Dissapointed with gains - How much protein do you REALLY need?

[Riker29]

Guys, looking back over the past several years of my training and sort of taking stock of where I am, I am somewhat dissapointed with the gains I have had.

Sure I have gotten larger, and have not put on a bunch of fat or anything, but I am trying to figure out why I am simply not larger than I am.

I KNOW that to some extent I was overtraining. I mean, 4 days a week, and doing like 14-18 set per bodypart TO FAILURE ON EACH ..... yeah ...... that's a bit of overkill. But I can summon up strength and Will like no one else when needed (mind over body)

The only thing I can figure out that may be causing this (lack of gains) is maybe the overtraining, and probably my diet ......

so my question is.....

How much protein do you REALLY need?

I am 5'9", weigh about 198 lbs, about 12% BF.

Lets say I was gonna do a Test/Tren cycle to mainly put on lean mass (leaning up even more would be nice too) - how much protein should I be eating?

Its just that ...... well ... its seems to me that maybe I have not been eating enough of it. I tend to think (I may be wrong) that these dudes who do 300 or 400 gms/day are over-doing it, becuase I do NOT want to be fat or bloated but .... I dunno......

Any ideas?

 

[genarr3]

At 240lbs I only get between 250 - 300 grams of quality protein <real food>. I understand you're supposedly supposed to get more but I really don't see how I could add any extra without overeating and getting fat. I gain nicely when on and feel good with that amount.

From what I've read of your post it sounds like you might be overtraining.

 

[jstrong20]

I eat 2g's of protein per lbs. of bw. I have a high metabolism and 1g per lbs. of bw just doesn't cut it for me. So you should give that a try and see what happens next cycle.

 

[Twitched]

At 240lbs I only get between 250 - 300 grams of quality protein <real food>. I understand you're supposedly supposed to get more but I really don't see how I could add any extra without overeating and getting fat. I gain nicely when on and feel good with that amount.

From what I've read of your post it sounds like you might be overtraining.

Do you compete genarr?

 

[Evik]

I aim for 2g per lb of body weight when on, and about 1.5 when off. I have done many cycles and still keep gaining well using this method.

 

[genarr3]

Do you compete genarr?

Back in the day I did a few powerlifting meets, never was real serious though. I'm thinking of making a comeback and hitting a few this summer. I think I'm going to do alot better this time, I was totally natural back then and now ...

 

[Riker29]

Yeah, I realize that my overtraining may have actually held back my gains a bit.

But you know how you get .......not gaining ...... train HARDER to get results ...... LOL.

Anyway .....

Can you guys do this like 1.5, 2.0, 3.0(!) grams protein per pound of bodyweight and NOT put on fat?

 

[1Banshee]

Can you guys do this like 1.5, 2.0, 3.0(!) grams protein per pound of bodyweight and NOT put on fat? [/B]

I have found for me 1.5 seems to be about the perfect level.... I have tried to cram more in and it just does not seem to help. Much less than 1.5 though and it does seem to effect my gains. I have had to keep track of my diet closely to find what worked best for me, and it took a while!!! At 1.5 I can make good gains without excess, and minimal BF gains...

 

[jstrong20]

I don't get fat from 2g's of protein per lbs. of bw. Besides its hard for the body to turn protien into fat.

 

[1Banshee]

I don't get fat from 2g's of protein per lbs. of bw. Besides its hard for the body to turn protien into fat.

Correct, VERY difficult... For me it is the calories that go with the upped intake. I can't seem to get around them, and I have tried!!!