To obtain big muscles progressively, you need a weightlifting workout with increasing size of weights, to take about six protein rich meals every day and ensuring that you get enough rest after working out. Taking six meals a day is not as easy as it seems. This is where protein powder supplements come in.

Protein shakes eliminate the need to prepare six meals. After all a bodybuilder does not have that time. The protein shakes should therefore be prepared in such a way that they contain maximum calories and protein. For example, when working out with weights, one should ensure protein intake is about 1.5 Gms per pound of your bodyweight.

For the meals, the best sources of protein include: whey, cottage cheese, eggs, chicken or turkey and fish. Beef may be included but it has to be lean since beef is known to contain saturated fats (read high cholesterol levels). The meal should be taken immediately after an intense work out session.

Supplements Before Workout

Working out on an empty stomach is detrimental. This is because the body will turn on to the muscle tissue to supplement its energy requirements. Research has shown that training while hungry triggers hormonal increase and vice versa. Increase of hormone production requires energy. This explains the reason why the body has to devour the already formed muscle tissue for energy. Eating will therefore preserve the muscle mass as well help in fat loss. Fat loss comes about when the body the body burns up fat to obtain energy.

Taking a smoothie full of high quality protein powder and other calories just before working out has added advantages. One is that the muscles continuously receive the nutrients they need for the workout. Second is that the smoothie prevents hunger pangs while preventing the bloated feeling of food. Protein powders nowadays taste better and have different flavors to prevent taste dislike keeping you from consuming the powder.

Protein shakes are a good start in the morning. This is because one is normally hungry and in a catabolic state in the morning. A protein-carbohydrate shake is easily digested and kick starts protein synthesis to counter the catabolic process.
Supplements after working out, immediately after training, the body is eager to absorb all the necessary nutrients needed to facilitate quick recovery of the worn out muscles.

The protein shake supplement comes into play again. The body digests liquids faster than solid food. The protein full shake is quickly digested then synthesized to maintain a good positive nitrogen balance and preservation of formed muscle. The proteins and carbohydrates in this case should be fast acting.

A solid meal should follow the shake. A meal consisting of slow digesting protein and carbohydrates is suitable. Slow digesting proteins make the body supply the essential amino acids in for longer periods of time. This is especially good at night when one is asleep and the body may tend to slip into the catabolic state. Casein/ whey is a perfect example of a fast acting protein.

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