So I was reading through old blog posts and I had a section very early into my USN challenge on supplements. A year into training, I thought it best to share what I've learned and give an update as I have tweaked things.
BCAAs
I've tried with them, I've tried without them and you definitely get muscle loss and damage without so I stick to these. Brands that I've tried are USN, Bulk Powders and Optimum Nutrition. In all total honesty, I can't tell the difference but at the moment I have USN. It's certainly more cost effective and better (in terms of quick absorption) to drink your BCAA's but I personally don't. If I take a protein shake for breakfast, then a pre-workout then another drink for BCAA's is just a lot of liquid before the gym. It's only a 30 min journey to my gym and I really don't have time to digest all of that liquid properly so when it comes to working out, I feel a bit sick. So, in summary, I take my BCAA's in capsule form although drinking them is probably better. I wouldn't be without them, BCAA's are part of my 'stack' (I think that's the phrase?!).
CLA
I've had my ups and downs with CLA. Pure CLA didn't seem to do much for me, CLA Thermo did and the Green Tea one was also better. I'm about to try a brand new CLA with raspberry keytones in it which should be interesting so I'll keep you posted. I don't always have CLA in my routine but when I do, I tend to opt for the CLA with something else as I just don't find pure CLA works as well as the dual function CLA.
Fat burners
I've tried several of these now, including USN Xedra Cut, Grenade and Bulk Powders. I found Xedra cut and Grenade to be very similar in terms of benefit. I do like them and I would recommend them. I found that if I had my fat burner with a coffee with milk, it was fine. Even a few glugs of milk did the job to take the edge off the burning sensation you can get with them. My word of caution with fat burners: they are not a miracle cure. IF you're following a good, healthy eating programme and workout plan then yes, they'll help and give you an extra kick/boost but they will absolutely not be any substitute for good diet and lifestyle. You can't eat burgers and chug down 6 grenades and hope for the best, it won't work. Sorry. P.S, having taken 6 grenades by accident once, I don't recommend that. I had palpitations for about 4 hours, it was horrible.
Omegas and multivitamins
I've always taken omega and multivitamins. I don't subscribe to a particular brand, it's just whatever is on offer at Boots/Superdrug at the time. Most supplement manufacturers will also do their version too.
Protein powder/shakes
I like protein shakes but I try not to over use them or substitute them for proper healthy eating. Having tried numerous brands over the year, I can honestly say I prefer the USN protein powder. It tastes better, it mixes better and it has all of the added bonus nutrients like CLA and BCAAs. I've used their GF-1 formula and whey, both are good. The mint-choc flavour GF1 is absolutely delicious, and I love pistachio.
Casein
I have only tried casein powder once and I really didn't like it. It was grainy (I tried the ON brand) and tasted so bad I am really reluctant to give casein a try again. I basically decided to just suck it up and have a few spoons of cottage cheese, does the same job and you get used to it.
Pre-workout
Arguably, grenade and xedra cut are pre-workouts because of the caffeine formula. I would say that's probably true so if I was taking one, I probably wouldn't take the both. I've tried a bulk powders pro formula pre-workout and I've just ordered the USN hyperlean. Have to be honest, really don't use pre-workout that much so it's difficult for me to say but it certainly does give me a kick. I think I'm going to start using pre-workout on leg day because my personal trainer has given me an absolute bitch of a plan for the next few weeks!
ZMA
I've only just ordered some ZMA but I've heard good things. I'll keep you posted as to whether I think this is any good.
Hope this helps. Will keep you posted.
Friday, 23 May 2014
USN FINALS!!!
So last weekend I attended the USN Body Makeover Challenge Finals at the Body Power Expo in the NEC.
When I was told I got into the finals I was actually really surprised but totally delighted. I couldn't believe it. I never started the challenge with the end or the finals in my mind at all but to be part of the final 10 USN body makeover challengers was a brilliant experience.
So what happened? Well, after a journey up on the train with my fellow finalist and challenger friend Tarryn, we got to the NEC. It's HUGE!!! I had no idea how massive it was. We were greeted by Mel, the Body Makeover contact for USN UK who has supported us this whole time. It was so lovely to meet the other challengers as well and hear their stories. There were some impressive weight loss journeys. I was interviewed by a lovely gentleman on stage (yes, that was rather daunting but I don't actually mind public speaking) and talked about what made me start this and how I've maintained it.
