Anyone else eat less protein than people suggest?

[shirlene29]

I keep lol at willows avi


anyway, when I first started playing around with macros I remember someone saying just increase your protien to 1 gram per lb of LEAN body mass, which for me is 140-150
and screw the rest, youll see fat loss and maintenance of muscle mass
for me this worked but I have no idea ofthe real whys hows other then, I just wasnt hungry for much else after all the fricken protien! so maybe accidental keto

 

[digimon7068]

The whole eat a certain about protein per LB of bodyweight is a bunch of crap.

why?

Because your bodyfat isn't utilizing that protein in any way directly. The rule should really apply to LBM. I've had that discussion with a number of people who compete and they tend to agree. Actually my old personal training director(who was damn close to getting his pro card) was the guy who taught me this and it made a bunch of sense

The thing is, aside from spending more $$ and more pooping/gas, people can't really find a downside in eating protein so they just tend to go as high on protien as possible. whatever doesn't get utilized in the muscles will be used as fuel.

so it's not really detrimental (aside from your butthole and wallet), its just not necessary.

Your case is different yeah. If you're a "fat guy" you've probably had the muscle mass you've had for awhile. Homeostasis is a powerful thing. You're not going to need the same protein requirements for maintaining that base that you would need for building additional muscle. But the same rule applies. It's your LBM that needs the protein to build muscle, not the water weight or fat on your body.

it's an incredibly inefficient source of fuel, though. . .i probably get more than a really need. . .but, i guess it's the whole lbm thing. . .how the heck do i know what my lbm is? give or take a couple of pounds??

 

[ExtraMile]

I've been eating a lot less protein lately. I know people here suggest 1-2 grams of protein per body weight if you're cutting weight, but I've been eating maybe 1/2 gram of protein per body weight. I just got fed up with having to eat like 10 egg whites every 3 hours or so.

The thing is I don't think I've lost muscle or strength. My deadlifts have improved and my squats have maintained. My overhead press have maintained as well.

So... I sthe 1-2 grams of protein really necesarry? Keep in mind I'm not a professional body builder or weightlifter. Just a regular fat guy losing weight and getting strong. Maybe it's because I don't have too much muscle to begin with so I'm not losing the muscle I don't have?

a few weeks ago you made a thread on the weightlifting forum saying you have been stuck only being able to do 12 dips even though you have lost like 20+lbs of bodyweight. I would say that alone tells you that you have infact lost muscle AND strength.

 

[Smurfy]

total caloric intake is more important that protein consumption.

There i said it.

Simple physics, energy in vs. Energy out. The single most important aspect of gaining or losing weight.

+1

 

[Dial_tone]

Ive never eaten a lot of protein. Even when I had visible muscle development

Maybe you don't eat much but I hear you drink a lot of it.

 

[ceo]

it all depends on your goals. That being said, everyone is different, and what works for one won't necessarily work for everyone (to the same degree anyway).

 

[bruce9241]

a few weeks ago you made a thread on the weightlifting forum saying you have been stuck only being able to do 12 dips even though you have lost like 20+lbs of bodyweight. I would say that alone tells you that you have infact lost muscle AND strength.

Yea I've lost muscle and weight no doubt. But the thing is I've been dieting for about 5 months now. During these 5 months the first 3 months I've eaten 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight, then I got tired of it and started to eat less protein. During my second two months I haven't noticed any strength loss from less protein. If anything I've put on pounds in my deadlifts and I've gotten some strenght back in my overhead presses.

I just got tired of eating all that protein. It was a chore I swear. Every 3 hours I was downstairs making 10 egg whites and other stuff.

 

[bruce9241]

So I'm only eating about 120-150 grams of protein right now. I reside at about 210 pounds right now with a lot of body fat. Not sure what the amount is, but it's a lot. Haven't noticed any strength loss. If anything I've been farting less and saving money on eggs and meats.

 

[SouthernLord]

How are your other macros split?

 

[ceo]

lol @ 1 gram per lb of bodyweight being a lot. Hell, that's not even trying for me. I doubt it's even maintenance!