Do you pay attention to macros?

Itreadlightly

I am not feeling great even eating back most of the exersize calories. I have not paid attention to macros so I looked at my log- and I noticed I usually get more carbs than either fat or protein.
Thoughts?

AmazonMayan

My carbs are usually the higher number naturally. I mostly aim for my protein and fats and let carbs fall where they may.

Need2Exerc1se

I loosely pay attention to macros, but I don't track them or strive to eat the same macro count daily or even weekly. I do think about getting enough protein, not too much fat (things that are problems for me). I don't worry about amount of carbs but I pay great attention to the source of carbs. More vegetables, fruits and fiber rich foods ... that sort of thing.

Warchortle

Tracking macros for a while I found that carbs for me don't make me feel // perform better. Personally, I perform highest with a moderate high amount of fat and protein. The one benefit of tracking macros is you can learn your body a bit more and have more consistency. I think most people could get away just hitting their protein requirement and filling carbs // protein with however they choose.

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juggernaut1974

Pay attention to them? Yes.

Micro analyze them and freak out if I'm 10 grams over on carbs and 3 grams over on fat? No

ForecasterJason

I do to some extent. Lately I've been working to reduce my carb consumption while increasing fat and protein a bit since my blood sugar levels are too high.

whmscll

Adjusting and watching my macros has made a big difference to me. My macros are 30% protein, 30% fat and 40% carbs. Increasing my fat and protein has kept me feeling full longer and not hungry. I'm a carboholic, so paying attention to my macros is important, otherwise I will eat like 60% carbs, which tends to make me want MORE carbs. I don't worry about hitting them EXACTLY, though.

katkins3

No, frankly I never even looked at them.

RoxieDawn

I pay attention to them.. I like to keep my muscles when I'm in a calorie deficit which I am back to doing since receiving unwanted gifts after the holidays...

I workout daily and need my macros to make a certain goal.. Even if I am not trying to loose weight, I still want my nutrition to balance out...

Pawsforme

No, not really. I glance at them occasionally but that's about it. I've pretty much figured out which foods work for me, and I eat that way most of the time and figure it all balances out over time. I'm sure not going to worry about getting X grams of this or that every single day. Life's too short for that.

jemhh

I try to hit at least my minimum on protein and fat. If I'm over, great. Yum. Don't pay attention to carbs.

Lawsey00

Yep - protein, fats, carbs. .....
Different % of everything depending on gym days or rest days

holothuroidea

I only pay attention to make sure I get enough protein (50g for a 149lb female), but that's only because I don't really eat meat.

It is normal and healthy to get most of your calories from carbohydrates, and is very difficult to be deficient in protein or fat as long as you eat a variety of foods.

It's also normal to feel a bit tired or run-down when eating a calorie deficit but if it's affecting your daily quality of life you should look into making sure you're getting sufficient nutrition, especially iron and calcium.

arditarose

Yep. I feel very bad if my fat is too low, I'm usually working on maintaining or building muscle so protein is important there, and carbs have their place as far as sanity (and workouts) go for me.

Michael190lbs

As long as I hit 150 on protein and 50 on fat I'm good with just tracking calories..

nvmomketo

I do but I have specific health and nutrition goals and needs.

AdrianChr92

Only protein really. Once I hit around 140 grams of that the carbs and fat settle just fine. Also fat but to a less intent. Carbs are just here to fill the cals

yesimpson

I keep an eye on protein because I will lag behind with that without being aware of it.
Never have a problem with the fat minimum, and I don't worry what happens with carbs really.

lorrpb

I go by the % to make sure I'm not overdoing carbs. I don't mind a little daily variation and just try to keep within 5% on a weekly basis.

SideSteel

Can you elaborate a bit on how you feel when you say that you aren't feeling great?

FitGirl0123

juggernaut1974 wrote: »

Pay attention to them? Yes.

Micro analyze them and freak out if I'm 10 grams over on carbs and 3 grams over on fat? No

This

Itreadlightly

SideSteel wrote: »

Can you elaborate a bit on how you feel when you say that you aren't feeling great?

Not feeling great is like body uncomfortable and hungry- fighting my body saying it's hungry.

Itreadlightly

arditarose wrote: »

Yep. I feel very bad if my fat is too low, I'm usually working on maintaining or building muscle so protein is important there, and carbs have their place as far as sanity (and workouts) go for me.

My fat is low so that may be what the problem is- easily fixed with some Caesar salad dressing or some real butter or even peanut butter!

_Terrapin_

What sort of exercise do you do and approximately how many calories are you burning? In the past week what is an average day of calories for you?

lemurcat12

juggernaut1974 wrote: »

Pay attention to them? Yes.

Micro analyze them and freak out if I'm 10 grams over on carbs and 3 grams over on fat? No

This. Mostly I have just watched protein and otherwise focused on getting an overall healthful diet without caring much about the carb vs. fat number (although I naturally seemed to fall into a pattern of 40% carbs, 30% fat that worked for me when losing). I'm currently trying out higher carbs because I've read a lot about it helping with training.

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mpat81

I try to always make my protein goal and let the fat and carbs fall where they may. Before I have a snack in the evening I check my macros on mfp. If I still need protein, I eat some.

janicelo1971

YUP! i stopped for the last few months and have gained about 10 pounds after being stable for a few years. thought i could add more carbs, but boy was i wrong! i do MUCH better with lower carbs and higher good fats/protein...that is just me though::)