I was wondering if anybody here has experience with the ECA (Ephedrin Caffeine Aspirin) stack and/or creatine. Both have been recommended to me by a few regulars at my schools gym. And I'm looking for a few more opinions.
Stay away from that sh$t. Those ECA's are just going to make you shake like a leaf and you'll run out of enery quick. As for creatine that stuff is garbage to. It just makes your muscles retain water. You will look bigger, but once you stop it will go away real quick. Why do you want to take those things anyway? Just stick to Whey protien powder. After your done working out drink some of the whey. It helps repair and rebuild your torn muscles.
When I was younger I used ECA for about a month, and While it did increase my energy, my focus was useless, and I didn't sleep well. It's basicly speed. Creatine, yep used that before, and it over the course of six weks had no significannt impact on my abillity to lift more weight. The best supliment is a good night of rest.
LOL, I could have sworn I responded to this post. Perhaps I imagined it. Guess it was all of those years of taking the stacks! ha. No really they fucked up my kidneys and turned me into a bitch. Did they work, yeah they worked, I lost over 100lbs, but that was also because I busted my ass for 4 hours a day working out hardcore and I ate a fairly strict diet. They were speed. Plain and simple. And now I have horrible kidney problems because of it. And my boyfriend hated me when I was on them because I was edgey and mean. Creatine, in my personal and profession opinion is useless. The Whey protein, I've heard mixed things about it. I guess it all depends on what you are trying to do. Here is a seemingly unbiased article about protien. http://www.formerfatguy.com/articles/protein-sups-vs-foods.asp I agree with most of what it says. I still believe that it is better to get your protien from food (and trust me Americans get too much anyway, so it isn't like you will be deficient) than it is from a suppliment of any kind. That goes for vitamins too in my opinion. I'm with destro on this one, rest is best.
Thanks for the replies. I wound up trying the ECA stack. It definatley works, I can do more reps at higher weight. But like every one said, it's basically a legal speed. I'm taking it on a day on day off basis. I won't keep on using it for much longer though. As for protein powder, how much would you guys recomend? I'm on a vegetarian diet, so my protein intake is allready low. I'm reading some sources that say 1.5grams of protein per pound of body weight per day. That's over 250 grams of protein for me. Seems a bit exagerated to me?
15% of your diet by caloric intake. This might involve making up a diet, SO if you were to do it by weight alone... 5-8% of the diet being fats (Maximum) about 20-25% being protiens and the rest carbohydrates. I used some rought estimations, but they should be pretty close. If you desire any more assistance, let me know.
there is endless arguments about the right amount of protein. A lot of athletes consume between 1 to 2 grams per pound of body weight. Thats potentially a SHITLOAD of protein. They also do a lot of exercise and demand a lot more from their body. If you're not doing the same, you probably dont need that much. as for whey? the protein gets digested a lot better than say the protein from dairy/meat/soy. It is also cheaper. But unless you need to get a lot of protein, probably no need for it.
Hey Destro, why so low on the fat? Just curious as to your take on it. I've been reading the Schwartzbein Principle and she has a very different view on fat intake. If you ever get the chance, pick the book up, it is fairly inexpensive and a very good read. I personally recommend about 20-25% max for fat intake. Remember our bodies do need fat to function properly. And it will help one feel satisfied longer. I'm done with the low fat craze. Lemme know what ya think.
