How much protein should I be taking?

Different people will recommend different amounts, personally i think 1 gram per pound of lean body weight is best.

Strength training is probably more important tho for retaining muscle. If you really want to minimize muscle loss id recommend getting on a good strength training program.

The typical recommendation for retention of muscle mass is 0.8-1g per lb goal weight or lean body mass.

Also I would go from doing a little bit to making strength training a priority

I agree with .8-1 gram per pound of lean mass.
(One way to figure this without knowing your lbm/body fat could be to check your "ideal" weight for your height with something like BMI and eat .8 per pound of that number.)

Going by a % of calories isn't a very accurate way to go, as that would have you eating less protein while in a deficit/as your calories get lower, and more protein when calories are higher. Kind of the opposite of what is actually needed.


And I would also make lifting more of a priority than "a little bit." Using the muscles is what keeps them, not just eating high protein.

ChrisRendon1128 wrote: »

Thank you everyone for your insight. I will definitely increase my strength training from now on.

Get on a good program. A common beginner one is stronglifts 5x5. If you dont have access to barbells im sure you can find a good dumbell program, or you could do a body weight program.