Frustrated...please help!!

sarahs440
sarahs440 Posts: 405
edited September 25 in Health and Weight Loss
I am trying very hard to eat my exercise calories. Right now I have 600 cals left and I already entered my dinner (which I havent even cooked yet). But I am over on protein sodium and sugar I think. So what should I concentrate more on? Getting my net calories to at least 1200 or keeping my fat protein sugar and sodium down? I feel like I am beating a dead horse here, since it seems this is a constant topic on here, but I havent yet seen anything about which is more important, getting to your net calorie goal or keeping the other things at their goal. I hope all this makes sense. I feel like I am making good choices as far as food. Please feel free to look at my food diary. Thanks in advance for your help!!!

Replies

  • marnieinMB
    marnieinMB Posts: 196 Member
    I'm in the same boat.....
  • kdao
    kdao Posts: 265
    You are not over on sodium by much, just drink extra water to flush it out. I don't worry about going over on sugars, as long as the majority of it is from fruit. I always go over on my protein, no biggie to me. You are doing great, keep it up!
  • SHBoss1673
    SHBoss1673 Posts: 7,161 Member
    well, both are important, but if it comes down to eating enough and going over on one specific macronutrient, I'd say that protein is one that you can go a little bit over on every once in a while without it being a problem.

    what are your macro breakdowns (I.E. carbs/fat/protein, for instance mine is 45/25/35) If you don't know how to quickly find or edit that, it's in the goals section, select "change goals" select custom, and everything is right there in percentages.
  • jlkennedy88
    jlkennedy88 Posts: 9
    In my humble opinion, a calorie is a calorie... and calories count. I would stick around 1200 unless the exercise makes you extra hungry. A deficit isn't a bad thing. I say this as a dieting "professional." I have no medical background - but I did work at Jenny Craig for years. I have had 3 kids and have gained 45 lbs with each of them and am in process of losing the last few lbs of my third baby at 31 years old. My personal experience is that above all, it is calories that count above all.
  • elainecroft
    elainecroft Posts: 595 Member
    I have 2 thoughts - hope it helps

    The protein/sugar etc. counters on MFP are generic, which means that they may or may not be exactly what you need, so I wouldn't worry too much about being a little over/under.

    Secondly, when looking at your food diary, overall it looks like you have a good balance except you are lacking fruits and veggies. Try to make fruits and veggies a part of every meal and it will help you eat your calories without going over on the bad stuff.
  • ebkins7
    ebkins7 Posts: 427 Member
    I would focus on getting to your net calories. Drink pleanty of water to help flush the excess sodium. Tomorrow, if you are working out, try to add in those calories throughout the day. This can be done simply by adding a peice of fruit to each meal! Good luck!
  • FAMILY02184
    FAMILY02184 Posts: 44
    HI, I BELIEVE ITS THE CALORIES YOU NEED TO WATCH... GETTING YOUR 1,200 CAL IN, IM IN THE SAME BOAT... MY ? IS IF I DONT EAT ALL MY CALORIES WILL I STILL LOSE WEIGHT?
  • kmid
    kmid Posts: 1
    Think dr. would tell u to get your sugar and salt down. Less salt = less weight and healthier heart. No need to lose weight and continue to use too much salt. Lecturing on this as cardiologist told me yesterday to quit salt, walk more, watch what I eat or would end up with specialist on "really strong medicine". Long 59 so don't want that!!
  • bizco
    bizco Posts: 1,949 Member
    In order of importance, in my opinion:
    1. meeting your net calorie goal
    2. being under your sodium goal

    If your sugar is coming from whole, natural foods like fruit and milk then don't worry about it. It's the added (refined) sugars that you need to watch.
    MFP protein levels are low, don't worry about going over, especially if you exercise.
  • nlessar
    nlessar Posts: 3
    I wouldn't worry about going over on protein. You need it to build muscle. I go over on protein and fiber everyday. Work on getting as close to your daily calorie goal as possible. When I've been too far under 1200 calories I plateau. Try to look and see where you're getting the sodium from- lunchmeat, processed foods, etc. Hope this helps.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories