Macros & Why They Matter

 

    Do you feel like you work hard as hell but your results or progress to your goals are lack luster? Maybe you think your healthy eating habits should be helping you but you don't understand why you're not seeing a difference. Truth is, until we know how much food our body needs to simply function how are we suppose to adjust properly to get the results we want? That's like getting in the car without being able to see how much gas you have. Do you really trust 'best guess' for a cross country trip? Doubtful. 

    I understand the biggest excuses I get from clients. It's a lot of boring, dense science. If that wasn't the biggest turn off, it's definitely the DAILY FOOD LOGGING! I feel like people get so discouraged by this because it's just a repetitive (and an overwhelming task if you've never done it before). Or sometimes people are scared to actually write down what they're eating. The truth can string and a lot of people suffer from an unhealthy relationship with food that they feel guilty about keeping an accurate log. So let's deep dive yet simplify in how to let food help you show off that hard work.

    First, let's start easy: What are Macros? Basically, everything you eat breakdowns into three groups; proteins, carbs, and fats. All three are important for daily function and exercise. Proteins are your muscles building blocks and help you feel fuller, longer. Think meats & beans associated with protein. Next you have carbs. Carbs act as an energy source. If you've ever heard of a distance runner talking about a big pasta meal before a big event, that's why. Lastly but also important are fats. Fats help with regulating hormones, also energy, and cell support. Fats are things like nuts and oils. Again, remember this a super simple summary, if you want to know more shoot me a message. 

    Now that we are all on the same page let's say you are really wanting to lose some body fat but you can't seem to get be where your goal weight. First, I'll always tell you weight is just a scale number, but that's for a different day. Second, I'd ask to see your log. Chances are you might be eating more carbs than you're burning. So your body, that is brilliant and made for survival, is storing the excess for later. I had a client who was extremely under eating because of her busy nonstop life and she was so confused why her weight wasn't coming down. Well, when she did eat her body wasn't going to let any of it go to waste. Her body was trying to adapt and survive off of this new amount of food. Long story short I started reintroducing smaller meals more frequently training the body that it was consistently getting the nutrients it needed and presto! We were moving the needle in the right direction again. 

I'll give you one more example, myself. In my first years of training, before I became a certified coach. I didn't know any better. I did a bunch of cardio, barely ate three meals and when I did they were super carb loaded cause that's what my body was craving, and lifting only twice a week. However, in my tiny realm of knowledge at that time I swore I was gunna get jacked! 🤦 I was scared to over eat but once I started tracking I noticed not only was I not eating enough for my energy expenditure but I had like 50g of protein a day- let be real with you... no one is growing muscle with only 50g of protein. (rule of thumb: at least 1g of protein per lbs of body weight)

So, you've seen how useful the tracking and logging your food can be, but it's still a little overwhelming. I got you! Here are my pro tips for a rookie: 

1. Download an app or make a note section on your phone & program an alarm as a reminder at the end of the day to make sure its completed and accurate. 
2. Log everything. including drinks. including parties, brunch,and weekends. This gives a more realistic weekly average your body is working with. 
3. Meal prep! I will beat this one into the ground. You can pre-weigh/ pre-log your food as you prep it and then you don't have to worry about it all day. It's done! (I'll love this cause you can also see what you missing or what you need to adjust in your day) 
4. GET A COACH THAT CARES! If you just want to have some help getting started or you want someone super hands on; make sure you get someone who is listening to you and your goals. Someone who is not just gunna slap you on their other client's program and call it a day. Adjusting macros changing how your metabolism works shouldn't be taken lightly. Do your research and yes I can help. Hit me up in my DMs on Instagram @cc_fitness17 if you want to talk about what a customized macro plan looks like for you.  

Cheers, 

CC