I am a recent college graduate. I was a track athlete at a D1 school and while I did track I knew people, both inside and outside of collegiate athletics, who take supplements. I myself have never taken any supplements or vitamins. I am wondering what exactly is safe to take and what is not safe to take.

I am interested in starting to take supplements or vitamins because I recently joined the workforce in 2009 as a systems analyst for a fortune 50 company and I find myself tired at work throughout the day and it is hard to get motivated to lift and run when I get home (so a little bit different form the rest of my life where I work out all day). I still workout at least 4 days a week. I don’t know why exactly I am tired at work all day. I get enough sleep and I don’t eat much sugar or other junk. I am also tired of seeing a bunch of my friends that work out half as much as me get twice toned and ripped. Although many of my finds look more ripped than I do I am far superior athlete which makes no since to me. I can lift more than a lot of them and I am quicker and faster and have more stamina even though they are bigger and more toned.

Now to the questions, first off I would like to know if I take a supplement if it is till ok to take vitamins. I am also interested in what supplements and or vitamins to take. I have been looking around the web and think I want to take bsn’s N.O. xplode and bsn’s cellmass or lean dessert protein. Will this help me have more energy before and after I lift thus helping me get through the work day or do I also need to take some vitamins. I have no idea on what vitamins to take or even what ones I need.

I don’t know if it makes a difference on what supplements or vitamins I take but I am 5'11" I weigh around 165lbs and I am a very fit person aka very low body fat! (Just a little rant on fat people – this is not hate this is truth as like George Washington and the cherry tree, he was taught not to lie. I am fine if a person wants to be fat but why is it considered rude to call someone fat? It is just simply the truth just a descriptive word. And it drives me insane when people say it is not their choice to be fat… yes it is your choice. If you want to lose weight any of you come lift and work out with me and go as hard as I do and you will lose all of your weight that you don’t want! Please don’t let this affect any responses this is not meant to be mean just truthful in my eyes. I am friends with many fat people dare I say this word around them that is why I ask here why I can’t say it because it is just a descriptive word not a hate word. Should I take offense when people call me fit? If anyone wants to add their opinions go for it. I have now read over this section like 50 times trying to decide if I should take it out. I am normally the type that keeps his opinions to himself but I will actually put it out there for once.)

My main concerns are health risks. Are there any known risks with taking any of these products if so what are they and are they worth the risk? I am also kind of bummed that I won’t be able to say I don’t take any supplements any more but oh well!

Thanks for all help and opinions in advance