Should I worry about calories or macros?

KeriEdmonds
KeriEdmonds Posts: 2 Member
edited November 19 in Food and Nutrition
Hello! I've started this week (for the umpteenth time) to properly track what I'm eating and lose some weight. I want to be around 8 stone and I'm just over 9 1/2 at the moment.

I'm not sure whether I should be paying more attention to how many calories I eat, or the macros. I have over 400 calories left for today for example (I know in advance what I'll be having for dinner and lunch) but I don't have much fat or sugar left.

Is it more important to not go over those numbers, or is it okay so long as I'm under my calorie allowance for the day?

Replies

  • KaneNLN
    KaneNLN Posts: 39 Member
    Aslong as you're in a defecit it doesn't matter where you apply the macro, could lose weight eating 12 snicker bars a day, wouldn't specifically get much from it in regards to muscle etc but it's weightloss.
  • KarenJanine
    KarenJanine Posts: 3,497 Member
    For weight loss, calories are the most important. You have a low calorie goal so you should be aiming to hit this goal, not fall well under it.

    Once you are consistent with a calorie deficit, then you may want to start trying to hit your macros. Unless you have a medical condition that requires you to monitor sugar, don't worry too much about it - look at carbs instead. If you are going over fat and carbs, then try and aim to get more protein in.
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    As above have already said, its about calories for weight loss, hitting the macros you can work on with time :smiley:
    More protein/fats will help you feel fuller for longer than carbs... its all a matter of personal preference.
  • Sarasmaintaining
    Sarasmaintaining Posts: 1,027 Member
    edited June 2015
    Weight loss is about eating at an appropriate calorie deficit. Everything else is secondary.

    Personally, I didn't start paying attention to macros till a few weeks ago, and I've been in maintenance for two years now :p
  • Clo747
    Clo747 Posts: 112 Member
    Oh, I'm so pleased to have read this! It'll take some of the extra pressure off that I was putting on myself for not hitting or over stepping on things. I keep finding I go over on fat, but I eat lots of avocado and oily fish on those days, so that's kinda alright, right? lol Oh my...no idea what I'm doing!
  • kwtilbury
    kwtilbury Posts: 1,234 Member
    Calories are most important, then macros. It's very difficult to hit your macro split perfectly each day, so don't sweat it. If you go over on carbs one day, just cut back and eat more protein the next.
  • jrline
    jrline Posts: 2,353 Member
    Once you have control of total calories then worry about focusing on Macros
  • Simon99Smith
    Simon99Smith Posts: 27 Member
    I started looking at Macros yesterday, so have found this interesting - thanks all (and good luck Keri)
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Calories matter for weight loss, but for body composition Macros can matter. I would suggest you ignore sugar (unless you are diabetic) as it is just a carb, use the protein, and fat goals as minimums and carbs as a maximum.
  • sixxpoint
    sixxpoint Posts: 3,529 Member
    edited June 2015
    It's important to meet the macro minimums, for dietary fat, (0.40-0.45 grams per 1 lb. bodyweight) especially from a health standpoint. Strive for at least 0.60 grams of protein per 1 lb. bodyweight per day as well.

    Carbs don't have a minimum, but that is not to say they are not important. Carbs are where the majority of your vitamins, minerals and fiber comes from... and each of those elements have their own minimums.

    It is always wise never to ignore a macro completely. If you hit the minimums then you will still be under your daily calorie goal and lose weight. So contrary to what everyone else is saying, I would recommend hitting your macro minimums first. Once you do that, you should still have hundreds of calories left to play with to manage your calorie goal.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    Start with calories, as they're for weight loss. Once you have logging and losing under control, then go to macros for nutrition.
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