Macros

dannapearsall
dannapearsall Posts: 18 Member
edited December 1 in Health and Weight Loss
I really need help setting my macros. I've read so many different things that I just don't know what to do. I've had them at 45% carbs 20% fat 35% protien for over a month and my weight hasn't moved. I am 5"1' 121lbs and I've had my calories anywhere from 1100 to 1250. When they are at 1250, I can still meet my macros, but I have a hard time meeting the calories. I lift weights 5 times a week for 35-45 minutes, and do vinyasa/ashtanga yoga 5 times a week as well. I teach yoga 2 times a week.

So, with all that info, my goal is to lose fat and gain muscle. Help!!
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Replies

  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Very Low fat diet. Hmm. Protein is at the upper end so I would be tempted to swap 10% from carbs to fat and it's still low fat.

    If no change after 2 weeks then eat less.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    If your weight isn't moving, it's because of the calories you're eating -- not because your macros aren't set right. Have you tried just going with the default macros and MFP's suggested calories (with a reasonable goal like .5 a week since you don't have much to lose)?

  • dannapearsall
    dannapearsall Posts: 18 Member
    If your weight isn't moving, it's because of the calories you're eating -- not because your macros aren't set right. Have you tried just going with the default macros and MFP's suggested calories (with a reasonable goal like .5 a week since you don't have much to lose)?

    So, what do you suggest for calories? Everyone seems super opposed to eating fewer than 1200 calories a day, so what should I do?
  • vitty1
    vitty1 Posts: 58 Member
    First off,

    If you are "lifting" 45 minutes 5 times a week plus yoga (nevermind everything else in between), you are not eating enough calories.

    I was in the same position as you were, and was eating 1200 calories a day and spinning my wheels for nothing. My body held onto everything because it didn't know when it was going to eat again (causing water retention, delay in muscle growth, etc). Upped my calories to 1577 a day and am lifting heavier than I ever have and muscle is building and weight is dropping slowly (fat mass). I know its the hardest thing to wrap your mind around, upping calories (especially someone like me who is terrified on gaining weight), but it works wonders when you actually feed your body what it needs in order to grow. To grow muscle you need nutrient dense foods and lots of it, your muscles will not grow on 1200 calories a day.

    I recommend first buying a HR Monitor (Charge HR) to see your true calorie burn, measure everything you eat and lastly lift as heavy as possible...and invest in this book Thinner, Leaner, Stronger by Michael Matthews, gives you a step by step on everything and is my "Bible".

    good luck!
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    If your weight isn't moving, it's because of the calories you're eating -- not because your macros aren't set right. Have you tried just going with the default macros and MFP's suggested calories (with a reasonable goal like .5 a week since you don't have much to lose)?

    So, what do you suggest for calories? Everyone seems super opposed to eating fewer than 1200 calories a day, so what should I do?

    If you are currently logging 1200 and not losing...chances are you are eating more than you think.

    Do you use a food scale and log accurately and consistently?
  • dannapearsall
    dannapearsall Posts: 18 Member
    vitty1 wrote: »
    First off,

    If you are "lifting" 45 minutes 5 times a week plus yoga (nevermind everything else in between), you are not eating enough calories.

    I was in the same position as you were, and was eating 1200 calories a day and spinning my wheels for nothing. My body held onto everything because it didn't know when it was going to eat again (causing water retention, delay in muscle growth, etc). Upped my calories to 1577 a day and am lifting heavier than I ever have and muscle is building and weight is dropping slowly (fat mass). I know its the hardest thing to wrap your mind around, upping calories (especially someone like me who is terrified on gaining weight), but it works wonders when you actually feed your body what it needs in order to grow. To grow muscle you need nutrient dense foods and lots of it, your muscles will not grow on 1200 calories a day.

    I recommend first buying a HR Monitor (Charge HR) to see your true calorie burn, measure everything you eat and lastly lift as heavy as possible...and invest in this book Thinner, Leaner, Stronger by Michael Matthews, gives you a step by step on everything and is my "Bible".

    good luck!

