Nutrition for older women?

[KMC]

I'm a 36yo woman, 155lbs, 5'11 with approx 22% bf. I recently did a restricted calorie diet to drop a few pounds (my clothes were getting a little tight). I've now discovered strength training and have just started the SS program.

My question is about nutrition/diet. In the book there is talk of GOMAD and calorie levels, but this seems geared more towards a young athletic male. I think if I consumed at that level I'd become fat quite quickly at my age and activity level (I have a sedentary job).

Can you provide some guidance on nutrition/diet for an average mid-30s woman?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Older women? Have you lost your mind?

http://startingstrength.com/index.ph..._clarification

[bluebutton]

My useful addition: Jordan's eating recommendations with a table that includes suggestions for women.

My rant to OP: When did 36 get to be old? I'm 35; I met a 75 year old woman who was mowing her back 5 acres. I'm not 18, sure. But I'm better in every way than when I was 18 even though I've had two joint surgeries. The mind, it boggles.

At best we're middle aged if you want to go on the short side of life expectancy. ALSO there was JUST another post by a 35 y.o. woman about the same topic. I'm not usually this cheesed on the boards, but really.

My rant to Rip: Why did you approve this when there was that other thread? And can we sticky Jordan's To Be a Beast article? It's the most useful place for people to start on the nutrition thing.

[KMC]

Thanks Mark. Your linked article raises my question:

"In addition, the diet that must be followed is the one that best facilitates the program, and this will be different for everybody depending on age, body composition, program adherence, and genetic potential."

How do I best determine an appropriate diet for me as a novice 36yo woman with little muscle and 22% bodyfat?

The examples in the book and that article are for novice males 18-35.

[Mark Rippetoe]

I am not the diet guy. Contact Jordan through the nutrition forum.

[KMC]

Thanks bluebutton for the link to Jordan's article.

And to clarify - I never said mid-30s was old. Please re-read my initial post. I asked about diet/nutrition recommendations for an average mid-30s woman, describing this as "older women" in comparison to the young athletic male demographic referred to in the SS book.

I certainly don't consider myself to be old - or even middle aged. But compared to an 18you college athlete, I am an older woman.