TFrasier73

Cool. As soon as it's gone, I'm ditching it.....have a good day!

Thanks so much! I really appreciate the input. Okay...so...do I really even need to supplement with Glutamine at all, since it's already in my post-workout shakes? I keep using it (mostly because I've read that it can curb cravings) but if I don't really need it, then I will ditch it completely. It's just wasted money really, and I'm all about cutting out what I don't need. Otherwise, if I keep it, I should only use it post-workout, is what you're saying? And keep the BCAA powder, but only use it pre- and post-workout on LIFTING days...have I got it right?

After my lifting workout, I have some rice/pea/hemp protein with coconut or flaxseed oil, 8 oz water and 8 oz rice or almond milk, and usually frozen mango or a banana thrown in, 5 grams creatine, 5 grams glutamine, 5 grams BCAA. Sometimes I add spirulina powder and spinach. About an hour after that, I have rolled oats with some raisins or whole grain toast with natural peanut butter and jam. I'm wondering though, now that I am switching to T-Th-Sat early-morning cardio only (prob HIIT), should I eat anything before I head to the gym? I know it's prob best to have nothing and do it on an empty stomach, but if I have to have SOMETHING, should it just be a protein/fat source? Like maybe either a small protein shake with water or 1 tbsp natural peanut butter? I know I want to stay away from carbs before cardio, right? I also have (on the way to the gym - but I save it mostly for during the workout) water with either an Emergen-C packet or powdered Gatorade drink with 5 grams creatine, 5 grams BCAA, 5 grams glutamine and 2 grams Beta Alanine. I use creatine, BCAA powder and glutamine both before and after, 5 grams each time. Sometimes I also crush 200 mg caffeine in that drink, as well. Just depends how I feel. I try not to get dependent on that. Also, I usually have an apple before my lifting workouts or toast with jam (I generally workout by 7:00 a.m. every morning so I don't want to eat a real "meal" at that time yet.) I almost always follow my lifting AND cardio sessions with my rice/pea/hemp protein shake listed above, then I eat something like rolled oats or brown rice and bean tortilla, rice cake with peanut butter or almonds and dried fruit or soy yogurt with nuts, about an hour or two later. Should I still have the protein drink after my cardio only sessions that I'm going to be starting? In other words, the post-workout nutrition stays the same, regardless of whether you've just done cardio-only or lifted weights? That's where I'm unsure.....and I'm not sure of the proper carb/protein ratio for post-workout either. I used to try and do 2:1 or 3:1.

MrSwolehouse, I think you may be right. On M-W-F I am doing that 30 minutes of cardio AFTER I do my lifting at the gym. That's not so good, I know. I'm going to just dump the 30 mins like you suggested and see what happens. Once I actually do that 30 minutes after lifting, I am pretty beat anyway. I am a self-proclaimed cardio-junkie, I'll admit. I know that my body responds better to lots of cardio, but that actually years ago when I had a ton of weight to lose. Ever since then, I've felt chained to cardio for results. It's probably best I do cardio on a separate day altogether. I'm ordering the Met-RX CLA today and starting that next week, too.

I know...I used to do the 6-meal-a-day thing....chicken, brown rice/sweet potato, broccoli. I thought I would die if I ate another chicken breast. Now I eat a lot of legumes, still lots of brown rice but I have variation now. I love to make lentil soup, too. I make a lot of stir-fry type dishes with tofu now, too. You can always mix up the veggies and seasonings. Every night is a chance to make a new recipe. I love it. I feel healthier now than ever before. I was about 225 lbs at my heaviest weight, and currently I am around 132 lbs., 5'7" tall. I am trying to really just tone up and add more definition. I have so much more energy for my workouts now and amazing motivation. I mostly run, do cardio machines at the gym, strength train, Kundalini and Vinyasa yoga, and crossfit/Krav Maga classes. My concern now is that I may be doing too much running/cardio machines....I don't want to waste away any muscle that I could be adding...I don't know how much is too much. I'm doing about 30 minutes on M-W-F and about a full hour of cardio (either at the gym or running outside) on T-Th-Sat. Sundays are my rest day, or just take my dogs for a walk. You should check out Robert Cheeke's book, Vegan Bodybuilding and Fitness. It's awesome! I thought I "already knew everything I needed to know about health and fitness" but I am learning a lot by reading his book. It's keeping me inspired at the moment.

