Ok, here’s for everyone. Tried T-dawg :bloating, sleepy, felt like crap: Tried fat fast :same, but worse: Tried the whole “eat 1-2 gr. protein per body lb. or else you’ll shrink” route. Results? :same, or in other words…crap: Read all the books…eat right for your type, zone, metabolic typing…etc. Has anyone else stopped to think that possibly eating all that protein DOESN’T WORK with their metabolism? Sure, all the studies say the AVERAGE results were that subjects gained more on a gram of pro per lb of BW than those who consumed less while weight training, but does that mean everyone needs to eat this much if they’re trying to gain? It always seems the ones who are always promoting this advice, also sell protein supplements. Sure, this may work for the “majority” of subjects in their studies, but I’ve never read anything such as "Everyone eat at least a gram of protein per body lb, but perhaps you not only need less, but considerably less, depending on your metabolism, or genetic type…oh, and by the way, some of you will absolutely thrive on a higher carb diet. This is because everyone is DIFFERENT. " Woah!! Did you say higher carb?? That will make me fat!! Not a gram of protein per body pound?? I’ll lose size for sure! Well, it just may make some people fat (psychological factors need to be considered largely here as well), but it also makes many people feel great, pumped, and LEAN when used properly like any diet. I write this, because in the past 3 months, I went from a gram of Protein per body lb.(which was 210), to about 100 grams per day, and have gotten leaner, harder, stronger, and an overall significant increase in my well being. By the way, I also personally know about 6 guys who eat this same way, and have for years, and they’re absolutely huge and ripped to the bone. My carbs do come from clean sources, and they average about 60 or more percent of my diet. Good fats and proteins make up the rest.
We all know that genetics play a major role in our physiques. I personally have learned they also play a major role in our diet. I truly believe for many of you a high protein/low carb diet works great. But I will NEVER believe that any one diet, or one set mathematical equation for macronutrient ratios, particularly protein, will work for everyone.
By the way, I truly enjoyed the “Protein Conspiracy” article.
I think I read Jay Culter was eating only one gram of protein per pound of body weight before the Olympia. While this is more than you are eating, it is less than many would think he needed. He still managed to put on a few pounds!
Dave Tate is huge and says he says he probably doesn’t get one gram per pound of body weight.
All my teachers who have told me I don’t need much protein have been small and weak.
These are just some things I thought of. I liked your comments, and have also wondered why there is such conflicting information out there.
…okay, Hammer…BREEEthe…breathe…!!:)-
Just bustin’ your chops, bro! Look…anytime a diet or workout is listed and/or proposed, there are two VERY important factors you MUST consider:
1)It represents merely a “framework” or “starting point” or “reference point” from which to start. That’s all. It ain’t some Gospel written in stone.
2)ALL DIETS AND WORKOUTS (TO A DEGREE) SHOULD BE MODIFIED (AS NEEDED) TO FIT YOUR OWN RESPONSE TO THEM! You’re right; there is no “one-size-fits-all”. I’ve said it on this site more than once that I’m bothered when people, with almost “Cult” zeal, swear by a diet or workout as being “the only way” no matter how well intentioned and/or researched.
You are a “case study” in the need to modify accepted parameters to fit ones physiology.
Congratulations on finding a regimen that works for you!
my brother eats tons of carbs, small amounts of protein and very little fat. the staples of his diet (in no particular order) are rice cakes, nutrigrain bars, pasta, oranges, peanut butter sandwiches, juice, chicken breast, veggies, and cereal/milk. He’s 22 and ripped to the bone, with chest striations, bicep veins and cookie-cutter back at about 5’7 145. For exercise he runs, wrestles and lifts weights. I call this the ‘5-year old diet’ It’s based more on the fact that he is very picky than on any conscious plan. He probably gets about 50 g of protein a day, and is absolutely the most shredded person I know, year-round, with the exception of this 45 year old guy who’s big secret seems to be riding his bike to work every day. Sometimes the CW doesn’t apply.
I agree. No one diet is cure all for everyone. It is just that so many people don’t get any protein, and carbs are sooooo easy to get. I help people with their diets for a living and the only thing that every single one of my customers does the same is: They all keep a log. That is just about the only thing they have in common. Every one has diferent goals and different bodies as well as dislikes and likes. Just keep a log. Then you can figure it out yourself. And if you can’t help is just a keyboard away.
One word: INDIVIDUAL. Remember that word. It is something to always consider when thinking about nutrition and workout routines.
It's like if you were to gather 20 people together and hand them a low-carb/high protein diet printout and tell 'em to try it for 30-days - but they could make modifications - as long as they would still see results (fat loss). More than likely ALL 20 would show up at the end of those 30-days with either slight or huge differences in diet modifications. I guarantee it.
About a 2 years ago I started eating less carbs,more protein, and better fats and I lost 87 pounds. Most of it fat because my strength was the same at 155 as 242. While I see your point, the high protein works great with me. I also have to watch my carbs though. I am on the T-dawg diet and am doing great. Everyone is different so I am not saying your way doesn’t work but the High protein/moderate carbs works best for ME.
I know what works for me. High protein, good fats, and low to medium carbs. I tried the eat more carbs to grow thing. I grew…like a pig in feedlot. I put on a lot of fat, 18 lb. Not much muscle came with it. I learned. Now I weigh 4 lb. more than when I gained the 18 lb. and my lean mass is 20 lb. higher than it was. I’m closing in on my first goal to be lean and see my abs, not ripped, just visible abs. Then I’ll ease up the lean mass a bit. I want to end up at 205 to 210 at 8-10% BF. I’m just under 6’2".
Oh, just for information, Brad Pitt in Fight Club was 6’ and 160 lb. My daughter ran into the stats somewhere online.
umm rafael u said it ripped to the BONE. hes 145lbs not something to be bragging about really.
Okay, my two cents’ worth:
First, yes, diet is highly individual. Point made and taken. But at the same time, I think that people confuse which diet works for which result, and in which environment (i.e. on or off gear).
Personally, I've found that I do NOT need excessive protein, or even much protein at all, to maintain my physique over a several-month period. Despite the fact that Protein Cycling did absolutely nothing for me in terms of gains, it did prove to my satisfaction that a person can reduce protein to almost nothing (I went down to under 40g per day) and still perform perfectly well in the gym. In fact, the one thing that DID work as advertised was that I got great pumps and workouts!
But if you want to talk about GAINING LBM...well, that's another story entirely. I've never seen any advanced lifter who made decent gains without sufficient protein in their diet. (Unless they were on gear, which is yet another story.) So for someone who's (a) natural and (b) not a newbie, I think that protein of at least about 1.5g/lb is probably necessary. Of course, I could be wrong. But from the posts above, it seems like the people who are saying that they "do well" without too much protein are really just maintaining without too much protein, not gaining. So let's be clear about what we're saying.
brad pitt in fightclub 160 lbs huh…man, now i aint no cakeboy, but that fool looked hella good in that movie. im about 6’, i wonder if i dropped like 30 lbs if id look anything like that hahah
Simmer down. You can’t expect evryone to be the same.There is too much that goes into the equation. You have to do research and experiment just like the guys in the white coats do. You also have to be clear on your goals. If 1-2 grams per pound is not right for you then how are you going to know if you don’t try. Find what works best. Plus you have to do more than just take protien and workout. You can take in 200 grams per day and it only amount to 1000 calories. You aren’t going to look like Arnold like that. That is if that is what you want. Personally I am shooting for 170 ripped. I am 5’9". I used to be so skinny that people thought i was on crack. Now I am 155 lbs. Iam on my way and Protien helped, and lots of it.