Calorie Counting Guide: Intake for Muscle & Weight Loss

Determining how many calories you need depends on your fitness goals, whether you are a marathon runner or a weightlifter. Use intake formulas to calculate your needs for muscle gain or sustainable weight loss.

Formula for Caloric Intake

Published Jul,08 2011 | By Sydney Brackett, RD

There are several different formulas for determining estimated caloric needs. All are based on the principles of energy balance: Energy being used up or expended throughout the day should be equally consumed for weight maintenance.