Thoughtful Tuesday - 17

Okay so I was down my local gym the other day and the usual banter was flying around from the different guys there when I noticed one guy had the biggest tub of protein I've seen in a while with him. So I asked him what the hell he was doing with that seriously over-sized tub of protein. His reply is one I hear a lot "I won't to put on some more size". I should probably put this in to some slight perspective, his main training parameters are in the 1-3 rep range lifting weights which are suitable for those reps a fair few sets on each exercise and he doesn't do any direct leg work either. Now this is all well and good if y0u want to get stronger, this is not a good workout if you want to put on some size and get bigger. The introduction of a protein shake or two or three or half a cow isn't going to make any difference to that fact. I have no doubt that it will probably aid in a bit of recovery but that will be about it. Indeed it might even help him lose some body fat but it won't make any sizable difference to the maximum peak of his biceps!

Okay so what is my point? Well there are a few actually. First and foremost, the introduction of extra protein in to your diet will not somehow magically increase body muscle to some freakish extent. This is a very common misconception. In order to put on some noticeable difference in muscle size you need to be lifting a high volume of semi heavy weights, constantly destroying yourself in the process, seriously looking after all of your nutrition so you're getting the proper nutrients and on top of that getting enough rest (i.e. sleep) so your body can recover and rebuild with said nutrients. Oh and this needs to be done most days, at least 5-6 times a week. For someone to think that all they need to do is add some extra protein to their diet in order to grow is laughable. I guess he thinks he has some special gene that will amazingly convert dietary protein in to muscle.

Now I know I've gone off on one there and to be fair it's not his fault in the slightest that he thinks that way. The supplement companies have worked long and hard to brain wash people on the effects of protein. They use phrases like "freakish" and "maximum human potential" when describing the benefits their protein will have to your body. Fact is, it's not true. Protein is one of those very important essential nutrients our body needs regardless of what it's used for but just by adding it to your diet will not increase muscle mass (I wish it was that easy! I could stop training!!) Fact is you still need to put in the hard graft.

Getting the physique that you want is exactly the same as any other thing you may want out of life. Nothing worth having comes easy. Whether it's work, love or body. Sacrifices need to be made, hard work has to be put in and sometimes, just sometimes you have to be an ass in order to get what you want, there are no short cuts.

J