Can taking too much protein before/after my workout cause me to not lose weight?

Question

I am working out 6 days a week and not seeing any weight loss. I am currently doing the Power 90 cardio/circuit 3/4 videos 3-4 days a week, ab ripper 200 six days a week, Plus 10+ miles of cardio a week. I am seeing toning, but no weight loss to speak of.

I did the same work out last year w/o the protein supplements, and saw toning and weight loss. I am now taking a soy protien around 3pm and a whey protein immediately after my workout. Both are very low carb.

Just as little background info: I am 05' 03" currently weigh 115 lbs and have been physically active in sports my whole life...so I am NOT out of shape. I eat healthy and only drink water and occasionally low fat milk.

Any thoughts??

Answer 1

The most important thing for you to remember is that muscle weighs more than fat. Protein is the essential ingredient to build muscle and most whey protein shakes contain the amino acid Glutamine, which is the building block of muscle. So when you say you are seeing toning that means your muscles are growing and in turn that is going to cause you to gain muscle mass even though you're burning fat mass.

I would tell you not to worry about it. My girlfriend is in the same boat as you, she even has the exact measurements and lifestyle you described. You can't have toned arms, six pack abs, etc without having some muscle mass. Instead of concerning yourself with weight I recommend you get your body fat measured. If you are below 10% which I would say you are likely pretty close, then you are doing very well.

Answer 2

I hope this can help. The more protein you take the more your body mass will increase. Then when you workout your muscles will increase in size. Protein supplements are for people who are wanting to gain more muscle; than just working out alone. So you will not see any weight loss, but muscle gain. Muscle weighs more than fat. So if you are wanting to see weight loss stay away from extra protein. You need to talk with physical trainer that can help you reach your goal. You may need to change your diet, different exercise, well since what you are doing is not helping you; you do need to change your out look on things. There may even be a health reason why you are not getting what you want. But hopefully that's not it. Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

Muscle weighs more than fat but uses less space, so you might be losing inches and still weigh the same since it looks you are doing a complete workout. Try not just using the scale, but also measure yourself. You might also be hitting a plateau, where you usually won't see any significant weight loss unless you modify a little your routine. Try and alternate different exercises on different days and add something new to your routine.
You should have your protein supplement within an hour after finishing your workout.

Answer 4

Your muscles might be getting bigger from the protein but the fat covering it is not coming off to show the definition. Try 15+ cardio a week. Maybe you have plateued as they say. Once you have been doing the same routine for a while, you have to kick it up a notch to get more results. You are probably currently just maintaining what you originally lost. Good luck. No pain no gain.

Answer 5

I was asked by the dietician to take mor protein . I go to gym and work out 1+ hours.
But I take natural proteins; no supplements. It will not affect weight if taken in right amounts.
Eating healthy is best.
Looks like you are doing all right.

Answer 6

You're putting on muscle and taking off fat. So you won't see a difference other than toning because muscle weighs more than fat, so you won't see your muscles getting bigger.

You're losing fat though, that's the toning, you just don't see it on the scale because of the muscle you've put on.

This is VERY healthy, so don't worry over it. I've currently had this happen myself, it's a good thing. Being fit is better than skinny any day.

Answer 7

Don't be preoccupied by weight.

You are replacing fat with muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat.

What you want to look for is body fat %. That's the best indicator of progress.

Answer 8

Muscle does NOT weight more than fat. A pound of fat = 1 pound. A pound of muscle guess what weighs 1 pound. Muscle is more dense so you dont see it as quickly. If you are getting more toned than you are definelty making progress.

Answer 9

well bro, protein is what helps the muscles in your body rebuild. it doesn't help lose weight, it does the exact opposite it helps you gain weight. sorry.

Answer 10

alternate between cat pose cow pose and downward dog 13 times holding each for 30 seconds