We then hung out with the other challengers and had a look around the Expo. I've never seen anything like it! USN provided us lunch and we chatted to the USN athletes. I was really worried that they might be snooty to us, we were mere mortals after all! But they were all absolutely lovely and made us feel really welcome and congratulated us. Before I even knew it, the time had come and they were getting us up on stage to announce the winner. The winner? My friend Tarryn and her boyfriend Dominic! They were ecstatic, I was ecstatic for them! Tarryn had tears streaming down her face, shaking has she held her oversized cheque with a huge smile. It was so lovely to see her win and so happy. For her, it was absolute validation that she had done well, it was the exact boost she needed following injuries last year. It was then back to the hotel to get changed for the USN dinner/after party. We hung out with the USN staff, ate, drank and danced the night away! It was so much fun. I have to confess to being of the age where I normally only dance at weddings so it was a refreshing change to be able to boogie without nuptials being involved!
So what's with me? Have I kept up with the USN lifestyle? In short, yes, I have. I made a very clear commitment at the start to make this maintainable for life and I think I've cracked it. I go to the gym three to four times a week, I follow around 80/20 rule with my food and I don't deny anything that I really crave. I like a drink although I drink different things and if I have a heavy social week, I'll cut back the next week. It works.
Having said all this though, being around all the athletes at USN and the body expo did make me think I'd like to take my fitness to the next level. I don't know what that looks like yet but I'm going to set myself some new goals and go for it. I'm presently trying to convince a friend to do the challenge again with me as they want to lose weight and I've convinced them that the way forward is the USN body makeover challenge. I've not decided whether I'll just do it with them to support them or whether I'll actually enter again but either way, I'm sure I'll keep this up so watch this space!
I will post some photos really shortly.
When I was told I got into the finals I was actually really surprised but totally delighted. I couldn't believe it. I never started the challenge with the end or the finals in my mind at all but to be part of the final 10 USN body makeover challengers was a brilliant experience.
So what happened? Well, after a journey up on the train with my fellow finalist and challenger friend Tarryn, we got to the NEC. It's HUGE!!! I had no idea how massive it was. We were greeted by Mel, the Body Makeover contact for USN UK who has supported us this whole time. It was so lovely to meet the other challengers as well and hear their stories. There were some impressive weight loss journeys. I was interviewed by a lovely gentleman on stage (yes, that was rather daunting but I don't actually mind public speaking) and talked about what made me start this and how I've maintained it.
We then hung out with the other challengers and had a look around the Expo. I've never seen anything like it! USN provided us lunch and we chatted to the USN athletes. I was really worried that they might be snooty to us, we were mere mortals after all! But they were all absolutely lovely and made us feel really welcome and congratulated us. Before I even knew it, the time had come and they were getting us up on stage to announce the winner. The winner? My friend Tarryn and her boyfriend Dominic! They were ecstatic, I was ecstatic for them! Tarryn had tears streaming down her face, shaking has she held her oversized cheque with a huge smile. It was so lovely to see her win and so happy. For her, it was absolute validation that she had done well, it was the exact boost she needed following injuries last year. It was then back to the hotel to get changed for the USN dinner/after party. We hung out with the USN staff, ate, drank and danced the night away! It was so much fun. I have to confess to being of the age where I normally only dance at weddings so it was a refreshing change to be able to boogie without nuptials being involved!
So what's with me? Have I kept up with the USN lifestyle? In short, yes, I have. I made a very clear commitment at the start to make this maintainable for life and I think I've cracked it. I go to the gym three to four times a week, I follow around 80/20 rule with my food and I don't deny anything that I really crave. I like a drink although I drink different things and if I have a heavy social week, I'll cut back the next week. It works.
Having said all this though, being around all the athletes at USN and the body expo did make me think I'd like to take my fitness to the next level. I don't know what that looks like yet but I'm going to set myself some new goals and go for it. I'm presently trying to convince a friend to do the challenge again with me as they want to lose weight and I've convinced them that the way forward is the USN body makeover challenge. I've not decided whether I'll just do it with them to support them or whether I'll actually enter again but either way, I'm sure I'll keep this up so watch this space!
I will post some photos really shortly.
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