Hello everyone - This is my first post . I did a search, but came up with so many hits that I thought I'd post this here where the 'hardcore' folks are Hopefully you can clear this up for me. - - I thought I'd get myself back in much better shape. After using the Zone program for awhile I thought I'd try the Protein Power low carb program. (Just started this week). - - I'm wondering if there is a maximum recommended daily calorie deficit ?
I ask because I used the FitDay program for the first time this week after reading about it in the forums and it calculated that I'm eating about 1700-1800 cals per day and have a daily calorie expenditure of about 3800 cal per day for a total of 2000 cal deficit per day. I've never calculated total calorie expenditure including basal, daily work activities, and exercise/physical activity. I don't know if my numbers are particularly unusual or if others have even greater daily calorie deficits without losing muscle mass. Can you have too much of a daily calorie deficit, even if youre getting the recommended levels (and more) of protein, and adequate amounts of the other needed nutrients ? Thanks in advance for your comments. All the best, - -
P.S. - - I think I read in one of Barry Sears' Zone books that the maximum recommended weight loss is 2 lbs per week. Beyond that, youre eating into lean muscle mass. Does this 'rule' apply to low carb eating programs ? My 12000 to 14000 weekly calorie deficit would equate to more than 2 lbs loss.