Posts by Christian Harris2

Nicholas Chavez70 said:We almost ran into some serious trouble because the customs officer kept insisting he had to verify if every single supplement was approved for import and consumption here in the States, suggesting they’ll soon start cracking down on all sports nutrition imports since people are importing everything under the sun... It seems pretty obvious that local shops are seeing a decent dip in sales due to this, so I suppose it isn't surprising they might try to screw us over when things get tightened up...

I don't think people are importing just "everything." Most are just getting supplements that follow the rules, and I guess it's only natural that people look for ways to save money where they can. I honestly feel for those customs officers; maybe they're just overworked and frustrated, which leads them to take it out on people at the border. 👎 As for the local supplement retailers seeing their sales drop, I suppose that's just how the market works. Americans really know how to handle business. ☕

If you don't mind me asking, could you tell me what the extra costs ended up being (like gas, tolls, or various taxes 😕), aside from the actual supplements? I wonder if it truly turned out to be worth it in the end. 🙏

nimbleskipper89 said:Thank you so much.

I suppose I'm not entirely sure what you mean by that, if I'm being honest. Maybe you could clarify the context for me? 😕

nimbleskipper89 said:I was browsing through the Optimum Nutrition website earlier, and I suppose one might say their pricing seems rather steep at the moment. It looks like they're charging about $19.90 for a single pound.

I suppose that isn't particularly expensive; it seems like a pretty standard price to me, I guess.

nimbleskipper89 It seems like someone mentioned:
You seem to be arguing that there is an established rule based on the content itself, whereas I tend to view the standard differently, perhaps because I'm looking at specific data points and figures.

I wasn't suggesting that it was Optimum Nutrition. I merely meant to point out that it contains about 13% glutamine, I suppose. 🙂

nimbleskipper89 As stated by:
I guess it’s worth noting that I rarely seem to find added vitamins and minerals in other American products, whereas Inkospor actually includes them. It might be something to consider, since having to buy those separately can end up being quite an extra expense.

That seems to be an added benefit, I suppose.

Ethan Garcia8 It seems that...
I suppose it seems that Inko doesn't offer any whey protein that's free from aspartame.

I believe that might be incorrect. I suppose this might be worth looking into if you're searching for a high-quality creatine monohydrate, though I can't say for certain how it compares to some of the bigger brands like Optimum Nutrition. It seems like a decent option for those who want something straightforward. I suppose I am posting this link for the third time now. 😁

Alex Long8 said:I suppose it might not matter much if you choose a whey protein that happens to contain aspartame,

Here is a link that might help: http://www.building-body.com/Aspartam-je-siguran.html

briskjackal5 said:What is your personal opinion or ranking, and I wonder how you came to that conclusion?

I don't really have a definitive list of which proteins are objectively the best, as I feel it might be quite difficult to truly determine which single product stands above the rest. I guess it follows the general rule that you often get what you pay for. There are several whey brands that, based on consumer feedback, seem to be at the top, such as Optimum Nutrition, Wade, Dymatize, Twinlab, MVP, and Scitec. To be clear, I am referring to the most popular, mainstream brands rather than those extremely high-end products that feature exclusively hydro-whey; those tend to be priced so astronomically that they probably aren't practical for everyday fitness enthusiasts, but rather just for hardcore bodybuilders or professionals. As I mentioned, it is hard to say which of these popular options is the most recommended or offers the best value. It seems everyone has different preferences—some people look for added vitamins, some want whey without aspartame, others prefer no sweeteners at all, while some seek out products without quality controversies, or perhaps specific blends or pure isolates. Some people even care about whether the powder foams when mixed. 🤷 Ultimately, I think the choice when buying is entirely subjective.

Ethan Garcia8 said:So, what does that specific amount of glutamine actually mean for you? I suppose I wonder if there is any real empirical evidence suggesting it helps, or how you might have even gone about measuring those results. Like, what were the actual percentages involved? Or what percentage of those little grams of glutamine is even being metabolized by the body? I guess I am also curious about how much muscle mass you gained during the periods when you weren't using Inkospor compared to when you were, assuming your training patterns stayed relatively consistent.😁

It feels like everyone is just talking in circles here. 😁

The bear makes some rather wise points, I suppose.

nimbleskipper89 said:It feels like we’ve reached a point where people start questioning someone's motives just because they have a strong opinion. I suppose it doesn't really matter which brand we're discussing—in this case, I was talking about MusclePharm—but I always try my best to explain the reasoning behind what I say, though it seems that isn't particularly well-received around here. If I think something is good, I'll say so, and if I've had a bad experience, I'll be honest about that too, I guess.

