Products to burn fat/gain muscle, any users?

**MomToTwoBoys** · 08-26-2008, 07:01 PM

Hi all!

With the school year kicking up and both of my boys going this year for the first time ever, I've decided that hitting the gym is the best thing to help kill my stress and get me back into shape. I was pretty physically active until I had my youngest, then I sort of slacked off. I have a gym membership which is being used pretty regularly starting on Monday. Here is my question:

Has anyone used any protein products and/or appetite control products and seen results?

My father used Hydroxycut way back in the day and I heard it was good if you're looking to burn fat and gain muscle. My thing is that I want to burn fat, but I'm not looking to gain muscle in its place that'll make me more bulky. I'm mainly looking at slimming down and losing at least ten pounds or so.

I was using Gatorade and eating a protein bar before I did my workout and while following a pretty lean protein/rice and smaller portions diet, I was seeing some fat burning results. I'd just really like to get back into the shape I was in before I had both my kids. I spent some time in the military and did track and field from 8th grade until graduation, but that was over 15 years ago.

Has anyone used anything and found it to be the best thing to help you lose weight, burn fat and get lean?

**PrairieRose** · 08-26-2008, 07:30 PM

Sorry, I've done it without 'help'....I still have 13 pounds to goal but I think the surest way to get it off and keep it off is to do it naturally---the old fashioned, hard way. I drink lots of water and am counting calories and working out 5-6 days per week. Good luck in your journey

**The Muse** · 08-26-2008, 07:31 PM

Has anyone used anything and found it to be the best thing to help you lose weight, burn fat and get lean?

Yes, running shoes, free weights and a plant based diet. I'm not trying to be smug, but there are no lasting quick fixes. I've maintained a significant and life altering weight loss for over 8 years now. After many failures, slow and steady won the race.

**Nishu** · 08-26-2008, 07:57 PM

Gaining muscle is great for weight loss. It raises your metabolism so that you continuously burn more calories. Plus gaining a bit of muscle makes you nice and shapely.

I don't think it's a good idea to take weight loss aids for anything more than a jump start. I've done them, and they did do their job but after just a few days they'd either stop working or I'd get sick. Your body adjusts to them, so the stimulant weight loss aids would require you to continuously up your dose in order to keep seeing results... think crack addict. Plus, a lot of the weight you lose will be water weight that comes right back. IMO they're just not worth it.

If you do decide to go against what I know pretty much every person here is going to tell you and use them anyway, just be sure to drink a lot of water and follow the instructions.

I've never tried the Alli weight loss stuff, but I've heard bad things about it. At this point in my life I'm done with pills. I'll either stay chubby or lose it the old fashioned way.

**Squirt** · 08-26-2008, 08:55 PM

The more muscle you have, the more calories you will burn each day. Don't worry about getting bulky, as women can not without the help of steroids. Take a look at figureathlete.com for training advice; a lot of it looks like it's for hardcore competitors, but there is great training and eating advice there. If you go to the forums and read the logs (some are competitors, some want to lose weight/get in shape, you will see that putting on just a little bit of muscle is REALLY HARD. Don't think you are going to get big without devoting your entire life to it.

I prefer protein shakes to bars, as they have less junk in them. The products on the site above are a little pricey, but their Metabolic Drive protein is to die for and (since you asked) the Hot Roxx Extreme fat burner seems to be pretty good. My body can't handle stimulants very well, so I take one in the morning just for the energy and feeling of well-being it gives me. Dosage for fat loss/muscle help is 4 a day. Sometimes I cut one in half and save the other half for the next day. I think it supports the thyroid- I don't know if that is what makes me feel good or what, but I sure do feel more positive and chipper on them.

I know how it feels to want to support your workout with supplements, so I wouldn't discourage you. It's psychological, I suppose. I think the most important thing is diet (eat enough, and get the right macronutrient percentages) and your training and supplements are secondary. I actually discovered that I could lose more weight by increasing my calories and changing my training. Instead of 1200 calories and 45 minutes on the treadmill, I went to 2100 calories and an hour of weight training and not only did I lose 5 pounds (didn't have a lot to lose,) I lost significant bodyfat according to my scale. At a slightly lower weight, I look like an entirely different person. I highly encourage you to check out the site and get a feel for the people there. Don't let the athlete pics deter you- looking like that takes more work than most of us are willing to perform.

Good luck!

**MomToTwoBoys** · 08-26-2008, 11:08 PM

Thanks everyone.

I don't mind a little bit of muscle but the thought of looking like a man when I'm a woman really freaks me out a bit. It's why I'm a little hestiant on trying anything like muscle mass building products. I mainly wanted to burn some fat and make myself lean, while at the same time having some definition and getting rid of two main problem areas:

The belly fat pouch from having two kids.

My thighs being wider than my hips.

It's really hard for me to find jeans nowadays because I have long legs, large thighs, small calf muscles, a small set of hips and a tiny waist. I tried Pilates a while back and it did me well. The problem is that it's really hard for me to get into a Pilates class because of time restraints.

Back when I first started working out (before I stopped), I was doing one hour a day three days a week. That one hour would be 20 minutes on the treadmill with an incline walk, 20 minutes on the stairclimber, and then 20 minutes on an exercise bike. I'd then go sit on a mat and stretch out really well, then try to do some Pilates/Yoga exercises that would make my legs lean and my butt small.

I also watched what I ate and cut back alot on pop, coffee and kool-aid but I hate water. I can't drink water without getting sick and it's why I drank Gatorade. I also have a really bad snacking habit and I can't eat alot of vegetables in their raw form. I can try breakfast too but if I eat alot before I go work out, I get nauseous too.

I'll take y'alls suggestions to heart and look at ways to make my workout give me what I need and not what I want.