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Frequently
Asked Questions
Supplementation
| Question: |
In
the program, you mention that it's good to drink some
protein before going to sleep. Doesn´t that make
you fat by taking in protein then going to sleep? Doesn't
the protein just get stored as fat? |
| Answer:
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The protein shake at
night won't be enough calories to add any fat, to
be honest. What it will do is help keep your body
fed as you sleep. This is important when on the program
because your body is being forced to keep up with
the metabolic demands of the program. I can guarantee
this won't add fat but will actually help you with
your recovery.
Think of it this way...
a single gram of protein contains 4 calories. If you
take in a protein shake that contains 20 grams of
protein, that's 80 calories (we'll round up to 100
calories, adding a few carbs or fat calories). Depending
on your body's need for protein, let's say half of
those calories are burned in the processing of the
protein. That leaves you with 50 calories. Even if
you store every single one of those calories as fat
(VERY unlikely), a pound of fat contains 3500 calories.
It would take 70 of those protein shakes to add a
pound of pure fat to your body (assuming you did nothing
to burn it off in the meantime).
You are MUCH better
off giving your muscles the raw materials they need
to rebuild and making sure that enough protein is
available at the right times.
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| Question: |
Will
a fat burner supplement help with the first phase of
this program? |
| Answer:
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To be honest, I'm not
a big fan of fat burner type supplements. In my opinion,
the slight increase in results you get with the majority
of them aren't worth the side effects and problems
with recovery. This program is designed to kick up
your metabolism through training and nutritional changes.
Your body really doesn't need pills to help with that
process.
The side effects (such
as jitters and sleeplessness) can interfere with your
recovery from the training, which can lead to premature
overtraining and burnout on the program. Coming off
those pills can also result in rebound weight gain
as your body can develop a sort of reliance on the
stimulating effects of many of these pills.
Bottom line: I don't
recommend fat burner pills to use with the program.
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| Question: |
In
Dr. Berardi's meal plans instructions, he mentions Low
Carb Grow from Biotest and Greens+. Where can I get
these products? |
| Answer:
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Low Carb Grow is actually
a different product now - GROW Whey. It's offered
only direct from the manufacturer at T-Nation.com.
Please note, though the product is excellent, some
of the content on the site of a "mature"
nature. This link I have provided is a direct link
straight to the order page, which contains more information
the product.
Greens+ can be ordered
directly from the company's website (http://www.greenspluscanada.com).
There are other companies that make similar "greens"
products that are available in most health food stores
(including Barley Green, GNC's Maximum Greens Complete,
etc.) if you prefer to just get some locally rather
than through mail order. These will also work in place
of the Greens+ product.
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| Question: |
The
first question in how do you feel about supplementing
with BCAA's. The second is do you take any supplements
pre-workout, and if yes, what do you take. My last question
is, what do you think of talking supplement during a
workout in the 2nd-4th weeks. Supplements like glutamine,
BCAA's, and Maltodextrin. |
| Answer:
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BCAA's are excellent
supplements as well. Sometimes, what I like to do
is take those pretty much right before a workout.
They digest quickly and are great for staying anabolic.
Pre-workout, I normally take the Hyper
Gain creatine (any good creatine ethyl ester product
will work here) as well as about 1000 mg of vitamin
C. The creatine helps with energy levels and the C
helps with soreness and keeping cortisol levels down.
During the workout, personally, I can't take anything.
Just sits in my stomach and makes me feel like garbage.
If you find you CAN take things during a workout,
those 3 you mentioned would actually be quite good.
Just sip it a little at a time so you don't get a
ton in your stomach at once.
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