Macro nutrients IIFYM - Anyone?

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goldeneyes17
goldeneyes17 Posts: 5 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Has anyone had any experience changing from the 'recommended' 1200cals per day(for a female) to the IIFYM (If it fits your macros) way of eating? Apparently following this system I could eat 1800 cals per day. Because I'm loosing weight very slowly eating 1200 cals, I'm reluctant to up my calories.
:happy:

Replies

  • terbusha
    terbusha Posts: 1,483 Member
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    I wouldn't go up as high as 1800 cal/day, but you may progress faster with more calories. Try bumping up to 1400 cal/day and see how your body reacts. What are your macros set to?

    Allan
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,268 Member
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    Has anyone had any experience changing from the 'recommended' 1200cals per day(for a female) to the IIFYM (If it fits your macros) way of eating? Apparently following this system I could eat 1800 cals per day. Because I'm loosing weight very slowly eating 1200 cals, I'm reluctant to up my calories.
    :happy:

    You could eat more calories using MFP too...

    MFP gives you 1200 based on the data you enter...did you put in your weekly weight loss goal as 2lbs a week? If so change that to 1/2-1lb a week.

    IIFYM does not guarantee more calories, it just means you are aiming at a calorie goal based on "reasonable" calorie deficit where you are striving to get in a certian number of grams of Protien/Fats/Carbs.

    If you are losing slowly and you are recording 1200 calories it is probably because you are eating more than you think...

    Do you use a food scale? choose correct entries etc?
  • Bekahmardis
    Bekahmardis Posts: 602 Member
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    I stopped using the "recommended" 1200 calories and started using the IIFYM and a FitBit. That method allowed me to drop my final 10 pounds and I typically eat anywhere between 1500 and 1700 calories a day to maintain my weight depending on my exercise habits.

    I'm 43 years old, 5'3" tall, and 113 pounds now.
  • goldeneyes17
    goldeneyes17 Posts: 5 Member
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    Thanks for your advice, I haven't paid much attention to the macro numbers on MFP until now. I have just been looking at the calories. Yes, I do use a scale, but have been a bit lax with logging everything, so you are right, I will have been eating more than 1200 cals, enough to slow the weight loss.
    I think I will increase my calories and then see what the macros are. :-)
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,268 Member
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    Thanks for your advice, I haven't paid much attention to the macro numbers on MFP until now. I have just been looking at the calories. Yes, I do use a scale, but have been a bit lax with logging everything, so you are right, I will have been eating more than 1200 cals, enough to slow the weight loss.
    I think I will increase my calories and then see what the macros are. :-)

    If you increase your calories ensure you are weighing and logging accurately.
  • goldeneyes17
    goldeneyes17 Posts: 5 Member
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    I stopped using the "recommended" 1200 calories and started using the IIFYM and a FitBit. That method allowed me to drop my final 10 pounds and I typically eat anywhere between 1500 and 1700 calories a day to maintain my weight depending on my exercise habits.

    I'm 43 years old, 5'3" tall, and 113 pounds now.

    Thanks for your reply. I have also just bought a fitbit, (and love it). You must be really trim now at 113!! well done. :happy:

    I'm 44 and 5'6"tall but have a considerable amount to loose. I am currently 180 pounds down from 199 and not sure what my goal should be so I have set it at 161 pounds. I think I will give the IIFYM system a try.
  • shanaber
    shanaber Posts: 6,396 Member
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    There is some great information on how to set MFP for TDEE and Macros and just general information and links to more information at the link below in MFP. I learned SO much reading this and the associated posts and increased my calories and adjusted my macros. I finally started losing a bit again, I have been plateaued for a while but just have a few pounds to lose and was not going anywhere even though I was eating at 1200 and tracking/eating back my exercise calories. Now I set the calories higher, adjusted the macros and only track my exercise but don't use the calorie values. I slowly moved the calories up and am currently eating at 1500/day generally. My diary is open if you want to take a look at what I have set.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • lauralea42
    lauralea42 Posts: 29 Member
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    Hi! My name is Laura. I am 42 yrs old, 5'7" and 158 lbs. My fat % is 27.6 right now. I have been dieting for 20 weeks. At first I was eating around 1200 calories a day. I lost weight, but I plateaued. I had a fitness trainer help me by figuring my BMR and the amount of calories I should be eating daily to lose weight. This is 1520 cal/day with maintenance at 2027 cal. Well, for the past four weeks I have plateaued AGAIN! A female friend of mine that is into body building suggested I go to IIFYM.com to figure my calories and macros. All I have been doing in to the past was watching calories, but she told me I need to watch proteins, carbs, and fats also. Well, when I did the calculator it told me that I should be eating 1740 cal/day (at aggressive 20%). I freaked out. Wow....I feel that if I am not losing weight at 1520 calories, isn't 1740 calories a day gonna make me GAIN weight??? She told me to stay off the scale for a couple weeks because I may gain weight as my body gets used to the extra calories, but if I follow the macros then I will start losing weight again. My main question to you is....do you feel 1740 calories a day is to high? Will I lose weight while eating this many calories?? Any suggestions you have will be appreciated!
  • lauralea42
    lauralea42 Posts: 29 Member
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    Decided that 1740 calories was to high. Doing 1667 calories with 124g carbs, 186g protein, and 46g fat. Just started this, so I don't know how it will work yet. I also started Focus T25 by Shau T. Hoping this will help me lose more weight. Not sure if this is considered cardio or Strength Training though. Anyone know?

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