Supplements, Supplements Everywhere

Since the beginning of June I have added a few items to my supplement routine in order to promote better dietary balance and stimulate and protect muscle growth even more.

My diet is currently running at about 2400-2600 calories a day; carbohydrate to protein ratio is around 1.6 : 1.  Fat is about 10% of my calories.

I was taking in about 3,000 calories up until the beginning of June.

My weight has fluctuated since I started bulking as my body grew (of course).  Adding to the fluctuation of weight was the fact that I didn’t have a scale on which I was consistently checking in.  I would be at Gym A one day, Gym B another, Gym C (yes, I have a Gym C) on another day.

Last week, I decided it was time that I bought a baseline scale and dropped $29.00 on a digital model.  My coach weighed me in at 155 on June 1.  As of this morning I am at 156.0 lbs, and I look bigger and leaner than I have in the past.

Oh how I love muscle growth.

Maybe it’s the supplements.  Maybe it’s the hard work.  Who knows.  Here’s what’s currently in my supplement routine (now all on top of my refrigerator because I can’t fit everything in my supplement cabinet):

1.
Mega EFA Fish Oil (3mg / day)
– Promotes healthy brain function, joint health and normal hormone function.  When you’re sticking to a lean diet, these are essential to include to ensure your body is getting everything it needs to function well.

2.
Creatine Blend (4g / day taken in 2 equal doses)
– Boosts performance in the gym and recovery afterward.  When you take creatine, be sure you’re drinking enough water to keep your kidneys happy.  I drink about 1 gallon a day.

3.
Alpha Lipoic Acid (1200mg / day taken in 2 equal doses)
– This helps combat free radicals that are unleashed in your system after strenuous workouts – and it makes your skin look glorious!

4.
Beta Alanine (3200g / day taken in 4 equal doses)
– You should stack your creatine with beta alanine as this boosts performance even more than just using creatine alone.

5.
Vitamin C (1000mg / day taken in 2 equal doses)
– This helps keep your immune system revved up and ready to combat anything that might come its way – especially helpful when you’re training hard and constantly breaking down your body.

6. Women’s Active Multi-Vitamin (1 serving in the AM)
– Just good to take for general health and wellness

7. Calcium (1200mg / day taken in 2 equal doses)
8. BCAA’s + Glutamine (1 serving taken 2 times a day in equal doses)

Just remember that gains in your figure are not done only through supplementation.  One supplement that can’t be beat is a healthy diet filled with vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and lots of water – nothing should ever be substituted for that.

Do your research, try new supplements that are linked to your goals, but most importantly listen to your body.  Tune in to what it’s telling you and don’t take anything that makes you feel lousy or totally crazy.

The work you do in the gym and in the kitchen will far outweigh any benefits that supplements alone will ever give you.  That’s why they’re called “supplements.”

Be safe and strong and let me know if you have any questions!