two supplements are all you need.
supplementation is key when aiming to lose weight and can really aide in providing the nutrition and energy you need to complete your workout and build some muscle (which is really the key to weight loss).
The only two supplements that actually work are incidentally also the two cheapest. It really comes down to creatine monohydrate and protein powder. Down below, I’ve linked the most reliable and affordable supplements that I’ve used to push through workouts and reach my protein goals to build some solid muscle.
creatine monohydrate
What is creatine monohydrate? It’s essentially a substance that is found in our muscle and provides energy when we push through our workouts. It indirectly helps muscle growth as it provides more energy for our resistance workouts which, thus, will help us build more muscle.
It’s a natural way to get more energy for your workouts and we don’t get enough of it from the foods we eat. Creatine is found in chicken, beef, milk, salmon, etc. However, we would need to eat a ton of each of these foods to get a recommended dose. This is why we need to supplement with creatine powder or capsules to get enough to fuel our workouts.
Here are my picks from BulkSupplements.com (check out their homepage) which is a company that has awesome prices with reliable products.
Creatine Monohydrate Powder (check out their sales page):
Creatine Monohydrate can often be overpriced when the product itself is very cheap and affordable. I’ve seen powders go up to $25 with additional “benefits” when the only ingredient on the back of the label is “creatine monohydrate”. With Bulk Supplements, what you buy is what you get and what you buy is an awesome Creatine Powder that runs for $10.96. No BS, just Creatine Monohydrate.
Creatine Monohyrdrate Capsules (click on the “100 Gelatin Capsules” to see price):
Number 2 is the exact same product but it comes in the form of a capsule. What’s even better about this product is that it’s cheaper than the powder form! It’s usually the other way around and is much more convenient than having to mix creatine with some water. All you need to do is take a capsule a day and forget about it. It’s $9.96 for 100 capsules which is half the price you get from a local GNC. You can also check their nutrition label to see that the ingredients are legitimate.
Creatine is a great supplement if you’re looking to lose some weight. If you’re committed to working out and building some muscle, then creatine is definitely the supplement that will truly speed up the process. It usually takes two weeks to feel the effects but you’ll thank yourself in the long run when you improve on your workouts.
Remember, the more muscle you have the leaner you get. Control your diet, build some muscle, and get that body you’ve been looking for!
protein powder
Protein is really the key when it comes to dieting. Protein allows us to grow muscle and more muscle always equates to a better physique and lifestyle. The problem, however, is the fact that Protein can be really difficult to get in our diets. I find with a lot of my clients and people who are just getting into fitness, Protein is the hardest macronutrient to receive as the transition to eat lots of meats can be difficult.
Protein is often neglected in a typical diet which is terrible because it truly does lean us out and aids in getting us closer to our desired bodies. Aside from creating muscle, it has the highest thermogenic effect of food which means it burns to most calories for us to utilize the calories we get from it. This means that we burn calories just by consuming more protein!
Protein is often associated with a big bulky physique but it’s actually quite the opposite here. It’s really the carbs and the fats that adds on the calories that equate to a bigger frame: not the protein.
Here are my top picks for Protein powders that are cheap, effective, and clean.
Whey is a byproduct from creating cheese and is used to create Protein supplements that are both cheap and effective. What’s interesting about this product is that it comes as a concentrate which means it contains BCAAs (branch chain amino acids). BCAAs are surprisingly absent from many protein brands so make sure to check the label to see if BCAAs are included when buying your protein powders.
BCAAs add an extra layer of insurance that ensures the process of muscle protein synthesis. This is the process of building and repairing muscle from the protein that is consumed. This means that it’s pretty crucial to have BCAAs which is included in the ingredient list for this product. It’s basically a two for one deal!
This product comes unflavored which is what I prefer when consuming Protein powders. It works great in smoothies and is easy to get down with some fruit and vegetables. No need for artificial flavors and added sugar!
2. Whey Protein Isolate (click to see the current price on Bulk Supplements)
Whey Protein Isolate is nearly the same as the product above but it contains no fats! The pros from buying isolate is that you get a pure protein source without the addition of any other macronutrient (carbs and fats). The cons, however, is that it can be a little hard to get down compared to regular protein powders.
If you’re someone who doesn’t mind a chalky texture when drinking your smoothies than this is the product for you (sounds gross I know). I usually take Isolates when I’m at the last stages of leaning out. Other than that, I’d rather just stick to the regular whey.
Phillip Pak
Phillip Pak is a fitness expert who has been training clients for 5 years. Throughout his fitness journey, Phill has done it all when it comes to diet and nutrition. He is now the owner of Aspire Fitness Walnut where his main goal is to help those who are seeking to find the best version of themselves. He’s been through the struggle of obtaining an good physique and knows how to share it with others.
Ethnicity: Korean
Speaks: English/Korean
Age: 24