I wonder why there is such bitterness. 🙂 I suppose the issue might be that you haven't quite clarified exactly why you consider that specific protein to be so superior. You mentioned certain figures, but I guess I didn't really see any particularly dramatic differences when comparing them to other protein options on the market.

nimbleskipper89 said:Well, you've actually given me something to look into now, since I wasn't aware of those 13 grams. I suppose I should go check that out!

One scoop weighs about 30.4 grams, which I believe contains roughly 4.082 grams of Glutamine.

Ethan Garcia8 said:Jonathan Miller7, you have some Dymatize natural available.

You might be getting ahead of me. 😁

Ethan Garcia8 said:nimbleskipper89, honestly, none of that really matters to me. I just need some protein after my workouts—something budget-friendly that doesn't have any artificial sweeteners. To be fair, the difference this makes is maybe 0.001% of my total training routine, so it feels pretty negligible. I feel like people obsess over brands way too much when a solid diet is actually the most important factor. It all really comes down to finding a reputable manufacturer, a decent price, and a good taste.

Does anyone know of other protein options without sweeteners besides the ones I mentioned? Ideally something that’s reasonably priced, too.

Jonathan Miller7 said:Could someone perhaps recommend a product that consists of pure protein without any added flavors, sweeteners, or anything like that?

I suppose I could help with that.
There is also this one, though it seems to be a bit more expensive:

nimbleskipper89 said:their Whey has 500g of CFM isolate with about 8g of Glutamine per 100g of powder

I think Optimum Nutrition actually has 13g per 100g. ☕

I wonder how much they're paying you? 🙂 It seems to me that might be the only reason why you seem to be favoring that specific brand without really providing much of an argument, though I suppose it isn't anything particularly special. 🤷

Some of their stuff is definitely pricey, but I think the quality is actually quite solid. For instance, this MuscleTech blend has about 95% protein content 😲, which seems fair given the price point. Honestly, once my current stash runs out, I’ve already decided I’ll probably grab three bags of this: The flavor is pretty neutral, I suppose. 🙂 It feels like a good value.

nimbleskipper89, thanks for the link, by the way. 🙂

Tyler Carter93 said:I really appreciate it, guys, both of you.

That shouldn't be an issue at all, I suppose. 👍

Jonathan Miller7 said:I wonder which brand that one on the left happens to be, I guess.

I suppose I’ve been leaning toward Optimum Nutrition lately, though I'm never entirely certain if it's the absolute best choice for everyone. Regarding the Optimum Nutrition formula, I believe that the little logo you see right near the top of the left arrow is actually the official branding for that company. 🙂 I guess this whey is actually quite good. I would probably recommend it to anyone looking for something reliable.

Alex Long8 said:I honestly have no idea, though I suppose I don't really care to order things online like that much anyway. I've always preferred just heading down to the store and picking things up in person, so I guess that's why I rarely ever use web shops.

I was actually asking because just a few weeks ago, I ordered those three items shown in the photo from Amazon in Austria, and I went ahead with the payment. $370I suppose I should have seen that coming, though I truly expected something else. $100 I might be underestimating the total cost, as I seem to have forgotten to account for shipping, customs, taxes, and all those other little extra fees. 🙄But honestly... I suppose it’s still more cost-effective than what we end up paying here in the States.

