Cals in vs cals out

_Cupcake596
_Cupcake596 Posts: 2 Member
edited March 4 in Health and Weight Loss
I know this question has been asked zillions of times but so many threads are chaotic now I can't see a straight answer without all the cocky argumentative waffle...

So many regimes, plans, macros... I've done mfp, slimming world, Dukan, herbalife... When all I want to do is eat what the **** I like, within reason, and get down to the lower end of my healthy bmi!! Should I track macros?

Help, someone :)

Replies

  • eric_sg61
    eric_sg61 Posts: 2,925 Member
    You can track macros. But, if your calories are too high you will still gain weight regardless of those macros.
  • ghosthackexe
    ghosthackexe Posts: 181 Member
    You can track macros. But, if your calories are too high you will still gain weight regardless of those macros.

    ^ this. Everyone's body works differently and youll most likely get different results from altering your macros just fiddle with them see what works for you but while your testing the water and seeing what youd like your macros to be at just stay in a caloric deficit and youll be fine
  • btc1987
    btc1987 Posts: 94 Member
    I don't think there's any arguing about losing weight when you consume less than you expend. That's the principle of cals in vs. cals out and it's not really possible to argue against.


    Other people suggest watching macros because once you lose that weight, your body can still have a high % of fat. If you're not lifting and eating a decent amount of protein, you will lose muscle as you lose fat on your way to your goal weight.


    So, yes you will lose weight eating less than you expend, but you might not have the body you want when you get to your goal if you're not paying attention to what you're eating.
  • lorib642
    lorib642 Posts: 1,942 Member
    I don't think there's any arguing about losing weight when you consume less than you expend. That's the principle of cals in vs. cals out and it's not really possible to argue against.


    Other people suggest watching macros because once you lose that weight, your body can still have a high % of fat. If you're not lifting and eating a decent amount of protein, you will lose muscle as you lose fat on your way to your goal weight.


    So, yes you will lose weight eating less than you expend, but you might not have the body you want when you get to your goal if you're not paying attention to what you're eating.

    ^^^
    This

    I am watching my protein because I don't want to lose lean muscle mass
  • Fuzzipeg
    Fuzzipeg Posts: 2,305 Member
    It can be a good thing to monitor your mineral intake. When going low calorie one tends to avoid foods which supply iodine and selenium as well as other minerals. (I did true one does not need very much over a life time (half a teaspoon, if that) but these are essential for our daily well-being. Everyone screams fat is bad but eggs, semi skimmed milk and full fat yoghurt help fulfil some of you mineral needs, quantity dependant, too much can be not too good either. The RDA for iodine is 150 microns selenium is 70. I am only saying make sure these minerals are somewhere in your diet especially if you are female, and 5' next to nothing and not very active.
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    I don't think there's any arguing about losing weight when you consume less than you expend. That's the principle of cals in vs. cals out and it's not really possible to argue against.


    Other people suggest watching macros because once you lose that weight, your body can still have a high % of fat. If you're not lifting and eating a decent amount of protein, you will lose muscle as you lose fat on your way to your goal weight.


    So, yes you will lose weight eating less than you expend, but you might not have the body you want when you get to your goal if you're not paying attention to what you're eating.
    This ^^^ though I will add a lot of people are eating far more protein than they really need under the illusion that the more protein they consume they will lose less muscle or even gain muscle. The thing is to consume an appropriate amount of Protein. I see a lot of people on this site consuming enough protein for an elephant under the illusion thats what they need to do there needs to be a lot more common sense regarding protein and Macros in general. Macro % is a pretty useless way of working it out. 20% on a 1200 calorie diet is a totally different thing to 20% if your eating 3000 calories. Have a look at the grams which is a far better way to assess you macros.

    The key is IMO to just go for a balanced diet an not over obsess about the small things too much. You've probably gone many years without knowing what a Macro is and a large proportion of the population wouldn't know one if it ran them over. What is needed is balance and some common sense
  • 365andstillalive
    365andstillalive Posts: 663 Member
    My main focus is making sure that I'm hitting within 50 cals of my goal (higher or lower, I don't care) which is 1600 NET.

    I do watch my macros, but that's because I realized that I was eating a high carb, low protein diet accidentally and that was something I wanted to change to help with maintaining my current muscle mass and to feel fuller. I also track things like fiber to make sure I'm getting enough in my diet, but I don't bother to track things like sugar (other than clicking the report section once in a blue moon to see any overall trends) but that's not something I have a problem eating normal ranges of.

    Basically, your macros are a great way to understand what types of foods you need to consume and to help you make healthy decisions -- when I've got 150 cals left at the end of the day, I could eat a cookie (and some days I certainly will) or I could get 8g of protein by eating greek yogurt. If I'm low on protein that day, I know which one I'll be choosing based on those macros, and that helps me.

    Really, it's all about calories in v. out; macros just help me make healthy choices and meet my bodies (at least perceived) needs.
  • _Cupcake596
    _Cupcake596 Posts: 2 Member
    Thanks guys uve all been a massive help, I think weightloss can be stressful & hard enough & I think I DO overthink things & get myself in & a tizz & that's when I binge!! Irl make sure I get enough protein in & then after that, the calories are mine!! If any of you guys wanna add me for support - what little I can give feel free :)
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