What should I be eating or taking as a supplement?

[anonymous]

Hello,
I bought lots of supplements before(Muscle Pharm Multi-Vitamins, BCAAs, Combat Whey, Assault Pre-Workout, and Creatine) I had a guy that was bodybuilding tell me to just buy food and eat. Would you recommend I take supplements? and why? Would you recommend I just eat a lot of food? or both? Current picture of my baby bump can be seen in my profile as I do not have enough posts to [IMG].

[gbullock32]

Food and a proper routine.

NUTRITION

This is the largest factor in your success, learn the basics to get started and then move into more advanced if needed.

BASICS

Spoiler!

This website will help you find your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure):

http://www.sailrabbit.com/bmr/

Keep in mind this is only an estimate, and you adjust based on results. Stick with the estimate for 2 or so weeks and then add or subtract calories until gaining or losing weight at the desired pace.

Now that you have the TDEE, get your macro-nutrient needs (fat, protein, and carb needs). Fat has 9 calories per gram, and protein/carbs have 4 calories per gram, alcohol is 7 calories per gram count it as a carb when fitting it into your macros).

Protein- .7 grams per pound
Fat- .4 grams per pound

Meet those MINIMUMS and then fill out remaining calories as you want with carbs, or more protein and fat, or any combination. Remember to track properly too, use a food scale (measuring cups can be very inaccurate due to density); track everything, each little bit adds up (sauces can be quite calorie dense).

Next decide your goal and eat at a 10-20% caloric deficit or surplus, deficit to lose weight and surplus to gain. For gaining go for ~2 pound per month and when losing aim for 1-2 pounds per week. Reach your macro needs with mostly whole foods and a wide variety to ensure enough vitamins and mineral, but remember to practice common sense and moderation- enjoy life.

Sources and More Information

Spoiler!

Nutrition-
Calculating Calories
Pre, During, and Postworkout Nutrition
How To Ask For Diet Critique
Discretionary Calorie Allowance
Macro/Micro Nutrients Explained
Clean Eating Myth
Insulin and Fat Loss
Insulin and Fat Loss 2

Protein-
Protein Needs
Protein Needs 2
Protein Needs 3
Protein Timing
Muscle Protein Synthesis

Fat-
Fat Needs
Fat and Testosterone

Meal Timing-
Meal Timing 1
Meal Timing 2

Micro-Nutrient Guide-
Micro-Nutrient Guide

TRAINING

Start with a solid beginner routine, these are designed to get the most for you; they are designed by professionals and use progressive overload. Read through them and pick the one you like most, follow it as it is written.

Why You Should Not Make Your Own Routine
How To Perform Basic Lifts

Routines
Starting Strength
BabyLover's Starting Strength
AllPro's Beginner Routine
StrongLifts 5x5
IceCream Fitness 5x5
Fierce 5
Coolcicada's Push Pull Legs

Calisthenics routines

Spoiler!

Push Day:
- Pushups: 5x15
- Chest Dips: 4x12
- Triceps Extensions: 3x20
- Bench Dips: 3x15
- HSPU: 5x5
- Hindu Pushups: 3x12

Pull Day:
- Pull-ups: 5x8
- Inverted Rows: 3x12
- Back bridges: 4x10
- One-arm Assisted Chin-ups: 4x5
- One-arm Inverted Rows: 3x8
- Chins Isometric Holds: 3xFailure

Legs Day:
- Suqats: 5x20
- Jumping Squats: 4x15
- Lunges: 3x30
- Sprints: 4x20sec
- Box Jumps: 3x10
- Hanging Leg Raises: 3xfailure

Or-

Upper Day:
- Pullups: 5x6
- One-arm Inverted Rows: 3x8
- Inverted Rows: 3x18
- Back bridges: 4x10
- Pushups: 4x12
- Dips: 3x15
- HSPU: 3x5
- Decline Crunches: 4x12
- Russian Decline Twist: 3x12

Lower Day:
- Jumping Squats: 8x12
- Pistol Squats: 4x10
- Step Ups: 3x10
- GHR: 3x12
- Sprints: 5x15sec
- Calf Raises: 10x10 "Burnout"
- Hanging Leg Raises: 4x12
- Planks: 3x1min

[anonymous]

Food and a proper routine.

Thanks for the advice!

[anonymous]

Food and a proper routine.

Should I run my baby bump off and then do my TDEE?

[gbullock32]

Should I run my baby bump off and then do my TDEE?

It's not so much that you have a lot of fat as you lack muscle mass; start lifting and eat either at a slight surplus or around maintenance and aim to progress on lifts.

[anonymous]

It's not so much that you have a lot of fat as you lack muscle mass; start lifting and eat either at a slight surplus or around maintenance and aim to progress on lifts.

Sounds good! Much appreciated advice amigo.

[JoeCannonMSCSCS]

I agree at your age just eat well and lift. Creatine has a bunch of evidence but unless your lifting really heavy, I dont feel you need it. Remember, you are 23 and your biochemistry is revving at its full potential right now. No supplement can give you more than you already have at this moment.
Joe

[Heizz]

Supplements come down to what is missing from your diet (i.e. protein powder if you are not consuming enough protein, fish oil if you do not consume a lot of fish, etc.).

By no means are supplements a requirement.