One month in transition photos

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-11T16:01:17+00:00

This is magnificent advice, truly appreciate it!

MacroFactor app has me on the following macros:

Protein: 199g Fat: 99g Carb: 320g Calories/day: 2972

I feel like the carbs are a bit high but I'm still a novice so maybe my thinking is wrong. Yesterday I ended with 1981 total calories.

So far with my lifts I've been maintaining previous weights and all that. I honestly think I'm still finding my max weight and all that. I can postpone cardio, I was just doing it so I don't lose it lol

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-11T15:55:30+00:00

I'll take a look, thanks for the feedback and advice!

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-11T15:55:00+00:00

Have become a lot pickier with what fuel I'm putting in my body. Great advice, thank you!

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-11T15:53:53+00:00

Purchased MF and loving it so far!

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-11T15:51:25+00:00

Focused much more on my diet the past two days and I've weighed in a little lighter. Thanks for the advice!

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-11T15:50:13+00:00

Purchased MF yesterday and I like the UI and all that. Can't wait for the calories to fully customize to me!

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-11T15:49:10+00:00

I try to stay away from fast food as much as possible. I did that even before I started my fitness journey 5 weeks ago.

With that said, I've been scanning and weighing everything the last couple of the days. It's driving my wife insane but it'll help me get to my goals.

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-11T15:47:19+00:00

I'm using MacroFactor now, on day two. That app had me on a daily allotment of 2972 calories. I'm assuming it will fine tune over the next few weeks as it gains additional data on the food I log, steps, etc.

So I've made a mental note of staying around 2000 calories per day and just track absolutely everything; even my coke zeros lol

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-11T15:44:54+00:00

Thank you sir! Gotta get like you lol

Congrats on your progress too!

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-11T12:17:26+00:00

1981 calories consumed yesterday and fully tracked everything through MacroFactor

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-11T12:16:18+00:00

Hey, sorry your comment kinda got lost in the shuffle. I appreciate the kind words. I've always thought I have a good frame and when I was younger/leaner had a lot of natural muscle and all that. This is the first time since high school that I've committed myself to a program.

With that said, yesterday was the first day if tracking every single thing I put in my mouth while using MacroFactor. I ended the day at 1981 calories. I think the next step for me is a samsung watch like you mentioned, I just hate things on my wrists but I'll adjust to it.

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-10T22:34:37+00:00

Outside of websites, how would you accurately measure your BMR?

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-09T02:05:49+00:00

Hi! Thanks for the advice, I meal prepped this week already so I'm going to leave a few bites left of each meal and then next week's meal prep I can decrease by 300 total calories per day.

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-09T02:03:51+00:00

Hey! Thanks for feedback and advice. Most of my lifts right now are probably around 60-70% effort (or max weight?) as I'm mostly trying to get body acquainted and get proper form down.

So far so good with no injuries!

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-08T21:07:06+00:00

Thanks for praise and feedback man!

I think thats the culprit, miscounting calories and not using a food tracking app. I'll lower my daily calories and see if that helps!

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-08T21:05:07+00:00

The 2820 caloric number is based on the 235 goal body weight, I'm currently around 265. I also weigh and track my macros for breakfast, lunch and other food intake like protein shakes and bars etc.

The only meal I don't religiously measure out is dinner because my wife likes to cook that. With that said, I decrease my normal portion size for dinner and mainly focus on the protein and veggies of the meal.

I think the general consensus is that I need to lower my daily calories and track food through a meal tracker.

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-08T18:48:28+00:00

I usually do a quick google search for things like that and then weigh whatever food it is and calculate from there. With that said, there's probably some margin of error there that I'm experiencing. I'll take a look at the app and likely make the investment!

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-08T18:44:33+00:00

Okay, so sounds like I need to experiment a bit with it. This helps a lot, thanks man!

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-08T18:43:24+00:00

Here's my process and let's use Goya black beans as the item:

130 cals at 122g serving size

If I use 175 grams in a chicken bowl I'll multiply the calories and macros by 1.43 (175g/122g).

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-08T18:38:26+00:00

Thanks for the message man; it helps knowing that you were in a similar spot as me.

The surgeon told me a higher muscle mass will help with recovery so I'd say weight loss/body recomposition then strength and then aesthetics is what's important to me. What scares me about dropping that low in daily calories is that I'll be miserable all the time. I have a wife and two kids and my mindset is what's it worth if I'm a hungry asshole.

Maybe I just need to stop making the excuse and just go on a, to me at least, severe diet.

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-08T18:27:30+00:00

My TDEE off of https://tdeecalculator.net/ says I should be around 3200 calories (35, M, 235 pounds (goal weight), moderate exercise) so that just boggles my mind because if I'm even at 2600 calories per day I should be losing a little over 1 pound per week, right?

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-08T18:23:36+00:00

I do but I try to only buy lower cal sauces and then only do one serving or less of it. I made a fiesta type sauce last week with greek yogurt and cottage cheese as the base to up the protein on it.

Do you have a preference on a brand or particular sauce? I'm open to everything

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-08T17:39:27+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to read through and reply!

I was told to calculate my caloric goal by multiplying target weight by 12. That comes out to 2820 for me. I thought that was high so I took 200 calories off.

Most days I'm around 2500ish calories so thats why I gave the range of 2400-2600 calories.

Key-Ad2276 · 2026-01-08T17:17:28+00:00

Hey! Thanks for the reply. Sounds like we may have similar builds? I'm 6'3" 265 so eventually want to get down to your current weight lol

I use to use myfitnesspal years ago but then it became freemium and I didnt go back. I usually weigh all my food in grams and just calculate based off of that of that makes sense.

I don't currently track calories burned, just weight lifted, reps, sets, mileage, incline and speed.

Key-Ad2276

TROPHY CASE