Supplements: The Pitfalls to Working Out?

Hello, and welcome all of my faithful readers! We talked a little bit about protein shakes in a blog post last year and mentioned once over the past blog posts about how protein shakes are the only supplements I take when I work out. I want to clarify a little bit about protein shakes and some other supplements. There are a lot of different articles about protein shakes and supplements and if they are good for you. I want to give you guys an accurate glimpse into a few of the most popular supplements on the market right now. Are supplements the pitfalls to working out?

1. Protein and Protein Shakes
There has been a lot of heated debate around the topic of protein and protein shakes. Is added protein to your diet good for your body, your weight loss, and your overall diet? I would say that protein shakes are an added supplement for those people that are serious about putting on some mass muscle in a short amount of time. I added a good ten pounds of muscle in a span of two weeks just by adding a protein shake to my diet 3-5 times a week. It is for ADVANCED bodybuilders or for people that know what they are doing. Let's focus for now on how to get rid of the fat, not how to build the muscle. Besides the obvious chance of overdosing from eating or drinking to many protein shakes, the only side effect for those people that take it in moderation is the chance of laxatives and gas.

2. Creatine or Creatine Kinase
Creatine or Creatine Kinase is a powder that you can mix into drinks that will boost muscle growth in a very short amount of time. Creatine is NOT a steroid! It is found in red meats and fish in minute levels. Creatine reduces fatigue. It is a myth that Creatine is a steroid. Creatine allows you to do more reps and more sets which provides you with more lean muscle mass in the months following your beginning to take the supplement. The side effects of Creatine are the same as protein or protein shakes. It CAN in rare cases cause stomach or gastrointestinal issues. The huge problem that bodybuilders and athletes have with Creatine is that it puts H2O into your muscles which allows your muscles to look bigger naturally. That water weight can be and is heavy. Due to having that water in your skin and muscles it makes you look softer instead of more solid. Creatine can be used, but is NOT in any case needed right now in your weight loss journey.

3. Nitric Oxide
Nitric oxide is a newer bodybuilding supplement that has recently been released by supplement companies. Nitric Oxide is a natural gas that allows the body to communicate in between cells. It releases more adrenaline and more hormones. NO allows more blood through the veins and to muscles. The fatigue of the muscles doesn't exist for long because the increased blood flow allows your muscles to heal. The hormones and adrenaline that is released helps you to go longer and harder. If you have high or low blood pressure you should consult your doctor before taking Nitric Oxide.

As with all of these supplements, there is always a chance of overdosing. We are not responsible for your supplemental intake, overdose, how you take it, or death. You should consult your doctor before taking any supplements. Supplements can be good, but you should know how much to take and how often to take it. In the long run, supplements are pitfalls to your working out at this point in time. When you are trying to lose weight, muscle is going to do you no good. You can build a little bit of muscle to help you burn more calories, but you will end up looking fatter because you are growing the muscle under the layer of fat. Stay on the path of just burning the fat off.

Happy weight loss!

~Obesity Overload