    I have read that book and am currently on the "year one" challenge I'm following his workouts 5 times a week.

    Just curious, why "lifting" in quotations?
  • dannapearsall
    dannapearsall Posts: 18 Member
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    If your weight isn't moving, it's because of the calories you're eating -- not because your macros aren't set right. Have you tried just going with the default macros and MFP's suggested calories (with a reasonable goal like .5 a week since you don't have much to lose)?

    So, what do you suggest for calories? Everyone seems super opposed to eating fewer than 1200 calories a day, so what should I do?

    If you are currently logging 1200 and not losing...chances are you are eating more than you think.

    Do you use a food scale and log accurately and consistently?

    I do. To the gram.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    okay open your food diary please. using a food scale is great and helps a lot but choosing correct entries and logging consistently is as important.

    I've seen people log 100 grams of chicken at 41 calories....
  • cathipa
    cathipa Posts: 2,991 Member
    Why not change your MFP goal to 0.5-1 pound loss per week and see what happens? Chances are you are not eating enough for your activity level.
  • dannapearsall
    dannapearsall Posts: 18 Member
    I didn't know it was closed. Open now.
  • des0123
    des0123 Posts: 19 Member
    Increase protein and lower carbs. Fat% should always be at 30% in my opinion. The more protein the more you burn fat and increase lean muscle
  • pcpop7
    pcpop7 Posts: 161 Member
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    If your weight isn't moving, it's because of the calories you're eating -- not because your macros aren't set right. Have you tried just going with the default macros and MFP's suggested calories (with a reasonable goal like .5 a week since you don't have much to lose)?

    So, what do you suggest for calories? Everyone seems super opposed to eating fewer than 1200 calories a day, so what should I do?

    If you are currently logging 1200 and not losing...chances are you are eating more than you think.

    Do you use a food scale and log accurately and consistently?

    I do. To the gram.

    I see lots of "not grams" measurements just looking at the past week.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I didn't know it was closed. Open now.

    no worries...and yes what I suspected is true.

    You may use a food log but your diary doesn't reflect it. Choosing entries in grams etc is important to get a real value for the calories. When searching for entries to choose use USDA entries and choose those with measurments in grams and double check against USDA website.

    For example

    you have 328 grams of watermelon logged at 98 calories....that is a good entry

    but the chicken breast roasted...is that skinless?
    with skin USDA says 167 calories with skin for 85grams (yours is in oz)
    no skin usda says 140

    but then you have an entry for Grilled chicken 3 oz 98 calories...???

    Most of your entries don't reflect a weight...most of pieces, cups etc.
    cathipa wrote: »
    Why not change your MFP goal to 0.5-1 pound loss per week and see what happens? Chances are you are not eating enough for your activity level.

    and this is a good though too? What is your weekly weight loss goals?

  • dannapearsall
    dannapearsall Posts: 18 Member
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    If your weight isn't moving, it's because of the calories you're eating -- not because your macros aren't set right. Have you tried just going with the default macros and MFP's suggested calories (with a reasonable goal like .5 a week since you don't have much to lose)?

    So, what do you suggest for calories? Everyone seems super opposed to eating fewer than 1200 calories a day, so what should I do?

    If you are currently logging 1200 and not losing...chances are you are eating more than you think.

    Do you use a food scale and log accurately and consistently?

    I do. To the gram.

    I see lots of "not grams" measurements just looking at the past week.

    Okay, I just don't understand how a couple of ounce measurements as poised to grams are going to cause me to plateau. I pick grams whenever possible, but sometimes MFP doesn't have that as an option. When I chose oz, I use decimals (3.2oz, for example) and any "cup" measurements are taken from scanning barcodes.

    Also, how is a person supposed to know when MFP has accurate info and when it doesn't? For example the watermelon/chicken cited before - both were entered from MFP and one is accurate and one is not?

