Hey Guys,

My story in a nutshell, is that I'm 16, and used to be one of those teenbodybuilding.com type guys, with a pathetic body to show for it.
Of course, I still do have a pathetic body, but I'm working on it!

Having stumbled upon Nate Greens blog a couple of months back, I suddenly had to go through a great many realisations. Many of his articles were mind breaking to me, and changed the whole way I thought of everything.
I'd always been told I had to eat big, I'd always been told I had to have a proper workout program, I'd always been told I should work the legs. I'd always been told a great many things. And I nodded, smiled, and continued in my ignorant ways. For some strange reason, I believed I had a great deal of knowledge and that I didn't need any one to tell me what to do.
So, in the last few months, I've had to transition to phase where I'm accepting I know basically nothing. Through Nate Green's blog, I also of course, found this website, and was instantly impressed. It was something I've never seen before, something I found to be awesome. There wasn't articles like 'How to build mind blowing abs in 3 days!', that did nothing, but there was genuinely interesting articles. I suddenly began to have a massive thirst for information, and began for once in my life to apply it.
So, before I ramble to much, I managed to get a copy of Nate Green's book, which is totally awesome. It feels good for once to walk down to my basement knowing what I'm going to do, exactly, and to be able to record it all and come back up in pain. A far cry from my old 'yeah I workout', and I'd walk down there once a month and do tricep-extensions and bench-press.

So I've hung around here for a bit, and have finally built up the courage to post a thread. I've been a bit disappointed at the amount of other young 16 year olds here who seem to think they know everything, and have massive abz and bicepz. I hope that you will all not write me off, due to your previous experiences.
I am the first to admit, that I know very very very little, and the reason I'm coming here is to learn; not to tell you how much I know.

My question is as follows, and if all pans out, I was hoping that as it goes on, I could expand my knowledge through talking with all you more experienced people out there.

It seems to be the general idea, that a protein shake right after a workout is a really good idea. However, (Yes, here's the 'but') I am currently at school, and have no job at the moment to support myself. My mum makes all my meals, and I'll stick up for her in that she makes an awesome home cooked meal every single night. Lunch meals are not a strong point for her. She's also a bit anal when it comes to body building etc, and there is no way in hell I would get her to get me protein powder.
So, do you guys have any idea of any good post-workout food ideas, that aren't your typical bodybuilding suppliment, that I could get my mum to buy? Also, does any one have any ideas about what I can have during school? All this stuff tells me I should be eating all this chicken and stuff a day, but it's not so much possible with my mum. When I get a job, I'll be able to do it, but for now, i don't want to put that strain on her.
Also, just writing this, I realised I have a problem with water. Is drinking water very important during the day? Should I be carrying around a water bottle and drinking it all the time 'til I have to keep running off to the bathroom?
So yeah, it's basically just a 'any one got ideas/articles for a teen about what I should be eating?' thread.


Sorry for my big long ramble, I feel like I have absolutely so much to say, and even more to ask and learn. Thanks for every one out there for creating a great forum to be able to learn so much from.
Keep it real,
Chris.