22,000 calories weekly above BMR to maintain

_Terrapin_

body weight requires eating 4,500 to 5,000 calories a day. What the heck are people doing who can eat 4,500 calories daily and maintain weight? I want to see these workouts!

psuLemon

Marathon runners????

_Terrapin_

It is offensive linemen in the NFL. They also discuss what James Harrison was consuming for lunch. 16-20 ounces of chicken breast or steak, a cup of rice, 2 potatoes, a cup of cooked pasts with green vegetables or salad and 2 TBSP's of olive oil. This was when he was training to get back to the NFL. I am amazed at the amounts of food they consume. The "O" linemen diet isn't written about though.

psuLemon

Interesting. I actually wouldn't be surprised if similar results hold true in other athletes.

_Terrapin_

Division 1 swimmers or Olympians may be another category.

Alatariel75

Reminds me of this:

http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/08/13/the-michael-phelps-diet-dont-try-it-at-home/

Can't remember if it turned out to be a hoax though.

ryanflebbe

I haven't been counting calories for very long, a couple weeks maybe, but Ive been lifting for 17 years. I usually eat the same things and eat more to gain and less to cut. I haven't gained much in a while so I started tracking calories with this app to see how much I need and to be more consistent, so I can gain more muscle. The last week I've averaged 4540 calories a day with some over 5500, and a few in the 3000s. As of yesterday I had gained 1 pound, but yesterday was a long day and I didn't eat much during the day. Today I woke up and had lost 2lb. I'm basically maintaining and have been for years. I lift weights every other day, walk some, and ride an exercise bike some. Sometimes I do a heavy bag and double end bag boxing workout. The cardio is pretty much just for health and to be in good enough shape. The weights are 10-15 sets/workout, heavy, but in the 10-15 rep range. Nothing special. I don't do much else physical. People have different resting metabolisms. I don't think I can afford to eat enough to gain anymore significant weight. I'm not shredded, but I can see my abs. That's just the way it is for a lot of bodybuilders.

Clarewho

@Alatariel75 I seem to remember it was a hoax - deliberate misinformation aimed at his competitors I think.

psuLemon

Clarewho wrote: »

@Alatariel75 I seem to remember it was a hoax - deliberate misinformation aimed at his competitors I think.

Yea, the 12,000 calorie plan was a hoak, but I think his real calories are around 8000 IIRC

lemurcat12

Remember o-linemen are huge, so that increases maintenance calories even without all the activity.

I ran scooby (because why not!) ;-) on the average lineman (who the internet says is 6'5, 310, and I made him 26), and his BMR is about 2800. Add in the highest exercise category and you get about 5500 to maintain.

_Terrapin_

lemurcat12 wrote: »

Remember o-linemen are huge, so that increases maintenance calories even without all the activity.

I ran scooby (because why not!) ;-) on the average lineman (who the internet says is 6'5, 310, and I made him 26), and his BMR is about 2800. Add in the highest exercise category and you get about 5500 to maintain.

Thanks for doing this; I think the number is realistic. I'd like to see their workouts though. How many reps, how many hours, etc. I think we have a local trainer who worked with and continues to work with NFL players. I may need to check with him.

andrikosDE

lemurcat12 wrote: »

Remember o-linemen are huge, so that increases maintenance calories even without all the activity.

I ran scooby (because why not!) ;-) on the average lineman (who the internet says is 6'5, 310, and I made him 26), and his BMR is about 2800. Add in the highest exercise category and you get about 5500 to maintain.

I think these guys eat a bit more than "maintenance calories"...

DeguelloTex

It's possible to be maintaining a very high weight.