how do i calculate how much someone should take in for maintainance?

[thriller]

well is there a set equation??

 

[Ceebs]

15 times bodyweight is generally thought of as "maintenance", but this will vary depending on how much lean mass the person carries. Someone who's very muscular might have 16-17 times their bodyweight as maintenance, whereas someone with little muscle mass might be as low as 12 times their bodyweight.

 

[gymtime]

15 times bodyweight is generally thought of as "maintenance", but this will vary depending on how much lean mass the person carries. Someone who's very muscular might have 16-17 times their bodyweight as maintenance, whereas someone with little muscle mass might be as low as 12 times their bodyweight.

Exactly. But just to clarify, it's 15 times your bodyweight to equal daily calories.

 

[Mr.X]

1 thing is most important...
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)= weight x 12
you will maintain your weight for sure, anything over you'll gain, anything under you'll lose

Mr.X

 

[thriller]

well its for my mom. shes not a vary muscular person shes 5'6" and 160. she wants to lose some fat and get on a diet. im trying to get her to gain some muscle.

what you peeps think i should gt her to do??

 

[Burning_Inside]

since when did people start thinking it's 15x?

Far as i knew it's always been 12, wonder why people are thinking 15 now?

 

[TheBigDog]

I think it is 12 also. However, if you are active person, then it might be 15. I'm 6' 175 and I have been eating about 2750 cal which is about 15X my body weight in lbs. However I haven't seen any weight gain either. I lift weight 4 times a week and do cardio 3-4 times a week for 30 min.

So I figure w/ my activity level, 2750 is more or less around my "maintenance caloric intake".

Part of it is also trial and error. 12X is a good place to start, but weight in weekly at the same time will give you a better idea. Then you can tweak from there.

 

[thriller]

k, thanks peeps,

 

[Haz]

Forget the equations, and just monitor your weight. If it starts going up, then cut back on calories, if its starts going down, then up them. Thats the only way to be 100% sure. The formula is just a good starting point.

 

[thriller]

ok thanks again