Expert: Ken Alan - 8/23/2006

Question
First of all – Thanks for your valuable contribution.  You have helped me understand HR, Aerobic vs. Anaerobic, etc.   Background –Male, Age 58, Weight 181, MHR 180+. Hart Monitor – Polar F11 Ownindex rating of 47 (BTW I have no idea how someone could workout with one).  On April 4th of this year I weight 215 and have been dieting and exercising to get to my current level.  I do an average of 50 minutes of hard cardio (Precor 3 days and Stair Climber 3 days) 6 days a week.  Lately I’ve been adding Salmon and Protein Drinks to my diet to add muscle weight.   Here’s the question:  Are these Protein Drinks all that or am I just wasting my time.   And if they are a good supplement, do you have a recommendation.  

Answer
Good question.

The answer varies.  If you're not getting sufficient protein through your regular diet, protein drinks can be beneficial.  If you get adequate protein from your current meals, than the drinks are unnecessary.  Most people get sufficient protein from their normal diets. (If you're a pure vegetarian, you may not though.)

Keep on exercisin'.
Hope this helps.