I have just recently started exercising and I had stopped drinking coffee for a week, but now I have just started back. I love the taste and it wakes me up in the morning. I exercise in the evening and I also drink protein shakes in the evening. I was taking amino acids and multi-vitamins in the morning, but I stopped because I thought that it would be too much on my kidneys. I think that if I drink eight or more glasses of water a day like I am supposed to, then I should be good. Thank you in advance!

Coffee is ok so long as you don't overdo it (i.e. 4 cups a day). And of course, it's much better with skim or low fat milk versus lots of cream and sugar. Also, try to drink something else with it for hydration, such as juice or iced tea, especially if taking a multi vitamin in the morning (forget the amino acids, they don't do anything). Drinking water throughout the day is a good idea so keep doing that too.

Make sure you're taking your protein shake at the appropriate time…right after you get out of the gym.