Using BW vs. LBM for diet calculations

[Yo Daddy]

I've always had a itch to figure out why one would use the full body weight rather than lean body mass to calculate calories/day and grams protein/carb/fat intake. Maybe this is really simple and I am just dumb. It just seems to be counterintuitive to me to calculate how to feed the body based on what we want to get rid of, rather than using what we want to keep. Any insights?

[Reverend Satan]

Often wondered this myself so perhaps I too am dumb.

[babybull34]

Devine09, your point seems very logical. I too am unaware of the answer on this one. Hopefully, X, or one of our other diet experts can shead some light on this one? Maybe this is what is intended with calorie-reduced diets?

[Dial_tone]

Although I agree with you fully the usual method is just easier to figure out.

[Reverend Satan]

Originally Posted by Dial_tone

Although I agree with you fully the usual method is just easier to figure out.

Good point.

[Yo Daddy]

True... but since when have we ever done what is easier in order to succeed? It seems easier to me to get a lbm number than it is to fumble around and figure out the other numbers. Just a thought.

[StrappingYoungLad]

Originally Posted by Dial_tone

Although I agree with you fully the usual method is just easier to figure out.

Excellent answer to an excellent question.
The truth is that all those formulaes are ballpark guestimates anyway.As if any two people of the same weight are going to have EXACTLY the same caloric requirements.Still,you have to start somewhere and in the case of macronutrients you have a fair amount of leeway.The ratios I give in my Carnivore Diet were calculated based on my experience with approximately 30 people.That's hardly exhaustive,but I've seen it work enough times to have confidence in it.
Anyway I'm impressed by you and Satan both for thinking for yourselves,rather than blindly accepting.

[Yo Daddy]

Makes sense... thanks for the help dial and SYL.

[Dial_tone]

I have always tended to slack off on protein consumption. I can undoubtedly count on my fingers the number of days i've gone over 300 grams in day and i'm 250'ish. I've never been in a position to eat as much meat as I'd like til now. I ended an 8 year relationship with someone whose idea of meat was whatever came in a bottle of meat spaghetti sauce or a frozen lasagna. We had 'real meat' maybe 2-3 times a week. Even now I eat maybe a lb/day and get the rest from shakes.