Hey guys! Hope you all had a great weekend!
Okay so, I’m not usually an advocate of most supplements. More often than not, all they do is give you pee that is worth a lot of money. I use protein powder a few times a week when I’m either too lazy or too busy to prepare enough “real” protein… Ya know, like chicken and eggs, and I am a religious Gummy Vites user, but that’s generally about it for me.
There are some supplements that when used properly meet their claims (like creatine monohydrate… although it’s only optimally effective when you load and unload it properly, which a lot of people don’t realize), but the majority are not worth the money.
An example…. Fat burners/thermogenics typically have a TON of caffeine and B-vitamins (and usually some other random stuff thrown in like green tea extract and taurine). If you’re eating a healthy, well balanced diet, then any extra B-vitamins you consume beyond what your body needs are just going to get peed out. They’re water soluble vitamins… What your body doesn’t need, it gets rid of.
Same thing goes for amino acids… If you’re getting enough high quality protein in your body regularly, there’s really no reason to take amino acids. If they make you *feel* like you’re getting in a better workout, or if you lack complete proteins in your diet on a regular basis, then by all means go for it. BUT, if you want to save some money and are eating “well”, then don’t bother with them.
Any supplement that makes “too good to be true” claims (we in the biz..haha!.. call it nutritional quackery) is pretty much just that… Too good to be true.
So all of that said……… I recently bought Amino Energy by Optimum Nutrition lol!
Reason: For energy! It’s a pre-workout supplement that basically has caffeine and some other stuff (like amino acids… which likely make zero difference in my workouts/recovery) in there. It wasn’t too expensive, so I figured what the heck? Sometimes making a cup or two of coffee/tea before my workout isn’t convenient, and this is.
It is NOT a super intense pre-workout supplement like jack3d or N.O. Xplode, but it does give a little boost for days where I haven’t had enough coffee! Yes, I love my coffee/caffeine. No shame here!
I bought the orange cooler flavor, and it is TASTY! It totally tastes (and looks) like Tang, which I used to drink a lot when I was a kid, and only has 10 calories per serving.
Amino Energy… Shaken, not stirred
In other news, I created a public facebook page.
I know, I know…. OMG not her, too?!
I debated it for awhile…. and finally gave in after talking about it with Isaac Hinds (the photographer I shot with in Denver who runs Hardbody.com). He was surprised I didn’t already have a public page… I was like… But people don’t know me!! It’d be like… Official Fan Page of Kelsey the Joe Schmoe/Fitness Nerd. lol!
Anyways, lately I had been getting facebook friend requests from some of my readers, and have been getting a decent amount of emails from readers asking me questions/for advice… and I LOVE that! I wouldn’t have started a blog if I didn’t want to help people and interact with readers/share what I’ve learned through my education/experience.
BUT…. I do want to keep my private, personal page just that: private and personal. I recently went on a mass friend-deleting spree and still have a little more downsizing to do.
The page sort of serves a dual purpose beyond just the blog. As I mentioned in my Chasin’ Dreams post a while back, I would LOVE to eventually have my own training business, potentially with an “online training” or consulting option, if I figure out a way that I feel would be worthwhile to clients. I think it’s easy have online training be a waste of time/money and obviously, I would not want that for clients or myself. Also eventually, in Dream World, I may want to pursue getting a sponsorship of some sort, and/or writing for a magazine. Who knows!
But either way, I have to be “putting myself out there” and building a bit of a following (for lack of better words).
No person or company, at least in the “fitness industry” (social media/networking obviously doesn’t play as large of a role in other industries/professions) will want you if you don’t interact with people and show that you live a certain lifestyle… and nobody will even know ya have a training business or that you “walk the walk” unless you put yourself out there…. So “out there” I shall go!
Any support from you guys would obviously be fabulous… I’m going to try to NOT post stupid, annoying things on there to clog up peoples news feeds 
Im so glad you posted this. I was really curious about certain supplements. I try to get everything from real food too. But I do find myself taking X-tend from Scivation and NO Explode. Im always skeptical though. Im not 100% sold on NO, have you taken it? and what do you think about it? Did you find an energy boost when taking the Amino Energy? Im curious about it for some low energy days..I seem to have these during my time of the month (sorry if thats tmi!) But that week I always seem to drag…any boost would be awesome.
Thanks for the great info! I’ll check your page out!
Posted by chrysta | August 15, 2011, 2:37 pmI haven’t taken NO but my brother looooves it… It’s definitely a really popular one! Amino Energy gave me a good boost, but it wasn’t *super* intense like I imagine NO would be….. more along the lines of having a big mug of strong coffee! And no worries re:tmi, I’m the EXACT same way around that time!
Posted by Kelsey@LivetheFitLife | August 15, 2011, 2:56 pmI have to admit it — I really love the No-Xplode. A lot. So much that I checked out how expensive it’d be to use it more often since I only have a 10-serving size. BUT MAN it is not cheap, so I’m going to try a different pre-workout instead.
I’ve considered the facebook thing, too, especially since my blog is associated with an outside network now, and I have long-range nutrition-related career plans. I’m not really great at “branding” myself, though, so for now, my personal facebook page is going to stay connected to the blog. And I’m going to facebook to like your page now
Posted by Kristen | August 15, 2011, 2:51 pmlol I’m afraid if I tried it I’d love it too… and I’m too broke to fall in love with it!! I’m definitely not great at the branding myself thing either…. Trying to figure it all out!
