Is it possible to not respond to supplements? I am 5'4" 137 lbs. currently off season training for Figure and Fit Body show in October/Nov. '08. Loaded on Beverly creatine as per-instructions now one scoop daily... notice nothing. Also, on mass and ultra 40 14 of each taken together split between 6 meals per day as per instructions of one per every 10 pounds of weight. 2 weeks and notice... nothing? My diet is good Meal 1: 2 omega 3 eggs w/ 1/2 c. oats
Meal 2: 2 scoop MP w/ a banana & 1 tbsp mct oil
Meal 3: salad w/ 4 oz. chicken breast, 1/2 c. chick peas & 1 tbsp mct oil
Meal 4: 6 egg whites, 1/2 c. oats
Before Gym: 1 scoop MP & 1/2 banana
After Gym/ Meal 5: 2 scoop MP, 4 oz sweet potato, 1 tbsp mct oil 1 scoop creatine
Meal 6: 7 1/2 oz. cod, 2 c. broccoli
Mass and Ultra 40 divide among all 6 meals.
Notice no changes to strength, weight, mass nothing? Please advise.
Thank you
Tracie

Tracie, your diet is pretty good, but I would definetly lower your scoops of protein to 1 scoop per meal when you do have a shake. You are only 137 lbs. so there is no need to overkill your protein ratios. Remember you have to include your protein intake from MAss (1 gram per tab) and ULtra 40's (2 grams per tab) also. All in all, your protien is to high.

Other than that, what are your expectations of the supplements? With creatine, it sounds like you are taking to much also. You shouldn't be using the full scoop before your workouts. Cut it down to half.

Do you notice a Heck of a Pump when you are lifting? You should! Creatine shuttles water into the muscle belly very effectively and gives a killer pump, you should notice that?? How long have you been using the Creatine Select? What is your LIFTING schedule like? Go ahead and post your workouts.

i would say entirely too much protein also. you are comsuming the shakes that I do as meals MINUS the bananas., and I weigh 186 pounds pretty pretty lean. remember when you have more carbs your body needs LESS protein. id say that you have started your sixth day on the creatine? How much water are you drinking > when you add creatine to your diet you need to increase water consumption also. if you dont see difference try .5 sccops creatine with your meal that has carbs in it pre workout. and with your post workout meal. carbs will also help pull creatine and water into muscle cells. good luck,
joe

Meal 1: 2 omega 3 eggs w/ 1/2 c. oats 1/2 grapefruit
Meal 2: 1 scoop MP w/ 4 strawberries & 1 tbsp mct oil
Meal 3: salad w/ 4 oz. chicken breast, 1/2 c. chick peas & 1 tbsp mct oil
Meal 4: 3 egg whites, 6 oz baked potato
Before Gym: 1 scoop creatine
After Gym/ Meal 5: 4 oz. cod, 1 c. broccoli
Meal 6: 1 scoop MP, 4 strawberries , 1 tbsp mct oil
Mass and Ultra 40 divide among all 6 meals.

Try this for a couple of weeks.

All good suggestions. However keep in mind that quality protein is the only macro that really won't hurt you or hold you back if you get a little too much. You should implement the suggestions, but I don’t think it’s kept you from getting results yet.

The main factor here is that it's only been two weeks. Unfortunately our bodies can only change so fast, and two weeks is not enough time to accurately measure progress. 4-6 weeks of 100% adherence is the minimum time frame to effectively test any nutrition regimen. I can truly say I’ve never encountered someone who does not respond to (real) supplements. The items you are using (MP, U-40, Mass) are essentially foods – the most nutrient dense and high quality food you can consume. And everyone responds to food – negatively if it’s bad food and positively to good foods!

The main variables that determine the speed of your results are genetics and especially age. If you’re in early 20’s things happen fast. If you’re in your 40’s, things will happen slower. What you need to take and do for results is no different, just the time frame by which it will happen. It’s just an unfortunate reality. You’re on the right track for sure, you need to stick with it. You’re going to be delighted with the results!

