Why macros matter
muscleandbeard
Posts: 116 Member
Found this article which simplifies the importance of macros in a diet and why CICO isn't the holy grail. You lose weight when you consume less calories we all know that but what kind of weight you lose depends on what type of food you eat.
http://comfortpit.com/the-truth-about-calories/
http://comfortpit.com/the-truth-about-calories/
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Replies
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Thanks for sharing, this is really interesting!
One of the things I love about MFP is the ability to easily see your macro %'s by day and week -- I check it every so often to ensure I'm on the right track.0 -
Yes - keeping carbs low is your best bet for sure!0
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One of the best articles I have read- Thank you- The alcohol link in the article was a great read too..0
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Glad you enjoyed it. I see posts in which people constantly ask about macros and don't understand the importance of them. Too many times I see comments like "eat whatever you want, just stay in deficit" and it's such horrible advice.0
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Generally, that advice is given to someone who isn't interested in optimal body composition but just wants to lose weight. Oftentimes they think that if their macros aren't on point they won't lose weight even if they have a deficit.
So people reassure them that yes, they will still lose weight.
It's also frequently explained that it's important to get enough fat for healthy hair, joint and hormone health and that getting enough protein is imperative for conserving muscle if that matters to the OP.
I've never seen anyone say, just ignore macros because you'll get the same results regardless.
I usually see, "if all you care about is weight loss, CICO is all that matters. If you want to conserve muscle and have good body composition, that's where macros come into play."
Thing is, not everyone on MFP cares whether or not they lose muscle or have good body composition. Many just want to lose twenty pounds and that's all there is to it. If eating protein saves them some muscle, so what? Pass the spaghetti because they don't care enough to worry about it.0 -
I think macros are important, but for a lot of people, they just need to focus on calories first...worry about macros late once they get the hang of just hitting their calorie targets...I think that's where that particular advise comes from.
I also think macros are important to a certain degree...a lot of people do a lot of unnecessary hand wringing over them though.0 -
Good point, I like your take on it.Carlos_421 wrote: »Generally, that advice is given to someone who isn't interested in optimal body composition but just wants to lose weight. Oftentimes they think that if their macros aren't on point they won't lose weight even if they have a deficit.
So people reassure them that yes, they will still lose weight.
It's also frequently explained that it's important to get enough fat for healthy hair, joint and hormone health and that getting enough protein is imperative for conserving muscle if that matters to the OP.
I've never seen anyone say, just ignore macros because you'll get the same results regardless.
I usually see, "if all you care about is weight loss, CICO is all that matters. If you want to conserve muscle and have good body composition, that's where macros come into play."
Thing is, not everyone on MFP cares whether or not they lose muscle or have good body composition. Many just want to lose twenty pounds and that's all there is to it. If eating protein saves them some muscle, so what? Pass the spaghetti because they don't care enough to worry about it.
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cwolfman13 wrote: »I think macros are important, but for a lot of people, they just need to focus on calories first...worry about macros late once they get the hang of just hitting their calorie targets...I think that's where that particular advise comes from.
I also think macros are important to a certain degree...a lot of people do a lot of unnecessary hand wringing over them though.
Agreed.
Most advice I've seen is along the lines of
- cals first, then macros
or
- cals for weight loss, cals + macros for body comp.0 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »I think macros are important, but for a lot of people, they just need to focus on calories first...worry about macros late once they get the hang of just hitting their calorie targets...I think that's where that particular advise comes from.
I also think macros are important to a certain degree...a lot of people do a lot of unnecessary hand wringing over them though.
Agreed.
Most advice I've seen is along the lines of
- cals first, then macros
or
- cals for weight loss, cals + macros for body comp.
Yep.
The only time I've ever advised someone on here to ignore macros was a gal who was 377 lbs looking to get to 300 as her first goal. She was concerned because she was off by 5-10% from the MFP default macros. At that point, precise macro management isn't a concern. And even then, the overriding advice was to eat a balanced diet, such that she would probably get a pretty fair balance just from that.0 -
Often times I forget that not everyone here is trying to be toned or built or shredded...whatever. So yes, in that case CICA is the most important if you want to drop weight. I came over from bodybuilding.com forums and if you ever said that "macros aren't important" or "eat whatever you want" you would be bashed till the end of time and probably banned for stupidity.0
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yeah, that's why BB.com is better for information that actually works. Here, we're tolerant of all walks of life and opinions about food.0
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muscleandbeard wrote: »Often times I forget that not everyone here is trying to be toned or built or shredded...whatever. So yes, in that case CICA is the most important if you want to drop weight. I came over from bodybuilding.com forums and if you ever said that "macros aren't important" or "eat whatever you want" you would be bashed till the end of time and probably banned for stupidity.
And in a forum dedicated to building strong, muscular physiques, rightfully so.
Here though, you've got everything from powerlifters training for their next meet to little grandmas who just want to lose 30 pounds because the doctor said so and everyone in between.0 -
Btw, is that you in your avi?0
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Yes and no. It's me but from two years ago. I don't think I'm as lean anymore so I decided to track my calories using this app. I competed back in my 20's, now I'm just a cop with a poor diet.Carlos_421 wrote: »Btw, is that you in your avi?
