Why I Macro – Learning the building blocks of nutrition!

I Count Macros. 

I’ve counted off and on for over 2 years now. 

Tracking my food and the macronutrients I’m getting from it has been, hands down, the most useful tool in my healthy living tool box to date. 

If you’re not familiar with what it means to track macros, it simply means logging your food and the three main macronutrients you get from it – Carbohydrates, Fats & Proteins. Most of the time, when tracking, you have a set of goal macros you’re trying to reach each day. For example: 150 grams of carbs, 45 grams of fat, and 130 grams of protein. 

We use different macronutrients for different functions in our body and each one is necessary and important in it’s own way. Understanding what types of food contain these nutrients and how to balance them out to work best for you is SO powerful.

The times I’m tracking down to the gram – I’ve got a goal. Sometimes it’s leaning out, others it’s building muscle. Sometimes I’m just tracking to stay right where I am – maintain. 

It doesn’t always feel like deprivation, guys! Sometimes I am in utter shock of just how much I can and should be eating to operate at my peak level! 

The best part of counting over the past couple years has been how much I’ve learned to use when I’m not counting. No, I’m not bringing my scale out to measure the amount of chicken in my Chipotle burrito. Based on tracking for a while, I can tell the guy behind the counter when it’s enough. I know when to ask for a box because I’m overeating. And I know that I can have a donut and still call the day a good one. 

The buzz word or phrase “Intuitive Eating” is big right now. And I get that. But without a basic  understanding of what you’re consuming, how it fuels your body, portion sizes and meal sizes, how can you ensure you’re fueling your body in the best way you can? If you told me to eat intuitively before I counted, that would mean cinnamon rolls for breakfast and a half of a pizza for lunch while I saved the other half for dinner. But by tracking, I’ve learned and trained myself to make smart little decisions that result in feeling stronger, energized and in control! I still love my pizza but I know that I don’t need the entire thing and I feel confident in my decision to have a slice or two! 

Counting was the kick off to a huge lifestyle change that I am so grateful for! 

So this is me telling you that there’s a tool out there! It’s adjustable, sustainable and so accessible. If you want to learn more about getting started, check out this blog post!