did some quick research online to find out how much protein a person needs to take to maximize their workouts.

http://www.livescience.com/8086-protein-supplement-myth-revealed-body-work.html Basically says a non-exercising person needs about 60g of protein a day.. easy enough, you can figure that out from the nutrition labels on food products. It says everybody who works out needs about 0.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight, so I'd need about 85 grams.

Also mentions that sports trainers, coaches, peers, personal trainers, etc. don't know about this and still push/peddle protein powders and related supplements.

At my gym, they always tell me 1 gram per pound of body weight. hmm.. wonder where they got this info? probably from the same sources at the above tools.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15212752 At present there is no evidence to suggest that supplements are required for optimal muscle growth or strength gain. Strength-trained athletes should consume protein consistent with general population guidelines, or 12% to 15% of energy from protein.

It also mentions that increased protein intake may be necessary due to loss of amino acids, and amino acids are more important than protein 'cause that's what makes the protein in the body. Basic biology.

Another source I read, forget which one, said that yo really just need to eat a balanced meal, make sure you eat different meats and sources of protein daily to get different types of amino acids.

1) Amino acids are important, so eat different types of protein sources daily.

2) Only need 0.5 to 1 g of protein daily.

3) Protein shakes/supplements are a waste of time and money.

4) Differnet sources state different values (same with textbooks on healthcare stuff): 10-35% of intake should be protein. Another source said 15%.

The ultimate argument, though, in my opinion, is that construction workers, miners, farmers, and others who have physically demandings jobs don't typically eat protein shakes and they turn out just fine, at least the ones who eat properly so they don't grow a pear or muffin.

In other news, who's interested in teaming up with me to get a Sam's Club membership? I was told they're $50 a year, you get two cards, one for me and one for somebody else.