Protein Shake Help??

Im a bit clueless about protein shakes, can anyone help fill me in? Do you have one as a meal replacement or just after exercising? & also what benefits do they have to weight loss? xx

You only really need protein shakes after doing weights, if at all. Sometimes, I combine it with a piece of fruit if it's replacing my breakfast (eg if I've gone to the gym first thing in the morning) and sometimes it'll be a snack to tide me over until my next meal if I workout in the afternoon/later on.

I have mine straight after exercise that has incorporated weights (regular weight machines, freeweights, body pump class or kettles) or resistance training (spinning). I sometimes have it with a banana if it's been a while since I ate or I envisage it will be a while (upto an hour) until I eat my next meal. I have a shaker, so I can just mix it with the gym filtered water and shake shake shake away

I don't use them as meal replacement, the brand I use is only 120 calories per 30g scoop (and 23g of protein - it's Optimum Health Whey from Discount Supplements online) so it'd be a preeeetty small meal as I usually eat upwards of 1800 cals a day XD Sometimes I wait til I get home (although it's most effective immediately) and stick some of the powder in my blender, and blend with skimmed milk instead of water - haven't tried adding a banana yet (I use strawberry powder).

for weight loss purposes you only really need it post exercise. It helps with muscle healing and recovery.

whatever you do, do not have toooo much protein in your diet because it can damage your kidneys... also keep hydrated at all times on a higher protein diet (for the very same reason)

try to take it immediately after a session because thats when your body needs it most x