Henry Evans3 said:I received a protein bar and some scented boric acid from Nike.🤣 I suppose I ended up picking up some NBA protein.🙂

I believe my order arrived with a shaker and a water bottle for cycling. 🙏😂

Alex Long8 said:if you buy NBA proteins at Nike and order through $833, you get a 20% discount; also, once a month, a group from this forum gets together where everyone buys what they need, but everything goes through one account via $833, so everyone ends up getting their own discount. I actually joined them for the first time recently and picked up 1kg of whey and 1kg of casein for $120, which normally would have cost me $460—though I haven't really looked into what other companies in different stores might be charging

you just show up whenever you want to pick things up; I went by this morning and mentioned I was from the bodybuilding forums, and the guy gave me the discount without any hassle, which felt a little strange to me since it seems like you could do that all the time. I suppose if anyone else from those regular ordering groups is seeing this, maybe you could let them know when you guys plan on heading down there next

Well... I'm not based in Washington, D.C., so pulling off a trick like that would probably be quite a bit more complicated down here in Miami. 🙄

Thanks for the reply, though. 🙏

EDIT: Oh, and if I could ask one more thing, when Nike says that orders over $133 qualify for free shipping... I guess I wonder if there is some sort of catch or hidden fee that somehow results in an extra charge being added on anyway?

Alex Long8 It seems like you might have forgotten to include the text you wanted me to rewrite. Please provide the original post, and I will get to work on crafting it into a fresh, Americanized version while maintaining that specific, measured tone.
I suppose there isn't much point in overthinking it all; at the end of the day, whey is just whey, and isolate is just isolate. You probably won't go wrong regardless of which brand you decide to pick up.

I suppose it all comes down to what you personally prioritize most. For me, when I'm picking out a new whey protein, my absolute first step is checking to make sure there isn't any soy included; that feels like a primary necessity to me. Most brands don't really use soy proteins anyway, though I think American Muscle might, but I honestly never even bother looking at their stuff because of that.

I suppose, if I’m being honest, what I'm really focusing on is the price point, which would probably be my main deciding factor. $67 If I could somehow get a full kilogram of NBA or Dymatize for the same price as 500 grams of Gold's Gym, I suppose that would be a pretty incredible deal.
I suppose my other main concern would be how easily it digests. If I happen to pick up a whey protein that foams up way too much or leaves me with annoying clumps, I might still finish the shake just to not let it go to waste, but I probably wouldn't buy that specific brand ever again.
The third factor I tend to consider is the flavor profile, though I suppose most brands nowadays seem to have mastered that part pretty well.

I've been using NBA Pro Whey for quite some time now, and I suppose it really does meet all my requirements. $68 I suppose if I ever manage to snag a discount through one of those fitness forums again, I might actually be able to put on a few pounds. $53The mixability is actually quite impressive, and I noticed there isn't much foam when you stir it, which is nice. The flavors seem pretty solid too, I guess. It might be worth mentioning that you're getting about 23 grams of protein per serving.

I suppose one might say that Gold's Gym premium whey is quite a reliable choice, though I guess it really depends on what you're looking for. $47I suppose that would be roughly five hundred grams per unit, if I'm calculating that correctly. 😁 Personally, when I'm picking out a whey protein, I don't find solubility to be a huge deal since a blender usually handles that, and flavor isn't my main priority either. I suppose a better taste might just mean there's a higher concentration of aspartame, sucralose, or ace-K in there. If it weren't so much more expensive than the sweetened options, I think I would probably prefer buying a plain, unflavored whey. But, I guess that’s just how it goes.

I was wondering if you could perhaps explain to me how one actually goes about securing that discount on protein through this forum? 🙂

Tyler Carter93 said:I suppose I might end up picking up a tub of whey isolate soon. I was wondering if anyone might be able to suggest what I should perhaps look into getting.There seems to be an overwhelming number of manufacturers out there, and I suppose they all claim to be the absolute best in their field.
I suppose I wonder which whey isolate you all think offers the best value for the money. I’m not necessarily asking about the specific brands you personally use, but rather which ones you have heard might be the most cost-effective choice.
Thank you.

P.S. I think I’ll spend some time digging through this thread again, though I suppose I would really appreciate it if someone could provide me with a more specific answer.

My current stash, I suppose. 🙏
If you have enough room in your budget, I suppose you could go with one of these two options marked by the arrows. I don't necessarily recommend them based on my own personal experience, though; rather, I am suggesting them simply because they come highly recommended by others. 😉 I suppose NBA products could work too. I am not quite sure about the more budget-friendly options yet, though I might look into them once my finances are a bit more stable. 🤷

I suppose if I were in your shoes, I might suggest that you bypass that Intel option right in the middle when you're making your selection.

