Should I take protein if I just want to get cut?

I have a 4 lb tub of "Optimum Nutrition's Platinum Hydrolyzed Whey Protein" but I'm not sure if I should even be taking this after workouts? In fact I've been drinking it consistently throughout the day after my workouts as I've read a gram of protein per lb of body weight is what you're looking for, but I'm not trying to "get big", I just want to tone up and get cut.

I'm around 161 lbs currently, age 19 - if that matters.

Also - if I take a loottttt of protein, but not so much fat/carbs and less calories than my body burns on average daily, will that protein turn into fat (or will I gain fat)? Or should I try and get as much protein as possible?

 

i'm pretty sure the rule to gaining muscle is that you have to take in as many calories as it would be to maintain your weight, while also eating 120-150 grams of protein. If you don't each enough calories your body will burn the muscle too
You definitely won't gain fat, but you won't necessarily build as much muscle.

 

depends on what protein your using you can use protein but when you're cutting i'd say use it with skimmed milk or water, and i would suggest you'd use mdoubleyou or whey perfection.

 

o didnn't see that also that optimium is a great source of whey protein and is perfect for a cut just don't drink it with fatty milk like i stated above, i've been lifting 3 years and i've been making all kindz of gainz, have had cutting periods bulking periods i hate bulking i'm bloated 24/7.

 

depends on which protein ur taking buddy, i would suggest you'd use 100% whey protein with low fat and low sugars.

 

Everyone banned lol, but yeah its 100% whey and I'm eating high protein to low fat/carbs ratio.

 

Don't listen to these kids.

You weigh exactly the same as me. You need the following to get cut, build pure lean muscle:

Calories:2818 per day.
Protein:282 g per day.
Carbs:282 g per day.
Fats:63 g per day.

You need to take protein within 30 minutes of you're workout. Protein is very key to building muscle because it helps recover & build the new muscle. When you're working out you dont build, you strech and loosen you're muscle and the protein helps your muscles build and recover faster so you can get into the gym faster. You should take atleast 1g of protein per body pound. Make sure to get carbs & fats in there, you need more calories in your body to build muscle. Make sure you have a meal plan.

Best of luck.

 

take above advice.

Simply, protein will not convert to fat in your body. But there's no point taking more than your body can use.

 

Everyone should be taking protein. You need to have muscle to look "cut".

And do not sacrifice any of the main macronutrients for more protein; all are important and your body can only use so much protein.

 

The protein I buy is Elite Mass. It has too many carbs I admit, but it has 0 grams of fat, and has all the vitamins and minerals you need each day. And it's also 600 calories, if you want, you can use it as a meal replacement depending on how many calories you wish to have per day. It can be used as a meal replacement because of it having all the required minerals and vitamins, but even if you do that, you'll still need food. I personally would never use whey protein, I've heard it's bad for you

 

Appreciated.

 

Protein from milk is bad for you? What lol?

 

No use for the excess protein, so I'd say no.

 

If you truly want to cut and still build muscle, then a ketogenic diet is what you want. For more information regarding the ketogenic diet: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=117574371

Ketogenic diet along with BCAA's and around 100g of protein on days you workout (counting food as well) will be the best method for cutting and preventing muscle loss, while actually building muscle. You can add in creatine too for more muscle mass. Regarding protein/creatine, you can take them together in the same shake, timing doesn't matter, but I would take a protein shake immediately after working out always.

Another method of preventing muscle deterioration and promoting growth is low reps and increasing weight, i.e. 4 sets of 8 reps and increasing weight weekly/biweekly/etc. Most bodybuilders use the ketogenic diet over calorie deficient diets, but if you truly can't quit certain foods then calorie deficient cutting would suit you more; a good nutritional diet makes a big difference, you can then add vitamins, fat burners, oils, etc.

Just to add on to this, excess protein above the amount I said doesn't really matter, it's usually 1g per lb for more intensive training, and I'm not sure what weight lifting routine you're doing but I can offer you guidance on that, along with extra workouts to incorporate into it.

 

optimum is fine for cutting.

 

Thanks everyone so far. I'm looking into the ketogenic diet atm - seems legit and pretty close to what I've been doing so far. Tips on cutting stomach fat (building a better core)? Also, I do take a pre-workout with creatine (Mesomorph). Works wonders for my workout.

Also, is it true that using the same workout over and over won't get you stronger over time? My biceps in the last THREE MONTHS of working out have NOT gotten stronger. I started curling at 20's, I'm still fucking curling 20's. So I figure I should stop curling and try another bicep workout?

 

I may be bias because my biceps (and calves) grow incredibly easily. However the only direct bicep workout I would advocate are straight bar curls, or close grip (hands touching) chin-ups.

Even still, I think it's better if you do heavy compound lifts, namely, t-bar rows, bent over rows, and so on. Your biceps are very much in use here, and if not for simply 'switching it up', they will get stronger. I remember when I first started at the gym, I didn't have much of a clue, and the first exercise I did was bicep curls (lol). I ended up going from 15kg to 30kg in 1 or so months. After I actually got into it, I started doing back exercises, namely heavy t-bar rows. I can now rep curl 40kg, despite having done no direct bicep workout.

In addition, your biceps are a really small muscle, so you shouldn't expect to see gains fast, unlike heavy compound lifts. Another technique you could use is eccentric contractions. You can have your friend help you, or do it solo. Basically, use a weight around 120% of your max (you can't curl it normally). Force it up, then slowly lower it down. Do this as many times as you can (it won't be many). Save it for the end of the workout, it actually tears the most muscle fibres.

 

im cutting and having shakes 3 times a day with skimmed milk so why not?

 

Sweet thanks. Yeah I work out my back and biceps on the same day because those row workouts usually work both muscle groups.