Lost 40 pounds, needing some advice

He’s probably talking about powders.

Some are nothing but fillers and trash. If Walmart is selling it and it’s cheap, it probably sucks.

You don't really need any supplements, including protein powder.


Continue lifting weights, slowly increasing weights as you go on. Eat at least 2 palms' worth of protein at every meal to ensure a high protein diet, and keep on doing everything else you're doing to continue losing fat.

Building muscle + losing fat at the same time is possible, especially in those that are new to lifting and very obese, but the leaner you get the less likely it'll be. Once you get to your goal weight you can focus on building muscle more quickly.

TL;DR - Eat protein, focus on form and actually pushing specific muscles to exhaustion, and don't overthink it.

I've lost a good bit of weight over the last few months as well but have absolutely noticed a lot more muscle. There was a period where my weight didn't change for several weeks but my clothes all the sudden were very baggy, but I was getting a lot of size and definition in muscles. I wish I could put it in more empirical terms but that's the best I've got.

I was doing the same thing you were but just ate a lot of protein and cut way back on the carbs. I workout 4 times a week, 20-30 mins of high intensity cardio, try to be almost tapped out by the end. Then I move to weights and target upper or lower. I focus heavily on actually activating the muscle I'm working on, even if it means starting super low weight to get form perfect. Don't just do reps to do them, actually focus on feeling the muscle do work. Bad posture and letting other muscles than the ones you want to do the work can be a killer and hard habit to break. Have noticed huge improvements since I really started drilling that. It will shock you the difference in weight you can't handle, meaning you haven't been using that muscle, from just shifting your grip or stance. Can't stress this enough. I don't keep track of the weight I'm lifting, max, or reps. I go as heavy as I can do 10 reps of while maintaining perfect form, and repeat sets until I can't finish one.

As far as supplements, I started out using NO3 boosters, pre-workout, creatine, and a post-workout protein shake. At this point I've dropped the NO3 and have dialed back the creatine, because I wasn't noticing much difference without NO3 and creatine gives me liquid shits. Creatine does help me with the amount of time I feel sore, and will get me back on that muscle group sooner, but I think I could easily go without it.

I try to eat a little something in the morning, usually a handful of almonds. I will go without but do notice a little less endurance in the gym. For awhile I guess I was intermittent fasting without trying, but can't speak too highly of it. I workout over my lunch break and the post shake is lunch. For dinner I keep it to chicken breast, thighs, pork loin, or ground beef all with some kind of vegetable.

I feel great. Drink plenty of water with the protein and I don't think you're gonna have any problems. Don't treat carbs like the devil, just try to keep them early in the day and don't eat them because they're there. I love Bananas and peanut butter in my protein shake. I don't count macros or adhere to any strict diet, I'm losing 2-3 lbs a week, and am constantly increasing the weight I lift.