Macro counting, anyone here doing it?

Have you looked at IIFYM (If it fits your macros)? There are some really good resources on there!

I have checked out a few things. Maybe the reason I'm struggling the most is because I use my Fitbit to track my calories (and now Macros now that they've added that feature!). I have a weight loss plan set up in my app that gives me X amount of calories to start with per day. That number increases or decreases throughout the day as I do or don't exercise. I think trying to combine the two plans is what's hard for me, because I've been so used to the calorie counting system I've been doing through my Fitbit for the last year.

I'm tracking macros. My trainer did the math and told me what my goals were a day.

So far I'm down 10 pounds and would be more if I didn't slack the last 3 weeks and I've been maintaining what I've lost so far.

So much easier than calorie counting.

I used to count macros as well. Similar to PP my trainer calculated my grams from me. I no longer do it because it's very tedious lol but it works!!! I dropped about 20 pounds in 3 months as well

Following!

I have done it before - it works wonders, as for tips, look at youtube videos from hunnybunsfit (Jen Heward) and Katy Hearn. They are most helpful to me.

ETA: katy hearn has a macro calculator on her website.... katyhearnfit.com

Following!! I've been wanting to start this as well!

So from what I'm gathering, there's no "easy" way to meal plan without sitting down and planning and calculating everything out? I did the IIFYM calculator and based on my weight, exercise level, and goals, I should have a p38f20c42 split, and I need 123g of protein, 65g of fat, and 138g of carbs. So I guess I just need to start putting things together to find out what meals/snacks will arrive at those numbers, and stay under my calorie budget. Just seems tough!

What kinds of meals/foods were/are you guys eating while counting macros? I eat pretty much the same things all the time. Breakfast I have 1c of Special K red berries and 3/4 cup skim milk, I have a mid morning snack, usually a fruit or a vegetable, for lunch, I usually eat lean cuisine freezer meals (I think these are going to have to go), a mid afternoon snack, usually another fruit, veggie, or light yogurt, and then for dinner, I pretty much eat whatever the hell I want as long as it's within my leftover calorie counts. So far today, I'm at 56%c, 18%f, and 26%p with 430 calories left in my budget (until I work out tonight). So looks like I need a little more protein today and less carbs?

@Red, thanks, I'll check her out!

My FBIL and FSIL run their own fitness company and counting macros is what they do best. I can't say much about it, but they live that life style. Ledbetterinc.com is their business. maybe have some helpful tips on there? They even named their dog macro lol!

Thanks @NatHam, I'll check that out as well. FH thinks I am crazy. He asked me last night why I was so into reading about dieting and said "it's really not that complicated; don't eat a lot and exercise". If only he knew! The complexity of it makes me want to just stick with calorie counting the way I always have. But then I think... if I can really maximize my results, I really want to get this figured out!

I've never done it because it seems complicated but there are apps out there that help for sure tho.

There is an app called my macro's that works really well. The trick is getting your protein and fats in line. Yes you can eat what you want more or less but red meats tend to bet more fatty and it is easy to go over your fats in the macrro's unless you are Keto.

I macro count!!

It's been statistically proven that low fat diets are unsuccessful. The key is having the right BALANCE of fats carbs and protein. You need every single macro for one purpose or the other.

IIFYM.com will give you a calculator of what the ideal macros for your stats are.

I count macros because I want the flexibility of "dieting". If I'm craving something, I fit it into my day tomorrow. And I plan the rest of the day around it. Normally I always track my lunches first and then dessert (cuz I can't NOT have ice cream) and then everything else. The beauty of flexible dieting is being able to be flexible!

I have a lot of experience and knowledge on the subject. Feel free to reach out!

Example.. I've been craving pb. So for tomorrow, I plugged in PB in my tracker and then planned the rest of my day around having pb with my ice cream. It's basically a big game of Tetris.

The www.iifym.com is a comprehensive guide to do it. When using the calculators you have to be honest otherwise you may end up moving in the wrong direction.

@Brittany, tell me about your experiences! I'm just so lost on where to start! I've looked at all of these sites and each calculator calculates a different macro ratio for me, and since most of them take exercise into account, it's seeming difficult for me to use my Fitbit app, which adds the exercise when I actually do it.

Lmao, I stopped counting calories a decade ago.

You're welcome! I always was told "start easy and then slowly move into difficult". I could never move to difficult lmao. I am extremely bad at math, so that does not help either. But honestly, it was the only thing that worked, even if I ate the same thing every day of every week... also use myfitnesspal. I think that helps a lot as well. But go premium if you can afford it ($50 for the year). I have found that to be extremely helpful

Grithealth is a good site, she specializes in online coaching and is macro based.

This is really interesting! Totally not trying to critique your diet - you obviously have found a lot of success with weight loss in the past. However, having recently changed up my diet and had success I would potentially rethink your daily breakfast. Even 'good' cereal is usually still loaded with sugar and unneeded carbs. I also read more and more about how dairy can inhibit weight loss. Maybe think about switching to something with more protein like eggs or a protein shake (no milk)? Again, no expert here, but that is the first thing that stood out to me as an easy opportunity for change!