Hi everyone...I am 25 years old, 135 lbs, 5'6". I have recently started getting serious about trying to tone up and just live healthier. I am by no means overweight, I would just like to tighten everything up! I am eating healty and watching the junk food very closely. No sodas....just water and green tea. Here's my question....my boyfriend thinks I should be drinking muscle milk or myoplex after I work out. I can't STAND the aftertaste some of those supplement shakes leave you with, and I also worry that I'm either gonna BEEF up or gain weight. I can't find much about this stuff online.....can anyone give me some advice?

Protein shakes are perfectly fine for women as well as men. You wont bulk up from muscle milk, you'll get bigger from too many calories. A good protein shake is great after a workout, to help rebuild the muscles. Just find a better tasting one, and you should be good.

This link explains post-training nutrition and gives some options

http://www.fitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7585

Muscle Milk has a high amount of fat to be used at this time. Some fat is okay but really not needed. Myoplex is mostly just whey and maltodextrin. Another option could be fat-free chocolate milk. That's quick and simple

Just plain ol chocolate milk...forgive my ignorance, I am NEW at all this stuff.

Yep. You could also go that route.

So what I have found on Muscle Milk is that it has Creatine, and energy boosters....I have NO idea what Creatine is? Would the energy boosters help me throughout the day? If so, and I chose to try the "chocolate milk" route, wht could I do to boost energy? I am VERY good at eating 6 small meals a day and I watch calories, fat, protein and carbs...but I still fade QUICKLY when I get home. I take a women's formula multi-vitamin everyday too.

Fade? Is this at 5pm or 5 am? After a workout you want a good protein source, with some sort of fast acting carb. Chocolate milk can accomplish this for you. Your lack of energy just could be you, or it could be your diet. What do you eat throughout the day?

Chocolate milk is part of my after workout snack too. No need to purchase expensive stuff with loads of this and that.

Faith826, so long as you eat every 2-3 hours and have a protein/carb at each meal... you'll be okay. This is assuming your routine and rest days are in check. Water and green tea are excellent beverages. You and I have that in common!

I post 5 tips to fat loss regularly on this forum. Try searching for it or PM me and I will send them to you.

I go to the gym at 5 am. I eat a granola bar and orange juice on the way to the gym. About an hour after my workout I have a bowl of cereal (Special K) and some sort of fruit (strawberries or a banana). 10 am I have a bowl of oatmeal and more fruit. 12pm I have either a salad and yogurt or if I'm crunched for time I eat a lean pocket and yogurt. 2 pm I have a serving of nuts and special K "bites" (dry cereal, 90 calories per serving 2 g fat 18 carbs...) or some other low-cal, low-fat snack, and then dinner is always sensible. Chick, fish, pork...I love to cook and I try to keep everything fresh, no butter no oil. It never fails....I get hungry about 9:30 or ten, and if I can't keep out of the kitchen I have a SMALL bowl of cereal. Ice cream is a weakness (hey I'm a girl...what can I say) but one I have not entertained in about 2 weeks now. I appreciate your help!

......are there any good sources of protein besides meat? I ask, and this is completely lame I know, but I'm busy!! I leave my house at 5, go to the gym and then go to work. I live an hour from my office/gym and cooking food is not an option for breakfast, (eggs ect). Is there any way to eat fast food that could get my body what it needs? Like a bacon and egg sandwhich without the sandwhich?? Something I could grab on the go???

Thats funny. Your diet has little protein, the night time is about the only time you get protein. You're gonna have to pack your food the night before. Cook some chicken breasts (hey you love to cook) and take them to work in tupperware.
Try buying the liquid eggs and cook them. Turkey sandwiches are great, tunafish sandwiches. Maybe some protein bars would be useful. Look in the healthy recipe section for some good tips and how to make your own bars.

I was afraid you were gonna say that!!! I will definately take your suggestion. Thanks for the help!!

Definitely not enough protein. I eat hemp bread (contains protein), cottage cheese, bean/rice roll ups, salad with tempeh, and tuna for protein.

Since you do not have access to a stove or something at work, then I would add in 1 protein bar per day. Also cook the night before as someone else mentioned

It does take planning and a bit of time to get down your routine. But it is a good idea to do so

Many people say Myoplex is best for protin but i have no idea where i can buy Myoplex....Plzz help me