Jason Fisher6 said:I honestly don't know what some of you people are talking about here... one guy claims whey is useless in the morning... 😂 😂 😂 while another is out here claiming sugary cereal builds muscle... haha, good luck with that... 😂 😂 😂 Look, folks, you take whey in the morning and right after your workout... now, if you have the extra cash, I suppose you could drink it before training or even during your session when you finish a specific muscle group... in the mornings, you really should be eating complex carbs (depending on which source you prefer)... I'm not trying to pack on ten pounds of muscle in a couple of months... building muscle is actually quite difficult, and it's easy to lose... most of what you gain quickly is just water weight, because muscle is basically 80% water... that's why something like creatine monohydrate tends to pull water molecules into your muscles; you look fuller and more jacked, but once you stop, you just flush it all out... bodybuilding is a serious science, so I guess you should probably read up on some forums or just use Google to inform yourselves before asking questions... the toughest ones are the people who just jump in saying, "Hey, I put on a little weight and want to drop 10 lbs while gaining muscle"... WTF??? You have fitness forums for a reason, you just need to actually read them... and if you want to look good, it isn't just about eating right and hitting the gym for a few months and expecting everything to be fine... it's a lifestyle, and I suppose it's up to you whether you choose to respect that or not... if you won't, then you can't really complain about having a gut or being skinny, because that was your own choice... 👍

Taylor Cook63 said:So, at 5'11" and 143 lbs (I'm 18), I'm pretty thin, and I'd like to increase my muscle mass through training and better nutrition. Protein supplements would definitely help. So, which brands are the best that are low in lactose or completely lactose-free? I recently realized I'm not very tolerant of lactose, and I get the impression that many heavy-duty powders have way too much 🤷
?
I hope to receive a quick and accurate response from you all, thanks.

Hmm... Well, answering which ones are the best is actually quite simple. My top picks would be Optimum Nutrition, Dymatize, Twinlab, and Wade. 👍

Henry Evans3 said:But what about the days when I don't have a workout scheduled?

I suppose you could have some with cereal in the morning, if you really feel the need to.

redranger82 said:if you have some extra money to spare, you could certainly take whey after your workout and before bed.

That is actually what slow-digesting protein is intended for, I think. It probably isn't the best idea to use whey right before sleep.

shadowhound8 said:Given the context of the rest of the post, I suspect this might just be a joke, though I can't say for certain.
I suppose it might be better to keep things simple, because while those who already have some experience can likely see through the nuances, most people come here specifically because they are looking for clarity, so I guess we should probably avoid causing any unnecessary confusion.

I suppose it would be helpful if you corrected me when I make a comment like that. Please try to be a little understanding; my focus isn't always at its peak, I guess. 🙂 I suppose the reason the other members are here is to offer some guidance and correct me, rather than to mock me. 🙄

nimbleskipper89 said:I suppose these aren't actually amino acids, if I'm being honest.

I suppose I won't say much regarding whey protein, though I did learn that creatine isn't actually an amino acid. My sentiment remains the same as what I told unknown: once you happen to come across the actual facts, it might be helpful to share them with everyone else. 🙂 Then again, I suppose I am certainly no scientific authority myself. 🙄 I am merely a beginner training for recreation. I suppose we are all here to offer one another a bit of guidance and support. 🙂I suppose we shouldn't be making a habit of mocking other people's mistakes. 🙄.

Since those two complete amateurs are... 😁 It doesn't look like it was fixed, so I suppose I might just have to handle it myself. ☕

I suppose there is a rather compelling reason why three out of the four Olympic Games medalists back in '96 were utilizing creatine; it truly seems to work quite effectively. While a French scientist first identified creatine within muscle tissue all the way back in 1832, it wasn't until 1923 that researchers realized over 95% of it is actually stored in the muscles. Interestingly, the first published evidence regarding its benefits for bodybuilding was actually found in The Journal of Biological Chemistry, dating all the way back to 1926. Even though we have known about creatine for quite some time, I believe its first significant application for enhancing strength occurred during the 1992 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

So, what exactly is creatine? I suppose you could say our bodies produce this compound through a natural biological process, primarily using it to help replenish energy within our muscle tissue. It's synthesized in the liver, pancreas, and kidneys before being transported through the bloodstream directly to the muscles. Once it reaches its destination, it essentially converts into phosphocreatine. This high-energy metabolite is then utilized to regenerate ATP—the primary source of energy in our cells—which I believe is fundamental for muscle function.

