IS IT NECESSARY TO WATCH YOUR MACROS IN ORDER TO LOSE WEIGHT

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Replies

  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    Calories = weight loss
    Macros = body composition (protein), healthy body functions (fat) and energy (carbs)

    Oh Sara I could not of said it better myself... I follow this to the letter... I maintain a good over caloric intake with a modest deficit to lose weight while tracking my 3 main macro's = Carbs, Proteins, and Fat's.....
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    No it is not necessary.

    But, there are benefits, and MFP tracks it automatically, so it doesn't make sense to me to NOT track it.

    This.

    And it is not necessary to make your title all caps to get us to answer you

    a564e11f_tumblr_m3b21iI9Ur1rv3ch6o1_400_zps1c9ebbfa.gif

    QFT
  • WhoIsAmber
    WhoIsAmber Posts: 161 Member
    I used to obsess over getting enough protein, as most people do... but now I don't really keep track of any of my macros, just my calories. As I get closer to my goal weight, I might keep better track of macros for better body composition, but body recomp isn't my goal right now, it's getting all this fat off me first.
  • DamnImASexyBitch
    DamnImASexyBitch Posts: 740 Member
    I try but I don't succeed all the time. Calories are the most important to me though. I've lost 35lbs and counting.
  • Sweet_Pea0107
    Sweet_Pea0107 Posts: 90
    I feel like you're missing the bigger picture if you don't focus on Macros. You can obviously lose weight by watching calories, but isn't the overall goal to be healthy?


    You would think the overall goal would be to get healthy, but apparently a lot of people here have chosen vanity as their number one reason for weightloss.


    To answer the op: If all you care about is the number on the scale and pant size then calories are all that matter. If you are wanting more than weightloss macros are important and yes part of the bigger picture.
  • mrshill2007
    mrshill2007 Posts: 78 Member
    No it is not necessary.

    But, there are benefits, and MFP tracks it automatically, so it doesn't make sense to me to NOT track it.

    This.

    And it is not necessary to make your title all caps to get us to answer you

    a564e11f_tumblr_m3b21iI9Ur1rv3ch6o1_400_zps1c9ebbfa.gif

    QFT

    Didnt know it was all caps...but if it offended you...your fault...
  • aimeeernest
    aimeeernest Posts: 159 Member
    I make an effort to keep those in line / fulfilled, because I don't want to look "skinny".... I want to look "awesome".

    There are plenty of unhealthy ways to lose weight. I want to do it the healthy way.
  • lina1131
    lina1131 Posts: 2,246 Member
    I lost 50 lbs 2 years ago (then I had a baby, which is why i'm back to losing again) and did not worry about anything but calories.
  • bluefox9er
    bluefox9er Posts: 2,917 Member
    I do not watch my macros, and I have lost just fine. I make a conscious effort to eat enough protein, but other than that, I don't pay too much attention. I am sure there are good reasons to watch them, but I haven't really.

    same here, to the letter..the only macro I watch is protein..I lost all of my weight just watching calories and nothing else, but I am training for a marathon now and need to get the right amount of carbs and protien
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,262 Member
    To lose weight? No. To be healthy? Yes.

    Not true. I remained healthy for half a century without ever tracking a macro. And for most of that time I was slim and fit as well.
    You took that out of context, that's not what was meant. Calories have nothing to do with health.......they're just a unit of energy.
  • BobSassafrass
    BobSassafrass Posts: 85 Member
    It was my experience that watching calories resulted in a natural reduction of carbs and fat because I like bigger portions and low-cal big portions usually involve lots of veggies. But this also resulted in sub optimal protein levels. So like others I do watch protein now, especially since I'm trying to tone. Other than that I attempt to reduce sodium but usually fail.
  • MochaMixAZ
    MochaMixAZ Posts: 844 Member
    Absolutely not necessary to lose weight. If you're trying to achieve other goals, perhaps.
  • vmekash
    vmekash Posts: 422 Member
    I just watch calories in and out, trying to get close to my net goal ea. day. While I'm at it, I try to get most -- certainly not all -- of my calories from reasonably healthy food. And I don't mean I sit here eating carots and beans all day. :tongue:
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    No it is not necessary.

    But, there are benefits, and MFP tracks it automatically, so it doesn't make sense to me to NOT track it.

    This ^^ . If you are going to take the time to input all your food, why not see the whole picture? I wouldn't obsess over it, but it is nice information to have.

    ^^ Definitely

    I make a conscious effort to get enough protein and stay under 2000 calories, but I get plenty of fat and carbs without trying.
  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    Not to lose weight, but I think it is important to follow a balanced diet for life.

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