Beginner Questions

[Zander333]

I've bought myself a gym membership, I'm 19, 5'10 and weigh in at 139 pounds. With the membership came a free session with a personal trainer who did a few tests with me, etc. The funniest moment being the instructor saying "YOU'RE LEAN AS F***" when I measured 7.3% body fat. Anyways, Just a couple questions.

-I wanna gain 15-20 pounds of muscle, is this a realistic goal?
-If so, How long will it take me to achieve this (give it to me straight, I know it's not happening overnight)
-I was told to eat, eat, eat. So what are some good reliable protein sources.
-From skimming the forums, I've seen Boss man say protein supplements and shakes aren't important in the beginning, when would it be beneficial to start looking into those, and when I do, any recommendations?

I have a very small Body frame, I've always been pretty skinny, but I wanna be built. That day with the trainer was literally the first day I've ever bench pressed. I was kinda embarrassed to realize I could only bench 100 pounds a few times. Seems a lot easier til you're under the bar

Any tips, advice, words of motivation, anything! Everything is appreciated, Thanks

-Alex

[Boss Man]

-I wanna gain 15-20 pounds of muscle, is this a realistic goal?

(Yes)

-If so, How long will it take me to achieve this (give it to me straight, I know it's not happening overnight)

(I cannot say for certain, as everyone is different, but I'd allow 2-3 years)

-I was told to eat, eat, eat. So what are some good reliable protein sources.

(Beef, Eggs, Fish, Peanuts, low Fat cheese, Chicken, Turkey, Ham, Pork, Lamb, Soybeans, Mushrooms, Rice)

-From skimming the forums, I've seen Boss man say protein supplements and shakes aren't important in the beginning, when would it be beneficial to start looking into those, and when I do, any recommendations?

(I'd start looking into those after about 4-6 months, when you're actually into your stride and starting to make recognisable gains.

I would reccomend a simple one. Concentate or Isolate with Carbs and around 5-6 ingredients max. Avoid the poncy expensive ones, that have a zillion ingredients. Yo don't need those hyped up overpriced products. If guys in the 60's got where they were before using steroids and they didn't have basic powders to use, you certainly don't need expensive things.)

[Zander333]

I appreciate the reply, 2-3 years is.. intimidating. I really plan on sticking with it though. I'm looking forward to getting the feel for everything and just, know what I'm doing in the gym. Thanks for the help