How important is it to track fat/carb/protein accurately?

bleweydgrl

I am mostly concerned with how this will effect the speed of my weight loss? Up until now I have not paid any attention to these things at all and I have been losing but am wondering if I can do better if I am more careful. I do work out with weights about 3-4 times a week but as I am trying to lose weight and maintain the muscle I have now and cannot gain muscle I am not sure if my protien intake is of any importance really so am more concerned in how to tweak things to lose my 2lbs per week consistantly? Thanks in advance for any advice.

SezxyStef

Yes protien is important, to help repair and maintain LBM.

I try to get in 120g a day based on my BF%...

As for your consistent 2lb a week weight loss might want to change that to 1lb now that you have about 50 to lose...

abatonfan

Honestly, it really doesn't matter. Eating 100 calories of carbohydrates vs. 100 calories of protein vs. 100 calories of fat is still 100 calories of food consumed. The only difference is that you get more "bang for your buck" for carbs and protein, which both allow one gram of themselves for 4-ish calories. One gram of fat is 9-ish calories.

Personally, I am using MFP to track my meals and determine how much insulin I need to take. If I notice that my meal is very high in carbs and fat, such as a slice of pizza, I might take an extra unit of insulin to counteract the fat slowing down the carb absorption. It also helps me to look at the end of the day and see what percentages my macros are, especially if my blood sugars for the day were above or below my targets.

erickirb

Yes protien is important, to help repair and maintain LBM.

I try to get in 120g a day based on my BF%...

As for your consistent 2lb a week weight loss might want to change that to 1lb now that you have about 50 to lose...

^ This, and I agree with the 1lb/week, but at least change to 1.5, as 2lbs/week is ideal with you have 75+ lbs to lose.

OP are you interested in weight loss on the scale, or fat loss? If fat loss is your concern then Macros matter, for just weight loss wont make much of a difference, though at your goal weight you will have a lower BF% if you get adequate protein, and you want to ensure you get a decent amount of fat, as it is very good for hormone function, vitamin absorption, hair, nail, digestive tract health, etc.

bleweydgrl

Ok, lots of interesting info there. I will have to look more closely at my protein and fat intakes I think as I am interested in losing body fat really and I am sure at this point the weight is the same thing. I actually have more than 50 pounds to lose but I set my goal at 180lbs as that is the thinnest I have been in a long time and I was quite happy at that weight but in reality it is still overweight by quite a lot and I will still need to lose another 50 at that point. I want to lower my risks for cancer etc.

bleweydgrl

also, how would I change my mfp settings to adjust my protein targets? I have had 85g today and it is showing me as over my target. Also, what would should my fat and carb targets look like then??

Bry_Fitness70

Honestly, it really doesn't matter. Eating 100 calories of carbohydrates vs. 100 calories of protein vs. 100 calories of fat is still 100 calories of food consumed. The only difference is that you get more "bang for your buck" for carbs and protein, which both allow one gram of themselves for 4-ish calories. One gram of fat is 9-ish calories.

Worst advice ever. Macros are more than just placeholders for calculating calories

Having the proper mix of macros optimizes your nutrition and will lend to having more energy, building muscle more efficiently, losing/maintaining weight, etc. The degree that your appetite is satiated will also be impacted, i.e., cutting out too much fat (because it costs you 9 calories per gram vs. 4 with carbs or protein) will cause you to crave fat and more food in general, even though you may have reached the daily caloric limit that you have imposed upon yourself. So you'll end up walking around hungry or eating beyond your limits, neither of which is a good situation.

bleweydgrl

Good point