Thinking about getting some supplements?

[Camo]

Hey guys, I'm not a buff bodybuilding sort or anything like that, been doing karate for 4 years and been doing a little juijitsu lately, I run and do sprints half hour 2 or 3 times a week and a couple of times a week I do push ups, sit ups, skipping etc. 45 mins or so. Also occaisonally do a little in the gym and my work is relatively physically demanding.

Wanting to get stronger and get the last of my fat off (was a real big boy before starting karate). I'm looking at purchasing some acetyl carnitine to help smash the rest of the gut and perhaps just some whey for after the harder work outs. Just was wanting some feedback on my idea before I go make the purchase. My eating is pretty healthy, cereal in the morning, fruit and salad (Almost always egg or meat in my salad) through the day and a variety of things for dinner usually containing meat.

Cheers for your opinions.

[jonbey]

How much cereal are you eating? Lots of sugar/carbs in cereal, if you are eating too much then the acetyl carnitine is not going to help you enough. Read the side effects too.

[First Action]

I have a personal trainer friend who has told me that as long as you eat correctly you shouldnt need to take any supplements. I dont know if i agree with her 100% though. I do think alot of people take suppliments that dont need it, but I think if you are training harder than most then it stands to reason that you'll need to replace more. I am not a train aholic but I do exercise regularly (probably more than most, although thats not a hard feat in todays society) and the only thing extra I take is multivitamins, which i dont even think is a supplement. I think your best bet is to ask your GP as everyone is different.

[jonbey]

that is pretty much true. I think that supplements are really most useful when you are trying to lose weight and maintain muscle / build muscle. Protein supplements allow you to get a higher protein/calorie ratio, so do not exceed your daily calorie intake. But most people do very well with a healthy diet.

[Camo]

Cheers for the input guys. Saw a doctor and he said only to use the stuff for a couple of months. With the cereal, I do eat more than a serving suggestion (can anyone fill up on 45g of milkless cereal?) probably between 50-100g and I stick to healthier stuff, sultana bran, musli etc. Also may have a smaller bowl (suggestion size) occasionaly before training sessions if hungry. Have been told I may be eating the right things at the wrong time, but have no clue how to work that out. Will get the protein as have used it in past.