Calorie consumption for novices

[cfreetenor]

I am just now starting a 5 rep program on the major compounds squat, bench, deadlift, OP, and rows. I'm 6' tall, 167/8 pounds, and my lifts are as follows:

Squat 225x5
Dead ~245x5
Bench 175x5
OP 105x5
Row 105x5

I'm still getting leaner despite surpassing the 500kcal over maintainence common suggestion. I remember you saying that couch guy gaining 100 pounds of Doritos and soda weight would gain about 25 pounds of muscle anyway. How much in excess can I actually eat before I lose any benefit from it? I assume 10,000 calories a day wouldn't be much more helpful than 8,000. What's a good number? I just want to build and lift as much as possible. I'm alright with gaining fat for sure. I just don't want it to be pointless, or more expensive than it needs to be.

Appreciate all of your work uncle Rip.

[Mark Rippetoe]

A Clarification | Mark Rippetoe

[cfreetenor]

Sweet nectar, thank you. I'll add a thousand calories to my diet henceforth. (Probably be around 5k)

[infinity0891]

I'm still getting leaner despite surpassing the 500kcal over maintainence common suggestion.

"over maintenance" means gaining weight. I highly doubt you're getting leaner while gaining weight at 6' 170 lbs. If you're losing weight, you're under maintenance...add calories until you're gaining weight.

[cfreetenor]

"over maintenance" means gaining weight. I highly doubt you're getting leaner while gaining weight at 6' 170 lbs. If you're losing weight, you're under maintenance...add calories until you're gaining weight.

I got a gym membership at the beginning of June. Last time I lifted seriously was 2011 at 19 years old. It is possible for me to get leaner for a period whole gaining weight. But I am hitting that wall around this point in time, probably.

My calorie intake is 4.5k-5k per day.