I used to be against dairy sourced protein but I've changed my views since then. I'm currently engaged in a lean bulk phase and have to say in conjunction with my very high protein intake from meats' eggs, and fish, whey has helped tremendously. Granted, if you are not looking to add serious muscle mass, you do not need it. But trying to consume 4000+ calories a day is very difficult, and protein drinks help tremendously because with that drink, I can add a can of coconut milk and added MCT or olive oil for a mega calorie shake. I should also mention that I am low carb and pretty much only consume my non-green carbs in the post workout period.

Has this helped? LOL Well, I think having put on 8 lbs of mass in 4 weeks is a good start! I am clearly a lot larger now and my strength has gone up immensely. Abs are still visible, and I've become a lot more vascular (especially in the shoulders, across the upper pecs, biceps and lower abdomen). Since that time, my first set reps have increased by 3 reps. Is that all attributable to the whey? Haha, of course not. But it has made consuming those calories a lot easier, and more pleasurable.

ON is a great company. They are one of the few (actually maybe the only one) to manufacture their own products. Most of the other companies out their source the work to one large manufacturer who essentially changes the label and ingredients. ON doesn't need to do that because they are their own company. I like their products but their prices have gone up significantly since becoming as popular as they are now. Look elsewhere for cost savings. I live in Canada and can get NZ sourced whey sweetened with stevia for much cheaper than ON protein.