Jesse Martinez23 said:Hey there!
So, okay, I've been thinking, and there are just a couple—maybe two or three things—that I'm really curious about...
I was hoping I could get some advice from Steve—I mean, looking at his posts, he seems to have a much broader grasp of all these little details than anyone else around here. No offense to the rest of you, I guess, I just haven't really noticed anyone else's comments as much!
I was wondering... just curious, really... how much of an impact does whey actually have—you know, both good and bad—when you're dealing with the flu? Like, if I'm taking it alongside all those other supplements to try and kick this winter demon out of my system, does it actually help or just get in the way? Maybe it helps with recovery, or maybe it's just extra work for the body? I guess I'm just trying to figure out if it's worth it while I'm feeling this crappy!
So, I’ve been stuck in this weird cycle with this cold for like two weeks now... just totally dragging. Some days the fever hits me out of nowhere and I feel like absolute garbage, but honestly? I went ahead and hit the gym anyway. I figured, hey, maybe a workout will help? And for a second there, I actually felt better! But then, after just two days of chilling out and trying to recover, everything just crashed again. It's like I'm right back at square one. I guess I'm wondering... is that because I tried to mix working out while sick? Or is my immune system just completely trashed right now? Maybe it's just pure exhaustion catching up to me. I don't know, it's hard to tell!
When you're dealing with the flu, I guess there are really just two main things you need to keep in mind.
I mean, at the end of the day, it really just comes down to the fact that everyone's body reacts a little differently, you know? It’s all very individual. I guess what I’m trying to say is that you just have to listen to your own body and see what works for you!
So, my second point is that the flu itself is just a massive stressor on your body. I mean, it’s basically the same thing as a heavy training session or any other major physical strain—that's why your cortisol levels spike when you're hitting the gym, right? It's all about that physiological stress.
So, what does this whole second thing actually mean for us? I mean, I guess we're all just sitting here wondering, right? Maybe it's a big deal, maybe it isn't... who knows! But seriously, what's the actual impact on our situation?
I mean, honestly, a healthy body actually reacts pretty positively to a certain amount of stress, right? It’s almost like... I don't know, maybe it's just prepping itself? Like, it kind of readies itself so it's way more prepared for whatever comes next down the road. It makes sense, I guess!
That’s why you can just keep pushing yourself further and further with every single workout session! It’s all about that gradual progression, I guess. And honestly, even your stress levels have to be managed—like, they have to be carefully dosed. I mean, it’s pretty obvious when you look at it, right? Like, nobody is out there trying to pull a 25x1RM deadlift with only 30-second breaks between sets... seriously, that wouldn't make any sense at all!
Look, I mean, if you’re constantly pushing yourself to the limit without actually giving your body any downtime... and if you aren't really paying attention to your own internal rhythm? Like, seriously, just try training hard while barely getting any sleep for five days straight, and I bet you'll feel it by day five. Your body is basically going to scream at you to stop! It’ll demand rest—think along the lines of overtraining syndrome—and honestly, your performance is just going to tank. It's like, you can't ignore it forever, I guess.
Man, being sick with the flu already puts a massive amount of stress on your system; I mean, it’s just a lot to handle. If you decide to push through and hit the gym while you're feeling like garbage—though, honestly, I'm not even sure if you *should* be training at all when you have the flu—you might just cross that line. You know, that point where you move past "good" stress and straight into territory where working out becomes totally pointless. It’s risky, too. I guess you're looking at a much higher chance of getting injured, or maybe you'll just end up putting in all that effort only to realize the workout didn't actually do anything for you. Just my two cents!
Oh, and obviously, I'm not even counting common colds in that at all... I mean, those don't really count! 😁
I honestly think this is such a perfect example of how you can just tune in to what your body is telling you and nail a workout regardless of the circumstances. I mean, maybe if you feel like you’re hitting a wall or getting tired a bit faster than usual, you could always dial it back a notch... but otherwise, you can pretty much just power through without any issues at all!
Look, if the flu has you absolutely pinned to your bed, I honestly think every single lift is going to feel twice as heavy as usual. You know? Like, everything just feels like extra work. I mean, sure, you could try to do something a bit lighter just to stay moving—and staying active is always a good idea, I guess—but you really have to listen to your body. If it's telling you it needs to sleep, then just let it happen. Just brew up some tea, load up on Vitamin C, and just... rest. It's probably for the best!
When it comes to protein, honestly? Just keep drinking it! Don't even worry about it, and definitely don't let having the flu stop you. You're good to go!
I’ve been wondering lately—just how much damage can protein actually do? I mean, we all know it's basically essential, especially that powder stuff you grab right after hitting the gym because it absorbs so fast, but I'm getting a bit worried about the impact on your liver and kidneys. A neighbor of my aunt's went in for a checkup recently, and get this—his liver looked just like an alcoholic's, all because of his protein intake. Now, I honestly have no clue how many grams he was slamming a day, but regardless of the amount, it really makes you think, doesn't it?
I mean, honestly, you’re already getting plenty of protein from your actual food anyway! I guess it just kind of makes you think about it, right? Maybe we don't even need all those extra supplements if our diet is on point. Just a thought!
Honestly, if you’re a healthy person, those protein powders you pick up? They aren't going to mess with your liver or your kidneys at all. I mean, I guess that applies to like 99% of people out there, anyway!
Is there like, a specific time when you should just stop taking protein for a bit?
Just while you're sleeping, I guess... 😁
...
I'm wondering about the same thing with protein? Because I'm getting a little skeptical, honestly, since people say totally different things about it—some say yes, some say no, and I don't even know where to look for advice anymore. I actually asked two nutritionists, and they didn't have any issues with it if the goal is quick mass gain, especially if we can't quite hit our targets through regular food alone, but then on the other hand, they're kind of hesitant about it too.
You can, obviously, notice that if you're already hitting 150g of protein in your diet, you could reach a target of, say, 200g just by adding an extra 10 ounces of chicken.
So, it's not like they're strictly necessary.
Also, I always think it's worth checking any info you hear against a few other sources to see if it actually makes sense and how it fits with what you already know about nutrition.
I remember once, one of our most "highly regarded" nutritionists told me, "Why are you drinking whey? That stuff is for women..."
She'll probably list a bunch of reasons, for sure. It's not like you shouldn't listen to anyone at all.
But that comment was something else! She didn't even ask if I liked it, or why I was using it, or why specifically whey—nothing! She just said it was "for women" and that I needed something "stronger"... which, coincidentally, was exactly what she was selling... so I was just like, yeah, I'm sticking with my whey, and I'll always have plenty in stock, so those ladies can come talk to me whenever they need some... 😁
-Steve
