Macros for strength training?

[JoeySon]

So Im pretty new into the strength training category been working out steady for a few years but this is my first time mainly focusing on strength as I finally admitted to myself how pathetic my maxes were.

For the past couple months I've been doing a high carb /low fat workout days and high fat/low carb rest days while keeping protein 1.5g x BW. It's worked ok for me aesthetic wise as I've been slowly leaning up but I wonder if I'm robbing myself of strength and progression by eating such low carbs (some days I won't go over 50-60 grams)

What's your guys thoughts?

[Celorza]

So Im pretty new into the strength training category been working out steady for a few years but this is my first time mainly focusing on strength as I finally admitted to myself how pathetic my maxes were.

For the past couple months I've been doing a high carb /low fat workout days and high fat/low carb rest days while keeping protein 1.5g x BW. It's worked ok for me aesthetic wise as I've been slowly leaning up but I wonder if I'm robbing myself of strength and progression by eating such low carbs (some days I won't go over 50-60 grams)

What's your guys thoughts?

Essential macronutrient levels are always the same, you adjust carbohydrate intake to control caloric allotment.

1g of protein per LB of BW
.5g of fat per LB of BW

Carbs are the rest and they are obtained by knowing your TDEE, and while it is true you can build strength on a deficit...I would suggest to you that you keep a surplus. Keep the Essentials at those values or above those values EVERY DAY , no matter rest or workout, and simply modify Carb intake according to rest or carbohydrate day...but no matter what, those values should never go below that.

[JoeySon]

My TDEE is around 2700 and I'm eating at 3000 a day rest or workout. So what you're saying is keep my levels the same no matter rest or work? A little confused

[Torobestia]

Well, you didn't specify in the OP whether you are making gains or not. I assume you made the post because you're stalling pretty fast on your lifts, but this would only be an assumption. Is this the case? If not, then I would go ahead and continue what you're doing until things come to a halt.

As for your diet, your protein levels are pretty good. Most powerlifters eat around 1.5-2g/lb. Are you new to lifting and dieting? If not, and you're leaning out, I would taper up carbs starting with workout days. Evidently you're not getting in enough to optimize your growth potential.

[Celorza]

The Macronutrient allotment (for the essentials) comes from your Bodyweight.

1g of protein per LB of BW (this will be X number of kCals, you get it by multiplying the grams*4)
.5g of fats per LB of BW (this will be Y number of kCals, you get it by multiplying the grams*9)
These 2 abovementioned values do not change negatively. You can go higher BUT NEVER LOWER, NO MATTER WORKOUT OR REST DAY.


Then you do this: TDEE-X-Y= Z

Z= Carbohydrate kCals. Z/4= Grams of Carbs.

If you want to go lower kCals on Rest Days and thus subtract carbs , its fine.

[JoeySon]

The Macronutrient allotment (for the essentials) comes from your Bodyweight.

1g of protein per LB of BW (this will be X number of kCals, you get it by multiplying the grams*4)
.5g of fats per LB of BW (this will be Y number of kCals, you get it by multiplying the grams*9)
These 2 abovementioned values do not change negatively. You can go higher BUT NEVER LOWER, NO MATTER WORKOUT OR REST DAY.


Then you do this: TDEE-X-Y= Z

Z= Carbohydrate kCals. Z/4= Grams of Carbs.

If you want to go lower kCals on Rest Days and thus subtract carbs , its fine.

Ah I got you C..I understand how many grams and such each macro has I was just confused cause i thought you were suggesting I keep them the same throughout but adjust my carbs. After re-reading it I see you were merely stating I can adjust them to my discretion.

I see as well I was rather vague in my opening post. I'm looking for weight gain and strength gains. I've been progressing along pretty well with my lifts but wondering if I could do even better by tweaking my macros a little.

I would not consider myself new to lifting but over the last year or so Is the first time I've really paid a lot of attention to my macros. Always ate clean and counted cals but never use to be so specific.

[Celorza]

Ah I got you C..I understand how many grams and such each macro has I was just confused cause i thought you were suggesting I keep them the same throughout but adjust my carbs. After re-reading it I see you were merely stating I can adjust them to my discretion.

I see as well I was rather vague in my opening post. I'm looking for weight gain and strength gains. I've been progressing along pretty well with my lifts but wondering if I could do even better by tweaking my macros a little.

I would not consider myself new to lifting but over the last year or so Is the first time I've really paid a lot of attention to my macros. Always ate clean and counted cals but never use to be so specific.

