Sup ya'll I decided to experiment and stop drinking protein shakes on the premise that they make you hold water and aren't terribly good for muscle growth, here is what i've found thus far.
Due to having to eat more solid food, I've increased my consumption of eggs/egg whites and chicken breasts. This is fucking expensive and since im not rich does factor in a bit, but i've noticed a definite increase in appetite, which is good. The eggs seem to give me gas, it's getting proggressively better but hot farts SUCK so i'm anxious for my body to adjust. The first thing I noticed was an increase in vascularity, this happened about 2 days in. My guess is that this is due to a decrease in my consumption of glutamine/glutamate which is prevalent in powders. I noticed the skin on my forearms and calves got thin very quickly. I'm dieting and also getting stronger, my weight is still sitting at about 225 but bf is getting lower and im getting stronger. My deadlift has gone up from 405 for 2 to 405 for 5 in less than 2 weeks, and with a little more hip strength ill have it to 455 in a couple weeks im sure, overall im growing and fairly happy.
Since I dropped the powders, I wanted a replacement, something to fight off catabolism during the day, and a friend suggested BCAA's. I have NEVER taken these in my life, I always drank protein shakes, so on his advice i picked up some bcaas, its called BCAA+G from MRM. The product seems very high quality, but it doesnt mix in fucking water SO what you do is put 3 scoops on top of water, and chug it down. Odd product, but HOLY FAWK right away i could feel a difference, I am taking it 4 times a day, in the morning before workout after and before bed, and every time i drink it my muscles feel, i cant say just better. Pumps went through the roof, i like it a lot. I would imagine any BCAA product will work well, doesn't have to be this one but I highly recomment bcaa's now. I keep it with me so I can take some if i miss a meal, seems to work really great, and no bloating or water retention! Im also adding cardio starting monday in the morning, so im going to take a dose before i do it, and probably after as well as i seem to consistenly burn muscle whenever i do cardio. We'll see. Overall I'm very happy, I really do not feel powders are used efficiently by the body and eating all whole foods is working. WIll update again in a couple weeks, any questions shoot.
