Do I have to follow the macros to get the results or can I just follow the calories

mayaxx21

My question is this, for x amount of calories it breaks down the micros. I was wondering if I could just eat the calorie amount (healthy foods) and avoid counting the macros to get the same results.
Possible to lose 15lbs by the end of February eating 1150 calories?

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AnnPT77

Fat loss is all about the calories, directly. Nutrition is only important if a person wants to be healthy, energetic, fit and that sort of thing, rather than just skinny. Nutrition can have an indirect effect on fat loss if eating poorly enough to tank energy or spike appetite so hard one can't stick to calorie goal. Whether focusing on "healthy food" will avoid negative consequences depends on what the food is: "Healthy" is not really a characteristic of individual foods, more about a total eating routine.

MFP will never give a woman as few as 1150 calories per day. Where did that come from? For most people, that would be very low, unless they're quite old, inactive and petite. 15 pounds by the end of February, which is around 6 weeks, would mean losing about 2.5 pounds a week. That's IMO not a health-promoting loss rate, unless the person is well over 250 pounds or so pounds to start.

We can't possibly give you a reading on whether 1150 would likely be a 1250 daily calorie deficit for you without knowing your age, sex, weight, height, and activity level at least. (A daily deficit of 1250 is required to lose 2.5 pounds a week.)

Good luck, sincerely.

neanderthin

Well, your going to have to address the macros regardless simply because we don't eat calories, we eat food.

shawks3645

I think if you eat more protein, it helps reduce your appetite whereas carbs make you hungry so the macros are a good guide.

maube757

You have to do both. It’s all about balance. When people talk about a good “macro” food or meal, it’s about getting the most bang for your buck. So you want a meal or snack that hits your protein/carb/fat ratio staying under your calorie deficit. You need to be about 200-250 calories under your BMR to loose weight. You could eat a fast food meal and hit your protein, but then be way over carbs/fat, not to mention calories. So example, 1 cup of non-fat Greek yogurt with a cup of blueberries and a tablespoon of chia seeds would be 23g protein, 16 carbs, and 4g fat. All under 200 calories. Just stay consistent and follow the app. It takes time and consistency to see results. Good luck on your fitness journey!

cmriverside

maube757 wrote: »

You have to do both. It’s all about balance. When people talk about a good “macro” food or meal, it’s about getting the most bang for your buck. So you want a meal or snack that hits your protein/carb/fat ratio staying under your calorie deficit. You need to be about 200-250 calories under your BMR to loose weight. You could eat a fast food meal and hit your protein, but then be way over carbs/fat, not to mention calories. So example, 1 cup of non-fat Greek yogurt with a cup of blueberries and a tablespoon of chia seeds would be 23g protein, 16 carbs, and 4g fat. All under 200 calories. Just stay consistent and follow the app. It takes time and consistency to see results. Good luck on your fitness journey!

It's not a deficit under your BMR. It's a deficit under your Total Daily Energy Expenditure. (TDEE)

BMR is the amount of food you'd need if you stayed in bed all day. Obviously none of us do that. Maybe get your terms sorted ? :flowerforyou:

elisa123gal

your answer is no.. just eat the caloires you factored in to lose the amount you want. If you feel super hungry.. you may want to up your protien. But that is your choice. I notice that people here get into macros once they've mastered losing weight and are well on their way.
Their shift seems to move from losing weight to getting fit and healthy and that's when the macros come into play. .