40+: calories or % - which is better to follow?

lyndane
lyndane Posts: 1 Member
edited November 20 in Health and Weight Loss
I am so confused. I and suppose to have 40%protein 30% carb 30% fats but I have to hit 1800 calories intake. Today I hit my % but not my calories. How do I do both and still be within my goals? Need help!!!

Replies

  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    It's most important to stay under your calories. Among the macros, I prefer to make sure I hit my protein goal, and don't worry much about the others.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    lyndane wrote: »
    I am so confused. I and suppose to have 40%protein 30% carb 30% fats but I have to hit 1800 calories intake. Today I hit my % but not my calories. How do I do both and still be within my goals? Need help!!!

    Stay under on calories. Stay over on protein %. Let the rest fall where it will.
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    edited June 2015
    Well you eat 40% of your calories from protein, 30% from carbs and another 30% from fat? The amount of calories will come to 1800.

    I'm not sure if I can explain it in anymore simple terms.

    Weight loss comes from a caloric deficit.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    IsaackGMOON wrote: »
    Well you eat 40% of your calories from protein, 30% from carbs and another 30% from fat? The amount of calories will come to 1800.

    I'm not sure if I can explain it in anymore simple terms.

    It's extremely difficult to hit your macros AND calories bang on. OP is (in essence) asking which numbers are the important ones to eat.
  • futuremanda
    futuremanda Posts: 816 Member
    Hit your calorie goal, first and foremost. This is what matters for weight loss.

    Your actual macro breakdown doesn't matter that much except under special circumstances -- like if you have a medical condition or are a bodybuilder. There are minimum grams you should have for health -- you can look those up. Otherwise, do what feels right for you -- what keeps you energetic, satiated, sane, etc.

    Especially in the beginning, macros fall under "don't sweat the small stuff".
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    IsaackGMOON wrote: »
    Well you eat 40% of your calories from protein, 30% from carbs and another 30% from fat? The amount of calories will come to 1800.

    I'm not sure if I can explain it in anymore simple terms.

    Weight loss comes from a caloric deficit.

    I can't imagine the stress of trying to hit every macro exactly, every day... When you make it hard or complicated, you make it hard to stick with.

    Follow the KISS rule... Keep it simple...
  • MamaBirdBoss
    MamaBirdBoss Posts: 1,516 Member
    I have a minimum for fiber, protein, and fat based on my weight + a 1200-cal diet.

    Once I meet my minimums, the other calories do what they want.
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    blankiefinder wrote: »
    IsaackGMOON wrote: »
    Well you eat 40% of your calories from protein, 30% from carbs and another 30% from fat? The amount of calories will come to 1800.

    I'm not sure if I can explain it in anymore simple terms.

    Weight loss comes from a caloric deficit.

    I can't imagine the stress of trying to hit every macro exactly, every day... When you make it hard or complicated, you make it hard to stick with.

    Follow the KISS rule... Keep it simple...


    Ahhh, I didn't mean to imply that you have to hit your macros bang on every day lol. I should have been more specific.
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