These days it feels like the word that begins and ends all things. What are you eating? Protein. What's your secret for losing weight? Protein. How was your weekend? Barbie Boules, R.D.N., a registered dietitian in Illinois. So yeah. There's a reason why we should be eating it. But in a land of Whole30 challenges and keto diets, how much protein should you actually be eating? Boules says it's a question she gets all the time. Unfortunately, it's an answer that requires some math (I know, I'm sorry!). That's because it's not a fixed number. Claire Martin, R.D., co-founder of Being Healthfull, says the RDA (recommended daily value for protein intake) is about 0.36 grams per body weight pound. 140 pounds, then you should be eating 50 grams of protein daily. However, that protein number is a variable that depends on your health and fitness needs, Martin says. For example, if you are exercising and trying to lose weight, then Martin says she would increase protein intake to about 0.5 grams per current pound of body weight.
So for 140 pounds, that protein RDA goes up to 70 grams per day. On the other hand, people hoping to lose weight and see muscle gain can increase protein intake to between 0.8 grams and 1 gram of protein for every 1 gram of bodyweight, Martin says. Otherwise, you won't see muscle gains. This is where supplemental protein (powders, bars, etc.) might come into play, Boules says. If you are very physically active (e.g. a marathon runner or extreme sports participant) or aren’t getting an ample amount or protein from foods, then you might want to try a powdered supplement made from pure protein with no additives or sugar that can be added to a daily beverage. In general though, Boules advises sticking to whole food sources of protein, like lean meats, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, and grains. She likes a balance of 50 percent carbs (1/2 from starches and 1/2 from fruits and veggies), 25 percent healthy fats, and 25 percent lean protein for most meals. And don't forget: If you're increasing your protein intake to meet a fitness or weight-loss goal, then you'll have to consume fewer calories from carbs or fat to make up for the extra protein calories you're consuming, Martin says. She recommends using an app like MyFitnessPal or Cronometer to keep track of macronutrients (protein, carbs and fats). The bottom line: Get your daily protein intake (at least 0.36 times your body weight) from whole food sources where possible, and adjust amounts accordingly if you're looking to lose weight or build muscle. Caroline Shannon-Karasik is a writer and mental health advocate based in Pittsburgh, PA. In addition to Women's Health, her work has appeared in several print and online publications, including The Cut, Tonic, Narratively, Good Housekeeping, Redbook, and DAME. She is currently writing a collection of essays.
Can Skinny Legs Get Bigger? How to Get Bigger Thighs? Can You Gain Muscle from More Reps Without Weights? How Often Should I Train Legs to Get Them Bigger? How Long Will It Take for Titan Rise Capsules My Legs to Get Bigger? Along with a bigger, stronger chest, shirt-straining arms and perfectly carved six-pack abs, most guys want their leg muscles to really pop. Contrary to what you might think, building bigger legs without a gym full of equipment isn't impossible. Below, we showcase how you can pump up your legs with little or no weights, so no squirming under a deep barbell squat or tearing a deadlift from the floor necessary. In fact, all you need is a small amount of room and a shed load of tenacity. To help you learn how to get bigger legs (calves, quads, hamstrings and more all included), we tapped up personal trainer Alex Crockford to draw you a personal blueprint to getting stacked down below.
This workout is a home workout using no equipment other than usual things you'll find at home,' explains Crockford. But just because it's a weight-free workout, it doesn't mean it'll be a walk in the park. You need to feel it working, so if it’s too easy you can add weight with home dumbbells or anything heavy enough at home,' continues Crockford. Sounds like a win-win. How to do it: Standing tall and keeping your chest up at all times, take a long step forward with one leg, bending your front knee until the back knee touches the ground. Stand up explosively, pause and repeat with the other leg, moving forward. Reps: 12 Sets: 3 Rest: Titan Rise Capsules No rest, go straight into squat jumps. How to do it: Standing tall with your feet shoulder-width apart, keep your chest up and sink your hips back, before bending your knees to drop your thighs until they are at least parallel to the floor.
Push through the heels back to standing. Reps: 12 Sets: 3 Rest: 30 secs after each superset. How to do it: Stand straight with your arms across your chest and your feet shoulder-width apart. Lower yourself into a squat position until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Push up explosively from your feet keeping your arms folded as you jump up. Immediately jump again when you return to the squat position. How to do it: Stand facing away from bench with one leg resting on it, laces down. Squat down with your standing leg until the knee of your trailing leg almost touches the floor. Push up through your front foot to return to the start position. Reps: 12 each leg Sets: 3 Rest: No rest, go straight into single leg bridge. How to do it: Place a bench or a box in front of you and step onto it with one foot.