebacks you'd have for me. Go back to being a champion level internet troll. Telling someone bad advice like "eat less, exercise more" then waiting around to troll someone shows your level of worth to the MOTL community....which is little at best. The goal isn't to starve yourself, you can eat ....you know what it's not even worth explaining to you. Literally just made me stop mid sentence.

quote:

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Originally posted by Goaswerfraiejen:
A few things are worth noting, daner:

1.) dhamil3's stated goal was to get back in shape, not to get colossal. None of that crap is going to help, and odds are it's going to impede his/her goals. If telling dhamil3 to forget the bars, shakes, and supplements is the single worst advice you've ever seen on MOTL, then you haven't been around long enough.

2.) Even if the goal was to get colossal, most of that crap is just a marketing gimmick that'll end up leaving you puffy. The single most important non-exercise factor for muscular hypertrophy is testosterone. While it's true that a fairly high protein intake seems to increase muscle protein synthesis, it's usually vastly overstated. If you're serious about bodybuilding (i.e. you want to compete), it's not that hard to hit the required amount of protein (no more than ~1.8g/kg body weight) even without whey and co., although it can be a useful shortcut.

3.) I should have specified that I'm an amateur bodybuilder (not a professional, as you seem to have assumed)--I have no desire to compete. I'm a big, muscular guy nonetheless (6ft, 206lbs). The only point here is that one doesn't need to overeat to achieve a very respectable physique, and one shouldn't associate "getting into shape" with the supplements marketed to amateur builders (the vast majority of whom aren't using them right anyway).

If you want to compete, then things are a little different--and I'm sorry to say that in that case you're probably going to have to do some cycles 'roids among other unpleasant things. Nobody here has expressed that desire, however.

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1. I know the person wanted to "get back in shape" and not get colossal. Eating lean meats, brown rice, nuts, EVOO, whole grains, fruits and fiber rich veggies isn't getting "bulking" food this is flat out being more healthy in your diet.

Cardio, eating breakfast, portion control, and making sure your body gets the right fats are all things you should do if you want to lose weight and get into shape. These are the things I suggested for them....

When did I ever advocate the use of massive amounts of supplements for them to use? I asked YOU how YOU could claim to be a "body-builder" without using any of them.

I agree completly, if your goal isn't to get massive then most likely you don't need all of that crap.

I guess we both misunderstood each other.

If you are an "amateur" you'd be better off classifing yourself as "men's physic" not "body-builder" class. Two completly different classes, and it seems like you'd fall under the MP class if you were going to attend a show.

2.I agree that a lot of things you just don't need when bodybuilding, but there are supplements you do need, and not illegal ones like steriods. Again....I don't know how one gets "massive" without some help. Nobody justs lifts weights and becomes big. There is a limit to what you can accomplish without help. I'd never tell anyone to use steriods but if you want to get bigger there are a few supplements I and many others I know(about a dozen of which are trainers) would reccomend. Anyway...since the discussion isn't about your or my personal preferences towards what supplements to take or not to take and about giving this person sggestions about how to lose weight most of this is a moot point. If you got to your size without ANY help...kudos to you. Just remember not everybody will have the same body makeup as you and results will vary. I guess this goes for both the use and lack there of of supplements.

3.I never said to overeat. I said if you want to lose weight you should break your 3 large meals down into smaller meals. Eat the same, just more often to fully utilize your metabolism. You shoul eatthingsthat are healthy...not just calorie efficient. If you work out, you need more calories than you normally would. Simply just burning off the calories without replenishing them is horrid advice though. You can have an even worse effect on your body. You want to eat the same amount of calories and exercise....just make sure those calroies aren't empty. If you consume only 2,200 calories in a given day make sure they aren't from crap like cheeseburgers and the like. If you consume 2,200 healthy calories in th eform of chicken, fish, nuts, fruits, veggies, beans and rice you are not only going to be eating healthy but you are going ot be eating more food to get to that plateau. If you spread them out over a given day you will feel like you are constantly eating, and that might be true but your body will constantly be working to break down the food. Thus you'll have more energy and you'll actually lose the wieght in a healthy natural fashion. Things like Weight-Watchers are decieving. The point system is deceptive, if you go over your points for one meal you have to skimp on the next...you don't want that. More often than not people are starving themelves on these "fad" diets. Ever seen when someone gets off of them? Usually they begin to gain the weight back almost instantly and sometimes they gain more.

I never said to overeat. I said to cut the larger meals down into multiple smaller ones. I agree that you shouldn't overeat. That wont solve your weight-loss problem.

