I Threw Out All My Supplements

[NaturalMsO]

After years of bodybuilding and taking supplements, I decided to do an experiment and go off everything (protein powder and daily vitamins excluded). And guess what? I've been supplement-less for about two years now, and I'm making some of the best gains in my entire bodybuilding career. So, it makes me ask myself: Are most of the supplements on the market today just a crock of BS? Probably. My gains never faltered (and even improved!) when I went off everything. Ah, the mass market of advertising propaganda. Go figure.

Have any of you done this and had similar results?

Natural Ms. Olympia

[CrazyTall]

Actually yes I have, and I have had similar results to you.
I focus more on my training and nutrition when I dont have to worry about taking this and that supp at certain times.

[NaturalMsO]

It's good to know that not everyone is still wrapped up in the supplement scam of things!

Natural Ms. Olympia

[NaturalMsO]

CrazyTall:

Hey, I just noticed that you live in Florida part time. In which part of Florida are you?

Natural Ms. Olympia

[sickwitit]

nice me too i don't use any well except a multi but for the other crap they have HELL NO. nice post once again natural

[CrazyTall]

CrazyTall:

Hey, I just noticed that you live in Florida part time. In which part of Florida are you?

Natural Ms. Olympia

Clearwater. I'm down here for the winter months.

[Diab0lic]

I only supplement whey, multi and efa's. I do take creatine on occasions, but I dont bother with 90% of the crap out there

[sickwitit]

good thinking it's all junk

unless you take in a ton of protein then it's a must to have the whey

[LayneStaley]

I'm slowly starting to realise it to (I know it, but you know how stupid we all tend to be sometimes) since adding HIIT cardio, I've had better results than the ECA stack and long-paced cardio alone. I'm going to throw out my supplements too. and I feel awesome about it.

[toughnuts]

Yeah suppliments suck. They dont help at all!

[A-man]

Agreed! whey and multi and that's it...(the whey must also be artifical sweetener and colouring free)

[dwasson85]

I completely agree. Being a college student and working out mostly in a college gym, a lot of my friends accused me of losing my mind when I told them I was giving everything up.

I found that with my limited food abilities (aka dorm life) I couldn't get enough protein, so I went back on the shakes. Other than that, I don't miss the stuff I was on (creatine, l-glutamine.) My gains actually went up because I felt like I had something to prove again. It was like I was just starting again.

After doing this, I don't plan on staying this way forever... just until I get my diet perfect. I think it'll be worth the time and money to go back on that stuff once my diet is the best it can be.

[Pooh Bear]

This is by far the most money saving, best advice, intelligent, honest, thread on the forums.

Should be the Sticky of All Stickys!

[chewwy]

instead of throwing out all your supplements, can yous end them to me instead?

[LayneStaley]

instead of throwing out all your supplements, can yous end them to me instead?

You missed the point, young grasshopper... ahhh you have much to learn.

[jake24]

good thinking it's all junk

unless you take in a ton of protein then it's a must to have the whey

yep your absolutly right... supplements are mostly propaganda with there multi- million dollar advertisings. but you have to have protein though.

[NaturalMsO]

Wow. It's nice to see that so many of you have done the same thing and have realized that supplements (with very few exceptions) are nothing more than a mass money-making scam. If I had only realized this sooner, I'd be a lot richer. *sigh* Ah well.

Natural Ms. Olympia

[Pioneer]

well my problem is im a hard gainer. i have tried to eat a lot and eat healthy but nothing work. so for some of us some extra help is needed.

and i think protein powder is a supplement, so technically (i think) you are still on supplements.

[NaturalMsO]

Pioneer: I said "excluding protein powder and daily vitamins." Of course, they're supplements. That's why I said "excluding," to indicate that those are the only supplements I take.

Some bodybuilders would disagree with you on your "hard gainer" theory. Several experienced bodybuilders will tell you that there is no such thing as a "hard gainer," it's just an excuse that people use because they don't know how to eat/train/rest properly. Now, don't get mad at me. Those aren't my words. I'm just the messenger.

