I'm confused about the number of calories one should be consuming. Is it 10-12x your current weight or goal weight?

Thanks in advance.

It is CURRENT weight.

Don't go by those silly charts/equations at all. Those are about as accurate as the height equals a certain weight chart. For example, I am a 6'0" male. Per the charts my healthy weight is 160-165 lbs. I had a muscle / BMI check done and if I were at 0% body fat ( dead ), I'd weigh 182 lbs.

Anyhow, back to your question.

On Atkins, your aren't really looking at calorie counting at all. However, you do want to keep your calories in a fair range. The first step is to look back at your old caloric consumption. Think back to your old way of eating and count up the calories. Use fitday.com to get a good idea and make sure you add in *everything*, like a sugar packet, large squirts of ketchup on your frenchfries, etc. Get this number and mark this in your head as you *gain weight* caloric intake.

Once you get that #, compare it to good healthy levels of calric intake for adults. This is a # that typically incorporates two main factors: Age and activity level.

Go to those charts and make a healthy, intelligent decision to get a feel for what your body works best on. The charts are actually somewhat useful if you recreate them using your own image and body type.

I am 225 or so, and I take in anywhere from 2500 to 3000 calories per day. On my old way of eating I was taking in 2800-3800 ( a huge fluctuation, yes, but eating half an apple pie can do that to you).

Tom C

Oops! Almost forgot. Let me correct something.

two main factors: Age and activity level

Actually three... Sex is one. Males can eat more calories than females. Supposedly... This Jelly roll protests otherwise!




TC

I stick to the 10-12x my goal weight theory and it's working great for me. I'm not an active person and I haven't started exercising yet. It seems to work well for me. I do go over my caloric limit sometimes though, but I don't sweat it.

I TRY not to go over 12X my now weight (1908 cals) and usually do well except yesterday (whopping 2600 cals) when I had a "hungry day". Its working for me

I wonder if the belief that males can eat more calories than females is mostly due to the fact that males are generally larger than females and are generally more muscular. I suspect a male and a female the same height and similar body structure (muscle to fat ratio and bone density) and a similar metabolic rate would be able to eat similar caloric intake.