Macros

MicahWells2015

So I've starting to get use to eating the amount of calories to gain weight and I was wondering how important are macros when gaining? I've been watching them on MFP and getting relatively close to the right percentage everyday but some time I have to drink an extra protein shake or eat four slices of toast and jam instead of a real meal to make sure my protein or carbs is in balance. So should I worry about keeping them in perfect balance when gaining or use them more as guidelines?

Rusty740

Guidelinieish, if that makes sense.

You should try to make them, but if you miss, it's not the end of the world. Macros probably account for 10-25% of your success.

sgt1372

I don't think there's any way to measure "how much" macros MATTER or contribute to weight loss, gain or maintenance BUT they do MATTER.

I don't you need to slavishly restrict yourself to particular macro goals but you should have specific goals based on your objectives.

In my case, my macro goals are 40P/40C/20F on a currently 2000 cal daily diet. I have used these macros for weight loss and maintenance successfully over 14 months. My "average" macros over this time period has been closer to 36P/39C/25F, but I have lost and maintained weight nonetheless, while also increasing LBM and reducing BF which were also my objectives.

MicahWells2015

sgt1372 wrote: »

I don't think there's any way to measure "how much" macros MATTER or contribute to weight loss, gain or maintenance BUT they do MATTER.

I don't you need to slavishly restrict yourself to particular macro goals but you should have specific goals based on your objectives.

In my case, my macro goals are 40P/40C/20F on a currently 2000 cal daily diet. I have used these macros for weight loss and maintenance successfully over 14 months. My "average" macros over this time period has been closer to 36P/39C/25F, but I have lost and maintained weight nonetheless, while also increasing LBM and reducing BF which were also my objectives.

Alright but like for breakfast I like to eat four scrambled eggs, two slices of toast with PB and a bowl of oatmeal with walnuts. My fat and carbs are like 96% with protein at like 4%. Then for the rest of the day I'm pretty much drinking protein and eating baked chicken with all the fat cut off just to balance everything. Is it ok to have a lower protein percentage and still gain weight? I try and keep my percentages at 45c 25p 30f and I eat about 3500 cals without any cardio.

skymningen

It is okay, but it will make that weight be more likely to be fat and less likely to be muscle. Because you cannot build muscle from fats.

rheddmobile

If you're trying to build muscle, getting enough protein isn't optional. There's some disagreement about what constitutes enough, and everything else is flexible, but your body can't build muscle without building blocks, and that means protein.

Is there some reason you can't drop some of the fats from breakfast and add protein? Eggs are fairly low in protein and nuts are mostly fat.

sardelsa

In order to build muscle, yes, macros are important. Protein contains the building blocks for muscle, adequate fat supports processes like hormone function, and a certain amount of carbs can be beneficial to move the whole thing along, However... the main driving force whether you are cutting, maintaining or bulking will ultimately be the calories you are taking in.

However, as long as you are hitting the minimums, roughly, I think you would be fine. I ran an intuitive bulk where I didn't track anything, there is no way I was hitting my macros dead on everyday, but as long as I got adequate protein and fat, I was good.

ck2d

Add protein powder to your oatmeal to bulk it up.