What even are macros? This is a shortened name for macronutrients which is the types of food (fat, carbs, protein) that are needed in large amounts in a diet measured in grams. However, to me, this is not a diet, but a lifestyle. This way of eating is not as hard as it seems and is pretty straightforward once it's explained.
It's hard to understand what is in your food truly until you start to track it. The best way to see what is in your food is by using an app that tells you the breakdown. I use and really love the MyFitnessPal App. You just type in what you had for each meal by individual ingredients or as a whole. Then it will log it for the day and show the calories, fats, carbs, protein, etc. Before you begin with this app, you will need to calculate your macros using the Katy Hearn Fit Macro Calculator. This program is customized to your age, gender, activity level, and fitness goals. After inputting your info, it will spit out the grams of fats, protein, and carbs that you need to intake each day to reach your goals. Plug these results into the "Nutrition" tab in your MyFitnessPal and it will keep you accountable.
I was never perfect in each of these categories, but I tried my best and still saw results in a few weeks. I also noticed how much better I was feeling on the inside. I struggled with yo-yo dieting and failing time and time again. I was so beyond frustrated I wasn't seeing results and would just end up quitting after a few weeks. Counting macros is nothing like counting calories in my opinion.
It's really to show you what your body needs to be healthy and strong — the fat will fall off.
The great thing about counting macros is you are able to see that the foods that are "bad" for you aren't always and vice versa. You become more educated about nutrition in general and what your body needs. Like most diets, you are not cutting out foods completely. This is not a realistic way to lose weight because once you reintroduce those foods at a later date, you will just gain the weight back. You truly need fats and carbs even though most nutritional plans tell you not to eat them. Counting macros is a more realistic and even fun way to make yourself into the healthiest version of you.
The best way to learn more about this is to follow Cristina Capron and watch her IGTV on "How To Drop Fat" which she explains this plan wonderfully.
People told me about counting macros long before I even tried it. I was intimidated because I thought it was only for people who were fitness junkies — it's for everyone! Give it a try before you knock it.
