Carb confusion - What's included in macros?

[DumpyMom]

Hi Ladies,

Ok, I'm admitting that I thought if I went to the gym like a good girl I'd lose weight without changing my diet. Made sense to me. I'd be using up more calories than I was before but eating the same amount. Guess what... I actually have gained 6lbs and measurements haven't changed - maybe one is down 1/4 in but another is up 1/4 inch. I have some serious lbs to lose!

So now I'm willing to try the ultimate sacrifice for me - change in eating habits. I'm going to try to do 40/40/20.

My question: Are there any carbs that don't get counted? Like fiber or vegetables? Please assume no nutritional knowledge on my part - I grew up in a family that believes cheese sauces are good for you because they contain dairy and gravy's not bad because it's just gravy

Seems like whatever label I look at the carbs dominate. I wouldn't be able to eat much other than chicken or tuna without throwing the carb part of the macro above the others. Even if fats are low, trying to get those up brings up carbs (I like a couple walnuts).

Sorry if this has been asked before. I did a search on the forum but I can't seem to find a clear cut answer.

Thanks! Hope everyone's having a great day!!

Dea

[freebirdmac]

Probably not what you want to hear... I count everything.

[DumpyMom]

FreeBird, you're right. I was hoping I could subtract out the fiber grams

So, when I look at the macros, am I taking each meal individually or do I just need to worry about daily totals? I read somewhere (don't remember where) that each meal needs to have the right ratios. If that's true, when people say they're eating cereal or oatmeal for breakfast how are they getting the protein in that meal? Is it just kind of assumed that protein powder is added?

Thanks!

Dea

[SexyChic]

I eyeball everything... I refuse to count/weigh food and I am still reaching my goals (just a tad slower).

I eat a fist size amount of protein and a fist size amount of carbs (depending on what time of day and when my w/os are, etc) every 3-4 hours, 6 times a day.

I don't eat any sugar or artificial sweetners. Drink nothing but water and protein shakes (I use soy milk mostly). I allow myself a cheat meal (used to be once a week, but now it's like twice a month).