6000 Calories per day, 300 grams of protein; and stomach distress.

Nutrition Q&A [Moderated]
1

Good morning,

I am writing you today in hopes that I can be equipped with some reasoning as to why I’d eat 6,000 calories a day with 300 grams of protein. These figures are a result of reading and listening to the “A Clarification,” “The Novice Effect,” and the “Recovery and Growth” articles posted by Coach Rippetoe on SS.

In all three of these articles the hypothetical healthy youth who is “underweight” (Rip usually cites 165lbs as an example) is recommended to eat 6000 calories a day through four big meals and a GOMAD.

Now, I understand that the +500 calories to my “maintenance” is a jumping off point and for an untrained, underweight novice like myself perhaps an extra 1,000 or even 1,500 calories would be useful.

I just cant get behind 4,000 calories over my what’s needed for my day-to-day without a good reason.

I’m 18, 146 pounds, and healthy - in the context I “passed” my recent physical. I am weak, weaker than most guys even in my demographic and I want to get strong.

If the way to rapid strength, and size as a consequence, is 6,000 calories a day and 300 grams of protein (plus 10 hours of sleep and good program adherence) then I’m more than willing.

But i I must have some sort of reasoning as to where this figure came from and why it’s effective.

Thank you.

2

I don’t recall if he actually says to immediately start eating 6000 calories per day and 300g protein, however I wouldn’t recommend that for you or 99.9% of the population.

I don’t think you should be eating 4000 calories per day either, though if that’s the amount of calories it takes to push your bodyweight up by ~1lb a week, that’d be relatively appropriate. Protein intake should be around 150 grams per day.

As far as where the figures you quoted came from…I’m not sure. They are likely fabricated and I don’t agree with them.

3

I’ll re-assess my diet to drive for ~1lb a week while maintaining the ability to add intensity. Thank you sir.

4

I don’t think adding intensity is necessarily what I would do programming-wise. Rather, I would add volume first and train in a variety of intensity ranges as a beginner. I think I would do The Bridge over LP for now.

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