What's more important?

kmillar1224

What's more important - what you eat or how many calories you eat when trying to lose weight?

Sidesteal

What's more important - what you eat or how many calories you eat when trying to lose weight?

Both are important for different reasons.


As it pertains to strictly weight loss and ignoring body composition and overall health, calories are more important.

However, if you're going to ignore body composition and health then you may as well also ignore your weight since you've pretty much given up on life at that point.

EDIT: And obviously when I say "you" I'm not directing it at you. Speaking generally.

kubyshechka

I go for calories. But to be able to eat enough, I have noticed that I pick the healthier foods. I am not big fan of chicken breast but since I started MPF I am eating whole lot of it instead of steaks and burgers. I do love vegetables so I eat salads and steamed veggies with chicken breast. I roast it in the oven on weekend and eat during the week. I put different spices or sauces so it tastes different every time. Once in a while I eat a piece of chocolate or cake. Oh yeah, and I drink a lot less wine too... Empty calories :-(

ArroganceInStep

Both are important for different reasons.


As it pertains to strictly weight loss and ignoring body composition and overall health, calories are more important.

However, if you're going to ignore body composition and health then you may as well also ignore your weight since you've pretty much given up on life at that point.

EDIT: And obviously when I say "you" I'm not directing it at you. Speaking generally.

In other words...'yes'

kmillar1224

Thank you for the replies, it's greatly appreciated!! Just wondering though, how much does carbs play a factor when losing weight? Should I be cutting carbs out? For instance, I eat a slice of toast in the morning and will usually have rice for lunch or dinner or maybe a little pasta, but it's all portion controlled.

Any advice or tips about food you can provide would be wonderful!!

chris1816

Just read this.

All of it.

http://4chanfit.wikia.com/wiki/Harsh's_Worksheet_(WIP)

ArroganceInStep

Thank you for the replies, it's greatly appreciated!! Just wondering though, how much does carbs play a factor when losing weight? Should I be cutting carbs out? For instance, I eat a slice of toast in the morning and will usually have rice for lunch or dinner or maybe a little pasta, but it's all portion controlled.

Any advice or tips about food you can provide would be wonderful!!

Cutting carbs out of your diet can help to regulate insulin and drop water weight, the thing is the second you go back to carbs it all comes back. They are non-necessary in the sense that your body can get by without them (try telling that to my fiancee, I did and she almost stabbed me) but cutting them out isn't a prerequisite to weight loss or a healthy diet. Make sure you get enough protein and fat in your diet and get a healthy deficit (assuming you're trying to lose). Try to eat nutrient dense foods where possible. Whatever leftover calories you have can be whatever you like.

rcthale

Total calories are more important for losing weight. However, if you don't keep track of your carb-protein-fat proportions, you might end up skinny-fat, meaning you will look skinny even if you have a high bodyfat percentage.

kmillar1224

hmmm...skinny-fat? LOL that could be a little better than my already fat-fat ;0) Thanks for all the info...you guys/gals are great help!! HUGS :0)