This post was highly requested so I am super excited to have it up and running for you all! Truth be told, I am not a huge supplement taker. Many people tend to think we need it in order to be successful. Supplements are exactly what they are…supplemental. They can definitely aid you in your goals and can make life a little easier, but at the end of the day only true hard work is going to get you from point A to point B. One of the first questions out of peoples mouths to me related to fitness is “What supplements do you take?” which shows me that they may think it can make a huge difference and that is not always the case. Like in any of my posts, I will always be 100% upfront and honest with you all. Nothing out of my mouth or in my post will not be something that I wouldn’t take or do myself. I have been approached by multiple diet and fitness related companies and have turned all their offers down. Why? I simply do not believe in their company and their products. I will never show you a magic tea that will make you lose 20 pounds, a magic coffee, a waist trainer…(unless it is postpartum related)…EVER. I will always deliver you my honest two cents and never try to sell you on anything just to make myself money.
This does not mean that I do not support supplement stores or brands, even. I 100% do. I support the companies that are truly there to help you and to guide you in your supplement selection and to be an educator because it really does get confusing!
Okay, now on to what you really came here for!
So what supplements do I take?
- I take a whey protein shake after every workout
- Quest protein specifically for smoothies and baking
- Fat burning BCAA, Amino formula
- Vitamin C pill
- Daily multi-vitamin
I absolute love taking my whey protein. It is convenient, fast, and helps in curving cravings (personally). I purchase Dymatize ISO 100. My favorite is the Gourmet Chocolate. Seriously SO good! Want a tip? Shake it up like a normal shake but then use it as the “milk” for a post-workout cereal.
I tend to have a more sensitive stomach and Dymatize ISO 100 is the only protein I have found that settles well with me! It’s not super grainy and the flavors taste “real” and don’t leave a bad after-taste. What is great about ISO 100 specifically is that it is ultra pure, super fast-digesting and absorbing hydrolyzed 100% whey protein isolate.
You can find more Dymatize flavors and products here.
I choose Quest protein primarily for smoothies and baking due to it’s thickness. It is more of a all-around, everyday protein powder. It is not as fast digesting as the ISO, so you feel fuller longer. Quest protein powder is definitely more thick and the flavors are ammmaaaze. You cannot go wrong with all their varieties.
You can find more Quest flavors and products here.
Amino lean is a supplement I use for recovery, fat-loss, and energy. I take it primarily for the recovery aspect since I am weight-training 6 days a week and constantly on my feet. I choose to take it right before my workout for the energy boost. It has the right amount of caffeine for me. I stay away from pre-workouts because my stomach just cannot handle it. Amino Lean has 130mg of stimulants, which is perfect.
You can find out more about Amino Lean and other flavors here.
Daily I take a Multi-Vitamin and Vitamin C. We get ours at Costco due to the amount you get for the price (since Brody uses them, too). The Multi-Vitamin I take in the morning after I eat my Meal 1. *Do not take on an empty stomach*. I take it for overall health and digestion. The Vitamin C I take after my workout with my post-workout shake/meal. Vitamin C is an antioxidant which cleanses the body of cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone in the body that can make you hold onto unnecessary water and slows down your fat-loss. Vitamin C puts your body into a healthier state of recovery after your workout.
I highly recommend doing your research first before purchasing any supplement. Where was this product made? What is in it? Will this product aid me in my goals? Do I have health restrictions that inhibit me from taking certain supplements? (Pregnancy is one of them, ladies!) In my experience, never opt for the cheap stuff. Some stores carry generic types of supplements that are a lot cheaper that your leading brand (Optimum Nutrition, ProSupps, Cellucor, etc.) that have been known to use unnecessary fillers. Think of this stuff as an investment. Why would you cheapen out to something that is going into your body?
If you have any questions about supplements and how to utilize them for your specific goals, please leave a comment below or email me!
