Do macros really matter?

rachelpower82

Im struggling. Even when I stay within my daily cals I dont seem to lose weight. As I have pcos should I be looking into macros more? If so, can anyone help as I dont uderstand them. Thanks

Spliner1969

If you're staying within your set calorie goals and you aren't losing weight then one of several things is wrong:

1) You have not given it enough time? How long have you been at it?
2) You're not weighing your foods with a food scale, estimating and using cups/spoons does not work.
3) You have set your daily calorie goals wrong
4) You are over-estimating your exercise calories and eating them back which negates your losses.

It's most likely one of those things. Macros matter to an extent, but only for your health, or specific goals. Weight loss in general is done by restricting calories. Try to stay within your macros, but DO stay within your calorie goals.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

rachelpower82

Thanks both.
I dont weigh food at the moment so ive prob under guess-timated cals along the way

Soccermavrick

Spliner pretty much answered the question.

But I will ask have you taken measurements? Because the scale is part of it, but our bodies do change and depending on how, measurements might be reflecting part of it the scale is not.

But I would go back and take a second or third look at your recommended calories and start there. If weight loss were simple, it would not be a Billion Dollar industry for so many companies.

Spliner1969

Set yourself for a 1lb/wk loss. If you want to lose more, do it through exercise, that's the healthy way (in my opinion). But do go get a food scale it'll make a difference. They are cheap on Amazon.

kiyorasetsuna3

More protein for weigt loss, less carbs

Tacklewasher

kiyorasetsuna3 wrote: »

More protein for weigt loss, less carbs

No.

donjtomasco

Sodium could be the only macro that could blow you up on the scale. This might hit people differently, I know for me if I eat food today that is loaded with sodium (a surprise food that I so far did not know was a 'sodium bomb'), I will weight 2 pounds more tomorrow morning, no matter how much water I drink today to 'flush' out the sodium. It takes my body at least two days to flush out the sodium. Age might be a factor to sodium too, but that I am not sure.

Spliner1969

donjtomasco wrote: »

Sodium could be the only macro that could blow you up on the scale. This might hit people differently, I know for me if I eat food today that is loaded with sodium (a surprise food that I so far did not know was a 'sodium bomb'), I will weight 2 pounds more tomorrow morning, no matter how much water I drink today to 'flush' out the sodium. It takes my body at least two days to flush out the sodium. Age might be a factor to sodium too, but that I am not sure.

This happens to me usually at the first of the week after the weekend. I generally eat a lot of BBQ, salted foods, etc. on the weekends and it'll cause water weight gain on Mondays through almost Wednesday. Longer if I don't cut down on the sodium. That's why I generally don't weigh in until Thursdays.

quiksylver296

kiyorasetsuna3 wrote: »

More protein Decrease calories for weight loss, less carbs

FTFY

SolotoCEO

For strictly weight loss - macros only matter slightly. Some bodies handle carbs, proteins, fats, differently. Weight loss is the deficit of calories. However, for overall health, macros become more prominent in the picture.

CafeRacer808

donjtomasco wrote: »

Sodium could be the only macro that could blow you up on the scale. This might hit people differently, I know for me if I eat food today that is loaded with sodium (a surprise food that I so far did not know was a 'sodium bomb'), I will weight 2 pounds more tomorrow morning, no matter how much water I drink today to 'flush' out the sodium. It takes my body at least two days to flush out the sodium. Age might be a factor to sodium too, but that I am not sure.

Except sodium is a micronutrient and the weight gain that comes from increased sodium intake is water weight (which I'm sure you know...just pointing it out for the OP). It's important to remember that weight loss isn't about reducing the amount of water our bodies retain. It's about reducing body fat, and that's all about a calorie deficit.

And about macros specifically - while it's true that macros don't have a direct impact on weight loss, specific macros can play a role in satiety/hunger management. If sticking to your calorie deficit starts to become too difficult, it'd be a good idea to start paying attention to which macro(s) satiate you the most so that you can incorporate more of those foods into your diet.

Afura

rachelpower82 wrote: »

Thanks both.
I dont weigh food at the moment so ive prob under guess-timated cals along the way

Usually the reverse is true, unfortunately.
Macros are important if you're doing things where you need to ensure you are getting optimal use of your calories (athletes, people who are lifting, etc) or if there are medical issues (diabetes, high blood pressure). Otherwise I use them as a guide, but not a hard fast rule as long as I'm under calories (for losing weight).

crzycatlady1

rachelpower82 wrote: »

Thanks both.
I dont weigh food at the moment so ive prob under guess-timated cals along the way

You just answered your own question right here. Get a food scale and start using it!