Calculating Macros?

The dietician hasn't responded to me yet, but I will try her again. I got pregnant shortly after the surgery. Big no-no, but everything turned out fine. I think I'm confused about what macros are, but if they are the percentage of protein, fat, and carbs to eat then yes that's what I'm looking for in order to effectively shed body fat.

OK - got you.

Yes, macronutrients (macros) are protein, fat and carbohydrates.

You need protein for building (and repairing) muscle. Fat is required for hormone synthesis and brain function. Carbs are for energy (complex carbs are slower to break down than simple carbs like table sugar), although protein and fat can be used for energy too. In fact, we could live without carbs (though I don't recommend it) but not without fats or protein.


To shed body *weight*, eat less calories than you use. The exact amount should be based on what your dietician tells you - having had surgery and a baby I'm not sure what to tell you there.

However, to make sure the weight you lose is *fat* and not fat + muscle, incorporate resistance training into your routine. i.e. lift weights! The DVD's will help, but not as well as weights.


You really just need to make sure you are eating enough protein and fat, and then fill in with carbs. There is no magic ratio, although 1 g protein per lb lean body mass is optimal to maintain and build muscle, and about 0.4 g fat per lb lbm is often cited as the minimum amount of fat you should eat.

I thought paleo was supposed to take care of the whole ratio thing though?

hi, i just found your post while googling. so far you're the ONLY thing i've found mentioning WLS and macros. i just started counting my macros and i'm finding it super hard to get all my calories in. its really hard. i feel like i can only physically eat so much. i wish there was more info out there for people who have had WLS to do this. i should mention i got the sleeve in 2010, lost 90lbs and then had a baby in 2012. now that he's over a year old i feel like i can get serious about my health again. i have a couple friends who've had lots of success counting macros. but neither had WLS. i feel like people in this community will judge me or think of me as a failure or taking a short cut. i'm not a failure. i needed alot of help back then. i was almost 300lbs. and i had success. but its just a tool. it doesn't change what you put in your mouth. anyway thats not the point i was trying to make. i was just hoping someone else in a similar situation could help me figure it out. i don't wanna stretch out my pouch forcing myself to get all these calories in. proteins keep me full for so long. its so hard to get them all in.

any thoughts?

People keep talking about macros... How do I find out what mine are? I'm 28, 5'4" and 155lbs trying to lose about 10% body fat, have a sedentary job (desk job) for 10 hours. I'm currently following a paleo meal plan in that I don't eat processed foods as much as possible and I don't eat dairy. Help!

macro nutrients are what give you energy. its the carbs, protein and fat you eat. mfp already gives you those stats. I personally don't care about anything but calories. I just aim for a balanced diet in the average of a week and take a multi vitamin and drink my water. I don't see the big deal about them unless you teetiering on not getting enough. It may play a part in maintenance and strength training but you will hit them if you keep adding good foods to your list of what you eat. You can learn more about them if you want to get all anal about macros on any nuttuion site. I like the youtube lectures from the colleges. Seem to be the most informational. I have studies them enough to make it my choice of not caring about them.