40+: calories or % - which is better to follow?

lyndane

I am so confused. I and suppose to have 40%protein 30% carb 30% fats but I have to hit 1800 calories intake. Today I hit my % but not my calories. How do I do both and still be within my goals? Need help!!!

blankiefinder

It's most important to stay under your calories. Among the macros, I prefer to make sure I hit my protein goal, and don't worry much about the others.

Mr_Knight

lyndane wrote: »

I am so confused. I and suppose to have 40%protein 30% carb 30% fats but I have to hit 1800 calories intake. Today I hit my % but not my calories. How do I do both and still be within my goals? Need help!!!

Stay under on calories. Stay over on protein %. Let the rest fall where it will.

IsaackGMOON

Well you eat 40% of your calories from protein, 30% from carbs and another 30% from fat? The amount of calories will come to 1800.

I'm not sure if I can explain it in anymore simple terms.

Weight loss comes from a caloric deficit.

Mr_Knight

IsaackGMOON wrote: »

Well you eat 40% of your calories from protein, 30% from carbs and another 30% from fat? The amount of calories will come to 1800.

I'm not sure if I can explain it in anymore simple terms.

It's extremely difficult to hit your macros AND calories bang on. OP is (in essence) asking which numbers are the important ones to eat.

futuremanda

Hit your calorie goal, first and foremost. This is what matters for weight loss.

Your actual macro breakdown doesn't matter that much except under special circumstances -- like if you have a medical condition or are a bodybuilder. There are minimum grams you should have for health -- you can look those up. Otherwise, do what feels right for you -- what keeps you energetic, satiated, sane, etc.

Especially in the beginning, macros fall under "don't sweat the small stuff".

blankiefinder

IsaackGMOON wrote: »

Well you eat 40% of your calories from protein, 30% from carbs and another 30% from fat? The amount of calories will come to 1800.

I'm not sure if I can explain it in anymore simple terms.

Weight loss comes from a caloric deficit.

I can't imagine the stress of trying to hit every macro exactly, every day... When you make it hard or complicated, you make it hard to stick with.

Follow the KISS rule... Keep it simple...

MamaBirdBoss

I have a minimum for fiber, protein, and fat based on my weight + a 1200-cal diet.

Once I meet my minimums, the other calories do what they want.

IsaackGMOON

blankiefinder wrote: »

IsaackGMOON wrote: »

Well you eat 40% of your calories from protein, 30% from carbs and another 30% from fat? The amount of calories will come to 1800.

I'm not sure if I can explain it in anymore simple terms.

Weight loss comes from a caloric deficit.

I can't imagine the stress of trying to hit every macro exactly, every day... When you make it hard or complicated, you make it hard to stick with.

Follow the KISS rule... Keep it simple...

Ahhh, I didn't mean to imply that you have to hit your macros bang on every day lol. I should have been more specific.