So do I just focus on my calories

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cooper_mol
cooper_mol Posts: 2 Member
in Getting Started
Hey! I literally just started and signed up today and im just a bit confused.

Do I just have to try and stick to my calorie target? I don't really know much about carbs and protein etc.. hence why I'm overweight!! But am I right in just to stick to my target?

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  • qweck3
    qweck3 Posts: 346 Member
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    CarvedTones made some great points above. Try to learn portion sizes right away. Avoid major changes as you adjust to this. Who knows, your diet might already be set but you may just eating to much. For example, a label might say 3oz but one full unit may really be 6oz (chicken for example) so invest in a food scale. Search CICO (Calories in Calories Out). It's a debate topic for many on these boards so I won't get into it but read up on it and decide if the concept will work for you. Even if it doesn't there are still some really good pointers in that thread.

    In the beginning it's all about calories but DO NOT have yourself hungry. You didn't gain the weight in a day so you can't expect to lose it all overnight either. Later on as you learn what your body really needs you might find yourself trying to add calories to your day to maintain.
  • sassysherr
    sassysherr Posts: 5 Member
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    Thank you. That was helpful for me too!!
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
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    cooper_mol wrote: »
    Do I just have to try and stick to my calorie target? I don't really know much about carbs and protein etc.. hence why I'm overweight!! But am I right in just to stick to my target?
    You gained weight by eating too much (too many calories). To lose weight, you have to stick to your calorie target (not "try"). That's all you have to do to lose weight. You can eat whatever you want.

    But in order to stick to your calories, you might have to look into what you're eating. Good nutrition keeps you healthy, energetic and not starving. A balanced and varied diet is important to get in sufficient nutrition. MFP's default macro setup is supposed to lead you towards a balanced diet, because it's really hard to not eat nutritionally sound and still hit those macros. But if you make an effort, you can game any system, so you have to use common sense - eat your fruit and vegetables and whole grains, cook at home, and don't deep fry everything, don't eat cookies and cake and candy every day, etc.

    That covered "balanced". Now on to "varied". As mentioned, you have to stick to your calorie target, and for a long time, too, and you can't do that even on the most optimally balanced diet unless you're eating food you like, and aren't bored. So choose meals and foods you like, and be open for trying new foods, be prepared to go out of your comfort zone, but also practice boundaries and self-care and kindness, and discover your true preferences. Your preferences can change when you change your habits and attitudes, and this can be exciting and empowering.

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