Priority on Calories or Macros?

Spokez70

Just wondering what is the best approach if you are cutting and find yourself out of calories and under on protein? This year I have really been trying to concentrate on hitting the 1 g/lb of LBM minimum thing every day but sometimes the only way is to go over on calories. Obviously better planning is preferred- but when that’s out the window- which is the lesser of two evils? Do you ever intentionally go over on calories just to do better on a macro? protein or anything else?

Sarauk2sf

The answer is 'depends' tbh. How much under, how much over and what the rest of your week looks like.

I am pretty anal at pre-planning but I always make sure to hit my protein, even at the expense of calories. You are at a deficit anyway so going over on calories every now and again is not a big deal and can also be made up through the rest of the week if desired.

ArroganceInStep

If you don't mind having the same basic thing on a regular basis it might help you to look at eating from a standpoint where you hit everything you need first, and then have 'free' calories later in the day. That's what I do anyway. Yesterday, for example, I had a 40oz chicken with chili garlic sauce when I broke my fast at lunch time. Protein and fat req's for the day fulfilled. Then I had 800 calories to do whatever with, so I had some pizza and ice cream for dinner.

Babsvii

good question i was also going to ask this but on the other spectrum... how about if you are eating or trying to eat at a surplus to gain muscle... is it better to try and hit your calorie goal and not worry so much about macros as long as you are hitting your protein? i tend to run out of Carbs and sometimes have 100-300 calories left at the end of the day but im already maxed out on carbs and fat. If you were hungry would you eat over the macros and get that last meal in?

HeidiMightyRawr

If I'm very under my protein goal, then I will go over calories to hit closer to target. Then I will plan better next time!

If I'm under my protein, but not drastically so, then I'll probably just leave it.

Eg: Goal is around 150g. I prefer at least 130, but in certain circumstances I will go as low as 110-120 (I'm falling asleep...run out of protein powder...quite a bit over on cals already...)

ArroganceInStep

good question i was also going to ask this but on the other spectrum... how about if you are eating or trying to eat at a surplus to gain muscle... is it better to try and hit your calorie goal and not worry so much about macros as long as you are hitting your protein? i tend to run out of Carbs and sometimes have 100-300 calories left at the end of the day but im already maxed out on carbs and fat. If you were hungry would you eat over the macros and get that last meal in?

Why are you giving yourself maximums on a bulk? Shouldn't you be looking at minimums?

Babsvii

good question i was also going to ask this but on the other spectrum... how about if you are eating or trying to eat at a surplus to gain muscle... is it better to try and hit your calorie goal and not worry so much about macros as long as you are hitting your protein? i tend to run out of Carbs and sometimes have 100-300 calories left at the end of the day but im already maxed out on carbs and fat. If you were hungry would you eat over the macros and get that last meal in?

Why are you giving yourself maximums on a bulk? Shouldn't you be looking at minimums?

i have my calories set to 350 over maintenance with my macros set to 40c/30f/30p i know what my minimums are for protein and fat and i always go over them but i didnt know if its good to go over carbs... should i not worry about that? that is why i was asking.

ETA: if i have calories still left over at the end of the day (havent hit my calorie goal) should my macros go out the window so i can hit them?

ArroganceInStep

i have my calories set to 350 over maintenance with my macros set to 40c/30f/30p i know what my minimums are for protein and fat and i always go over them but i didnt know if its good to go over carbs... should i not worry about that? that is why i was asking.

ETA: if i have calories still left over at the end of the day (havent hit my calorie goal) should my macros go out the window so i can hit them?

I don't think you need to worry about going over, just hitting your minimums and making your calorie target.

Babsvii

i have my calories set to 350 over maintenance with my macros set to 40c/30f/30p i know what my minimums are for protein and fat and i always go over them but i didnt know if its good to go over carbs... should i not worry about that? that is why i was asking.

ETA: if i have calories still left over at the end of the day (havent hit my calorie goal) should my macros go out the window so i can hit them?

I don't think you need to worry about going over, just hitting your minimums and making your calorie target.

Thank you... of course if i can plan for them all to line up that would be idea but knowing i shouldnt worry too much about the macros and more about hitting my calories makes a huge difference for me.

Sarauk2sf

i have my calories set to 350 over maintenance with my macros set to 40c/30f/30p i know what my minimums are for protein and fat and i always go over them but i didnt know if its good to go over carbs... should i not worry about that? that is why i was asking.

ETA: if i have calories still left over at the end of the day (havent hit my calorie goal) should my macros go out the window so i can hit them?

I don't think you need to worry about going over, just hitting your minimums and making your calorie target.

Thank you... of course if i can plan for them all to line up that would be idea but knowing i shouldnt worry too much about the macros and more about hitting my calories makes a huge difference for me.

Fats and protein are minimums whether on a cut or a bulk.

Babsvii

i have my calories set to 350 over maintenance with my macros set to 40c/30f/30p i know what my minimums are for protein and fat and i always go over them but i didnt know if its good to go over carbs... should i not worry about that? that is why i was asking.

ETA: if i have calories still left over at the end of the day (havent hit my calorie goal) should my macros go out the window so i can hit them?

I don't think you need to worry about going over, just hitting your minimums and making your calorie target.

Thank you... of course if i can plan for them all to line up that would be idea but knowing i shouldnt worry too much about the macros and more about hitting my calories makes a huge difference for me.

Fats and protein are minimums whether on a cut or a bulk.

Thanks

Spokez70

The answer is 'depends' tbh. How much under, how much over and what the rest of your week looks like.

I am pretty anal at pre-planning but I always make sure to hit my protein, even at the expense of calories. You are at a deficit anyway so going over on calories every now and again is not a big deal and can also be made up through the rest of the week if desired.

Good advice I think- I do tend to look at each day more than I do the week a a whole. Thanks.

Spokez70

If you don't mind having the same basic thing on a regular basis it might help you to look at eating from a standpoint where you hit everything you need first, and then have 'free' calories later in the day. That's what I do anyway. Yesterday, for example, I had a 40oz chicken with chili garlic sauce when I broke my fast at lunch time. Protein and fat req's for the day fulfilled. Then I had 800 calories to do whatever with, so I had some pizza and ice cream for dinner.

I eat fairly repetitively for breakfast- lunch is what usually what throws me a curve ball since part of my job is taking out clients a few days a week- typically to someplace of their choosing. And of course while I’m there I’m supposed to be focusing on them and not the MFP app trying to figure out what the heck I should order lol.