Building muscle

[theseeker]

More questions from a newbie:

I am trying to build muscle for endurance sports: triathlons, marathons, adventure racing (Eco-challenge/Primal Quest) and in the past I have always just pounded down the protein after each weight training workout. I'm a vegan, so the protein would always be soy powders & tofu, but you get the idea...

Now, I know protein does not build muscle, amino acids build muscle. Other than supplamenting with aminos (GNC's Amino Builder) what are the best raw foods to supply readily available aminos to help build/repair muscle after a strength workout?

Any body builders or enduance athletes out there who have successfully found a formula of raw food that works for them?

[chilove]

Hi there,

The only thing that "builds" muscle is you via working out. :-) Just eat enough and don't worry about eating specific foods.

All the best,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[Graciebeliever]

Not being in training of any kind but staying raw I can't totally answer this other than to say that I have read about lots of people training with 100% Raw vegan eating and the one that pops to mind the most is the guy that is 38 and going to the olympics for triatholon I believe he is on the G network lemme get his story.

Also the Health ranger..

Looking for the urls.....

ahh here they are

Best of luck!

http://www.healthranger.org/

http://www.foodnsport.com/mambo2/

http://gliving.tv/shows/g-living-live-show-0010-tim-vanorden-pro-vegan-raw-mountain-runner/

enjoy :)

[rawfigure]

being an ex bodybuilder I know where you are coming from. I have been Raw a Year and I was thinking I would lose muscle being raw but I actually increased some in my legs from running..on a diet of greens, veggies FRUIT and almonds, oh a cacao from time to time.. :p

Train and just eat Raw !! Don't think about "Protein" anymore it is a Marketing myth... :eek:

[theseeker]

Thanks for the advice so far everyone.

I'll definitely be checking out those links....thanks!!!

I definitly don't buy into the whole "protien myth" I haven't since I went vegan! But I do know that weight lifting & endurance training damages muscle tissue and proper nutrition is the only thing that repairs it. So I want to be sure that I get all the "proper" nutrition while raw.

[Lay-Lay]

I don't really have anything to add. I agree with everything said above, but I just wanted to give you a cheer for going the next step in your journey by using raw foods to get you where you want to be.

[James]

There's a supplement put out by Nature's First Law called RAW POWER... a protein superfood blend of Brazil Nut Protein Powder, Hemp Protein Powder, Maca, Goji Berry Powder and Maca Extreme -- available from www.rawfood.com as well as many other sources.

Also, check out:

http://www.charliesgym.info

Best,
James

[theseeker]

Cool! Thanks a lot!

We have a product here called Nutiva Hemp protein powder. I haven't checked it out yet, so I'm not sure if it's raw. I didn't realize that powders (hemp powder) could be raw.

[Fruitarianone]

Hey seeker....

I'm gonna give you my own personal opinion

As far as muscle growth is concerned it all depends on what stage of transition you are in....your only gonna grow when you get clean....

why spend the rest of your life throwing money away on these cooked, processed and refined supplements....think about it if you do happen to gain muscle on these things (which I doubt) as soon as you stop taking them your gonna lose it all.....your just making someone else rich while you do all the work....

Do it Raw & natural....

Just eat your favourite foods when hungry and stop when satisfied and train like a rabid dog!!!! :D

With patients and love you will grow.... :) :)

[GreenPrince]

Don't worry about proteins. It's a SAD and pre-SAD myth. In the 1900th Century the recommendation to athletes was lambsteak and beer.

Here is some info about and beyond protein:
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3708

[theseeker]

Thanks again for all the support!

I haven't yet had a chance to really put everyone's advice to the test yet. I did some grocery shopping this weekend ($197 US dollars just for half the produce I wanted :eek: ) But I'm gonna start 100% raw this Monday. I've been on a vegan diet for the past 8 months now and have really grown to enjoy & appreciate it, so I'm hoping that the transition to raw will be even better.

I just hope that I can find a nice happy medium with my training/eating that I can make work for me in a positive way.

I am also able to get reglar deep tissue messages and will be able to start taking yoga classes once a week at this really great holistic center. I'm looking for a totally whole body, mind and spirit "makeover".

[Draginvry]

Protein is overrated. You only need a little protein, even if you are building muscle. In fact, too much protein may rob you of energy, because it is difficult to digest.

If you are doing things like triathlons, then energy is going to be a much more limiting factor than protein. You'll want lots of starches and (quality) sugars to give your muscles the energy they need to work. I'd say that you may want as much as 75% of your calories to come from carbohydrates, with the rest split between fat and protein.