<human>: I really don't know what to do. All of my research has given me mixed answers and I am just wondering what you guys do. 

I am male, 260 pounds, 5' 10'', and started my weight loss journey about two weeks ago. I try to go to the gym about 5 times a week, doing cardio every time and weightlifting at least 3 times a week (every other day). 

I think it is pretty well known that it is advised to do cardio after weightlifting in order to burn more fat. It's also advised to have your protein (such as a shake) after your lifting session. **But**, what if we want to drink the protein shake to build muscle *and* do the cardio to lose fat? 

*So*, do I drink the shake before the entire gym session, where the protein does not get to help rebuild the torn muscle, drink the shake after lifting and waste some of the protein while keeping the fat during your cardio, or drink the shake after your cardio where the protein will have already missed its window of opportunity to rebuild torn muscle (plus you run the risk of breaking down muscle while you're doing your cardio)?

Sorry for the rant, but I'm pretty confused and desperate to know when the best time to drink your protein shake is.

Can you condense the text into three sentences or less?
<bot>: Should I have my protein shake before or after weightlifting, or after cardio? (When cardio comes after weightlifting)