MFP gave me too many carbs. Can I adjust?

SinTwistr1
SinTwistr1 Posts: 3 Member
edited November 2024 in Introduce Yourself
I am new to MFP. I said I wanted to lose 2#/wk. It never asks about any dietary restrictions. The plan it gave me has way too many carbs. I have a high sugar issue & currently take insulin & metformin. I got myself off the insulin in the past by changing my diet. Then life got in the way, as did comfort eating. So, back on insulin, but trying to get off again.

Based on wanting to lose 2#/wk, why does the plan come back with eating to only lose .3#/wk? That doesn't help me reach my goal.

Any way to adjust this within the plan?

Replies

  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,251 Member
    How tall are you and how much do you weigh?

    And, yes, you can lower the percentage of carbohydrates and raise the percentage for protein or fat or both.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    edited April 2018
    You can go into your diary settings to change your macro percentages. As for the rate per week, what are your stats? There is a minimum amount of calories (1200 for women, 1500 for men) MFP will assign to ensure adequate nutritional needs are met.
  • SinTwistr1
    SinTwistr1 Posts: 3 Member
    After I posted, I found where I can adjust the numbers. But not being a nutritionist, when I lowered the carbs I had to raise the protein. I have no clue if this allows me to lose weight.

    I am 4'8", 111#. My goal is 90# (which is about 5# more than I used to always be, but based on my age, I'll accept that).

    I go to the gym 4-5x/wk. Work with a trainer who does a lot of cardio (30 mins with him, 15 or more on elliptical) plus other exercises.

    I've changed my eating (trying to get it back to extremely low carbs, but not there yet). However, in the past 2 months, I've dropped my A1C by 2 points (which means I've lowered my carbs significantly). I have 2 more points to go. I have been at the gym since 02/01 - again 4-5x/wk. I have not lost even 1 pound!!!!! My clothes fit no differently (I keep getting told I'm building muscle and the pounds will eventually come off....). That's NOT happening. When I lowered my carbs almost 4 years ago when I was diagnosed with the sugar problem, I lost 20# almost immediately.

    I'm having my doctor check my thyroid when I go for blood work in 2 months.

    I'm frustrated and angry. A woman at the gym told me about this program, so I thought I'd try it.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    SinTwistr1 wrote: »
    After I posted, I found where I can adjust the numbers. But not being a nutritionist, when I lowered the carbs I had to raise the protein. I have no clue if this allows me to lose weight.

    I am 4'8", 111#. My goal is 90# (which is about 5# more than I used to always be, but based on my age, I'll accept that).

    I go to the gym 4-5x/wk. Work with a trainer who does a lot of cardio (30 mins with him, 15 or more on elliptical) plus other exercises.

    I've changed my eating (trying to get it back to extremely low carbs, but not there yet). However, in the past 2 months, I've dropped my A1C by 2 points (which means I've lowered my carbs significantly). I have 2 more points to go. I have been at the gym since 02/01 - again 4-5x/wk. I have not lost even 1 pound!!!!! My clothes fit no differently (I keep getting told I'm building muscle and the pounds will eventually come off....). That's NOT happening. When I lowered my carbs almost 4 years ago when I was diagnosed with the sugar problem, I lost 20# almost immediately.

    I'm having my doctor check my thyroid when I go for blood work in 2 months.

    I'm frustrated and angry. A woman at the gym told me about this program, so I thought I'd try it.

    Well, yeah. You have to eat *something*. If you lower your consumption of one macronutrient, you'll need to increase your consumption of another.

    Your weight loss will be determined by the number of calories you eat, not by a specific amount of protein or carbohydrate. You have specific health reasons to limit your carbohydrates, but people can lose weight on a wide range of macronutrient consumption.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    Your calories are what determines weight loss, not your macros. You can continue playing with how much fat/protein you eat to see what works best for you.

    Because you are so short, you can disregard the 1200 then. I would say 1000 calories should be good. 2 pounds a week is way too aggressive for what you have to lose and would only leave you with a few hundred calories to eat. Make sure you do log everything as accurately as possible (if you don't have one, I recommend purchasing a food scale and weighing everything on it). Also because you have a lower intake than the minimum, don't hit "complete diary" or you'll just get a warning that you're eating too few calories.
  • SinTwistr1
    SinTwistr1 Posts: 3 Member
    Thanks to all of you for the input. We'll see what happens..... LOL
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    2lbs a week is much to aggressive when you don't have much to lose and at your current weight you are a healthy weight as it is.

    Perhaps a recomp would be better - build some muscle and get leaner.
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