Balance proteins and carbohydrates? - Weight Loss Message Board

klaha · 04-28-2006, 12:56 PM

I'm 6 feet and weight around 201 pounds and I would like to be around 180 by the end of the year. My problem is to know exactly how much proteins do I need to eat, I'm used to eat around 2000 calories and I heard around that's normal, but I keep on gaining. I have no time for gym, my workout happens everyday at McDonalds (work) and I can say is very tiresome, and I'll start a muscle training at home after knowing how much proteins I need to eat to gain some muscle and speed up my metabolism.
My problem has always been that I'm always tired and sleepy, I almost have no energy all the time even if I drink coffee or eat carbohydrates, maybe a little help on this area would be good, like a pill or a certain food or tea, I heard about ephedra but I'm not sure about it since it has been forbidden for a while. And should I cut fat completly? Where do I get enough proteins? Is fish, meat and eggs the only way?
Any other suggestions? I'm like 100% motivated, if I get the right info I might just do it at my first try ;D

6foot3 · 04-29-2006, 04:10 AM

Hey dude...O.k. im 42 and get up (4.00 a.m.) 6 days a week to exercise and im full of energy so heres some pointers....Start by getting a good multi vitamin/mineral supplement as this will provide the nutrients for energy. Secondly eat complex carbs for energy as you muscles love this fuel the best (ATP production) i.e. oatmeal/fiber one cereal, all beans, most vegetables and fruit. Stay away from energy bars ,too much sugar. Third for protein there's not really a true amount as every one's needs are different and you'll be told different numbers from different people but shoot for one gram per one pound of body weight. So for you starting out , you weigh 201 lb so go for 200 grams a day to supply your muscles for growth and recovery. Good sources are lean red meats, chicken/turkey breast, salmon, and my favorate Whey protein powder...And for fats ... you need these to for energy and cell reproduction etc..go for olive oil and the omega-3's (fish oils,flax, walnuts). This is a basic high energy, disease free ,and anti aging/longevity diet . Good Luck !! p.s. get rid of the coffee and drink green tea or ginseng instead !!

klaha · 04-29-2006, 09:24 AM

200 grams of protein?....wouldn't that be a pound of meat a day?...
And thanks for everything, still, I need something that will shake up my body, I sleep all my 8 hours but I feel as I only slept 5, and that's all day. There must be something wrong with me, and I have been told I can't drink more coffee or black tea. There should be a pill or a supplement to help me wake up a bit.

Lenin · 05-01-2006, 08:03 AM

klaha,

If you are eating 2000 calories and not losing weight, then you have to either go lower or get more active...or both.

My guess is that you are underestimating your calories. When I read "around 2000" I am always suspect. The only way to ascertain calories is to count and record everything with accurate weighings made of all foods you prepare. God bless the nutrtitional info on commercially produced stuff...but you still have to weigh a lot of it.

Normaly 2000 calories will give a 200 pounder a good weight loss unless he's a senior citizen or extremely sedentary. Give 1800 calories a try but please be SCRUPUOLOUS with your counting. There is no need to try for outrageous levels of protein...if you get in 100 grams a day you are getting far more than you need to replace your lean tissue.
Keeping fat low is a good idea because fat is concentrated calories (9 per gram) and a little fat carries a lot of caloric baggage.
Don't think in terms of the quality of food, whether carby, proteiny or fatty but rather think QUANTITATIVELY...the total AMOUNT of food as determined by calories.

Find lots of low calorie items to choose when you get hungry. Dinners with broiled or suteed fish make for low calorie dinners. Salads with non-fat dressings can be delicious and almost calorie free.