One additional note: If you’re building muscle and losing fat at the same time your weight won’t change. This is very common amongst Beverly users – very uncommon in general.

Lots of great input here. I know dieting is frustrating. We all want changes yesterday! Be patient…you will see results.

Like Steven said too, don’t get too hung up on the scale. When I took Beverly for the very first time (several years ago) I didn’t weigh myself once in about 8 weeks. I just followed my diet to a T, took all my supplements religiously and trained like crazy. I purposely didn’t weigh because it got me all stressed out if I didn’t see the numbers I thought I was supposed to see each time.

At the end of my 8 weeks I was amazed. I lost 3 full pant sizes, dropped 14 pounds of fat and gained 5 pounds of muscle. I think my weight on the scale was actually higher than when I started. If I had used the scale as my judge, I might have wanted to give up. Those are some of the best results I’ve ever gotten...good thing I trusted the program and stuck with it. It taught me a very good lesson about how the body works and that the scale can’t be my judge.

Good luck!

Thank you all for your suggestions... Guess I am looking for a "fast" and natural way to increase muscle size so I can kick butt in competition. From reading other posts I expected grand things from Mass and Ultra 40... I have been taking creatine for a while now also muscle synergy 5 2xs a day on empty stomach. Since I am a bit more than 20 weeks out and real dieting hasn't begun this was my last effort to put on some size before I have to start cardio and cutting up. Any other suggestions? Since I am 40 (sigh) I guess I will have to give Mass and Ultra a few more weeks (it's been 2 1/2) before I pass final judgment. Anyother comments suggestions please I'd love to hear. My workouts: Mon: Chest/Tri or Chest/Bi (change every month or so)
Tues: off
Wed: Legs, Abs
Thurs: Back/bi's (or Tri's)
Fri: off
Sat: Shoulders, abs
Sun: Legs, Abs
Legs 2's as I'm trying to get them to grow!
5x's week mod. walking on incline 20 minutes.
Thanks Again
Tracie

If you're looking for all out muscle gain, you need to eat more, train more and increase supps a little. But again, also be more patient. 2 ½ weeks is a lot of hard work, but it’s still not enough time to expect major physical changes, especially if you’re looking for mass muscle gain.

Keep in mind, for most females a 5 pound muscle gain in a year would be considered pretty great. Some may gain a bit more or less depending on age, genetics, current conditioning level, etc. For a 40 year old female, a 5 pound muscle gain in a year would be awesome. Does that mean that you can’t make great changes and improve in less time? No way, but all the factors have to be in place.

I recommend that you train each bodypart twice a week (this gives you twice as many chances to improve a bodypart than once a week); take in 1.5 to 2 g lean protein per pound of bodyweight (split between your six meals); take 12 Synergy a day (for your bodyweight) and take about 4 Mass and 4 Ultra 40 per meal (1 for every 10 pounds of bodyweight is a minimum dosing rate). You may also want to add some UMP or Ultra Size to your program. Again, your focus is muscle gain right now, not contest dieting or maintenance.

I understand that you're frustrated. I'm sure that all of our other fellow boardies will agree that we all wish there was a faster and easier way to achieve our goals (right guys?). This sport takes attention to all the details, but patience and trust knowing that if we do pay attention to the details and put in the work, that in time we will add muscle and get leaner.

Hang in there and good luck!

Some Some articles I recommend you read from www.bodybuildingworld.com:

http://www.bodybuildingworld.com/vol11_3/darn_genetics.html
http://www.bodymusclejournal.com/vol10/4monthFigure.html
http://www.bodybuildingworld.com/vol13_2/high_metabolism.html
http://www.bodybuildingworld.com/vol11_4/sugar_lover.html
http://www.bodybuildingworld.com/vol11_3/health_gateway.html

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