I suppose that, unlike steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs, creatine is entirely natural and can be found in many different types of food; therefore, I imagine it could never really be banned from sporting events or international competitions, unless they decided to ban meat altogether. A wide variety of foods—especially things like salmon, tuna, and beef—contain creatine, though I suspect the most effective way to supplement is through monohydrate, since it seems to provide much more creatine per gram than any other source.

I suppose one could argue that creatine stands as the definitive bodybuilding supplement, and there are certainly valid reasons for that belief. Primarily, we see its ability to noticeably boost lean muscle mass in as little as two weeks. It also seems to play a role in increasing strength during high-intensity training sessions, elevating energy levels, and perhaps even speeding up recovery times. It isn't really surprising then that athletes who incorporate it often seem to hold an advantage over those who don't. I imagine that soon, almost every competitive athlete will be using creatine, if they aren't already. Its capacity to bolster muscle energy reserves likely stems from how it aids protein synthesis while simultaneously reducing protein breakdown. This might happen because creatine has this remarkable effect of super-hydrating the muscle tissue with water, which in turn may promote growth by making the muscle fibers stronger and larger.

There have actually been quite a few studies conducted on creatine to try and figure out exactly how and why it works so effectively. In the last five years, there have been over twenty double-blind studies regarding creatine—meaning neither the researchers nor the participants knew who was receiving the supplement. These studies have demonstrated that creatine raises energy levels, which results in improved strength, endurance, and recovery speed. Another rather surprising positive effect that has been discovered is that creatine may help accelerate fat loss while building up lean muscle mass.

Copied and pasted from: www.building-body.com

feralharbor7 said:If that's the case, then what exactly is Whey if it isn't amino acids?

I guess we should just let her be. She probably understands my point quite well, but she seems to be trying a bit too hard to act like she knows everything.

Paul Kim8 said:I suppose I don't view the twelve-week program as the end goal itself, but rather more like a starting point to help me shift my entire lifestyle... something to get me into decent shape, shed some body fat, and figure out which nutritional habits actually work for me... after that, I think I might try to stick to working out about three times a week...

That's really the best way to approach it, I think. 🎉

👍

Paul Kim8 said:The goal is basically simultaneous fat loss and muscle definition... following that P90X system... their nutrition guide just mentions things like "3 tablespoons of protein powder"...

So, since the program lasts three months, I suppose I would really like to see it through to the end by following all the rules properly...

But I am also trying not to spend too much money... I don't have a huge budget, so I can only afford a little bit at a time... I remember from a few years ago when I was traveling around, I could pick up some silver bag of chocolate-flavored mass, maybe between half a kilo and a kilo, for roughly $33, maybe even a little more... I think I bought it at a small convenience store near a local corner shop back in a neighborhood in Chicago...

I wouldn't focus too much on those "three-month programs," because if you hit some results and then just slide right back into your old habits, it probably won't have any lasting effect. You might need to decide (much like I recently did 😁) to actually change the lifestyle habits that led to the physical state you aren't happy with. I guess it means deciding to work out for an hour every day (or perhaps every other day) for the rest of your life, or at least as long as you are able. A healthy mind resides in a healthy body. 👍

Regarding the weight loss part, I suppose you could just prioritize proteins in your diet while significantly cutting back on carbs and fats (which should help burn off those carbohydrate stores in your gut 🙂). And if you want to be extra precise, you could always try counting calories.

Paul Kim8 said:So now, is THIS better for ?$57?

Or should I just stick with $63 for THIS??

I would probably go with the first option. Though, if you are truly serious about this, I might suggest saving up a larger amount of money to buy a multi-month supply from a wholesale club like Costco. It seems like it would be more cost-effective in the long run.

Paul Kim8 said:please, please 🙂

🙂

I guess it’s hard to say without knowing more. Maybe if you could share what your specific goals or ambitions are, or if you're currently training for something, it might help—and also, most importantly, how much you're looking to spend. If you're just starting out, I think Scitec would probably be quite sufficient for you. However, if you're thinking about picking up larger quantities to get a better deal, you might want to check www.amazon.com.