Maintenance Macros: How to Find Your TDEE

A 175 lb man at moderate activity needs approximately 2730 calories per day to maintain bodyweight. This estimate comes from the Mifflin-St Jeor equation applied at a moderate activity multiplier (1.55). Your real maintenance may be 100–150 calories above or below this depending on individual metabolism and true daily activity — track your scale trend for 2 weeks to confirm.

At 175 lb, a daily target of 149gm of protein (0.85g per lb bodyweight) supports body composition goals whether cutting, building, or maintaining. Protein has a higher thermic effect than carbs or fats, keeps hunger lower than either, and directly determines how much muscle your body can build or retain. Distribute across 3–5 meals for best use — a single large protein serving has diminishing returns compared to spread intake.

If your scale weight is stable within 1–2 lbs over 3+ weeks at 2730 calories, you have found your maintenance. If weight trends downward consistently, add 100–150 calories. If it trends upward, reduce by 100–150 calories. Formulas like Mifflin-St Jeor give a close estimate, but actual maintenance is individual and can vary ±10% from calculated values based on NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis) and metabolic rate differences.

A balanced split at 175 lb is a strong default choice — it provides enough carbs for training fuel, adequate fat for hormone function, and a solid protein floor at 149gm/day without restricting any macro aggressively. It is particularly well-suited for people who do not want to follow a specific dietary protocol (keto, carnivore) and prefer food flexibility over a rigid structure. The main tradeoff is that it requires more active tracking than simplified approaches, since no food group is off-limits.

Adjust when your body sends a clear signal for 2–3 consecutive weeks: no scale trend movement (up or down as intended), stalled training performance, or persistent energy issues. A single bad week is noise — a consistent 3-week trend is a signal. Adjust in 100–150 calorie increments, not large jumps. At 2730 calories for a 175 lb man, a 100-calorie change represents about 4–5% of total intake — meaningful but not disruptive to your food structure.