    From what you guys seem to be saying, MFP is completely worthless and I have to look up each and every food item? Do you do that?
  • dannapearsall
    dannapearsall Posts: 18 Member
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    I didn't know it was closed. Open now.

    no worries...and yes what I suspected is true.

    You may use a food log but your diary doesn't reflect it. Choosing entries in grams etc is important to get a real value for the calories. When searching for entries to choose use USDA entries and choose those with measurments in grams and double check against USDA website.

    For example

    you have 328 grams of watermelon logged at 98 calories....that is a good entry

    but the chicken breast roasted...is that skinless?
    with skin USDA says 167 calories with skin for 85grams (yours is in oz)
    no skin usda says 140

    but then you have an entry for Grilled chicken 3 oz 98 calories...???

    Most of your entries don't reflect a weight...most of pieces, cups etc.
    cathipa wrote: »
    Why not change your MFP goal to 0.5-1 pound loss per week and see what happens? Chances are you are not eating enough for your activity level.

    and this is a good though too? What is your weekly weight loss goals?

    Well, losing any fat at all would be great at this point. I'm petite, and already near my goal, so to lose even .5-1lb a week would technically put my daily calorie intake at way less than 1200 calories if we are looking at 3000 calories per pound of fat lost.
  • pcpop7
    pcpop7 Posts: 161 Member
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    If your weight isn't moving, it's because of the calories you're eating -- not because your macros aren't set right. Have you tried just going with the default macros and MFP's suggested calories (with a reasonable goal like .5 a week since you don't have much to lose)?

    So, what do you suggest for calories? Everyone seems super opposed to eating fewer than 1200 calories a day, so what should I do?

    If you are currently logging 1200 and not losing...chances are you are eating more than you think.

    Do you use a food scale and log accurately and consistently?

    I do. To the gram.

    I see lots of "not grams" measurements just looking at the past week.

    Okay, I just don't understand how a couple of ounce measurements as poised to grams are going to cause me to plateau. I pick grams whenever possible, but sometimes MFP doesn't have that as an option. When I chose oz, I use decimals (3.2oz, for example) and any "cup" measurements are taken from scanning barcodes.

    Also, how is a person supposed to know when MFP has accurate info and when it doesn't? For example the watermelon/chicken cited before - both were entered from MFP and one is accurate and one is not?

    From what you guys seem to be saying, MFP is completely worthless and I have to look up each and every food item? Do you do that?

    Well 3oz to 4oz Can be an almost 30% difference multiply that over all your measurements and kiss your deficit goodbye. As has been said pick the USDA entries in grams as users can enter any old entry they want.

    Don't blame the tools for your inaccurate logging and you might see some results.

    Good luck
  • dannapearsall
    dannapearsall Posts: 18 Member
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    I didn't know it was closed. Open now.

    no worries...and yes what I suspected is true.

    You may use a food log but your diary doesn't reflect it. Choosing entries in grams etc is important to get a real value for the calories. When searching for entries to choose use USDA entries and choose those with measurments in grams and double check against USDA website.

    For example

    you have 328 grams of watermelon logged at 98 calories....that is a good entry

    but the chicken breast roasted...is that skinless?
    with skin USDA says 167 calories with skin for 85grams (yours is in oz)
    no skin usda says 140

    but then you have an entry for Grilled chicken 3 oz 98 calories...???

    Most of your entries don't reflect a weight...most of pieces, cups etc.
    cathipa wrote: »
    Why not change your MFP goal to 0.5-1 pound loss per week and see what happens? Chances are you are not eating enough for your activity level.

    and this is a good though too? What is your weekly weight loss goals?

