i started taking Surge a couple weeks ago and really like it, but I was wondering if anything should be added to it or not. I came across this article the other day:
If you scroll down to the chart, it says for optimal size gains you should drink 1 serving of Surge with added carbs before/during your work out and 1 serving of Surge with added carbs and creatine after your workout.
My goal is optimal size gains and I’m currently taking 1/2 serving before my workout and 1/2 serving after. I already add creatine to my Surge, but I’m not sure how much and what type of carbs should be added. I’m assuming Gatorade powder would be the best, but how much exactly do y’all think should be added to yield the best results?
Also, should I stick with 1/2 serving of Surge before and after or should I up it to 1 serving for each? I’m 145lbs and originally chose 1/2 serving for each based on JB’s recommendation of 0.8g/kg of carbs and 0.4g/kg of protein when taking Surge.
I would just do a full serving of Surge immediately afterward with creatine. Even though Surge is a lot cheaper now, it’s not that cheap!
Pre W/O: A good size meal with some complex carbs about an hour (?) before.
Immediately Post W/O: Surge w/ creatine.
One Hour Post W/O: Big meal with lots of P+C.
Hi, there, MicGreene! I like the 2:1 ratio of carbs to protein that you get in Surge; i.e., not adding extra carbs. The insulin spike you get from the carbs is shuttling amino acids into the muscles you’re working. I just like getting in that protein.
If increasing size with minimal fat gain is your goal, I’d make argument for following the dosing recommendations on the Surge tub (which is based on weight) and taking in all the starchy carbs your stomach can handle in the 2 or 3 P+C meals following your workout (6 hours total).
Give my recommendation a go, and if you’re not gaining scale weight, adding more carbs to Surge is always an option. Experimenting to find out what your body responds to is what makes this game so much fun! (grin)
Re serving size, I’d go with the recommended 1 scoop in 1 liter of water and a 2nd scoop in a 2nd liter of water. The two together are one serving, which would be appropriate for your body weight.
If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
Thanks a lot for the help guys. I plan on following your recommendations.
My only other question is why would JB recommend to add carbs to Surge in this article if it already has the perfect ratio of carbs and protein? Is his recommendation not beneficial to someone with my body type(ectomorph) even though my goal is optimal size gains?
MicGreen, most people’s goal is to put on LBM or muscle, not just put on “weight.” Doing so requires that you increase calories slowly, precisely and PROGRESSIVELY. The standing advice is to keep a food log so that you know exactly how many calories you are takingg in. And on any given week that you do not gain weight, increase caloric intake by 250 calories per day. Continue to eat at that level until a week goes by, once again, where you do not gain any scale weight.
Adding carbs to your PWO drink will give your more/fast/easy calories, yes. But your body will benefit more from real eating real food PWO than it will from sugar/dextrose/maltodextrin in your PWO drink.
It’s your call and your body, MicGreene. There isn’t anything wrong with following JB’s advice. There’s no one in the area of nutrition that I admire more.
There has been research to suggest that anywhere from 2-1 to 4-1 is optimal for replenishing glycogen stores. If you are taking Surge 2-1 just make sure that you are diluting it significantly and that you aren’t chugging it. Its better to take a couple of good gulps initially and then sip it over 30-45 minutes. The reason for this is you are dealing with concentrated calories and you don’t want to slow down gastric emptying which will not allow for an optimal carb-up.