Natural Ms. Olympia

[Bammy]

Some bodybuilders would disagree with you on your "hard gainer" theory. Several experienced bodybuilders will tell you that there is no such thing as a "hard gainer," it's just an excuse that people use because they don't know how to eat/train/rest properly.

Anyone who says that is pretty ignorant. Just look at the difference between ectomorphs and mesomophs and tell me they both can put on muscle at the same rate.

[sickwitit]

supplements (excluding multis) suck a fat one even protien supplements, it's boils down to calories no matter how you put it. Take in like 80 grams of protein a day and fill in th rest with carbs you will have more energy and more chocices and freedon of what to eat try it it works.

[NaturalMsO]

Bammy:

Of course endomorphs, ectomorphs and mesomorphs can't gain muscle at the same rate. Those are merely different body types. Being an ectomorph means that you have an ectomorphic body type, not that you're a "hard gainer."

Natural Ms. Olympia

[Pioneer]

sorry about that i though by the "excluding" part you meant that they dont count as supplements.

and also i think if i put you in my shoes for a day you would think differently. my brother has the same problem as i. my entire family is small.

[toughnuts]

sheesh, I was being sarcastic. I do think that suppliments have their place in a bodybuilding regime. For example, Creatine, Whey Protein, Multi-vitamin, Flax Seeds/Oil are all very good. The make it or brake it factor is dieting. Most people dont know this, and they think that suppliments will magically help them without changing their diets. If you are one of these people, than yes suppliments suck, but if you are dedicated and intelligent about what you are doing suppliments do have their place.

Also Sickwitit, you should know that only taking in 80 grams of protein a day and filling up the rest of your diet with carbs is pretty stupid. Thats not even 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight. Not trying to bash on ya, but this is just the case.

[Pooh Bear]

Maybe Sickwit is 5 foot, 90 pounds?

[Bammy]

Bammy:

Of course endomorphs, ectomorphs and mesomorphs can't gain muscle at the same rate. Those are merely different body types. Being an ectomorph means that you have an ectomorphic body type, not that you're a "hard gainer."

Natural Ms. Olympia

I just hope you realize that some people certainly have a harder time gaining muscle regardless of training/diet/rest. I live, eat, and breath training and nutrition, and struggle for every pound, while others I know train a couple times, not knowing what they are doing, eat a McDonalds hamburger and a coke as their pre workout meal, and blow up. If you are a natural Ms. Olympia, you might have had an easier time gaining muscle than others, but please don't deny that it is more trying for some.

[sprinto]

wow Ms.O you really do like shaking things up don't you. First she takes on the myth of the bulk/cut next on her hit list supplememnts, watch out you could be next.

[Aerius]

After years of bodybuilding and taking supplements, I decided to do an experiment and go off everything (protein powder and daily vitamins excluded). And guess what? I've been supplement-less for about two years now, and I'm making some of the best gains in my entire bodybuilding career. So, it makes me ask myself: Are most of the supplements on the market today just a crock of BS? Probably. My gains never faltered (and even improved!) when I went off everything. Ah, the mass market of advertising propaganda. Go figure.

Have any of you done this and had similar results?

Natural Ms. Olympia

Just one question. Did you just go off them, or did you shake your diet and/or workout? Cause there is a huge diference, and suplements only help if your nutrition and training is good....

[NaturalMsO]

I'm posting my replies to all of you in the same post, so scroll down until you see your name (saves room and time this way). ...

Bammy: Sure, I realize that gaining muscle is more difficult for some people than it is for others. That's a given.

Sprinto: Yeah, that's me, a mover and a shaker.

Aerius: I'd like to think that my training and diet is constantly improving, as are my gains. Without supplements.

Good luck to you all, and happy New year!

Natural Ms. Olympia

[FreeBirdbulker]

Bammy:

Of course endomorphs, ectomorphs and mesomorphs can't gain muscle at the same rate. Those are merely different body types. Being an ectomorph means that you have an ectomorphic body type, not that you're a "hard gainer."

Natural Ms. Olympia

AMEN!!!!!!

sometimes I think people use it as a crutch, Oh Im a ecto so I cant gain much. Yea right!