
Originally Posted by
MuscleInk
That answer illustrates that you aren't ready to benefit from steroids yet. TDEE is total daily energy expenditure and its calculated by Lean Body Mass (LBM) x 15 (this is the best approximation). LBM is your body weight minus your body fat. So if you weigh 150lbs (for example) and had a body fat percentage of 20%, your LBM would be:
150 x .20 = 30, and your LBM would be 150-30=120lbs. Your approximate TDEE is then 120 x 15 = 1800 calories. That means to STAY at the same weight, you'd need to eat 1800 calories per day. To gain weight, at least 500 calories more per day (2300) and to lose weight, about 500 calories less per day (1300).
If you aren't eating more than your TDEE, you simply cannot gain and hold more LBM. Steroids won't compensate if you aren't eating to support growth and its not just how much food but the ratio of macros, number, and frequency of meals.
This is why we ask the question. Too many young guys or newbies thinking jumping into anabolics is the answer. If you don't have the fundamentals down (food, training, rest periods), you won't grow.