Protein question?

[Hotwheelz]

Hello everyone!


I am new here, and would first like to introduce myself. My name is Michael Cooley I am 40 years old with a C-5,6 spinal cord injury from 2001 and I have recently gotten back into the game.

I began starting to supplement with protein again but I was wondering that since we don't use our lower bodies is it necessary to supplement the 1 to 1.5 g of protein per pound of body weight? Or can I cut back? Any advice would be great!

Thank you
Michael Cooley

[Titans]

That's a great question and I was wondering the exact same thing. Although I do not have a for sure answer I do remember reading something about not requiring as many calories as you once would due to the decreased body mass AND lower usage of calories. Based on this I would say that yes you still need your high ratio of protein BUT take into account using a lower caloric intake due to the lower usage of calories...unless you are really banging it out in the gym more so than the average person I would take in lesser calories and as a result you will be consuming less protein BUT at the same ratio because your muscles need to feed and rebuild. In the end listen to what your body tells you. Try it out a month or so at a time and adjust accordingly. See what works best for you.

[csilvia9]

That is a great question. I have been trying to keep up with the 1.5 ratio thing and it's a real struggle for me I weigh about 92lbs.

[TheBeastWCBB]

Great Questions! Depending on the injury level we will lose size in the lower body and when we lose size we will lose weight. So the amount will be less because the body has already adjusted.

So you do need to consume 1-1.25 x Lean Muscle Mass (not body weight, Body Weight minus Fat Mass = Lean Muscle Mass), your goal is to feed the Muscle. I consume 2-2.5 times my Body Weight (not just Lean Muscle Mass). The 1-1.25 ratio is a standard for bodybuilders and goes up or down depending on how active you are.

1 gram of Protein = 4 Calories
1 gram of Carbohydrate = 4 Calories
1 gram of Fat = 9 Calories

Protein feeds the Muscle. Carbs give you energy (and if you don't use energy it stores on your body as bodyfat).

So if you want to build muscle and lose fat, what do you think your diet needs to consist of? High Protein and Low/Mod Carbs.

a 20oz Pop = 100 Carbs, those 100 Carbs has the same Calories as 100 grams of Protein. 100 grams of Carbs or 100 grams of Protein = 400 Calories.

My 300-400 grams of Protein = 1200-1600 Calories of my diet.

1 Scoop of Whey Protein = 24g Protein
4oz Chicken (skin less) = 25g Protein
4oz Steak = 25g Protein
4oz Fish = 25g Protein
1 Egg White = 3g Protein

I have about 6-8 scoops of Whey a Day, 20 Egg Whites and the rest of Chicken, Fish, Steak. 40-50 grams a meal. Not too hard to consume 300-400 grams of Protein a Day. Does it matter what to eat when??? Only after a workout and first time in the morning (Shakes with simple Carbs).

Why so much Protein? Lifting ONLY breaks down the tissue on the Muscle, it is when you rest and repair the tissue damage with Protein, vit, minerals + time that a muscle will grow. Does it really work???

You tell me...
March 2006-May 2008
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