Calorie Counting v.s. Counting Macros

JessieNeutronGirlGenius
JessieNeutronGirlGenius Posts: 268
in Food and Nutrition
Hey all,

For those who know me know that I have bounced back and fourth between counting calories and counting macros. When counting calories I feel somewhat restricted but not too awful, I find that when I count calories foods sometimes tends to fit better such as a graham cracker, two graham crackers are 140 calories but like 35g of carbs, I would think that 140 calories fits better than 35g of carbs especially when counting macros you have a certain limit for all macro nutrients. With counting macros I found that a healthy lifestyle is more doable, such as having a glass of wine. A glass of white wine can be 120-150 calories per glass but only 5-10g or carbs.

The point of my rant/post is, I want to find what works best for me. My end result is losing weight, the end. I am asking for anyone who has successfully lost weight counting macros, what your macros are (I know everyone's is different but I want to see how you are calculating them) and what you are doing for exercise. I lift weights and run, the exercise isn't the hard part for me it is the diet aspect. I tend to get overwhelmed and just binge out on junk food or fast food because I get overwhelmed by "restricting" myself, even though I know that is how you lose weight is by a calorie deficit, I just need to be able to enjoy food without feeling like I can't eat.

Thanks so much to whoever responds!

Replies

  • SugaryLynx
    SugaryLynx Posts: 2,640 Member
    I'm not understanding the difference. Counting calories is the same as counting macros, except with macros your goal is to hit those targets, not necessarily stop once you reach them, just make sure you hit all minimum macros. Macros have a caloric value, so it's the same as counting calories, but has more to do with body composition than just straight calorie counting. I have paid attention to my macros for a majority of my weight loss and current.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets?hl=setting+calorie+and+macro+target
  • EvanKeel
    EvanKeel Posts: 1,903 Member
    I didn't know counting macros while not also counting calories was a thing. I mean, macros can ultimately be expressed by the energy they produce (calories). So I don't actually think you can count macros without also counting calories.
  • JessieNeutronGirlGenius
    JessieNeutronGirlGenius Posts: 268
    Yeah, from what I've read is that you don't necessarily have to count calories and macros together, you can simply do one or the other. I guess that is what I was trying to clarify, thanks!
  • Fullsterkur_woman
    Fullsterkur_woman Posts: 2,712 Member
    If you count macros, you're counting calories.

    There's two ways to look at it-- the bathtub method, and the IIFYM method. No matter what you do, if you overfill the bathtub by putting in too many calories (regardless of source), the result will be weight gain. If you underfill it, weight loss will happen.

    If you care about where that weight loss is coming from (fat instead of muscle), you need to take the bathtub into account and also make sure you get enough protein.

    Don't overthink it. Weight loss is simple. It's just not easy.
  • JessieNeutronGirlGenius
    JessieNeutronGirlGenius Posts: 268
    Thank you!
  • mantium999
    mantium999 Posts: 1,490 Member
    I believe it is important to do both, within the realm of your specific goals. While they tend to go hand in hand, they aren't always the same thing. When counting macros, your protein and fat targets are minimums, not maximums. Therefore, you could technically stay below your carb target, but completely destroy your calorie target if your protein and/or fat intake is high. Just because they are minimums, doesn't mean you can eat as much as you want, if weight is a concern.
  • mamahannick
    mamahannick Posts: 322 Member
    I have found that when I'm on target with calories that my macros naturally fall where I have them set, so I just balance my calories evenly throughout the day eating a variety of things and everything naturally seems to fall into place. That's what works for me.

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