    Yes, skinless chicken. It isn't like I'm trying to just arbitrarily make up calorie amounts, I'm using MFP for its intended purpose, which you've told me is basically a ludicrous notion. I type in foods and look for the most suitable match. Or I scan Barcodes.
  • dannapearsall
    dannapearsall Posts: 18 Member
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    If your weight isn't moving, it's because of the calories you're eating -- not because your macros aren't set right. Have you tried just going with the default macros and MFP's suggested calories (with a reasonable goal like .5 a week since you don't have much to lose)?

    So, what do you suggest for calories? Everyone seems super opposed to eating fewer than 1200 calories a day, so what should I do?

    If you are currently logging 1200 and not losing...chances are you are eating more than you think.

    Do you use a food scale and log accurately and consistently?

    I do. To the gram.

    I see lots of "not grams" measurements just looking at the past week.

    Okay, I just don't understand how a couple of ounce measurements as poised to grams are going to cause me to plateau. I pick grams whenever possible, but sometimes MFP doesn't have that as an option. When I chose oz, I use decimals (3.2oz, for example) and any "cup" measurements are taken from scanning barcodes.

    Also, how is a person supposed to know when MFP has accurate info and when it doesn't? For example the watermelon/chicken cited before - both were entered from MFP and one is accurate and one is not?

    From what you guys seem to be saying, MFP is completely worthless and I have to look up each and every food item? Do you do that?

    Well 3oz to 4oz Can be an almost 30% difference multiply that over all your measurements and kiss your deficit goodbye. As has been said pick the USDA entries in grams as users can enter any old entry they want.

    Don't blame the tools for your inaccurate logging and you might see some results.

    Good luck
    Wow.
  • pcpop7
    pcpop7 Posts: 161 Member
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    I didn't know it was closed. Open now.

    no worries...and yes what I suspected is true.

    You may use a food log but your diary doesn't reflect it. Choosing entries in grams etc is important to get a real value for the calories. When searching for entries to choose use USDA entries and choose those with measurments in grams and double check against USDA website.

    For example

    you have 328 grams of watermelon logged at 98 calories....that is a good entry

    but the chicken breast roasted...is that skinless?
    with skin USDA says 167 calories with skin for 85grams (yours is in oz)
    no skin usda says 140

    but then you have an entry for Grilled chicken 3 oz 98 calories...???

    Most of your entries don't reflect a weight...most of pieces, cups etc.
    cathipa wrote: »
    Why not change your MFP goal to 0.5-1 pound loss per week and see what happens? Chances are you are not eating enough for your activity level.

    and this is a good though too? What is your weekly weight loss goals?

    Yes, skinless chicken. It isn't like I'm trying to just arbitrarily make up calorie amounts, I'm using MFP for its intended purpose, which you've told me is basically a ludicrous notion. I type in foods and look for the most suitable match. Or I scan Barcodes.
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    I didn't know it was closed. Open now.

    no worries...and yes what I suspected is true.

    You may use a food log but your diary doesn't reflect it. Choosing entries in grams etc is important to get a real value for the calories. When searching for entries to choose use USDA entries and choose those with measurments in grams and double check against USDA website.

    For example

    you have 328 grams of watermelon logged at 98 calories....that is a good entry

    but the chicken breast roasted...is that skinless?
    with skin USDA says 167 calories with skin for 85grams (yours is in oz)
    no skin usda says 140

    but then you have an entry for Grilled chicken 3 oz 98 calories...???

    Most of your entries don't reflect a weight...most of pieces, cups etc.
    cathipa wrote: »
    Why not change your MFP goal to 0.5-1 pound loss per week and see what happens? Chances are you are not eating enough for your activity level.

    and this is a good though too? What is your weekly weight loss goals?

    Yes, skinless chicken. It isn't like I'm trying to just arbitrarily make up calorie amounts, I'm using MFP for its intended purpose, which you've told me is basically a ludicrous notion. I type in foods and look for the most suitable match. Or I scan Barcodes.

    I totally understand your frustration at what could be bad database entries but if you want accuracy your gonna have to take ownership of the data you enter in your diary and if you do it will all work out.
  • vitty1
    vitty1 Posts: 58 Member
    Because "lifting" means many things to many people.

