Lowest amount of calories you can take in w/o losing significant amounts of muscle?

[allofthisforyou]

Does anyone know what lowest amount of calories you can consitently "run off of" before losing appreciable amounts of muscle mass? Does this vary per person and with your daily caloric expenditure?

I've read that about 100g of carbs per day is necessary in order to prevent ketosis, and remember reading somewhere that 1000 Calories daily is "too low" for most people (i.e. your body starts relying on muscle tissue for fuel), though I haven't been able to find that figure again. 1000 seems reasonable for a sedentary individual but I'm thinking someone using 4000 Calories/day would need at least about 2000 Calories + roughly 200 g of carbs to minimize muscle tissue catabolism (not to mention restore muscle glycogen).

Any thoughts/information would be greatly appreciated.
-A

[breaktheground]

Why not simply keep a 500-1000 calorie deficit? Doing that will ensure you'll safely keep the weight off once you start eating normal again.

[TheNewestGuy]

Why not simply keep a 500-1000 calorie deficit? Doing that will ensure you'll safely keep the weight off once you start eating normal again.

Probably the best advice.

[Total Body Rebuild]

If you are looking for bare minimums, look into PSMF programs like Lyle Mcdonalds RFL...

[critterbug]

According to some (the oft-quoted PSMF guru and others), this depends on how much fat you have to lose. If you have a lot to lose, you're 'safer' going on bigger calorie deficits. If it's only about 20 pounds, probably less so. *I* don't know. Just what I've read. I've had some big deficits, though, and still gained strength.

[allofthisforyou]

Why not simply keep a 500-1000 calorie deficit? Doing that will ensure you'll safely keep the weight off once you start eating normal again.

I realize that, and I'm sure it'll go a long way to preventing micronutrient deficiencies as well... Just curious about "The Biggest Loser" type losses...

If you are looking for bare minimums, look into PSMF programs like Lyle Mcdonalds RFL...

Thanks.

If you have a lot to lose, you're 'safer' going on bigger calorie deficits.

Interesting...

[IrishPilot]

Maintaining mass during a cut is more involved than just a caloric boundary. Your lifting progression/intensity/routine, nutrition, and rest all also play a factor. Also keep in mind that everyone is different, and different bodies will respond differently to different caloric deficits.

(strong use of different!)

[allofthisforyou]

(strong use of different!)

Haha, no kidding... I wasn't really referring to cutting, as this isn't for me, but thanks for that response...

As mentioned, I was more interested in how one would go about dropping a dozen pant sizes as quickly as possible... I was thinking 4000+ calories expended (w/ HIT cardio, etc.), 2000-2500 Calories (& decent macros) taken in, and a potent multi, should work...