What's your focus? Cals or Macros?

3foldchord

I can only seem to get one or the other to 'look good'.
If my Macros look good=my calories are too low,
if my calories look good = my Macros are way too high.

Which is more important ?

(I guess some people are super awesome and have BOTH looking good, I am not super awesome. I am only marginally awesome)

Chief_Rocka

Both. Cals are a "target," macros are a "minimum."

Erienneb

I really only pay attention to cals and sodium (because my family has a history of high blood pressure). I usually do ok with carbs but am always way over on protein and sugar is all over.

csuhar

My primary focus is calories. But I also notice that, when it comes to Macros, if I try to make sure my meals and recipies aren't heavy in one direction or another, my macros tend to take care of themselves. I'm usually within 5% of my targets.

CincinnatiDEIFan

I started slow.

At first only logged and didn't care about anything.
Then portion control slowly.
Now I am worried mainly about calories.
Eventually Ill worry about the others as I gain endurance/strength in Cardio/Strenth at the gym.

:-)

nikinyx6

Right now calories and protein are where I'm focusing...Still trying to get that uber-perfect balance

secretlobster

Calories. Macros are easier for me to hit because the types of food I eat, in general, don't change much

catholic_chick

Macros. If my carbs or protein are too high, I gain weight. The calories seem to take care of themselves.

DenyseMarieL

I just worry about calories and fibre. If I am eating the right things, my fat, salt, sugar etc will sort of balance out. But I need to eat the fibre. These pipes don't function well without it!

3foldchord

Right now calories and protein are where I'm focusing...Still trying to get that uber-perfect balance

I want uber-perfect balance......

I was doing OK when focused on Cals and Protein, then decided to add carbs into the mix.... not a good idea for me yet, I guess.

I lean towards macros- being my focus getting enough protein and not too many carbs.

sandobr1

For me mainly calories, and living with acceptable portion sizes. Carbs are something I do need to reign in so I do eyeball that some.

Akimajuktuq

My macro ratio matters the most to me. I eat high fat, moderate protein, and low carb. But I've noticed that my allowable macros don't match the calories so that's a problem with MFP, not me, but I still love it here.

I've been having some difficulty getting my calories up lately, even though my diet is fat based. My food is satisfying and I want to eat only when I am hungry because I used to be controlled by cravings and binging. However, I also don't agree that it will benefit me long term to eat consistently under 1200 calories. Yeah, strange complaint, I know.

harlanJEN

Depends on your goals.


I have a calorie target, but it's important to me to meet my protein macro. So .. I focus on getting my protein in, the other macros fall into place. Over time, you get into the groove and don't even really pay attention all that much - just happens. At least it does for me.
I eat very little processed foods - so the empty processed sugar/carb calories don't "muck up my macro works" : )

lizziebeth1028

I focus on calories and protein and try to eat as healthy as possible. I don't worry if I've gone over a little bit on fat or carbs.

sweetpea129

I do watch both but in the end cals are more important to me.

Goal_Driven

I really try to focus on both.. I guess right now, I'm focusing on my macros the most.. fats, sugars, protein, carbs and sodium. I'm always good on my fiber which is also something I look at for. But Cal's usually always fall into place.. a bit on the low side most of the time though.

coolraul07

:ohwell: Short answer: I track 6 items - potassium, protein, and fiber are "floors" and the rest are "ceilings".

Background:
Before using MFP, I mentally (loosely) tracked only calories and sodium. That and cardio via treadmill allowed me to lose 20lbs in 4 months before deliberately plateauing for 2 months. I joined MFP and now I also track fat, potassium, protein, and fiber. I lost another 10 lbs in the first 2 weeks. :bigsmile:
If asked a couple of months ago, I would've guessed that I was naturally high carb/protein and low fat/fiber; I was only half-right. It turned out that I rarely hit my carb ceiling and struggled to hit my protein/fiber/potassium floors. :noway: I supplement my diet with V-8 juice (potassium) and bars/powders for fiber/protein. Even with daily logging, it's not uncommon for me to be way low on protein and fiber after dinner. This is especially true when I "earn" extra calories via exercise because that also increase those floors. (I wish I could increase my sodium ceiling as easily!) That's when I reach for the aformentioned items to top-off before bed. I got tired of thawing/cooking a chicken breast at 11pm to make up the difference! :laugh:
I pretty much ignore carbs because I rarely go over, as well as vit/min because I'm usually at 200% or more for each.

krickeyuu

Calories, mostly, for weight loss. As far as macros go, I really only monitor fat, protein, soduim and fiber. Family history of heart disease and HBP, so I really try not to go over on sat. fat and soduim. No history of diabetes so I don't pay much attention to sugar or carbs. I try to get enough protein and to meet a daily fiber intake of 28g or more. I also work hard to get 6-8 8oz. glasses of water and/or green tea, especially if I do go over my sodium macro (1600mg). This may change once I go on Maintenance--only a few more pounds to go.

mmapags

I want uber-perfect balance......

I was doing OK when focused on Cals and Protein, then decided to add carbs into the mix.... not a good idea for me yet, I guess.

I lean towards macros- being my focus getting enough protein and not too many carbs.

Calories for weight loss, macros for health and maintainence of lean muscle mass. You will never get "uber-perfect balance" on macros as the nutritional data is user entered and will never be 100% correct. It is also just not that critical. If you are "in the ballpark" on your macros, you are fine. Don't make yourself crazy getting all OCD or perfectionistic about it.

emotionalharlequin

Both balance each other for me -- calories stop me from binging and macros help me consume the right foods and stop me from eating my daily calories in chocolate and biscuits! 0.0

3foldchord

Both balance each other for me -- calories stop me from binging and macros help me consume the right foods and stop me from eating my daily calories in chocolate and biscuits! 0.0

I think "Dark Chocolate" should be one of my Macros.

Akimajuktuq

Calories, mostly, for weight loss. As far as macros go, I really only monitor fat, protein, soduim and fiber. Family history of heart disease and HBP, so I really try not to go over on sat. fat and soduim. No history of diabetes so I don't pay much attention to sugar or carbs. I try to get enough protein and to meet a daily fiber intake of 28g or more. I also work hard to get 6-8 8oz. glasses of water and/or green tea, especially if I do go over my sodium macro (1600mg). This may change once I go on Maintenance--only a few more pounds to go.

Just friendly advice: you should continue researching issues related to HBP and heart disease, and health in general. Fat has been demonized while grains have been praised. There is evidence to support that they've got it backwards. Sugar and carbs bear monitoring, diabetes or not. Especially if one eats a lot of processed foods.