Will Whey Protein Increase Weight?

Hey, there, hustlers! Today, we are going to focus on the world of whey protein and how it can impact your weight loss journey. So let's go..

Here at Repfuel Sports, we strongly believe that if you need to understand something, there is no better way to narrate a story related to the information that you have with you, so here it goes - Imagine a person who has been continuously struggling with their weight loss  journey, as no matter what happens they are just not able to take that weight down. 

Then, one day, they come across the buzz related to whey protein and all the benefits that whey protein provides. After getting super excited, they purchased whey protein and joined a gym as well. Keeping that excitement all the way up, they consume whey protein every day while performing the workouts only 2-3 days a week. As time goes by and they have finished the whole box of whey protein, they step on the weighing scale with the hope of watching a lesser number, but surprise, surprise, they get a shock of 440 volts as the number shoots up inside of going down.

Now, think of a person who is fed up with being called skinny their whole life and is desperately finding ways to gain weight and become muscular. They also heard the whispers that consuming whey protein would help them gain weight and become muscular. 

Now, with the peak excitement on their head, they bought the whey protein and started consuming it day in and day out while performing vigorous workout sessions in the gym. But, surprisingly, the results were not what was expected, as there was no visible gain at all. Wait a minute, don't you think you've seen this scenario somewhere else as well? Maybe you are that person, or maybe you know someone who went through something the same.

The story doesn't end here, folks, because these two people are actually someone who consumed the whey protein. How about someone who is confused and just can't make up their mind about whether to purchase whey protein or not and the biggest question that must be floating inside their head is, "Will it help me in achieving my goal?".

Before we start talking about how whey protein actually contributes to your weight, let's have a quick look at what is actually the purpose of whey protein.

Anybody who has devoted their time inside the gym must have consumed whey protein once, just to have a taste of it. After that, some individuals start consuming it on a daily basis, while for some, it becomes an on-and-off story. Most of the population is aware of what kind of benefits can be fetched out of whey protein, especially the population which comes under the category of fitness freaks.

Protein is probably the most important macro nutrient that our body requires as it assists in building lean muscle mass and controlling weight as well. Out of all kinds of protein, whey protein is the one which has been crowned as the best source of protein. Here are some reasons for that:

1) It contains nine essential amino acids that play a vital role in our body for any repair work which is required.

2) Faster digestion, as compared to other proteins. Which clearly means faster recovery as well.

3) Whey protein can be a great substitute for our meals as with the current work-life balance, it is really hard to get the meal with the optimum level of protein.

4) Muscles are built during the recovery phase, and for muscle recovery, there is nothing better than whey protein.

Now that we've sung the praises of whey protein, let's address the burning question: Does it tip the scales towards weight gain or weight loss?

How Does Protein Powder Cause Weight Gain?

Before presenting any statement, let's talk about the concepts of weight gain and muscle gain. Your total body mass is made up of two main components:

•         Fat mass
•         Fat-free mass (this includes bones, muscles, organs, and water)

Your total weight is determined by:

•         Your bones and organs (you're not donating any, right?)
•         Muscle mass (the stuff everyone's chasing)
•         Body fat (the stuff you want to ditch)

How you can gain weight largely depends on your total calorie intake of the day; protein is merely the portion which is required by your body for muscle recovery. Whey protein powders are not magic pills; they're more like supercharged food. They provide your body with the essential protein it needs to build muscles, filling in the gaps left by your regular diet. So, do they directly affect your weight? Not really. It all boils down to your goals and how you incorporate whey protein into your life.

Whether you gain or lose weight largely depends on your daily calorie intake. If you consume more calories than you burn, you're likely to gain weight, whether or not you're taking whey protein. On the flip side, if you create a negative balance by consuming less calories than you burn, you'll shed those pounds. So, it's crucial to keep an eye on your calorie intake.

How Whey Protein Can Be Used to Lose Weight ?

Weight loss is all about monitoring your calorie intake and consuming fewer calories than what is required by your current body weight. There's no magic potion that will make it happen overnight. Here's how whey protein provides assistance:

• Whey protein can facilitate the process of burning fat when consumed prior to a workout. This is achieved through a mechanism known as beta-oxidation, which aids in the breakdown of fatty acids and an increase in metabolic rate.
• It helps control feelings of hunger and reduces cravings by stimulating the release of the Cholecystokinin (CCK) hormone, a hunger-regulating hormone, while simultaneously decreasing the secretion of ghrelin, an appetite-stimulating hormone.

Furthermore, whey protein has the potential to boost thermogenesis, a process in which your body converts calories into energy. This effect occurs through both diet-induced thermogenesis (converting calories into energy from your food) and exercise-induced thermogenesis (burning calories during muscle contraction). Increased calorie expenditure translates to more effective weight loss.

How Much Protein Powder Do You Need ?

When it comes to your workouts, it's important to understand that simply drinking whey protein without paying attention to your calorie intake and exercise routine won't lead to weight loss. In fact, it might even cause your weight to increase. The key is to strike the right balance between the number of calories you eat, how much whey protein you consume, and your exercise routine. If you are consuming more calories than what you are spending, you are bound to gain weight and vice versa. Whey protein, however, helps you to maintain or maybe gain some muscle mass while you are trying to lose weight, and it will definitely help you gain muscle mass while you are trying to gain weight as you'll be consuming more calories than what your body requires at your current weight while you are trying to gain weight.

Conclusion/Final Thoughts on Whey Protein and Weight Gain

It doesn't matter whether your goal is to lose weight or gain weight; planning your daily calorie intake according to your current body weight and adding 500 calories (when trying to gain weight) or reducing 500 calories (when trying to lose weight) is a pretty nice start. Just remember, your daily calorie intake, your workout routine, and your daily protein (whey protein) intake are what matters the most to achieve your goal. So, just get on with it and crush your goals.