how much protein should i take to lose weight
But if youâre not a boxer trying to go pro, how much do you need to stay fit or lose weight? Step on a scale and be honest with yourself about your activity level. Men who work out for 45 minutes three to five days a week need about 0.45 gram per pound; women with the same activity level need 0.35 gram per pound. So an 180-pound guy who works out regularly needs about 80 grams of protein a day. For a 140-pound woman, that translates to nearly 50 grams of protein daily. Now, for the fun part: eating! The fewer calories you consume, the greater the proportion of calories that should come from protein, says Donald Layman, PhD, a professor emeritus of nutrition at the University of Illinois.