What are Macros? Macros is short for macronutrients which consists of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Macros make up food and help you create energy.
Tracking macros can be useful to achieve health goals like losing weight, gaining muscle, or entering maintenance mode. There are many advantages to tracking macros but also some drawbacks!
Advantages to macro counting:
- Tracking macros can help you see where you are and adjust accordingly. After tracking macros many clients discover how much they are consuming which can be very eye opening. Then based on their symptoms & macros, we can adjust the levels to help them feel more energized throughout the day.
- Balanced macros can help you avoid overeating or undereating in one macro category. For example, eating too many carbs can cause fatigue, blood sugar issues and sugar cravings. On the other hand, too little healthy carbs can cause insomnia, hair loss, brain fog, constipation and/or a sluggish thyroid.
- Tracking macros can help with weight loss and appetite correction whether you’re overeating or undereating. I cannot even count how many times a client says that they think they’re “eating enough” food and that they are not hungry. And when we track macros, they are clearly undereating. These clients have lost their ability to “hear” their hunger hormone, ghrelin. On the flip side, many overeaters have lost their ability to hear their satiety hormone, leptin. Macro counting can help with undereating and overeating and can help you get back in tune with your appetite control center. Both undereating and overeating can cause weight gain.
Many of my clients are undereating and don’t know it. Here are some common signs of undereating:
- low energy, needs a nap, needs caffeine or other stimulants to get through the day
- Waking ravenously hungry, gorges self when breaking fast, eats a significant portion of daily calories and macros upon breaking fast
- Mood swings, agitation
- Struggles with food cravings, does not trust self to “eat just one”, avoids situations where it will be tempting to eat sweets
- Not sleeping well, trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep
- Feeling cold
- Losing hair
- Decreased perceived resiliency, inability to handle stress
- Menstrual cycle changes, lack of ovulation
- Daydreaming, fantasizing about food
- Lack of appetite despite experiencing several symptoms on this list and/or undereating calorie and macronutrient goals
Drawbacks of Macro Counting:
- Many get trapped into the IIFYM approach which follows the philosophy that if it fits your macros it does not matter what you eat even if its empty calories. The quality of your food matters. The “empty calorie but within my macro approach” can lead to micronutrient imbalances, hormonal issues, food cravings, fatigue and weight gain. This does not work in the long run!!
- It can be stressful for certain people. While some people love to count macronutrients, it can border on obsession and disordered eating for others. If you find you can relate to the latter, this approach isn’t for you.
- Time consuming. It will take some time and mental energy to master the art of macro counting. Some find it easy, others not so much.
I personally do not like macro counting, so I don’t track my macros every day. I do, however, use macro tracking as a tool occasionally to ensure that I am on track with fueling my body with enough protein, fats and carbs. I previously was unknowingly undereating.
I highly suggest that everyone does a spot macro count to see how much protein, carbs and fats you are consuming. Because if you don’t know where you are, you can’t get to where you’re going.
In the FASTer way program, I will teach you how to track your macros using a whole food approach during our 6-weeks together. We focus in fueling our bodies with the right macronutrient AND micronutrients. Click here to join us and to get immediate access to the program!
Here is what other participants are saying!
“I decided to weigh myself in and I’ve lost weigh and I’m eating way more food and working out less. What!?!? ~ Teresa
I lost inches especially around my belly, I have more energy, less bloating, less brain fog and victory over the snacks. I love this program! ~ Brandi
I was eating healthy before and although I was doing a lot of things right, this program has taught me that I wasn’t eating enough food for optimum health. What a difference now that I am giving my body the right balance of nutrients! My energy is high and consistent; and I’m not having headaches anymore! I love that my body is burning more fat, and my thighs and waistline are more toned thanks to the fun, efficient workouts Everything about this program is top notch. I’m glad to be a part of the VIP community ~ Laura S.
