How do you figure calories and macros?

Please someone help me...I need help figuring how many calories I need and what make macros should be..I am doing keto and need to lose about 80 pounds...my goal is 2 pounds a week...I'm 53..almost 260 pounds and 5'8".

Answers

  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 36,546 Member

    MFP, given reasonably accurate entries in your profile, will give you a more suitable starting calorie goal than any of us can give you. They use a sensible research-based formula. We other users here just have opinions, and not even expert ones, at that. 😆 Your calorie goal wouldn't be different because of keto.

    Once you have a starting calorie goal that way, follow it reasonably closely on average for 4-6 weeks. At that point, compare your actual average weekly weight loss on that routine to your 2 pounds a week intention. If necessary, adjust your calorie goal to fine-tune your loss rate, using arithmetic and the assumption that 500 calories per day is roughly one pound per week of fat loss. If you have menstrual cycles, figure your estimated weekly loss by comparing body weight at the same relative point in at least two different cycles.

    Doing that personalizes your calorie goal.

    For nutrition, I believe keto generally is low carb, moderate protein, high fat - relatively speaking. For non-keto people, the MFP default macro goals are usually a reasonable starting point as long as they don't try to lose weight too aggressively fast. There's no getting minimally adequate nutrition on too-few calories.

    I'm not going to try to tell you exactly what macro goals to use for keto, beyond what I said above, because I didn't use keto to lose weight, nor have I used it to maintain. I wouldn't like keto, personally. If you like it, that's great - no diss from me. IME, most people here doing keto have some idea of their carb goal in grams or percent. If you have a gram goal, tweak your MFP percent to get close to that number of grams, and call it good. Like I said, probably keep protein moderate (though generically it's fine to eat more protein within reason, as long as other nutrition doesn't suffer), increase fat to reach 100% across all 3 macros.

    Someone who does keto may suggest specific numbers.

  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,675 Member
    edited May 12
  • SaraFayF
    SaraFayF Posts: 3 Member

    I have been using My Fitness Pal for the past years to track my keto journey. I recommend placing your daily macro goals at 65% fat, 25% protein and 10% carbs. Let MFP work out the calories and such from your height and current weight. I recommend that once you reach your weight loss goals trying to switch to a cycling keto diets. 3 weeks keto and 1 week balanced macros (30% carbs, 30% protein, 40% fat). Make sure to be eating the best fats and proteins you can. Avocado oils, real butter, full fat dairy, protein that is high in healthy fats. Grass fed beef will be your best friend. Keep following up with your doctor to watch any heart or blood pressure related issues you may have been dealing with while struggling with your weight. You got this! Keto changed my life. But remember, it doesn't work for everyone. Some people's body's flourish off of ketones, others need carbs. Watch your body and know it takes at least a month of consistency to see the way your body truly reacts to the keto diet.