Welcome, btw, (We've been chatting about supplements already but I didn't realize you were new here.) I'm actually pretty new myself, having only been vegan since May. I, too, was always afraid of...."where I'd get my protein" from. It's true, though, it's a much healthier lifestyle and you can most definitely build a strong lean physique....with muscles...while being vegan. You look awesome! Keep it up!

Interesting. Well, I will have to try that brand. I can order it from Bodybuilding.com for $14.95 for 90 pills, looks like. So with that brand you're taking 2 softgels in the a.m. and 2 in p.m.? I'll give it a try for sure. Thanks for the tip. I think the brand I was using before was Natrol Tonalin CLA.

MrSwolehouse, I've tried Tonalin CLA in the past. I could sort of take it or leave it. I couldn't really say either way whether it did anything for me. Maybe I will give it a try again and see what I think.

Tuc, Thanks for your reply. I think you're correct about that. I'm already using beta-alanine, so the carnitine would just be another expense for nothing, I'd say.

According to the Environmental Working Group website, here's the 2010 "Dirty Dozen": (You would want to purchase these as organic, if possible:) Celery, Peaches, Strawberries, Apples, Blueberries, Nectarines, Bell Peppers, Spinach, Kale, Cherries, Potatoes, Grapes (Imported) And here's the 2010 "Clean 15": (So you can purchase these as conventional, but be sure to wash them really well) Onions, Avocado, Sweet Corn, Pineapple, Mango, Sweet Peas, Asparagus, Kiwi, Cabbage, Eggplant, Cantaloupe, Watermelon Grapefruit, Sweet Potato, Honeydew Melon Do remember to wash even the melons, even though they’re on the clean 15. I have read other sources that say cantaloupes, for example, can be very heavily sprayed. Our bodies are generally safe because of the very thick rind on the melon, but you want to make sure you scrub the outside very well before slicing it and rolling it around on the cutting board that will soon be home to your cut fruit. Does Washing Help Reduce the Pesticides? Washing helps, but the dirty dozen and clean fifteen lists take washing and peeling into account. There are still internal chemicals floating around all these produce items.

Has anyone ever tried L-Carnitine? I was thinking of trying something called Quadracarn L-Carnitine by Beverly International (this product has "extra" carnitine.) It sounds like a great product to add, but a lot of things that I've read say that it isn't "proven" to be effective. I just wondered if anyone had experience with it. L-carnitine transfers long-chain fatty acids, such as triglycerides into mitochondria (a cell's energy powerhouse), where they may be oxidized to produce energy. L-carnitine is a very popular supplement that promotes growth and development. It is also used for fat-burning, increasing energy, and improving resistance to muscle fatigue. L-carnitine also helps to build muscle. It is also great in dieting, as it reduces feelings of hunger and weakness. Supposedly, it works even better when paired with caffeine. It targets fat loss better together.

If you can find a Crossfit class near your home, that's a great workout. Once I incorporated that into the mix, the muscles were popping out....I do a ton of cardio and weights, too. I had to really up my intake of food in order to start to see results. I wasn't eating enough or often enough and felt so drained. When you're pushing your body, you need to also fuel the body. At first I thought I was going to gain fat, but I didn't. I did see the number on the scale increase, but my inches went down. It's all a process...but it's well worth it.

