MFP goals vs. manually set goals

beckymlong
beckymlong Posts: 111 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I've been playing with my goals and macros and now do not know if I've done the right thing, mfp goals are much higher than I'd set myself with only a deficit of 200 calories. In addition the protein. % is way out for the mfp recommended goals (not high enough according to lbm) what's the general consensus diy or trust in mfp?

Replies

  • froeschli
    froeschli Posts: 1,293 Member
    all depends on what you want to achieve - as far as i know, many people set custom macros.
    my current setting is 40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat (as recommended in the NROL4W book) - i usually shoot over on the fat, and under on the carbs, but as long as i get my protein i am not all that fussed...
    as for the calorie recommendation - you're on your own there. last year i lost weight steadily at 1500 plus eating back my running calories. this year i am starving at 1850 - ever since i started lifting. so i usually end up eating more, but as long as i am not gaining weight, that's ok with me, for now.
    i'd say pick a goal, and stick with it over a month or three, see how it works out, and adjust accordingly.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    A properly set MFP calorie goal should end up being similar to a properly set self calorie goal IF you have done your research correctly and include the exercise calories that you should eat back with MFP. As for macros, those are less important for weight loss than the calorie goal unless you have certain metabolism issues, blood sugar issues, or specific fitness goals.
  • maybeazure
    maybeazure Posts: 301 Member
    I think MFP generally goes by the CDC recommendations, as far as percentage of carbs, protein, etc. For calories they won't go below 1200, even if that isn't much of a deficit.

    Nutritionists and doctors and don't always agree completely about how much of what you should or shouldn't eat. So I figure do what you want unless it is really weird.

    Personally, I have increased my protein and fiber goals, because those are two things that are supposed to make you feel fuller, and I completely took off sugar because it was always in the red even if all I had with sugar in it was fruit and carrots. That annoyed me.
  • AJ_G
    AJ_G Posts: 4,158 Member
    Definitely set custom goals. The MFP default goals are the same as the RDA, which is a joke, protein is waaay too low. I believe MFP has protein set to 15% which first off percentages should never be used because your body requires a minimum mass of a macro, for example, my protein minimum is 150g per day, and my fat minimum is 74g per day, both calculated based on my body weight. Everybody should consume a minimum of .82g/lb of body weight of protein and .4g/lb of body weight of fat every day. There is no minimum for carbs because they are not essential to bodily function, but they are important for energy. Basically, hit your protein and fat minimums every day and fill up the rest of your calories with carbs, or a mixture of carbs/protein/fat. There is no maximum for protein and fat, as long as you don't go over your daily caloric goal. Good luck
  • beckymlong
    beckymlong Posts: 111 Member
    Ok, thanks for your replies I was always concerned my fat was too high I've set macros so that protein is close to 108 what I need for lbm stats...

Categories