    Some people use lighter weights and aren't using maximum energy throughout their workouts and leave the gym without any potential for gains. To me lifting, means lifting, exhaustion, pushing yourself.

    Im glad you have read the book, its worked very well for me so far.
  • dannapearsall
    dannapearsall Posts: 18 Member
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    I didn't know it was closed. Open now.

    no worries...and yes what I suspected is true.

    You may use a food log but your diary doesn't reflect it. Choosing entries in grams etc is important to get a real value for the calories. When searching for entries to choose use USDA entries and choose those with measurments in grams and double check against USDA website.

    For example

    you have 328 grams of watermelon logged at 98 calories....that is a good entry

    but the chicken breast roasted...is that skinless?
    with skin USDA says 167 calories with skin for 85grams (yours is in oz)
    no skin usda says 140

    but then you have an entry for Grilled chicken 3 oz 98 calories...???

    Most of your entries don't reflect a weight...most of pieces, cups etc.
    cathipa wrote: »
    Why not change your MFP goal to 0.5-1 pound loss per week and see what happens? Chances are you are not eating enough for your activity level.

    and this is a good though too? What is your weekly weight loss goals?

    Yes, skinless chicken. It isn't like I'm trying to just arbitrarily make up calorie amounts, I'm using MFP for its intended purpose, which you've told me is basically a ludicrous notion. I type in foods and look for the most suitable match. Or I scan Barcodes.
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    I didn't know it was closed. Open now.

    no worries...and yes what I suspected is true.

    You may use a food log but your diary doesn't reflect it. Choosing entries in grams etc is important to get a real value for the calories. When searching for entries to choose use USDA entries and choose those with measurments in grams and double check against USDA website.

    For example

    you have 328 grams of watermelon logged at 98 calories....that is a good entry

    but the chicken breast roasted...is that skinless?
    with skin USDA says 167 calories with skin for 85grams (yours is in oz)
    no skin usda says 140

    but then you have an entry for Grilled chicken 3 oz 98 calories...???

    Most of your entries don't reflect a weight...most of pieces, cups etc.
    cathipa wrote: »
    Why not change your MFP goal to 0.5-1 pound loss per week and see what happens? Chances are you are not eating enough for your activity level.

    and this is a good though too? What is your weekly weight loss goals?

    Yes, skinless chicken. It isn't like I'm trying to just arbitrarily make up calorie amounts, I'm using MFP for its intended purpose, which you've told me is basically a ludicrous notion. I type in foods and look for the most suitable match. Or I scan Barcodes.

    I totally understand your frustration at what could be bad database entries but if you want accuracy your gonna have to take ownership of the data you enter in your diary and if you do it will all work out.

    Well, to berate and belittle someone for an obviously unintentional and ignorant error is not the way I would go about "helping", but to each his own.
  • pcpop7
    pcpop7 Posts: 161 Member
    You misunderstand if you think I berate or belittle you. I do berate the bad database entries though. You got to watch out for them. I've entered my fare share of bad ones
  • ReaderGirl3
    ReaderGirl3 Posts: 868 Member
    edited April 2016
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    I didn't know it was closed. Open now.

    no worries...and yes what I suspected is true.

    You may use a food log but your diary doesn't reflect it. Choosing entries in grams etc is important to get a real value for the calories. When searching for entries to choose use USDA entries and choose those with measurments in grams and double check against USDA website.

    For example

    you have 328 grams of watermelon logged at 98 calories....that is a good entry

    but the chicken breast roasted...is that skinless?
    with skin USDA says 167 calories with skin for 85grams (yours is in oz)
    no skin usda says 140

    but then you have an entry for Grilled chicken 3 oz 98 calories...???

    Most of your entries don't reflect a weight...most of pieces, cups etc.
    cathipa wrote: »
    Why not change your MFP goal to 0.5-1 pound loss per week and see what happens? Chances are you are not eating enough for your activity level.

    and this is a good though too? What is your weekly weight loss goals?

