How do I count calories for maintenance or bulking?

**Mudge** · 04-04-2004, 10:55 PM

Here is a rule of thumb which actually is pretty close to MY Metabolism, for you it may not be true.

17.5 x bodyweight in pounds = maintenance

17.5 x 250 = 4375 calories, fairly close

21.5 x bodyweight in pounds = bulking

21.5 x 250 = 5375

This is 1000 calories higher, I would shoot for 500 if you are natural or trying to avoid fat gain, so perhaps you could go with 19 instead of 21.5 but again your metabolism and activity may vary.

I think I may make up an Excel chart and plot out maintenance caloric totals, for me it would be pretty nifty and a curiosity for sure.

zakk · 04-04-2004, 10:59 PM

I hope that's pretty close. It'll mean im in a very nice deficit

jaim91 · 04-05-2004, 07:44 PM

If you're in a deficit, then you are neither maintaining nor bulking.

**Mudge** · 04-06-2004, 01:14 AM

Yep, you would be cutting. I am bouncing from 247-251 at about 19x bodyweight for calories.

jaim91 · 04-09-2004, 07:42 PM

Is that where you want to be? 19x bodyweight for calories - that's in between the maintanance and the bulking. Is that a phasE?

04-04-2004, 10:55 PM	#1
Mudge Dieting I swear! Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Here Posts: 23,477 Photos: 1	How do I count calories for maintenance or bulking? Here is a rule of thumb which actually is pretty close to MY Metabolism, for you it may not be true. 17.5 x bodyweight in pounds = maintenance 17.5 x 250 = 4375 calories, fairly close 21.5 x bodyweight in pounds = bulking 21.5 x 250 = 5375 This is 1000 calories higher, I would shoot for 500 if you are natural or trying to avoid fat gain, so perhaps you could go with 19 instead of 21.5 but again your metabolism and activity may vary. I think I may make up an Excel chart and plot out maintenance caloric totals, for me it would be pretty nifty and a curiosity for sure. Kinesiology Comp Bench MaxCalc Motivation Bench form Charles Poliquin When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. Lao-Tzu

04-04-2004, 10:59 PM	#2
zakk Right 20 cut to straight Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 92	I hope that's pretty close. It'll mean im in a very nice deficit -zakk 7-21-03: 353 lbs. 2-7-04: 264 lbs. 3-6-04: 258 lbs. 4-6-04: 250 lbs. 5-2-04: 242 lbs. 9-1-04: 225 lbs. Headed south

04-06-2004, 01:14 AM	#4
Mudge Dieting I swear! Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Here Posts: 23,477 Photos: 1	Yep, you would be cutting. I am bouncing from 247-251 at about 19x bodyweight for calories. Kinesiology Comp Bench MaxCalc Motivation Bench form Charles Poliquin When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. Lao-Tzu

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04-05-2004, 07:44 PM	#3
jaim91 Ms. Olympia Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 1,484 Photos: 16	If you're in a deficit, then you are neither maintaining nor bulking.

04-09-2004, 07:42 PM	#5
jaim91 Ms. Olympia Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 1,484 Photos: 16	Is that where you want to be? 19x bodyweight for calories - that's in between the maintanance and the bulking. Is that a phasE?