MFP default vs macro calculators

Graciefab

Have you lost a lot of weight using mfp? If so, did you use a macro calculator to decide your caloric intake or did you use the numbers given by mfp?

cmriverside

I lost 60+ lbs and have kept it off for nine years using MFP's macros and their daily calorie recommendations.The numbers have worked for me fairly well; give or take a couple hundred here and there. I figure I make errors, too. I do try to hit my protein goal every day, and if I can cut a few carbs I do. I don't worry one way or the other about fats.

Graciefab

Thank you! How long did it take you to lose the 60 using their numbers? And how many pounds did you set it to lose a week?

cmriverside

In the beginning I set it to lose 2 lbs a week. That only gave me 1200 cals. That worked for a while until I got too hungry and fatigued. I raised my cals to 1500-1600 for the last 30 lbs. I always ate the additional calories given by exercise, too. Most days I was eating more like 1800-1900 - including exercise cals.

I think the most important thing is to keep good records. I logged everything, even on those whole-package-of-cookies days. It helps when I can see actual numbers to work with.

cmriverside

Oh...It took me about 7 months.

Graciefab

Thank you! Very inspirational!

ashleyjongepier

I've lost around 150 lbs with MFP. I started out using the numbers they gave me + my workout cals. I don't really bother with macros right now, I make sure I hit my protein but thats about it.

kshama2001

The first time I used MFP, in 2012, I just used the default macros: 50% from carbohydrates, 20% from protein and 30% from fat.. This time around, I reduced my carbs and upped my protein and found this combo fills me up better, thus making it easier for me to stick to a calorie deficit.

When a meal doesn't have meat in it, I look at the ratios to see if I need to add protein.