I have cried every single time I've watched it. I watched it alone first, then with my husband. I couldn't stop crying but wanted to share it with him, so I pushed through it. It definitely reminds me of why I'm vegan. I love Joaquin Phoenix. After seeing Food, Inc and then Earthlings, and a few other documentaries, it's what inspired me to get involved with a local animal rights group. I felt so helpless and wanted to do something, anything. I totally agree that it should be shown to non-vegans, as well, and in schools.

I use something called Purple Wraath during my workout and I also throw in BCAA powder, Glutamine and Creatine. I sometimes add Beta-Alanine if I have it, but it's already in the Purple Wraath powder that I use. Post-workout I always have a rice protein shake (at the moment I'm using Nutribiotic Organic powder) mixed with water and rice milk or water and some juice. I throw in some coconut oil for some fat and one cup or berries usually, along with spirulina powder and/or ground flaxseeds. I usually have an apple pre-workout and lots of water. I also have oatmeal about an hour after my post-workout shake or something with lots of carbs. I never really have cravings for anything bad and haven't eaten anything with refined sugar in ages. I can honestly say that I don't miss junk food at all. I actually crave fruit now when I want something sweet. What happens to me now is that if I eat something loaded with sugar, I get a bad headache and crash really quickly. I've played around with tons of supplements and truly do believe that it's 80% what you're eating, 10% genetics and 10% exercise. No amount of supplementation will help if your diet and lifestyle are not up to par. That's just the simple truth.

I've started buying all my personal care products from the health food store near my home. It's a little pricier, but the quality is so much better, so it's worth it. I love Avalon Organics, Aubrey Organics, JASON, Kiss My Face, to name a few. Aveda products are my fave and that's what they use at my hair salon. I'm faithful to their Botanical Kinetics gel face wash and hydrating creme.

Both my husband and I do Krav Maga at a studio here in Michigan. It's a pretty good workout. We use bags/pads and incorporate kickboxing into the mix. Where I go they also have a Cross Fit class a couple times per week. So I do that as a workout, along with running, strength training at the gym, and kundalini yoga. I try to mix up my routine to prevent boredom and challenge my muscles.

I'm Your Man, Ha Ha! Yeah, I can type pretty fast...so only a couple minutes, I guess. Thanks so much. I am inspired by everyone on this forum, that's for sure. I also recently received Robert's book, and that is what's inspiring me lately. He's awesome!

Lobsteriffic, I honestly have only one picture of me at that weight. I could not stand photos being taken, so I avoided them at all costs. I carry the one photo with me in my wallet to remind me of that time. It seems like so long ago, like I was never even that person. I was about 24 when I started on that weight loss journey, and now I am 36. It took me about 2 years to get to my goal weight. I did it by working out and just eating a clean diet. It wasn't until May of this year that I became vegan. Once I made the transition, I actually lost weight without trying very hard. I am not really trying to lose weight, just strengthen and tone my muscles. I love to run, strength train at the gym, and do kundalini yoga these days.

Im Your Man, Yes, you have to be at a speed of 225 words per minute in order to graduate and pass the state exam, typically it is not a "degree" program. That requires you to practice at least two hours a day at speeds of up to 240 words per minute in order to gain the 225 speed. You are simply state certified once you pass the state test with no degree, but there are a gazillion other certifications you can get, the national one being the most prestigious. That allows you to work in any state. And yeah, it took a lot to loose all that weight. I was just fed up one day and did it I guess....lol. I realized that no one could do it for me, and I was tired of making all the excuses not to. I kept a picture in my head of what I "wanted" to look like, and every day envisioned that as I worked out. Eventually, I made it there but I'm always striving to push myself even further.

