Skeets, I don't follow the whole bit on the protein recommedation, though the Doc did say it was maximum. But I think your idea of lean mass makes infinitely more sense. Also, there is a quality differential and a timing thing to consider. For example, eggs are terrific in that nearly every gram of protein is used to the max while popcorn is not nearly as efficient. (I still wouldn't take a bag of eggs to the movie. <g>) Also, the body can only process so much protein at any one time, which varies from person to person. But the indications are that eating 150 grams at dinner is nuch less useful than eating 30 grams 5 times a day. I think that bodybuilders and weighlifters have erred on the side of more protein. After all, how many grams of muscle do they think they broke down during a workout?
On the other hand, I love protein foods, so I never have much of a problem with it. My secret weapon is sugar free/fat free pudding. Using a protein supplement, or even the amino acid scams on the market today would be silly for me. If I'm not getting enough creatine with the protein I'm ingesting, then God doesn't mean me to have it. <g>
I agree that there are folks who eat a lot and don't gain weight. There is certainly a difference in metabolism rates. Some of this can do with the lean/fat ratio of the body. Fat uses almost no calories while muscle consumes them like a great white shark. And some can do with oxygen usage. An aerobic athlete with huge aerobic capacity uses more calories even when he's asleep. However, some of it is just genetic. We can improve both our muscle ratio and our oxygen capacity, but genetics will always favor some and penalize others. For example, a world class decathlete uses more calories sitting in a recliner than I use jogging. He's just in that much better shape. But there are other people who use more calories and don't seem to be in that much better shape. Of course, I assume that everyone who burns faster than I do is bulemic. <VBG> |
