Protein Requirement

SirenSongWoman

SirenSongWoman

Cathlete
I know I've read many times how much protein a woman should get every 2-3 hours (x grams per kg body weight or whatever). But I've never read if someone with a lot of fat (a lot of weight to lose) needs to consume more or less. Anyone know?

Every time I stare at a chicken breast or my food scale I don't know what to do. How much to eat? The measurements are always listed in grams so I was really confused because I only understand ounces and pounds. Luckily my food scale and my bathroom scale can both be switched to measure grams or I'd really be in trouble. I got down to a size 14 jeans but weigh 184lbs, most of which I'm sure is NOT muscle. I've been stuck here for six months and I really need to get straight on this or I'll be stuck here forever. Please help.
 
Yeah, I just posted something similar when I asked if anyone measured their body fat with regularity. The reason: I'm curious as to whether we should calculate our protein needs based on our total weight or our lean body weight (minus body fat).

One book I just picked up insisted that we need to eat 1 gram of protein per pound (of total weight, mind you), not kgs. That's a bit of a difference.
 
A good rule of thumb is 1-1.5g of protein per pound of body weight per day. If you are active lean towards the higher number. Try to get protein at every meal. It helps me to eat 6 times per day. I spread my calories out fairly evenly. Protein keeps you fuller longer and it is the building block of muscles. If you want to lose fat and gain lean muscle, you have to have enough protein. Lean muscle is a real metabolism booster, too.

I don't have the patience to convert to kilograms so this makes it a little easier. Have a great day!!!:)
 
This is from a review of Arnold Schwarzeneggar's diet: "Arnold recommended .5 g/lb. per day for "average" people and 1 g/lb. for athletes."

I personally think anything beyond 1 g/lb is unecessary and wasteful.
 
You are spossed to consume the protein in relation to your lean body weight ;)

1 gram per pound of lean bodyweight to maintain muscle (like if you're cutting or losing weight) and 1.5-2 grams for muscle gains.

You'd have to either get your bf tested.. or just guess. That's what I do.. I actually go by my current scale weight (which minus a little fat im sure puts me on the higher end of the requirement.. which is what I want).
 
ITA with Kathryn from what I have read also.

And "athlete" would mean you need the protein for muscle retention or building. If doing predominantly cardio, I seem to remember that you need less than those lifting heavy or with a high lean body mass.

There are some good posts from Fitness Freak (Debbie) over on the rotation forum with many posters asking her questions about the same thing. She lifts pretty heavy but has ideas/suggestions for a variety of posters with different types of workout programs.
 
Oh my God. People wonder why dietary changes are so difficult. I think this illustrates why. I have no clue how much of me is lean and how much is fat and, though I'm fairly active (weight training/cardio) compared to what I used to be, it's not like I'm fit like Michael Phelps - but I'm trying to get there... What I'm looking for is exactly how much of a given serving of protein I should ingest with each meal and not overdo it to the extent I'm canceling out the gains I've made in my workout. I know I recently read the old protein estimates were about .5-1g. too high. I have a lot to figure out.

Thank you to everyone who responded.
 
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