    Yep, this is spot on. Measuring cups and pkg portion sizes (ie a slice of bread for example), can be way off. And those few extra calories here and there add up quick. Plus, if you're exercising and overestimating calories burned at all (which is super easy to do), you're going to quickly cancel out the calorie deficit needed to lose weight. Especially if you're already a lower weight/don't have a lot to lose-the wiggle room for error is very small.

  • ReaderGirl3
    ReaderGirl3 Posts: 868 Member
    edited April 2016
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    If your weight isn't moving, it's because of the calories you're eating -- not because your macros aren't set right. Have you tried just going with the default macros and MFP's suggested calories (with a reasonable goal like .5 a week since you don't have much to lose)?

    So, what do you suggest for calories? Everyone seems super opposed to eating fewer than 1200 calories a day, so what should I do?

    If you are currently logging 1200 and not losing...chances are you are eating more than you think.

    Do you use a food scale and log accurately and consistently?

    I do. To the gram.

    I see lots of "not grams" measurements just looking at the past week.

    Okay, I just don't understand how a couple of ounce measurements as poised to grams are going to cause me to plateau. I pick grams whenever possible, but sometimes MFP doesn't have that as an option. When I chose oz, I use decimals (3.2oz, for example) and any "cup" measurements are taken from scanning barcodes.

    Also, how is a person supposed to know when MFP has accurate info and when it doesn't? For example the watermelon/chicken cited before - both were entered from MFP and one is accurate and one is not?

    From what you guys seem to be saying, MFP is completely worthless and I have to look up each and every food item? Do you do that?

    Ha yeah, you bring up a good point with MFP's food database. Personally, I've started tracking off line because I got very frustrated with all the database errors (entered in wrongly by other users). I really wish there wasn't an option for people to add things to the database but unfortunately this hasn't been changed yet. I love MFP, but I think this is its biggest downside.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    It isn't like I'm trying to just arbitrarily make up calorie amounts, I'm using MFP for its intended purpose, which you've told me is basically a ludicrous notion. I type in foods and look for the most suitable match. Or I scan Barcodes.
    It's not ludicrous but it definitely is flawed.
    It's a user updated database which means you have entries that are completely rubbish through to those that are accurate.

    Once you start to pick good entries they appear in your frequent or recent foods and you can re-use them with confidence and simply adjust the weight.

    Priority for weight loss isn't macros - it's calories.
    Would suggest moving away from fixed macro percentages though - very restrictive for no good reason.
    I much prefer to regard protein and fat as minimums and let carbs fall wherever they fall within your calorie goal.

    I like 1g protein/1lb of estimated lean mass and fat at 0.4g/1lb of bodyweight but you don't need to be obsessive about the numbers.

    You don't have much weight to lose so try to stick with a slow rate of loss.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    I didn't know it was closed. Open now.

    no worries...and yes what I suspected is true.

    You may use a food log but your diary doesn't reflect it. Choosing entries in grams etc is important to get a real value for the calories. When searching for entries to choose use USDA entries and choose those with measurments in grams and double check against USDA website.

    For example

    you have 328 grams of watermelon logged at 98 calories....that is a good entry

    but the chicken breast roasted...is that skinless?
    with skin USDA says 167 calories with skin for 85grams (yours is in oz)
    no skin usda says 140

    but then you have an entry for Grilled chicken 3 oz 98 calories...???

    Most of your entries don't reflect a weight...most of pieces, cups etc.
    cathipa wrote: »
    Why not change your MFP goal to 0.5-1 pound loss per week and see what happens? Chances are you are not eating enough for your activity level.

    and this is a good though too? What is your weekly weight loss goals?

