Iffym vs calorie deficit

katieweicht
katieweicht Posts: 5
in Health and Weight Loss
Which is better... Watching macros or calorie deficit? I still have about 20-25 pounds to lose. My current macros are 40p/35f/25c. I have a really hard time meeting my protein even with drinking protein shakes. What should I focus more on... Calorie deficit or meeting my macros?

Replies

  • Amelia7779
    Amelia7779 Posts: 53 Member
    Iifym is a calorie deficit (or maintenance, or whatever your goal). The point is that you eat whichever foods you like as long as you are meeting your macros. Such as if you have 300 cal left of carbs and fat...ice cream! But the calories are the most important part.
  • wickedpursuit
    wickedpursuit Posts: 47 Member
    Calorie deficit, for sure. The macros are important, yes, but the deficit is what will burn away the pounds. You might want to look at what you're eating and figure out what's going on with regards to your protein, though; that's pretty important for keeping your muscle mass while you lose weight. Ham is pretty awesome for 'cheap' protein if you're a meat-eating sort - usually 10g protein for a 70 calorie serving or so, though the sodium needs to be balanced out.
  • PhearlessPhreaks
    PhearlessPhreaks Posts: 890 Member
    your initial premise is wrong. there is no either/or. IIFYM is simply the philosphy that no foods are forbidden provided you make them work into your daily allotment.

    To lose weight all you need to do is maintain a caloric deficit. Ergo the phrase "weightloss happens in the kitchen".

    ETA: you can change your macro settings
  • eric_sg61
    eric_sg61 Posts: 2,925 Member
    A deficit is a deficit… doesn't matter if you eat paleo, IIFYM, vegetarian etc
  • J72FIT
    J72FIT Posts: 6,013 Member
    your initial premise is wrong. there is no either/or. IIFYM is simply the philosphy that no foods are forbidden provided you make them work into your daily allotment.

    To lose weight all you need to do is maintain a caloric deficit. Ergo the phrase "weightloss happens in the kitchen".

    ^^^This...
  • Sunitagt
    Sunitagt Posts: 486 Member
    Eat at your calorie goal, but try and plan your calories to meet your macro goals. Like, if you haven't met your protein goal, and have calories left, eat some lean meat to get to that goal.
  • katieweicht
    katieweicht Posts: 5
    Thank you! Can you share your macros?
  • J72FIT
    J72FIT Posts: 6,013 Member
    25% protein, 45% carb and 30% fat for me...
  • suziecue66
    suziecue66 Posts: 1,312 Member
    Which is better... Watching macros or calorie deficit? I still have about 20-25 pounds to lose. My current macros are 40p/35f/25c. I have a really hard time meeting my protein even with drinking protein shakes. What should I focus more on... Calorie deficit or meeting my macros?

    Instead of doing a percentage of your calories as protein, how about just doing 1g protein per pound bodyweight? Does that work out at around 40% of calories as protein or less. Maybe if less you can meet your protein targets easier?
  • AngelsFan91106
    AngelsFan91106 Posts: 111 Member
    The two are not mutually exclusive.

    As an example, right now I'm doing both. I follow my macros, which is currently approx. 40c/30f/30p (I'm not super strict about it) and I'm also eating at a calorie deficit.

    But when I'm maintaining or trying to gain a bit of weight (muscle), I still follow my macros. Since I'd be eating more calories however, my macros become more like about 45c/30f/25p.

    The one thing that stays constant is my protein intake. Always 100-130 grams. After that, I let my calorie goals dictate what I eat.

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