• minute READ

Well, what are “macros” anyway!?

Macros are short for macro-nutrients.  Simply put, macros are the 3 major (macro) ingredients in food that supply us with calories.  They are: Protein, Fat and Carbohydrates.

OK?!  So, that was no major reveal… what’s so special about them?

Well, when consumed in the right ratios (percentages), they can be extremely beneficial to fat loss and muscle gain and optimizing metabolic health.

OK?! Still not impressed…?!

Here’s the magic… with macros, you can be more flexible with your food choices. There are virtually NO “off-limits” food choices. So, in essence, it makes the diet easier to adhere to long term.  And, therefore, more consistency (less cheating) means better results.

AHH!!!! There it is… So, I can eat what I want and still drop body-fat?!

YES!!! Within reason.  With macros, it’s like playing Food-Tetris (I’ll take partial credit for that analogy… smile). You have a goal number of grams, per day, for each of the 3 macro-nutrients. And your objective is to land within 10% (over/ under) your macro targets.

Are you saying, I can eat “unhealthy” foods and still lose body-fat?

While I am not advocating that you eat (nothing but) junk food while following macros; I AM saying it is okay to consume foods that would normally be off limits. I’d advise anyone to follow macros to stick to the 80/20 rule.  80% of the time, you should be eating “healthier” choices (lean proteins, fruit and veggies, nuts, seeds, whole grains, root veggies, starches and limiting added sugar).  And, 20% of the time…eat what you want.

How am I going to reach my goals by doing that?

Well, here’s the catch… you need to track your food intake. And, for those that are most successful on a macros plan, you should also weigh and measure your foods for proper portions.

Dang it!  I knew it sounded too good to be true!

Yeah, I know. It can be burdensome to track, weigh and measure your food.  But I promise, the results will be well worth it.  And, when you get to eat most of what you want in the process, you’ll be the one laughing in the end.

So, how do I track my food?

Great question! There are several, food tracking, mobile apps available for FREE on the market.  We have our own built-in Meal Tracker in our app, with over 1.3 million verified foods! However, besides our app, one of the most popular is My Fitness Pal.  With the app, it’s simple. But, again, for best results, you’ll need to weigh your foods for accuracy.

To track your food:

  1. Pick a food – Apple.
  2. Pick the weight – 160 grams.
  3. Press Add food and you’re done

The app will calculate your total protein/ carb/ fat ratios and total grams, so you can make sure to stay within your daily targets.  What’s REALLY cool about our app is, you’ll have a FREE bar-code scanner for easy entry of food.  AND, you can add your favorite foods/ recipes for easy add later.

But, how do I know how many grams of protein, carbs and fat I need?

The golden question. And, the cliché answer: “everyone’s needs are different”.

In conclusion, counting macros can be a powerful tool for those looking to achieve their fitness and health goals. It allows for flexibility in food choices and can be beneficial for fat loss, muscle gain, and metabolic health. Tracking, weighing, and measuring food portions is crucial for success, and there are many free mobile apps available to make the process easier. While everyone’s protein, carb, and fat requirements differ, following a macros plan can be a sustainable and effective way to reach your goals. With consistency and effort, the results will be well worth it!

>