How I Use Supplements

Supplements can be a really tricky part especially when it comes to figuring out what you need for your body and not just buying things being marketed to you by influencers you follow online. I would like to make it clear before we dive into what supplements I take to tell you that taking supplements is not a requirement to embark for progress in your fitness journey.

Supplements are just that, they supplement your journey and they are there to provide you with things you may not be getting in your day to day dietary intake. It's important to consider what your goals are when considering buying supplements and purchasing accordingly to avoid spending money on a product that really won't bring you any benefit. There are a slew of products on the market from advertising themselves to make you healthier, clean out toxins etc. etc. it's important to do a thorough research before purchasing a product in hopes that it will bring you a miracle. 

This is by no means a comprehensive list of all of the supplements out there that can aid you in your fitness journey, but I do get quite a few questions so I thought would be helpful to share all in one place for everyone. I am not sponsored by any supplement brands but I am very loyal to certain brands because I find they work best for me and I don't like to switch up my routine often to ensure the results are directly related to the products I take. I use all Alani Nu supplements and will have the specific products linked throughout this post

COLLAGEN

Collagen is my favorite supplement at the moment, mainly because it has no taste and 18g of protein! I throw it into my morning green smoothie to intake protein early in the day without it tasting like a protein shake. Collagen is the building block of alllllll the proteins in your body, such as your hair, nails, skin, joints, etc. I started taking collagen about a year ago when  I noticed my joints aching after intense/heavy exercise and I knew that at age 23 I needed to do something to protect and prevent further damage. After a bit of research I found that collagen was the most widely recommended supplement for joint maintenance.

GREENS

There are a plethora of green supplements on the market promoting roughly the same claims: to improve digestion, skin, and overall health, so it's important to read the labels for ingredients that make sense for your needs. When I'm looking for a green supplement, I check for ingredients such as pre-and probiotics, various digestive enzymes, and ingredients such as wheatgrass in spirulina to ensure that I am putting my money towards a product that will truly benefit me. It's also really important to consider the taste of the product and how you intend to consume it. I personally enjoy it because I can mix it with water and I actually enjoy the taste whereas other ones that I've tried in the past the taste is absolutely unbearable on its own and it needs to be mixed in a smoothie with other ingredients to mask the taste.

Checking in supplement stores for trial packs or smaller sizes when looking for a greens supplement is a great idea to try to find your best fit and not waste product in the process.

PROTEIN

Protein is one of the most popular supplements in the fitness industry because it is in muscle recovery and growth. I aim to consume 100 to 120 g of protein a day because I don't eat meat very frequently, I find that having a protein shake each day is really helpful for me to increase my intake. I personally use Alani because their whey protein contains a lactase enzyme which helps my body break down any lactose in the way and I find that I am less bloated and have an easier time digesting the way than other brands. When considering a protein supplement you have many options in terms of the form you consume it in; bars, shakes, and powder. I personally consume a variety of the different options based on what I am craving that day. I find shakes and powder to be the most versatile because they can be blended together with other ingredients to create a nutritious smoothie.

PRE WORKOUT

I would consider pre-work out to be the least necessary of any of the supplements. It's really important to monitor your caffeine intake to ensure that you are not damaging your adrenal glands which could lead to burnout among health issues in the future. I try to only take pre-workout on days when I'm not consuming any other caffeine and I limit myself to half a scoop to avoid any jitters or caffeine crashes or later in the day.

That being said, pre-workout is a great way to get yourself focused and for your work out. I haven't tried too many pre-workouts but I do really like the formula Alani offers because they help me dial in my focus on each of my movements, as well as keeping me from feeling distracted or lacking the motivation to finish my workout. 

Most pre workouts contain beta alanine which can cause itching/tingles in the body that most people don't enjoy, including myself. If you have never taken pre-workout before I recommend that you start with a small serving and work your way up. You don't need a full scoop to get the benefits of the product and have a great workout. I'm not an expert but it is recommended that you cycle on and off your pre-workout, meaning you only take it for a certain amount of time and then take a break to allow your body to have time to recover from caffeine intake. I recommend you do research from multiple sources to decide what your pre-work out and take should look like and consider consulting a doctor if you are sensitive to caffeine 

extras

These may not be considered supplements, but they are two other things that I supplement daily that I wanted to touch on.  I also supplement with CBD, which is its own blog post. 

Chia seeds and hemp seeds are two things I try to consume daily, usually in my smoothies. Chia seeds are a great way to get in fiber, omegas-3’s, magnesium, antioxidants, and protein. They are known to improve bone, brain, heart, and skin health. I typically add 1-2 tablespoons into my smoothies! They don’t have much taste and provide the consistency of a berry seed. 

Hemp seeds are great for brain function because they provide a significant amount of protein as well as omega 3 and omega 6s per serving. They also contain vitamins and minerals to improve overall health such as vitamin E, potassium, phosphorus, niacin, folate and B-6. I add 2 tablespoons to my green smoothies for extra nutrients and no taste! I have also used them as açaí bowl toppings for a fun slightly creamy texture.

Remember, supplements are NOT NECESSARY but can be a great way to support your fitness journey and your body when you research and choose the best options for you