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muscleandbeard wrote: »
Yes and no. It's me but from two years ago. I don't think I'm as lean anymore so I decided to track my calories using this app. I competed back in my 20's, now I'm just a cop with a poor diet.Carlos_421 wrote: »Btw, is that you in your avi?
Respect.0 -
I should have considered that.Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »Often times I forget that not everyone here is trying to be toned or built or shredded...whatever. So yes, in that case CICA is the most important if you want to drop weight. I came over from bodybuilding.com forums and if you ever said that "macros aren't important" or "eat whatever you want" you would be bashed till the end of time and probably banned for stupidity.
And in a forum dedicated to building strong, muscular physiques, rightfully so.
Here though, you've got everything from powerlifters training for their next meet to little grandmas who just want to lose 30 pounds because the doctor said so and everyone in between.
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muscleandbeard wrote: »
I should have considered that.Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »Often times I forget that not everyone here is trying to be toned or built or shredded...whatever. So yes, in that case CICA is the most important if you want to drop weight. I came over from bodybuilding.com forums and if you ever said that "macros aren't important" or "eat whatever you want" you would be bashed till the end of time and probably banned for stupidity.
And in a forum dedicated to building strong, muscular physiques, rightfully so.
Here though, you've got everything from powerlifters training for their next meet to little grandmas who just want to lose 30 pounds because the doctor said so and everyone in between.
And btw, welcome aboard. Glad to have you here.0 -
bump to read later
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Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »
I should have considered that.Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »Often times I forget that not everyone here is trying to be toned or built or shredded...whatever. So yes, in that case CICA is the most important if you want to drop weight. I came over from bodybuilding.com forums and if you ever said that "macros aren't important" or "eat whatever you want" you would be bashed till the end of time and probably banned for stupidity.
And in a forum dedicated to building strong, muscular physiques, rightfully so.
Here though, you've got everything from powerlifters training for their next meet to little grandmas who just want to lose 30 pounds because the doctor said so and everyone in between.
And btw, welcome aboard. Glad to have you here.
Thank you kind Sir. Good luck with your goals0 -
I just have to quickly say that I'm very impressed with the maturity on this board and the OP's willingness to admit his "fault". Unfortunately I do not see that around here much. Welcome, @muscleandbeard0
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muscleandbeard wrote: »Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »
I should have considered that.Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »Often times I forget that not everyone here is trying to be toned or built or shredded...whatever. So yes, in that case CICA is the most important if you want to drop weight. I came over from bodybuilding.com forums and if you ever said that "macros aren't important" or "eat whatever you want" you would be bashed till the end of time and probably banned for stupidity.
And in a forum dedicated to building strong, muscular physiques, rightfully so.
Here though, you've got everything from powerlifters training for their next meet to little grandmas who just want to lose 30 pounds because the doctor said so and everyone in between.
And btw, welcome aboard. Glad to have you here.
Thank you kind Sir. Good luck with your goals
Thanks, you too!
I think there are a few others who post on here and on bb.com (it's infrequent but I go over there some).
If you know MrM27 from over there he used to be a frequent poster here before he got the boot.0 -
Thanks for that article. It was a great read.0
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I can definitely see why someone from BB would get the boot here. You really have to be open minded on terms of everyone's goals. BB community has only one goal.Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »
I should have considered that.Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »Often times I forget that not everyone here is trying to be toned or built or shredded...whatever. So yes, in that case CICA is the most important if you want to drop weight. I came over from bodybuilding.com forums and if you ever said that "macros aren't important" or "eat whatever you want" you would be bashed till the end of time and probably banned for stupidity.
And in a forum dedicated to building strong, muscular physiques, rightfully so.
Here though, you've got everything from powerlifters training for their next meet to little grandmas who just want to lose 30 pounds because the doctor said so and everyone in between.
And btw, welcome aboard. Glad to have you here.
Thank you kind Sir. Good luck with your goals
Thanks, you too!
I think there are a few others who post on here and on bb.com (it's infrequent but I go over there some).
If you know MrM27 from over there he used to be a frequent poster here before he got the boot.
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muscleandbeard wrote: »
I can definitely see why someone from BB would get the boot here. You really have to be open minded on terms of everyone's goals. BB community has only one goal.Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »
I should have considered that.Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »Often times I forget that not everyone here is trying to be toned or built or shredded...whatever. So yes, in that case CICA is the most important if you want to drop weight. I came over from bodybuilding.com forums and if you ever said that "macros aren't important" or "eat whatever you want" you would be bashed till the end of time and probably banned for stupidity.
And in a forum dedicated to building strong, muscular physiques, rightfully so.
Here though, you've got everything from powerlifters training for their next meet to little grandmas who just want to lose 30 pounds because the doctor said so and everyone in between.
And btw, welcome aboard. Glad to have you here.
Thank you kind Sir. Good luck with your goals
Thanks, you too!
I think there are a few others who post on here and on bb.com (it's infrequent but I go over there some).
