I am asked all the time – what are macros? Or what is macro counting? So I’m here for the answer. I could get super technical and science’y, but I think it’s important to break it down into an easily digestible (pun intended) description. 😁
Macros is short for macronutrients. All food is made up of macro and micronutrients. Micronutrients are the vitamins and minerals in food. Macronutrients are the carbohydrates, protein, and fat in foods.
Your body sees all food in terms of its macronutrients – fat, carbohydrate and protein. Each of these macronutrients gives the body a unique form of fuel.
The overall concept and goal of macro counting is to eat in such a way to fuel the body optimally for health and performance. The amounts and combinations of macronutrients can be manipulated to each unique individual and body type to achieve personal goals. Want to lose body fat? You can manipulate your amounts to achieve body fat loss. Want to gain more muscle? Again, macros can be adjusted to achieve this goal.
You might be thinking why would I need to track macronutrients – why not just calories in and calories out? Allow me to answer your question with a question. Have you ever done that – tracked calories in and calories out? If so, how did that work for you? Did you have energy? Did you in fact lose fat without losing muscle (which you definitely don’t want to happen for your metabolism and resting metabolism)? Were you able to maintain calorie tracking and/or the results longterm?
I can say that by personal experience, I had MANY dieting cycles of calorie tracking and restricting. Each time I would lose a FEW pounds, but the scales would stall. My metabolism tanked along with my strength, energy and mood. I actually got to a point that when I would restrict, I wouldn’t even lose simply because my metabolism was jacked.
If your goal is fat loss then let me encourage you to have a hard look at macro counting. Even while in a deficit (when you are burning more calories than eating), you will be eating more protein and better macronutrients to support your strength, muscle and metabolism without sending all three to the tanker.
Then, after you have been in a deficit cycle for a specific amount of time you will begin add more macros to your diet to rev your metabolism and muscle strength back up – which sends your energy and performance through the roof. Not to mention, your body composition will change – in all the right ways. It’s a beautiful and very effective system.
Want to know more? Have any questions? Please shoot me an email or DM on Instagram. I would love to answer any questions or discuss any thoughts you might have.