Protein shake / diet advice

[DaWG]

Hey,

Started going to the gym about three months back now, and have seen some gains, and am really enjoying it. Basically, my aim is to have a decent physique, and put on roughly another stone or so by next christmas (am going travelling Jan 2010, so have until then to get in shape ). I'm roughly 5'11, and about 74Kg, and whilst i don't know my BMI (?), I don't have much fat on me.

Now... I've read the sticky / guide, and have tried to sort out my diet, but there are times it just isn't possible. I've definately started to eat more, and more often, but need some help - current diet is like this;

Breakfast; 2/4 slices of brown toast, banana, other random fruit
Mid morning; couple bits of fruit/nuts
Lunch; sandwiches (chicken et al). According to the pack, each lunch is 60g protein, and about 70g carbs (don't know if this helps, and don't know if i should be looking at any of the other values)
When i get in from work; Tin of tuna & pasta / omlette / scrambled eggs on toast (2 eggs in either) something smallish along these lines
Dinner; Stir Fry / one of the 'back from work' options that i haven't already had that day, steak and chips, etc - whatever's available

Now I know lots of things could be improved (chips etc) but i don't think i'm doing too bad. The breakfast i guess is my main issue - i just don't have time to cook eggs or anything like that, and am always starving mid-morning.

Now... like i say, i want to put on at least a stone, say go up to maybe 80 Kg - should i use protein shakes? Would it be worthwhile to have one with breakfast and after workouts (sorry forgot to mention earlier - go to the gym tues/thurs/sun, usually after the 'get back from work' dinner)?

And advice appreciated

 

[DaWG]

Probably didn't make it clear enough in the first post, but i do go to the gym - 3 times a week for about an hour, which seemed to be the recommended amount in the sticky's. Also, everything I read here was against any form of cardio when trying to bulk.

But anyway, it's the protein shakes i need the advice on

 

[DaWG]

Appreciate the replies, but what I'm asking (should've kept it simple, sorry), is;

a) is it a normal thing for people to have a shake with breakfast?
b) if i use protein shakes throughout the year, and then go traveling (whilst traveling i won't be doing any gym / shakes obviously), will i just lose everything i gain (and I suppose this would happen whether i use shakes or not?)
c) could someone link me correct powder to buy (http://www.myprotein.co.uk/ is the correct site i believe?), with the promotional code / price matcher thing please?

Thanks in advance X

 

[DaWG]

Thanks for the replies. Again, to reiterate, I am going to the gym three times a week.

Protein WILL NOT build muscle or encorage it to grow! When not working out just eat healthfully and keep active. Cardio IMO is vital. Have a look at a runner... long distance very skinny - sprinter musclely! High intensity cardio (ie 20 mins) will help with muscle growth. If you dont do cardio you will look unhealthy! Better to look a tiny bit skinnier and healthy.

a) You can have a protein shake for breakfast - people will have one then if they did a workout the night before.

b) If you dont do any workout in 3 weeks you go into regression... to maitain a weight workout 3 times a week to progress 4 times a week. If you not working out dont add extra protein as it will just turn into fat.

Firstly, the gym 3 / 4 times a week comment goes against what I read in the sticky (and that seems to be taken as gospel in here) - 90% of people in there were asking to be specced a 3-day split.

The protein shake comment... again, goes against everything I read here. Like i say, I've got a year to work at it, so I expect to gain some fat if i'm 'bulking' anyway.

 

[DaWG]

Thanks drunk / wardie.

Would someone be able to link the cheapest way to buy some powder? I know there's a promotional code I can use, and also some price-matcher thing? (myprotein.com)