Posted by Kelsey@LivetheFitLife | August 15, 2011, 2:58 pmI’m with you on supplements. I’d rather eat food, for the most part. I read In Defense of Food and now I almost feel bad for taking supplements of any sort, haha. But sometimes stuff like protein powder is just super convenient, vs. cooking up meat or eggs. Also, I really like fish oil as a supplement, even though it’s expensive and I know it’s like the magical pill of the moment, haha. I think it helps my hair and energy levels- hooray omega-3′s.
I do worry about anything that has caffeine in it, just because I get addicted to the energy rush from caffeine soooo easily. Mmmm caffeine. lol
Posted by Amanda | August 15, 2011, 3:20 pmDid you like the book?? I may add it to my list of books to read! I’m totes pro-fish oil supps (I’d take them if the pills werent so freakin HUGE)… there have been a lot of studies sayin that theyre actually worthwhile… Good for joint health, heart health, and reducing inflammation among other things
Posted by Kelsey@LivetheFitLife | August 15, 2011, 5:41 pmI REALLY liked the book. It was easy to read, went into a lot of the (interesting/infuriating) history of nutrition science and the politics behind it, but wasn’t super preachy imo. It might have been a little unfair to registered dietitians and nutrition science at some points, because it was really picking apart little flaws in methodology that exist is pretty much all studies. But other than that, it was pretty solid. I’d actually love to hear what you think of it, since you have more of a background in nutrition.
Posted by Amanda | August 15, 2011, 11:17 pmInteresting!! I think I’m getting a kindle soon, so I’ll make that one of my first purchases!
Posted by Kelsey@LivetheFitLife | August 16, 2011, 11:18 amGreat review! I always wondered about that brand of pre workout supplement, I’ve only tried superpump max. It was pretty good, but since my body totally hates caffeine, I think I still like real foods better
And I’ll definitely check out your Facebook page!
Posted by Alexandra | August 15, 2011, 4:07 pmThanks! My boyfriend is really sensitive to caffeine too…. Everyone is different!
Posted by Kelsey@LivetheFitLife | August 15, 2011, 5:42 pmI always do creatine because I don’t drink coffee but I’m thinking of trying to quit using it. I’m beginning to think the pump is all in my head cause I can’t really lift heavier and I just get bloated. I’ll def support you on facebook. Go for it girl. Your great at training and would be awesome pursueing your dreams.
Posted by Amy | August 15, 2011, 4:19 pmThank you! Yeah, coffee isn’t for everyone! I wish I hated it, lol!
Posted by Kelsey@LivetheFitLife | August 15, 2011, 5:39 pmDuring my prep, I PACKED down some supplements. A lot of it, though, was to make up for missing elements in my diet. For example, a lot of EFA supplements to keep me from dying bc I cut fat so low. Also… thermogenics? I don’t know if they worked or not but by gosh golly gee wiz they got my butt in the gym when I didn’t have the energy to move or function
Right now I stick to my protein powder, xtend, and preworkout cocktail. I really should take my calcium though and EFA’s… but I get lazy.
Posted by Juliet | August 15, 2011, 7:45 pmThats a good call on the EFA thing, especially during prep!
Posted by Kelsey@LivetheFitLife | August 15, 2011, 8:40 pmWell, I would totally be your first online training client.
Posted by Ash | August 15, 2011, 7:54 pmAw thanks!! That gives me hope
Posted by Kelsey@LivetheFitLife | August 15, 2011, 8:38 pmDo you not even have whey protein immediately post workout? I usually have a shake and then eat a proper meal 30 minutes later. I have just liked your Facebook page
Posted by Tara | August 15, 2011, 8:04 pmNot usually… Carbs are more important than protein immediately post-workout (although you do want both…. ideally 4:1 or 3:1 ratio of carbs to protein)
Posted by Kelsey@LivetheFitLife | August 15, 2011, 8:36 pmWell, I have 40 grams of oats in my shake, so I’m definitely covered! I eat so many carbs in that three hour pre and post workout window. I definitely get a lot of weird looks in the gym as I scoop out the leftover oats from my shaker bottle…
Posted by Tara | August 16, 2011, 8:29 pmLOL I take those exact same vitamins. If they don’t taste good, I won’t take them. I am like a two year old. BUT at least I’m aware right? haha
AND I totally love that you are putting yourself out there. I think really, really good things will come from it
Posted by SquatLikeALady | August 15, 2011, 8:12 pmBahaha!! I know, right? Eric makes fun of me… He’s like Kelsey…. Are you a child? YEP. Thanks so much for your support, girl
it means a lot!
Posted by Kelsey@LivetheFitLife | August 15, 2011, 8:37 pmYAYY aminos *high five* hopefully your gym will allow them, unlike my stupid gym *grumbles*
Posted by ilovefetacheese | August 15, 2011, 9:13 pmBOOOOOO christinas gym!
Posted by Kelsey@LivetheFitLife | August 16, 2011, 11:18 amI’m going to give this a try. I use Superpump 250 on days that I need extra energy but it is pretty intense and I’d like something a little milder for to coincide with slightly less intense workouts.
Posted by christina | August 16, 2011, 7:53 amHow do you like the superpump??
Posted by Kelsey@LivetheFitLife | August 16, 2011, 11:19 am