Counting macros or calories?
Hello all! Well, I have been thinking about this for a LONG time and I finally got the opportunity to sit down and try to put a semi-intelligent post in the forums!
Here's the deal! I was curious what everyone's take was in the area of their diets when it comes to getting all the CORRECT nutrients and beneficial calories. In my experience, and whether or not I am even doing this right, BUT I have found it much easier on myself and my sanity to count my macros(protein, carbs and fats) than to begin to even TRY to count the calories in ALL the meals and snacks I have during the day! My understanding and hope in this, is that by knowing how many carbs, proteins and fats I consume daily, I would also approach quite the large enough calorie surplus in my diet for the needs of adding quality muscle.
Currently, AND historically, it has actually worked really well for me. As for six months now, w/out juice this is, I have gained at least 15 lbs. and my bodyfat has stayed more or less the same at 9-10%, and I know this because I have constantly measured it. I am just starting a cycle right now(first one)and will most likely continue to diet in this fashion. I am 32 years old, about 215 lbs., and 6'00", and I try to take in about 400-600 grams of carbs, 250-300 grams of protein and around 100 grams of fat everyday. Let me tell you too...I am fuckin shoving food down my throat!! I am consistently semi-bloated!! My own mother sees how I eat sometimes and she is astonished that I can even do it!!! It's pretty fuckin hilarious!
The thing is here, is that I know for a fact that not alot of people count calories even some IFBB pros, one comes to mind in fact: Johnnie Jackson, I have read and heard that he just eats what he thinks are the right macros and that's all he cares about. Granted he might not be winning the top comps or anything, BUT he is still a PRO and I'm NOT! Right?
Well, I guess that pretty much covers it for now! I am really eager here to get some quality input, as I will admit, I am always learning and ready to learn from someone else. Maybe I am doing this all wrong, maybe not. I am open-minded for some constructive criticism or maybe some positive reinforcement, SO I guess what I am saying is that I am old enough and mature enough to handle whatever will be dished out!!! Thanx, Gang!!
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I have been counting calories for the last 3 years, first on paper, now I use a program that I got from the University I go to. It has helped me tremendously with my goals. Makes cutting a lot easier and I always know around what protein I am getting. I usually shoot for a caloric goal, 3500+/- for bulking and I start my cuts at 2700 and work down to around 2300 if I need to go that low. I always make sure to get my protein in first, always above 200 for cutting, around 300+ for when I bulk. I do not see the evidence to support more than that for someone my size. Then I will make sure to get good clean whole carbs in, as much as I can TBH, and I only take in fats that come from foods. That is what works best for me.
My view is you can not know where you will end up if you are not watching where you walk.
Mate I am not really one for counting any of it to be honest. But if you are gong to count anything the best is macros. At least that way you know where your intake is coming from and comprised of what types of nutients. I get by just eating good clean sources of protien and carbs. All your protien does contain an amount of fat anyway. As long as its a good clean source you should be right.
Oh yeah...good clean diet here. Like I said before, it's kinda an 'eyeball' thing, it's alot easier than it would seem, granted it did take me several months to really get a good feel for it. I appreciate the words of encouragement, it seems like I have been doing the right thing here!
Absolutely mate. You are definately on the right track. Good luck with it all.
Anonif you are going to count something then you should count macros.. at the end of the day calories is just a number, just like the weight on the scale, it doesn't tell you a whole lot about what the number is comprised of..
So if you hit your macros, with less calories than what your aiming for is this ok?
Personally I would rather hit my macro count than the calorie...the larger picture here is the 'building blocks' (for lack of a better description) need fulfilled. I am not even really sure what my calorie count is, that's kinda why I wrote this post, and I really don't care. Maybe I am not getting the calories I technically should to put mass on, but guess what?...it's working without the calorie count and that is what is important to me. I guess it all depends on your goals, such as simply maintaining or maybe running a cut cycle, ya know? That would be a lil' different. Again though, I guess I have tinkered with my diet enough and know when to bump up the cardio if I wanted to cut.
Awww...nice, I know you are quite knowledgeable on all this!! I was hoping for a response from you, gothic, sarge, or viking, or etc. 'professional' others. So you think I on the right track here?
Anonmacros are the way to go rather than just pure calorie counting .. I can visit the local bakery and get my total cals for the day in oh... as long as it takes me to stuff several doughnuts down my throat, but that doesn't mean I ve done a good job because I met my caloric intake for the day ... What is in those calories makes a huge difference and that is where the macros comes in to play ..
DarksideSixFor me personaly, I hated counting calories but when I started really tightening down my diet I started using an internet site called fitday.com that lets you put everythign you eat in a day there and it breaks down all your macros by calories, protein, carbs, fat. It's really a great tool. I'm always in tune with my body and what it needs so I'm always checking what my TDEE is and what my maintnance level of calories is. Since I regularly eat the same things most days I get a basic idea of the nutrients i'm getting and if I end up eating out or missing a meal I know how to fill it in. Obviously for bulking you need to eat more than your maintnance level and the more weight you ad, the higher your maintnance level goes up which means you need to continualy eat more.
keep in mind that everybody is different and a big factor depends on what bodytype you are as well...ectomorph, endomorph, or mesomorph.
This is a good idea of what I was getting at. I kinda work it the same way, such as "filling in" for meals with snacks and getting what I need. My bodytype is predominantly mesomorphic the way I figure. It used to be more ecto, but that changed in my mid-twenties somehow. I could never add weight till then, it was pretty strange when it turned around. I think it had something to do with quitting some of the drugs I used to do in all honesty!!! LOL....
angusYou are really putting a lot of effort into tracking your macros, but you didn't indicate what your goals are. Personally, that shit is too much work for me and I like the Johnnie approach and just eyeball it. I just listen to what my body is telling me and try to give it what it wants.
I hear what U are saying here. As for my goals, I am stackin some mass right now. I can always cut down later at some point. Really, I find tracking my macros really isn't that difficult...that is why I am doing it, for I have tried to count my caloric intake before and got all discouraged and pissed off!! I guess you could say I do kinda eyeball it a little bit, some days are easier than others. AND I have heard before that a good technique is to listen and give my body what it wants!! Good lookin so far guys!! All this helps, as I am just curious on everyone's opinions if it seems like I am doing alrite at least at it!!