Let’s talk supplements
Pre-workout? Protein powder? Creatine? Magnesium? Supplements? Help!
This was me for several years after I started my fitness journey. I have probably tried every popular brand of pre-workout on the market. Okay, not every brand because there are so many, but I’ve tried a lot. I tried a lot of pre-workouts for several reasons. One of them is because I wanted to perform how I saw other people in the gym performing. I saw them lifting heavy and crushing their workouts and I wanted to be like that as well. I also took pre-workout because it was trendy and I wanted to fully emerge myself in the gym community. I also took pre-workout because I thought it would make me feel like superwoman and be able to do things I never thought I could!
Boy was I wrong lol. All of the pre-workouts I have ever taken have made me feel jittery, anxious and have a very unregulated body temperature throughout my workout. Not only did they make me feel like this during my workout, but they also made me feel like this AFTER my workout. It would take me several hours to feel normal after I took pre-workout. At first I tried to “push through.” But as I matured in the gym I realized what I really needed to do was listen to my body and stop trying to force something on it because fitness culture said it was what I needed.
After a few years, I finally decided to quit all pre-workouts completely. I got to a place where 1) I built up enough discipline and learned to workout even when I was tired or didn’t feel like it and 2) I learned I am just more of an all natural girly. The only pre-workout I did take after quitting all of them was a non-stimulant fat burner from OxyShred that I took for about 5 months in 2023. Eventually I stopped taking this as well because as I said, I’m just more of an all natural girl.
When it comes to other supplements like protein powder, creatine and vitamins, I also do not consume these on a regular basis. When I do consume protein powder, it is a vegan one that does not make me feel bloated or have an upset stomach like other protein powders. I do not and have never taken creatine or magnesium. When it comes to vitamins I have had a relationship similar to pre-workout - I have taken many different kinds but finally decided to stop taking any and get my vitamins from whole foods.
There are 5 things I would advise when choosing whether or not you want to take a supplement.
Test your motives
As I said before, I was taking pre-workout for all the wrong reasons. I didn’t realize it at the time but I was taking this to fit in/fit some fitness aesthetic that was being marketed. This is not a good reason to take a supplement. When trying to decide if you want to take a supplement, ask yourself why. You should be taking supplements if you are told by a doctor that you have a nutrient deficiency or if you feel like you really need it and it is not harmful to your body - short-term or long-term. Sometimes supplements can be good for short-term benefits but be harmful in the long run. Do your research before you buy and consume something!
Speak with your doctor
As I said before - speak with your doctor. When I was taking a whole bunch of supplements - pre workout, protein powder, BCAAs, etc. - I packed them all in a bag and brought it to my doctor. She is in her 80s so she was very unfamiliar with the supplements and found them to be unnecessary. This made me realize I also did not need all these supplements. I did not stop taking them because she did not like the idea of them. I stopped taking them because she made me realize what I’d known all along - I did not need them.
Capitalism
Before taking a supplement, please take into consideration that these companies are here to make a profit! I am not saying there are no genuine companies that want to contribute to people’s health and wellness journey. There are a few companies that do sell products with clean ingredients and deliver what they claim to deliver. However, many companies just want a profit! Please be mindful of this and use your discernment. Do not invest in a product before seriously changing your habits and lifestyle as a foundation. The greatest investment you can make is in yourself by building good habits, not by paying for a product.
Remember, supplements are not a magic cure
Another unhealthy mindset I had when it came to supplements was thinking that they were going to give me my dream body or the motivation I craved or the discipline I lacked. I realize now that these things come with patience, consistency and hard work. Supplements are just that - supplements. They are not magic. They are not cures. They are meant to support an already healthy lifestyle, not cover up flaws in your lifestyle. So remember, before you buy a supplement, think about how you can make simple lifestyle changes. Instead of taking pre-workout, maybe you just need to find a way to get more rest and sleep. Instead of a whole bunch of protein powders, maybe you need to incorporate actual protein into your diet. Figure it out before you rush to Amazon or click that instagram link!
Listen to your body
This is probably the most important piece of advice that I can give you. Please, please, please listen to your body. Listen to the cues. Listen to the pain. Listen to the peace. Please do not ignore pain or unfamiliar feelings. Please know when to push through and when to rest. This comes with time and patience, but keep practicing and listening. Your body won’t lie to you. If something is not working for you, please do not try to force it. Please stop taking something that is making you feel bad. And if something is working for you, keep doing it and don’t try to force it on someone else. Just listen to your body, it won’t steer you wrong!
All in all, I am not anti-supplements, I just rather take the holistic approach to health and wellness. I’d much rather consume tea over a pill and move my body/eat whole foods than wear a body shaper/drink flat tummy tea. I am not shading anyone who does this, I am just sharing what has worked for me and what is sustainable to me.
Do you take supplements? Why or why not? Comment below!