You can have the protein and fat higher if you want , just don't drop it below that point no matter the day. Now as far as higher protein...well human bodies can only process as far as 1g-1.25g per LB of BW , and the ones that can do slightly more than 1.25g are genetically gifted indeed. Unless you are on AAS no need to up the protein so much, it only gets excreted out. Carbs and fats are your friends here now, you need a lot of Glycogen for power movements, and replenishing it daily is common PowerLifting preaching, also fats keep joints lubed and working, not to mention they help with a good hormonal balance and great for kCalorie surpluses, they also enhance recovery.

[Rodja]

Actual macro breakdown for strength training is pretty overrated. Overall caloric consumption is far more important than any specific macro.

[Celorza]

Actual macro breakdown for strength training is pretty overrated. Overall caloric consumption is far more important than any specific macro.

Can you elaborate more Rodja please? I want further strength...so if you could help out explaining this I would appreciate it.

[JoeySon]

You can have the protein and fat higher if you want , just don't drop it below that point no matter the day. Now as far as higher protein...well human bodies can only process as far as 1g-1.25g per LB of BW , and the ones that can do slightly more than 1.25g are genetically gifted indeed. Unless you are on AAS no need to up the protein so much, it only gets excreted out. Carbs and fats are your friends here now, you need a lot of Glycogen for power movements, and replenishing it daily is common PowerLifting preaching, also fats keep joints lubed and working, not to mention they help with a good hormonal balance and great for kCalorie surpluses, they also enhance recovery.

After lowering my protein and keeping my fats at .5 I need like 300-400 grams of carbs a day, soo much more than what I'm eating right now lol I suppose I could try it for a few weeks and see how it works. Will likely taper the carbs up instead of just slamming an extra 200 grams into my diet. Should help anyways with my goal of gaining ten pounds before the new year

[JoeySon]

Would rep u too but I gotta spread some

[Celorza]

After lowering my protein and keeping my fats at .5 I need like 300-400 grams of carbs a day, soo much more than what I'm eating right now lol I suppose I could try it for a few weeks and see how it works. Will likely taper the carbs up instead of just slamming an extra 200 grams into my diet. Should help anyways with my goal of gaining ten pounds before the new year

I always notice an increase in strength and endurance when I have higher carbs and a good amount of fats in my diet Joey. I was skeptical at first but when I saw the results...DAMN!

[vidapreta]

Actual macro breakdown for strength training is pretty overrated. Overall caloric consumption is far more important than any specific macro.

Most powerlifters are just worried about staying within their weight class. And shooting their juice...LOL

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[Rodja]

Can you elaborate more Rodja please? I want further strength...so if you could help out explaining this I would appreciate it.

Nearly every PL'er will tell you that to be strong you will need to eat a lot (nothing groundbreaking there) and the best way to get stronger is to increase mass and, therefore, leverages. In reality, any macro breakdown will get you to this goal provided there is sufficient calories, but so many people have the BB'er mentality hammered into them when it comes to nutrition that they're limiting their strength potential.

[Celorza]

Nearly every PL'er will tell you that to be strong you will need to eat a lot (nothing groundbreaking there) and the best way to get stronger is to increase mass and, therefore, leverages. In reality, any macro breakdown will get you to this goal provided there is sufficient calories, but so many people have the BB'er mentality hammered into them when it comes to nutrition that they're limiting their strength potential.

I don't ever wanna be a beach muscle pretty boy ! I want power! And that is good to know thanks . If I mentioned this macros to Joey it is because as far as I have read, those are essential macronutrient levels for maintaining health and recovery, yet I never mind going higher. Heck I'm lighter than joey and I have more carbs than he does and higher kCals hehe.

[JoeySon]

I always notice an increase in strength and endurance when I have higher carbs and a good amount of fats in my diet Joey. I was skeptical at first but when I saw the results...DAMN!

I have no problem with high fats lol sometimes I wonder if my fats are too high on some days

[JoeySon]

Nearly every PL'er will tell you that to be strong you will need to eat a lot (nothing groundbreaking there) and the best way to get stronger is to increase mass and, therefore, leverages. In reality, any macro breakdown will get you to this goal provided there is sufficient calories, but so many people have the BB'er mentality hammered into them when it comes to nutrition that they're limiting their strength potential.

So basically just eat a **** load of food and don't worry so much about the macro breakdown but more so the total cals?

[vidapreta]

So basically just eat a **** load of food and don't worry so much about the macro breakdown but more so the total cals?

And if you start getting fat, eat less...LOL

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[JoeySon]

And if you start getting fat, eat less...LOL

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Yea that seems logical lol I think the only real adjustment I need to make is to up my carbs

[vidapreta]

Yea that seems logical lol I think the only real adjustment I need to make is to up my carbs

Upping carbs is always fun. IMO

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