I am a male 5'7 1/2" and weigh 170. I am wanting to lose about 10 more lbs but also about to start weight training at the gym. I am "big boned" so I dont think im much overweight. I really would like to get some form and have good muscle tone. Im not really wanting to get big and bulky or be able to lift like he-man just want to get a little stronger but have good looking muscles. I am told I need to be lifting less weight but lots of reps. Thats fine but also everyone rambles on and on about how important protein is etc etc. I eat mainly chicken and fish but Im sure I probably need more. If I buy whey protein to mix up with milk or something what kind of effects would it have? Like I said I would like to lose a few more lbs or even just slim down a bit more even if I gain a few in muscle. I appreciate any advice.

Take count of what you eat for a few days and figure out how much protein you're getting. If it's not 1g per pound of body weight, you need to get more. Real food is the best way to go, but whey is certainly an option. As long as you adjust calories to accommodate extra protein (and milk!), you shouldn't gain any extra weight/fat. When you start lifting to gain mass, up your calories to ~500 over maintenance.

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Keep your body lean, your blood clean and your mind sharp. -Rollins

whats the big deal about whey prtoein anyway? what makes it different from all the other ones.

Mainly faster digestion and absorption (along with it being high quality protein), which is good post workout, and possibly first thing in the morning when your bodies gonna be running low on aminos after going the night without.