Is it my macros? And how do I change?

erikalanem
erikalanem Posts: 48
in Food and Nutrition
I have been monitoring caloric intake since the beginning of the year, starting at an average of 1900 calories a day and got down to 1450. (I aim for 1300, but don't make that goal everyday.) I also have been working out a minimum of 3 days a week, many weeks I get a workout in every day! If you count walking the dog, it would be two-a-days! But very frustrated when I struggled to lose only 7 pounds. I am 30 years old, 5'6 and 165 lbs. I feel like I have been eating very healthy and not seeing near the results I would expect after a 6 month plan. I wont say I have been perfect, but definitely making healthy eating choices, and being active. I get plenty of sleep and drink a fair amount of water.

So I have been trying to read everything I can to figure this out, I can't hardly cut my calories much lower...But I heard about this "macros" theory, and I look and see that my protein is super low!!! like 25%!!! Is this the reason? And if so, how do I up it? I already don't eat bread hardly at all...I don't put typical "carbs" into my meals, mainly vegetables! Am I the only one who is shocked at how low their protein is? How do you fix it? Do I have to buy protein powder? I find that idea very unappealing, I like to eat natural and grow a lot of what I eat....

Replies

  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    losing has nothing to do with macros, and everything to do with calories in vs calories out..

    If you are not eating in a deficit then you will not lose..

    Do you have a food scale?
    Do you log every piece of food you eat, even alcohol?
    Be careful with MFP database the numbers can be off...I usually use nutritionselfdata.com to cross check..

    more than likely you think you are in deficit and are not..

    Only other thing it could be is water retention...
  • erikalanem
    erikalanem Posts: 48
    Thanks so much for replying! I definitely don't have a food scale... I really thought cutting out junk food would simply have a bigger impact I guess.

    I also wonder about the portions and time of day, I always have breakfast, but usually only eat about half my calories in the day before 5pm so that I can have a normal meal with my family at dinner time... I should probably cut that dinner portion down without changing anything else....

    I will be happy to ignore my macros :)

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