Newbie - What supplements to use for my goals?

Hello all!
 
I am new to MuscleTalk and fitness and muscle-building in general. After going the gym for a few weeks and looking at my nutrition, I decided to begin investigating what supplements would be best for a pre-gym workout and anything else that needs to be taken during the day.
 
After some research online, there appears to be a massive array of supplements and suppliers out there - all with different goals attached to them and all with varying levels of cost and quality.
 
I am around 6'2 and weigh approximately 16 stone - I am looking to lose fat and put on lean muscle; adding definition and bulking up marginally in the arms. After some looking into things, I have been eating some specialist bars since Monday straight after my workout, as I have not received my fluid-based supplement yet.
 
I had bought three of these: http://www.boots.com/en/Milk-chocolate-coated-strawberry-flavour-high-protein-bar-ndash-50g_857909/ and two of these: http://www.maximuscle.com/cyclonebars. I have ate the Boots bars and have now started on the Maximuscle bars. They both taste good and I have felt no negative side effects - I think it is too early to see if there any noticeable results from them i.e. they would need to be used over a long period of time.
 
My fluid-based supplement is due to arrive tomorrow - I have ordered this: http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Sport-Nutrition-Body-Build-High-Protein-Drink-Mix-Chocolate-Flavour-700g_51326/. I have not tasted this yet, and am unsure of any side effects.
 
My question(s) really pertain to whether these are the right choices for my goals, as I mentioned above, and whether the product is actually any good? I am a bit concerned that I have bought something that is really to put mass on and really increase muscle size - I want to lose fat and increase lean muscle and definition. Would a pure whey protein be better, and any other substances? Are there any bars that can also be used to supplement my diet and add protein etc during the day before the gym in the evening?
 
I am able to take the Boots Protein back if needed, so if there are any recommendations on what route to take, I would happily entertain the idea. I presently go to the gym 4-5 times a week: 3 weight sessions and 2 cardio if I do not play football on a Wednesday.
 
Thanks for all your replies in advance.

I'm sure the Boots 'high protein' drink is supposed to be quite bad in comparison to many other Whey options. Not much protein for your buck.

Personally if you want a good protein which is ready mix then something along the lines of PhD, Reflex etc (everyone has their own preference) would be a goos start.

If your looking to lose fat and gain muscle then before you talk about supps your diet NEEDS to be spot on. This doesn't mean starve yourself but it does me a lot of moderation and eating to supply your body with the right stuff.

When I first started I was in a similar position to you (a bit lighter) and essentially had the same goal. One thing I would change now is instead of doing what your thinking and trying to lose weight and gain muscle maybe consider bulking (muscle based) for a month or 2 then going on a cut?
   It's difficult to advise as I know very little about your body but you may find you get adverse and slower results if you attempt a gain of lean muscle and weight loss at the same time. This is something I did and it took me 8 months when, if I had planned it better, it should have taken 5-6.

Hi IconWldn,
 
Thanks for your response.
 
The Boots stuff is a power-based product; sorry my description was not probably the best. And, as there is an offer, I managed to get nigh on 2kg of the stuff for £22, so I am not massively distraught at the price. Apparently you can mix it with milk or with water.
 
My diet is pretty strict, but I have not followed a plan or the likes - a typical day would look like this:
 
Breakfast: Sesame Seed / Oat / Other seeds Bar with 1 Banana
Snack: Clementine and a Pear
Lunch: 2 Wholemeal Rolls with cheese and lean ham with salad
Snack: 25g Mixed nuts and a 0% fat yoghurt
Pre-workout: 2 oaty biscuits
Post-workout: 1 protein bar
Dinner: Grilled Chicken breast, green vegetables and new potatoes, an apple for dessert
 
My drinks usually revolve around about 1.5 - 2 litres of water a day, along with a possible can of sugar-free 7-up.
 
I may just give the Boots stuff a try and see how it goes - as you said some things work, and it is a case of finding out what works for you personally. I think as long as I keep working hard and ensure the discipline stays, I should see results.

"I think as long as I keep working hard and ensure the discipline stays, I should see results."

That's the attitude that I'm sure everyone on this forum would tell you to have. If you put in 100% and don't cut the corners you will get the final product. The supps are just a way of helping your body ease into a new point of it's development or simply to give it something it isn't getting in the diet.

You need more protein in you diet. Save the protein bars to have as snacks during the day. Have your shake post workout.  Have a look in the routines section and the diet section, these need to be in check. Make use of the search tool.  I would also say that you could get hold of a better quality protein from the likes of myprotein or bulksupplements direct.  Again, make use of the search tool to see what people recommend.  Supplements are just that though - a supplement to what needs to be a good diet.  

Good Luck