Supplements - BCAAs

Amino acids are organic compounds that  are used by our body to build proteins. When protein is digested or broken down, you are left with amino acids. Amino acids play a large role in growth and repair of body tissue. Although there are 50 different amino acids, only 20 are used to make the proteins used in our body. Of those 20, 9 are considered to be essential. Essential amino acids must be derived from our diet because our body can not synthesize them. The nine essential amino acids are: Histidine, Isoluecine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, and Valine.

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) contain leucine, isoleucine and valine. They stimulate the building of protein in muscle and reduce muscle breakdown. They are also used to help decrease exercise-induced muscle damage and aid in recovery by reducing fatigue. This would ideally assist an athlete in being able to train at higher intensity for a prolonged period of time without muscle wasting.

 

"Part of what makes the BCAAs so special is how the body handles them. Typically, when you ingest amino acids—either individually or as a whole protein—they first travel to the liver. Here, the liver either breaks them down to use as fuel or directs them toward building and repairing muscle and other tissues. BCAAs, on the other hand, tend to be spared by the liver and get sent directly to the muscles, so that the muscle can use the BCAAs directly for fuel or to build and repair itself" - source

I am currently using Athletic Xtreme Stacked BCAA. I have been able to increase the amount of weight I am lifting weekly through proper nutrition and supplementation. I greatly attribute my ability to train hard on a consistent basis to my supplementation of BCAAs. Pick some up today!!

 

- FitWhitt

NEXT

After a successful year of prep and an amazing experience at the national level NPC USAs in Las Vegas, I am back to the grind and planning out the next step in my fitness journey. I have decided to prep for my next show, Texas State in Houston October 12th. I will be 8 weeks out starting Sunday. I am very excited to step on stage again so soon and also experience the show. I hear wonderful things about it.

Here are a collection of my favorite pictures from Las Vegas.

Second call outs for my first national show. I placed 14th out of 35 girls in my class. I learned so much and I am determined to work hard all "off season" to bring an even better package next year.

 

With my amazing coach Kim Oddo and the always fabulous Amanda Latona.

 

Enjoying my workout in the hotel gym.

 

My husband and I celebrated at The Wynn buffet. I sampled quite a few tasty treats.

 

It was a wonderful experience and I am excited to get back to work at improving my physique for the national stage next year. I will never give up on my dream of becoming a IFBB pro.

 

 

I am also thrilled to announce that I will be representing the amazing company ABOUT TIME at the fitness expo in Dallas this weekend. I have been using the product for a couple of years and have always been attracted to the purity of the product. Stop by the booth if you are attending and come say hi and sample their great products!!

 

 



 

 

 

 

-FitWhitt