I'm Your Man, Yeah, that's me, but I'm not quite as toned as that at the moment...but I'm getting back there. I had to take a bit of a break from working out due to some family matters taking a lot of my time. I used to weigh 225 pounds, and it was a tough struggle to lose the weight, but that was back in 1998, which seems like ages ago. I'm no stranger to hard work in the gym. I've only been vegan since May of this year, though. Once I made the switch, I actually dropped weight in the beginning without really trying very hard. My diet's always been pretty clean, though. And, yes, that job (court stenographer) still exists...it's actually a very technologically-advanced job these days. I write to a machine that then translates to my laptop that's sitting in front of me, allowing me to edit what's being said while we are on a break, which then allows me to get more work done, ultimately, in a shorter amount of time. It's producing the transcripts that takes a lot of time. I also have attorneys that hook into my computer via a cable that's connected to their computer. They receive a realtime feed of what's happening so that they can plan their next plan of action as far as questioning a witness goes. Also, do you ever watch TV with the captions on? Well, that's also a court stenographer hard at work. That's basically like the "Ph.D." of court stenography. You have to be at your very best in order to do that because the error rate is so low. I'd like to get into that in the future. It's a costly investment to get started, and you have to go through some short-term rigorous training, like a boot camp-style preparation with someone guiding you through it at a caption company. It's a future goal for sure because the money is plentiful there.....

I'm feeling better than ever, staying consistent with my workouts and eating habits. Loving life! Simply remembering that each day is another opportunity to live life to the fullest, striving always for improvement in all things. I'm grateful that my mother's health is improving and grateful to just be alive and well. Trying to stay focused on living one moment at a time, not consumed with the past, nor anticipating the future. I will be present in the here and now. True contentment comes from within.

Tonight's dinner was bean and veggie burritos: Kidney beans (cover the beans with water) cooked with garlic, kale, roasted red peppers, onions, corn, okra, green peppers, add one tsp of each: cayenne pepper seasoning, paprika, chili powder. Just saute it for about 20 minutes (letting the water soak everything up into a thick consistency). Add some nutritional yeast, salsa, tofutti sour cream, throw into a whole grain tortilla, voila, dinner is served. (I also had a mixed greens salad with tomatoes, beets and sunflower seeds with rice vinegar as my dressing.)

I'm a court stenographer (you know, the lady that sits in court typing everything that's going on on the little machine?) and I also take care of my mother who is very ill with a heart condition and emphysema. My work hours are actually very flexible, but my workouts are always in the morning, usually hitting the gym by 6:30 - 7:00 a.m. I try and get back home by 9:00 a.m. at the latest. And depending on what my work schedule is like, (sometimes I work from home on transcripts only) then I plan my day accordingly. Most days between work I have to tend to things for my mom. I could never workout at night, though. I would definitely be too tired. I have to get to bed by 10:30 p.m. every night, too...or I should say I fall asleep, no matter what, by that time.

Creatine, otherwise known as methyl guanidine acetic acid, is made up of three amino acids in arginine, histidine and methionine. It can be synthesized in a lab or the liver can combine these amino acids and synthesize it's own creatine. What that essentially means is, we produce it naturally. In fact, most people synthesize about a gram a day, and those who eat red meat synthesize even more. 95% of the creatine in our body is stored in skeletal muscle, with the other 5% in the liver, kidneys and brain. When energy is needed, ATP will cleave off one of it's phosphate groups, becoming ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate), and thus provide the body with immediate energy. Creatine phosphate, with the donation of its phosphate group, allows the adenosine-diphosphate to become adenosine-triphosphate again. Thus, you recover quicker, secondary to the quick re-synthesis of ATP Creatine has also been directly related to enhanced exercise performance. The more creatine in a given muscle, the better it will be able to complete a given task. Glutamine is highly in demand throughout the body. It is used in the gut and immune system extensively to maintain optimal performance. 60% of free-form amino acids floating in skeletal muscles is L-glutamine. L-glutamine plays a very important role in protein metabolism, and it appears to be a very important nutrient for body builders. When supplemented, it may help body builders reduce the amount of muscle deterioration that occurs because other tissues that need glutamine will not rob the glutamine stored in the muscle cells.

Chrisjs, I did receive an email from the owners of Beverly International about Uplift's ingredients: "Tracy, There are no ingredients from animal sources in Up-Lift." All the best, Sandy and Roger