Do I really need to worry abiout macros?

cedarghost

The only one I currently worry about is my protein. I'm lifting 3 days a week hardcore and doing HIIT 1 day a week, so I am trying to always hit my protein goal and hit my bodyweight in protein (translated to grams of course) on workout days. For example if you weigh 200 pounds, get 200g of protein.
If I do this, everything else usually falls pretty close to what MFP recommends as I eat healthy 6 days a week. Fish, chicken breast, cottage cheese, oatmeal, tuna, greens, fruit, protein shakes, etc.
Some days I have to eat out or suboptimal, but I try to make the best choices possible on these days and still get at least my protein.
*typo in the title. posting from phone*

californiagirl2012

For weight loss all that matters is a calorie deficit. If you are low on protein one day or another it's not going to matter in the big scheme of things. I'm typically lower on carbs and higher on protein than MFP recommends but you can change that percentage. You only have to make sure you get enough protein and that is especially important because you lift hard. I like lifting hard and vary my routine as well as HIIT running. I typically eat lower than MFP recommends but the key is to find what works for YOU. I've lost weight doing what works for me, and maintained for over a year doing what works for me. It takes experiments to find what works for you. Adjust things as you see fit. You can do this at any age --> http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/740340-i-lost-60-lbs-at-age-51-anyone-can-any-workout

I never really "plan" macros. I just try to mostly eat healthy, incorporate treats into my calorie budget, and eat enough protein and carbs to fuel my workouts and help me sleep good at night at my lower body fat percentage now. Everyone is different. Experiment with what works for you. What works for one person may not be the best for you. This is something you have to learn for yourself. I experimented for a long time until I finally found what works for me and I'm successful.

SideSteel

The only one I currently worry about is my protein. I'm lifting 3 days a week hardcore and doing HIIT 1 day a week, so I am trying to always hit my protein goal and hit my bodyweight in protein (translated to grams of course) on workout days. For example if you weigh 200 pounds, get 200g of protein.
If I do this, everything else usually falls pretty close to what MFP recommends as I eat healthy 6 days a week. Fish, chicken breast, cottage cheese, oatmeal, tuna, greens, fruit, protein shakes, etc.
Some days I have to eat out or suboptimal, but I try to make the best choices possible on these days and still get at least my protein.
*typo in the title. posting from phone*

Generally speaking you should be hitting protein minimums for body composition and you should be hitting fat minimums for physiological reasons. Exceeding these (both of them) should be fine provided that it doesn't put your calories too far beyond your desired goal, and provided that it doesn't push carbs low enough to effect your training.

Macros matter.

CyberEd312

The only one I currently worry about is my protein. I'm lifting 3 days a week hardcore and doing HIIT 1 day a week, so I am trying to always hit my protein goal and hit my bodyweight in protein (translated to grams of course) on workout days. For example if you weigh 200 pounds, get 200g of protein.
If I do this, everything else usually falls pretty close to what MFP recommends as I eat healthy 6 days a week. Fish, chicken breast, cottage cheese, oatmeal, tuna, greens, fruit, protein shakes, etc.
Some days I have to eat out or suboptimal, but I try to make the best choices possible on these days and still get at least my protein.
*typo in the title. posting from phone*

Generally speaking you should be hitting protein minimums for body composition and you should be hitting fat minimums for physiological reasons. Exceeding these (both of them) should be fine provided that it doesn't put your calories too far beyond your desired goal, and provided that it doesn't push carbs low enough to effect your training.

Macros matter.

Agreed!

Macro's play an important roll in overall composition and it has a lot to do with what your goals entail. I have been in a caloric deficit for the last 39 months (losing 311 lbs.) and my macro's have been set (50% Carbs 25% Protein 25% Fats) my workouts have always been cardio heavy while also lifting 3 days a week. Now that I am on the other side of surgery (body lift) and will be eating at maintenance for a while I will be adjusting my macro's and upping my Protein and Lowering my carbs, as well as lowering my cardio and increasing my weight training. It is a balancing act that you will need to adjust for your own personal goals... Everybody can use these macro's as a basis but then at that point you need to tweak things to suit your goals.... Best of Luck....

ArroganceInStep

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