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These are the must haves in my gymshanny grind to becoming a better me. I use/consume these religiously for as much muscle growth as possible (for me). Obviously what I say here cannot be taken as fact, I am just some random dude with dreams of becoming a big blogger (of all things) in 2023. So please take my recommendation with a pinch of salt. That being said, let’s get started with the list!

1. It’s all in the protein, protein, protein (powder)

Working out hard without eating enough protein is the same as showering without using soap, are you actually getting clean? NO! Same thing here but with gains. Before I tracked my protein intake, I was getting subpar gains- I didn’t like what I saw in the mirror. It took me ages to increase the weight despite doing the same exercise for weeks! It definitely made me feel dejected and demotivated. But after making sure that I started consuming enough protein, my gymshanny journey became easier. I was able to lift more, I felt stronger, I felt better, I felt gains. Which is why I love protein powder so much.

For someone who is lazy and unmotivated to cook everyday, protein powder is my hack. With one scoop of Dynamtize ISO100 Fruity Pebbles protein powder, it gives me 25 grams of protein. (And it’s my favourite because it actually tastes like Fruity Pebbles unlike the rest I’ve tried). That is roughly 85 grams of chicken, or 3 large eggs! Another thing is that just 2 scoops of protein powder actually fills me up and keeps me hunger free for a few hours, acting as my meal replacement. Obviously you don’t have to buy protein powder if you don’t mind doing meal prep or cooking in general. Whatever works for you works for you. But for me, I don’t know what I would do without protein powder.

2. Coffee? No, Pre-Workout!

Working out is hard, and for me it’s not the act of bringing myself to the gym that is hard. It’s actually the finding that motivation to finish the workout is especially hard. Knowing that you’re only on the first or second exercise of the workout is kills my mood to workout and sometimes I consider giving up and leaving just like that. It becomes an even bigger mental game when there are other factors that can affect your energy levels such as lack of sleep, being tired from a long day of work, having a food coma etc.

That’s why I love a good pre-workout. It’s just like a coffee but specifically for gains. But instead of getting just a regular caffeine buzz, you get that tingling- almost numbing sensation. Especially the Total War one above. I learnt it’s because of some ingredient called beta-alanine. At first I thought “numbing sensation? Ewwwwwww why would anyone want that?”, but now I’m all for it. I guess the best way to explain is that the beta-alanine makes you uncomfortable, and the energy that you expend during your workout will help you get rid of that feeling. Pre-workout has become a life changer, making me more focused, motivated, and (I think) stronger in the gym- giving me better pumps. I’m eager to try more but so far, if you want that extra beta-alanine buzz, then Loco is for you.

3.Wrist straps = Big Back

Everyone wants to one of the Chris’s. Whether it be Pratt, Evans or Hemsworth, what makes their bodies banging is that sick V-taper. Hollywood looks require that sexy back (like the song). I find however, that when I’m working my back out that my forearms always give out first but it can’t be helped. And that’s sad. Being a much smaller muscle than the back plus the fact that you can’t do pulling exercises without your arms it leaves us in the awkward situation where your arms, especially forearms, are dead- but the back asking for more.

I am happy to say that I have a solution for you! Wrist straps! They help relieve the weight on your arms by wrapping the straps around the weight, allowing your back to take more a beating. Wrist straps are a nifty little gadget which results in the maximum back gains.

4.Creatine, just a pinch is enough.

Before creatine, it took me forever to recover. I could go on for a whole week feeling sore and it made doing simple things feel like gargantuan feats, especially going to poo after a brutal leg day. After doing some research though, I found out about creatine and tried to supplement it into my diet. Needless to say the results were very good. Not only do I take a normal amount of time to recover I found that I feel stronger, and not only that I feel bigger. Like bigger than usual. I feel that my muscles got bigger faster. ChatGpt told me that creatine also causes muscle cells to absorbs water which makes them swell up and increase in volume. Basically, gains.

I think for anyone who’s impatient like me creatine is a must have. The best part about it is that you can mix it with any drink you like (I like to down it to put protein powder and creatine together, it’s my “gains” shake)- with an intake of 5g a day everyday. Using creatine I have seen better results which motivates me to want to workout more just to see how far I can go. I hope it does the same to you too.

5. faith

This is something that money can’t buy, but it’s probably the most important thing on this list. Without the faith that you can achieve your goals fitness or otherwise there is no point in trying. For sure these 4 things have made reaching my goal more attainable. But believing in your own ability to achieve that goal sets the foundation for the hard work and dedication required to reach it. No goal being too out of reach for anyone. If you want it you have to work for it, and if you make mistakes along the way so be it. Besides the journey is what makes the destination worth it.

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It Never Hurts To Try