Again though, things like eating breakfast, cardio, and making sure your body gets the right amount of good fats/calories in a given day is common knowledge....

Now, I'm sure that even though you can find tons of people who would agree with me(trainers, dieticians, dr.s, other physical enthusiasts) I'm sure Bugger will say I'm just talking out my ass.

quote:

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Originally posted by daner:
Oh, I'm sorry? Do you KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT? No, probably not. You have no idea what you're talking about little boy...go away. I'd love to meet you one day...I really would. I'd love to see how smart you are in person, or how many witty comebacks you'd have for me. Go back to being a champion level internet troll. Telling someone bad advice like "eat less, exercise more" then waiting around to troll someone shows your level of worth to the MOTL community....which is little at best. The goal isn't to starve yourself, you can eat ....you know what it's not even worth explaining to you. Literally just made me stop mid sentence.

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You take everything so intensely. Why do you get so worked up over being right?

I suspect I wouldn't really enjoy your company as a person, you're too self-assured for my tastes, but I don't really know that that factors in here (for the record, I'm just as much a smartass in person, so I'm willing to wager the feeling is mutual).

I'm not trying to justify myself to you because I don't really care overmuch what you think of me, but this is part of it. What I said, that set you off, wasn't meant to be nasty. I mean, yes, it was, but it was meant to point out what I feel is a truth. It was a poor decision because I knew from prior history it would set you off. That's my error.

Sorry for derailing the point of your thread, dhamil3.

Weight loss is 75% diet. Not eating less but just eating better. Add in a little exercise and you will slowly lose weight. If you stick to the diet and exercise you will probably only lose 2.5 pounds per week. It is a slow go but you will get there.

you know, like powdered ranch dressing....

i've been on the workout to get back into shape routine before and have done so quite sucessfully in the past. just got divorced and was time to get back into the dating scene again. just thought the bar looked so damn delicous and then have it be a total failure. had another one for dinner the other night and was better than the first go round.

quote:

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Originally posted by Bugger:
Oh, well if that's all.

I had some Clif bars, and the chocolate brownie flavor was just disgusting. The others were alright, although I couldn't tell you what they even were. But damn, talk about gross.

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While I agree the flavor leaves a lot to be desired, when I'm in the midst of an 8 hour hike those things are golden. I probably wouldn't be eating them if I wasn't about the immediately use their contents, but they're like a second wind in bar form.

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Originally posted by Volcanon:
Real men take a large hog with them on an 8 hour hike. Then, when you need a second wind, you slaughter the hog and eat the bacon raw. The raw oinker flesh is like a second wind in pig form. Leave the parts of the carcass you don't need as an offering to the Bear God Grauwhl. He will be pleased.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Volcanon:
Real men take a large hog with them on an 8 hour hike. Then, when you need a second wind, you slaughter the hog and eat the bacon raw. The raw oinker flesh is like a second wind in pig form. Leave the parts of the carcass you don't need as an offering to the Bear God Grauwhl. He will be pleased.

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Raw bacon doesn't exist--it is, by definition, a cured meat, and yet you make no mention of salt at all. Such a dearth of knowledge would not only disappoint Bear God Grauwhl, but it has me doubting that you've ever even done this.

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Originally posted by GottaLoveElves:
Raw bacon doesn't exist--it is, by definition, a cured meat, and yet you make no mention of salt at all. Such a dearth of knowledge would not only disappoint Bear God Grauwhl, but it has me doubting that you've ever even done this.

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quote:

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Originally posted by airwalk:
You do realise that there is uncured bacon (legally, by industry standards, it's uncured anyway) though, right? Some people don't like salts. You can get it at an actual meat store or butcher. I mean, it's sold as "bacon" at least, not sure whose definition we're going by to define bacon... but yeah. Maybe they are misleaded the public in order to increase sales though. Hmmm, lots to think about with bacon.

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From The Hitchhiker's Guide Entry For Bacon, the first line:

quote:

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Originally posted by Wikipedia:
Bacon is a cured meat prepared from a pig. It is first cured using large quantities of salt, either in a brine or in a dry packing; the result is fresh bacon (also known as green bacon). Fresh bacon may then be further dried for weeks or months in cold air, boiled, or smoked. Fresh and dried bacon is typically cooked before eating. Boiled bacon is ready to eat, as is some smoked bacon, but may be cooked further before eating.

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I love how we have degenerated a healthy food post into bacon talk. Wouldn't have it any other way, really.