Well. the lunchmeat is better than nothing, but QUICK protein is better which is why you'll read so much about a PWO (post workout) shake. After a workout your muscles are catabolic (catabolism - breakdown of more complex substances into simpler ones with release of energy) meaning they are "eating themselve" for energy and you want to stop this and make the change to anabolic (anabolism - synthesis of more complex substances from simpler ones) meaning you want to feed it the most simple form of protein available to quickly change the breaking down to building up! That is where protein shakes come in, they supply very simple quick digesting protein that is very quickly available to your muscles which are "screaming" for it after a weight workout.