superwelter’s BodyBlog

For dumbbell exercises, should i be listing total weight of the two combined or the individual dumbbell weight? Seems like it’s looking for the total but I’m not entirely sure… I’ve been using total but that seems incorrect to me for some reason.

I started off with the "starter" kit that I saw most recommended on the boards at this site. It is made up of the big three: Protein, Creatine and a multivitamin. I did some basic research and decided on what was the easiest and most effective starter supplements but never really looked into the quality of any of them.

I decided to choose supplement brands based on what I had previously seen advertised and also what was available locally. I bought Designer Whey, GNC Creatine Mono and a Centrum multivitamin.

After reading some of the supplement threads, my creatine choice seems to have been a no brainer as long as it was Creatine Monohydrate. The protein brand I picked was based on what I had seen advertised in the past but its nowhere to be found in the list of top protein powders. The top protein recommendation on the forum seems to be Optimum 100% Whey Protein.

I’m now a little concerned about what I’m taking because I’d like to make this as easy as possible by using the best supplementation I can get my hands on. Feeling somewhat disappointed at my choice, I will be switching to the "ON" brand.

I am, however, feeling very doubtful of the results people are posting in the forum. I don’t have much experience using different supplements but people report varying levels of strength and size gains from specific brands. Is it really possible that a change in brand of protein powder would cause a dramatic increase in either size or strength? It seems like a bit of a stretch to me…

I am skeptical about it but have a few dollars for experimentation… we’ll have to see how much of a difference the brand makes.

I started working out a few weeks ago and I’m now at the point where its part of my normal routine. I now get that odd feeling when I don’t get my usual workout in which makes this a big step for me. I was having a little trouble getting up in the morning but that has also now passed. I feel really good about it now and the workouts are getting much better.

I’m currently working out at 6:00AM before I leave for work but have found it challenging to fit in a meal before I leave for my gym. I hope to get some feedback through this blog on how to overcome this small hurdle. I currently work out in the small gym at my apartment complex. They have a large set of dumbbells and a bench that does flat, decline and incline which has been enough for me to get started.

This morning I felt really comfortable benching the 40lb dumbbells they have on the rack and should soon be at 45lbs which will put me at the highest weight I currently have available. It may be time to join a gym soon and re-adjust both my schedule and workout. This is going to be a challenge for me because I actually don’t like going to gyms and have never kept up a membership to one.

I dread having to dedicate 2hrs+ to the gym with my schedule and don’t feel comfortable working out alone in a large gym. I may try to convince a co-worker to join with me to help break the ice or sign up for a few sessions of personal training.

Welcome to the Bodybuilding.com BodyBlogs. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!