Do I need to count my macros to see results?
If nutrition is a struggle for you, you are not alone!
Maybe it’s emotional eating, late night snacking, hitting the drinks a little too hard on the weekends…
I get told all the time that people work SO hard in the gym but they can’t seem to stay on track with their eating habits.
A common questions I get about nutrition is:
“Do I need to count macros to see results?”
Personally, I did not track my macros for awhile and I did see great changes to my body, but when I wanted to lean out even more that’s when I needed to start the tracking.
Tracking will show you where you currently are at calories and macro wise, and then from there, it is easier for you or your coach to make adjustments. Tracking your calories is a way to be more accurate with your nutrition when your goal is weight loss, so it’s a tool that can help a lot of people.
If you are someone who does not want to track your macros here are some strategies I use when I am not on my tracking game but still stay in great shape…
1. Eating protein at every meal
Whether you're trying to build muscle, lose fat, or train for performance, this is one of the best habits to help you reach your goals. Protein helps you stay full after your meals and is the building block for muscle.
2. Building a balanced plate
Stick to WHOLE FOODS. Shop around the outside of the grocery store.
Here is a simple formula to build a meal: start with a protein + carbs + fat + color
Here are a few suggestions for each category:
Protein: chicken, turkey, fish, lean beef, eggs, Greek yogurt, edamame, tofu
Carbs: Whole grain bread, rice, quinoa, chickpeas, beans, lentils, potatoes
Fat: avocado, nuts, olive oil, coconut, nut butters
Color: fruit and veggies (these are both carb sources, but they are especially important because of all the micronutrients).
3. Being aware of boredom snacking
Mindless snacking can add sooo many extra calories to your day. Instead of snacking mindlessly, try eating more small meals throughout the day. Try drinking a glass of water before you snack. You may just be thirsty or bored!
So, do you need to track macros to see changes in your body?
Not necessarily!
Tracking is a very helpful tool and if you find you are doing all of these above tips but seeing no results or hitting a plateau, then you may need to start thinking about tracking your food to see where you are at and adjust from there!
But if it's something that stresses you out or triggers an unhealthy relationship with food then leave it out!
And, if you're looking for an easy way to get some extra protein in, get a tub of protein powder to add to oatmeal, smoothies, and protein pancakes! 1 scoop is give or take 20 grams of protein!
Message me for more tips on tracking or macros!
Coach Shannon