If you know MrM27 from over there he used to be a frequent poster here before he got the boot.
Think of it as walking into Planet Fitness vs. walking into an old-school Gold's Gym.
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Good article. Anything that pokes at Taubes is fine in my book.0
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cwolfman13 wrote: »I think macros are important, but for a lot of people, they just need to focus on calories first...worry about macros late once they get the hang of just hitting their calorie targets...I think that's where that particular advise comes from.
I also think macros are important to a certain degree...a lot of people do a lot of unnecessary hand wringing over them though.
I agree with this. Also, optimal macros are going to vary. Someone who is sedentary and has IR probably does not have the same macro goals as someone who is healthy and training to complete a marathon in under 3 hours. And a bodybuilder preparing for a competition may have entirely different goals from either.
I often tell people not to overstress about macros, especially when they are first starting out and scared to eat if they go over one macro (and so undereating). I also always add that it's good to focus on meeting the protein macro, as it can be satiating and help preserve muscle, and follow that by saying that .65-.85 g/lb of healthy body weight has been found to have benefits, including preservation of muscle mass at a deficit.
For me, though, I don't think it makes that much difference whether I eat the rest of my calories in a particular percentage of fat vs. carb so long as I mostly get both fat and carbs from nutrient dense options that meet my various needs. There's a huge range of healthy macro ratios, and too many people think that if they don't meet MFP's percentage-based numbers they won't lose (or if they don't do low carb they won't lose or sometimes if they don't do low fat or meet an absurdly high protein goal they won't lose).0 -
muscleandbeard wrote: »
I can definitely see why someone from BB would get the boot here. You really have to be open minded on terms of everyone's goals. BB community has only one goal.Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »
I should have considered that.Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »Often times I forget that not everyone here is trying to be toned or built or shredded...whatever. So yes, in that case CICA is the most important if you want to drop weight. I came over from bodybuilding.com forums and if you ever said that "macros aren't important" or "eat whatever you want" you would be bashed till the end of time and probably banned for stupidity.
And in a forum dedicated to building strong, muscular physiques, rightfully so.
Here though, you've got everything from powerlifters training for their next meet to little grandmas who just want to lose 30 pounds because the doctor said so and everyone in between.
And btw, welcome aboard. Glad to have you here.
Thank you kind Sir. Good luck with your goals
Thanks, you too!
I think there are a few others who post on here and on bb.com (it's infrequent but I go over there some).
If you know MrM27 from over there he used to be a frequent poster here before he got the boot.
Think of it as walking into Planet Fitness vs. walking into an old-school Gold's Gym.
Haha are we about to have a pizza party and sound the alarm for a sleeveless shirt?0 -
muscleandbeard wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »
I can definitely see why someone from BB would get the boot here. You really have to be open minded on terms of everyone's goals. BB community has only one goal.Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »
I should have considered that.Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »Often times I forget that not everyone here is trying to be toned or built or shredded...whatever. So yes, in that case CICA is the most important if you want to drop weight. I came over from bodybuilding.com forums and if you ever said that "macros aren't important" or "eat whatever you want" you would be bashed till the end of time and probably banned for stupidity.
And in a forum dedicated to building strong, muscular physiques, rightfully so.
Here though, you've got everything from powerlifters training for their next meet to little grandmas who just want to lose 30 pounds because the doctor said so and everyone in between.
And btw, welcome aboard. Glad to have you here.
Thank you kind Sir. Good luck with your goals
Thanks, you too!
I think there are a few others who post on here and on bb.com (it's infrequent but I go over there some).
If you know MrM27 from over there he used to be a frequent poster here before he got the boot.
Think of it as walking into Planet Fitness vs. walking into an old-school Gold's Gym.
Haha are we about to have a pizza party and sound the alarm for a sleeveless shirt?
Actually, there is a sub-group for celebrating pizza...lol0 -
muscleandbeard wrote: »
I can definitely see why someone from BB would get the boot here. You really have to be open minded on terms of everyone's goals. BB community has only one goal.Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »
I should have considered that.Carlos_421 wrote: »muscleandbeard wrote: »Often times I forget that not everyone here is trying to be toned or built or shredded...whatever. So yes, in that case CICA is the most important if you want to drop weight. I came over from bodybuilding.com forums and if you ever said that "macros aren't important" or "eat whatever you want" you would be bashed till the end of time and probably banned for stupidity.
And in a forum dedicated to building strong, muscular physiques, rightfully so.
Here though, you've got everything from powerlifters training for their next meet to little grandmas who just want to lose 30 pounds because the doctor said so and everyone in between.
And btw, welcome aboard. Glad to have you here.
Thank you kind Sir. Good luck with your goals
Thanks, you too!
I think there are a few others who post on here and on bb.com (it's infrequent but I go over there some).
If you know MrM27 from over there he used to be a frequent poster here before he got the boot.
Haha yeah. Well he gets called out for being overly frank towards the derp crowd even over there so...0 -
I believe that macros are still important even if all you want to do is drop weight- Because different macros can give an individual more satisfaction and energy, helping to keep you within your calorie goal.
Finding the macro balance that makes you happiest is key!0
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