    Yes, skinless chicken. It isn't like I'm trying to just arbitrarily make up calorie amounts, I'm using MFP for its intended purpose, which you've told me is basically a ludicrous notion. I type in foods and look for the most suitable match. Or I scan Barcodes.

    not sure where I said or even indicated it was ludicrous notion.

    Most suitable match is the USDA entry or you create your own as MFP intended. YOu can edit entries to reflect the facts etc.

    Scanning barcodes doesnt always cut it either...I've done that and the scan came up with a totally different food...not just a different brand or weight or serving size a totally different food.

    If you look at my log you see I log what I eat in grams...if it's skinless chicken breast roasted that is what is logged...

    perhaps this post will help

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide?hl=Logging+accurately
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    If your weight isn't moving, it's because of the calories you're eating -- not because your macros aren't set right. Have you tried just going with the default macros and MFP's suggested calories (with a reasonable goal like .5 a week since you don't have much to lose)?

    So, what do you suggest for calories? Everyone seems super opposed to eating fewer than 1200 calories a day, so what should I do?

    After taking a quick look at your diary, I suggest that you begin weighing your food so you can establish if you're actually hitting your calorie goal or not. Using measuring cups can lead you to accidentally eat more than you think you are.
  • ernestrodgers82
    ernestrodgers82 Posts: 208 Member
    I really need help setting my macros. I've read so many different things that I just don't know what to do. I've had them at 45% carbs 20% fat 35% protien for over a month and my weight hasn't moved. I am 5"1' 121lbs and I've had my calories anywhere from 1100 to 1250. When they are at 1250, I can still meet my macros, but I have a hard time meeting the calories. I lift weights 5 times a week for 35-45 minutes, and do vinyasa/ashtanga yoga 5 times a week as well. I teach yoga 2 times a week.

    So, with all that info, my goal is to lose fat and gain muscle. Help!!

    Perhaps your body type doesn't respond all that well to that much protein. Try upping your carbs to 55% and fat to 27%. That leaves protein at 18%. Here's the source for those proportions http://www.livestrong.com/article/455388-dash-diet-proportions-carbohydrates-fat-protein/
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I really need help setting my macros. I've read so many different things that I just don't know what to do. I've had them at 45% carbs 20% fat 35% protien for over a month and my weight hasn't moved. I am 5"1' 121lbs and I've had my calories anywhere from 1100 to 1250. When they are at 1250, I can still meet my macros, but I have a hard time meeting the calories. I lift weights 5 times a week for 35-45 minutes, and do vinyasa/ashtanga yoga 5 times a week as well. I teach yoga 2 times a week.

    So, with all that info, my goal is to lose fat and gain muscle. Help!!

    Perhaps your body type doesn't respond all that well to that much protein. Try upping your carbs to 55% and fat to 27%. That leaves protein at 18%. Here's the source for those proportions http://www.livestrong.com/article/455388-dash-diet-proportions-carbohydrates-fat-protein/

    body type is irrelevant...it's the amount of calories that matters...besides protein is only 4 calories per gram exactly like carbs.
  • dannapearsall
    dannapearsall Posts: 18 Member
    I really need help setting my macros. I've read so many different things that I just don't know what to do. I've had them at 45% carbs 20% fat 35% protien for over a month and my weight hasn't moved. I am 5"1' 121lbs and I've had my calories anywhere from 1100 to 1250. When they are at 1250, I can still meet my macros, but I have a hard time meeting the calories. I lift weights 5 times a week for 35-45 minutes, and do vinyasa/ashtanga yoga 5 times a week as well. I teach yoga 2 times a week.

    So, with all that info, my goal is to lose fat and gain muscle. Help!!

    Perhaps your body type doesn't respond all that well to that much protein. Try upping your carbs to 55% and fat to 27%. That leaves protein at 18%. Here's the source for those proportions http://www.livestrong.com/article/455388-dash-diet-proportions-carbohydrates-fat-protein/

    This kind of makes sense. I have lost weight easily before eating lots of fruits and veggies. I upped my protien to help gain muscle.
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