How do I take a Weightgainer? - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

Cyanide · 06-11-2002, 12:35 AM

I know I should probably follow the reccommended dosage, but it reccommends that I use it multiple times a day. However, I simply want to take one serving a day. When should I take this serving though? Right after a workout? Right before a workout? Before I go to bed? Also, should I take it with water? With milk? My goal, obviously, is to gain muscle mass. Thanks for all advice in advance.

ScottGee · 06-11-2002, 08:02 AM

What are your stats? How old, tall, weight, goals, etc.? What is your current diet like?

If you are seriously attempting to gain weight and are eating good enough to only need to supplement once per day, I would recommend taking the weight gainer (what kind is it by the way?) after a workout about 30 minutes after taking a carb drink or eating something with carbs that have a high glycemic index so you can cause your insulin levels to spike. (this is the only time I recommend that you attempt to spike your insulin levels) This will prepare your system to receive the protein meal that you eat after a workout and utilize the protein quicker and better (very simple explanation). Hopefully THIS weight gainer has whey protein. (NOT ALWAYS better but better in this case). It is more bio-available to the body. (More readily able to be used)

Cyanide · 06-12-2002, 01:14 AM

I'm 5'9", 140lbs. You gave me advice on a prior post on which I mentioned some of the info your asking for. Im taking Heavyweight Gainer 900 by Champion Nutrition. It does have whey protein in it. My goal is to gain muscle mass. I was thinking I would do something like this. About a half hour after my workout, eat a bagel with tuna and then a cup of lowfat plain yogurt (14g protein and 37g carbs), and then drink the weightgainer.

Should I take it with milk or water?

ScottGee · 06-12-2002, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cyanide:
About a half hour after my workout, eat a bagel with tuna and then a cup of lowfat plain yogurt (14g protein and 37g carbs), and then drink the weightgainer.

Should I take it with milk or water?

First, If you take it this way you stand the chance of wasting your protein, possibly having it go unused and turned to fat, or at best not getting the full benefit of the supplement.

Try this... Immediately after your workout take something like a carb drink to spike your insulin levels then about 30 minutes later, slam the protein drink. Water is fine. Skim milk ads 8 grams of protein per cup (use a cup and a half to 2 cups depending on how thick you want it) For hard gainers like yours truly this is usually OK. Then about 2.5 hours later depending on when you workout, eat your tuna, etc. This is if it's not too late.

NOTE: I don't suggest this for everyone but I found unbelievable success by setting my alarm and waking up at 2:00am just long enough to down another shake

(Kind of radical though and I would only suggest this for the extreme hardgainer.

BTW there is a good possibility that during your trial and error that you will gain some fat during your quest for size. Don't worry about it. It comes off! Especially on us hardgainers.

I started out 8 years ago at 6'2 1/2", 169lbs with 9% bodyfat and a 28 inch waist. I consistantly gained until the present. I am now 229lbs with 11% BF (waist crept up to 33... I'm carrying all of my fat there)

Hope this helps!

ScottGee

Cyanide · 06-13-2002, 03:05 PM

Thanks for the advice. It really helped a lot. However, I am a student and really don't want to spend too much money on shakes and such. The only shake I am taking is a weightgainer with 103g of carbs and 35g protein (not including protein and carbs from 2 cups of skim milk). The shake has 900 calories with the milk. Since this is the only shake I have and I don't have a seperate protein and carb shake, is it ok if i just take this weightgainer shake right after my workout and then a few hours later have the tuna etc like you suggested? Or is it vital to have a carb shake followed by a protein shake a little after?

Thanks for the advice in advance.

-J