Would you keep eating?

cthakkar1985

Currently trying to lose fat/retain muscle. Daily calorie goal is 2,000 and protein goal is ~150 grams.

Let's say that for some reason I got to 2,000 calories for the day, but fell short of my protein goal (example - only 100 grams protein so far).

In this scenario, would you stop eating (since you've reached your 2,000 calories), or would you eat more protein and get closer to your protein goal?

People always emphasize how important it is to reach your protein goal for the day, but is it worth to go over your daily calorie goal to reach it?

PaulaWallaDingDong

I wouldn't keep eating, but if it's something worth stressing about, I'd try to plan out the next day a bit better.

z4oslo

My advice is this:
Dont treat weight loss as a science project.
It will leave you with more questions than answers.

The only thing you need to know is that you have to burn more calories than you eat, and the best way to do this imo, is to eat (less) move (more) and sleep.

This always works, and worked long before we had pulse watches, apps for tracking calories and even the mighty internet itself.

Keep it simple and you will find this soo much easier.

StealthHealth

In your instance I'd stop eating at 2000 but I would also ensure that I hit my protein target the following day.

Note: to retain muscle during a deficit Strength Training is highly recommended.

Grey_1

OP, we have the same macro it appears, and I seem to have the same problem hitting my protein numbers every day. Personally, I'm doing what z4oslo stated, keeping my calories in lower. I just need to take in more protein rich foods.

chunkytfg

You can wing it with your food when you have 2K a day to eat but the minute you start being more specific on other totals on top of the basic calorie intake surely a bit better planning would be required?

HeliumIsNoble

It would depend on how I/the program had arrived at the initially calculated protein recommendation, whether I thought it was an optimal recommendation or a minimum threshold, and how much protein I'd consumed in the last few days.

There have been times when I have chosen to keep eating in order to reach my day's protein goal because I thought that was the better decision in the long-term (health, appearance, vanity over hard-won muscle), and times I have just resolved to make different choices the next day because I thought that was the better decision (health, appearance, vanity, concern for my joints!).

cthakkar1985

Thanks all for the tips. After getting feedback from lots of people, here's what I think is the best option -

If I trained that day (lifted weights), then I'd go ahead and try to get closer to my protein goal (for muscle repair/recovery), but if it is a rest day or I just did cardio, I'll stop eating.