Macro Diets – Changing The Way You Lose Weight

What are macros?

Macronutrients, also known as macro’s, are what make up the calorie content of food. They are made up of three categories: carbohydrates, protein and fats.

Counting macro’s instead of calories means that you can consume that entire pizza, or a packet of biscuits. Provided you add it into your macro count and adjust the rest of the food you eat for the day accordingly, you can still do that AND lose weight.

I know, it sounds like a dream. I couldn’t quite believe it to start with either. But I’ve lost more weight from counting macro’s than I ever did from counting calories. And here’s why.

Why count macro’s?

Counting calories doesn’t take into account the amount of individual carbs, protein or fat you are consuming because each of these three categories are counted differently. So you could be 300 calories under your recommended daily amount, but you could have consumed 250g of carbohydrates, with little or no protein. Our bodies can’t possibly use that amount of carbs in one go (unless you’re exercising like Mo Farah or Usain Bolt!) so what isn’t needed will be stored as body fat ready to be used when the body needs it.

I’ve also found that a macro-counting diet is much easier to stick to. It allows me to curb my cravings for that last slice of cheesecake or the last biscuit in the jar, because I can counteract that with what I eat for dinner. I can see the amount of protein I need, or if I’ve eaten too many carbs and adjust my meals accordingly.

Be smart

Counting macro’s doesn’t mean you can eat junk food 24/7. You still need to ensure you consume healthy, wholesome foods too, with the occasional treat added in. You need to ensure you are consuming the right amount of micronutrients – vitamins and minerals, fibre.

Also, restricting your larger blowouts of calorific munchiness to days where you go hardest at the gym or perform your furthest run will also mean that you can enjoy those treats without it doing too much damage to your progress in the long run.

How do I calculate my macro’s?

In order to count macro’s effectively you need to remember your weight (which affects your BMR – Basal Metabolic Rate, the rate at which your body uses energy to stay alive) and your activity level.

I would recommend visiting this link to calculate your individual macro’s Macro Calculator.

How do I keep track of my macro’s?

The easiest way to track your macro’s is by using fitness apps. The best one I have found by far is MyFitnessPal. It’s simple and free, you just scan the barcodes of whichever foods you eat and it will do all of the calculations for you!

I hope this is of help to you all, happy macro counting!

A.x