MACROS AND WHY THEY’RE IMPORTANT
MINDING YOUR MACROS
Macros have been a topic of discussion for quite some time. It is the secret sauce to unlocking your full fueling potential. But what ARE macros, why are they important and how do you go about tracking in a sustainable way? Well luckily you’ve come to the right place!
Macros are short for Macronutrients and they comprise of Protein, Carbohydrates and Fats, which are essential in providing energy and building blocks of muscle. They are what our bodies require MORE of *hence MACRO* and are essential in daily functioning. On the other end of the spectrum are Micronutrients, think minerals and vitamins, which are also necessary to our bodies but are consumed less by us daily.
WHY ARE MACROS IMPORTANT?
Protein, Carbs and Fats are essential for our bodies to use for so many functions.
As we discussed in our last Nutrition Post on Protein, this specific macro is needed to build and repair cells such as in muscle. Carbs are utilized as our bodies primary energy source, especially when it comes to the brain, and therefore are required to keep a tip top running ship. Lastly, Fats are used to make key compounds like hormones, along with assist with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Though all 3 of these are highly important, only one of them is truly vital, and that is Protein. Our bodies are able to survive without the others.
So now that we have an overview of what these nutrients are and what they do, why do we need to track them? Well tracking is used as a guide to ensure you are fueling your body optimally. By tracking what we consume we are able to consume the necessary calorie count we need to perform properly along with ensure our needs are met when it comes to building muscle, providing energy and so forth. Tracking Macros can seem overwhelming at first but once you are in full swing it is one of the simplest ways to eat!
BREAKING DOWN THE BLUEPRINT
Entrust in a credible source to provide your daily caloric and macro goals.
Many websites or apps don’t look at each individual as different and give an overarching goal, many of which are exceptionally low goals which can lead to a slew of issues. Instead, look to a credible coach *like our team at AussieFit HQ* to give you customized goals.
Once you have your daily caloric goal along with the breakdown of Macros, now comes the fun part, tracking and planning your meals! Some people find this part tedious, however, I like to look at it like a puzzle. We want to hit our goals daily, so preplanning is a great idea to not find ourselves either going over numbers or leaving some til the end of the day to hit. Preplanning can be done the day before or even the morning of! I suggest tracking whatever you have planned for that day already, that way you know where you need to increase or decrease to hit your goals.
CONSISTENCY CREATES CHANGE
As with everything, consistency and patience is required.
Just like consuming off macros for a couple days won’t lose any gains, tracking properly for a few days won’t create a huge change. Its in the consistency of tracking that creates the changes we look for! Don’t get discouraged if you go over or under a day here or there, we are human! But take a mental note, and recognize any patterns so you are able to adjust and overcome.
One way I create consistency is meal prepping and weighing out food. Especially in the beginning, it is difficult to envision what a certain ounce-age looks like so weighing your food is the easiest way to ensure the portions are correct. Meal prepping allows you to create easy grab and go meals or snacks where you know what macros are included so tracking is even easier.
HONE IN ON HONESTY
Some people can falter a bit when it comes to tracking. My recommendation when it comes to this is to REALLY look at what your consuming. Are you truly tracking all of the snacks here and there, the bites of this or that and are you eating out often? All of these can add up to become detrimental and hinder overall progress.
TAKE OUT TRICKS
Going out to eat or going to an event? Have no fear we’ve all been there!
A simple trick to navigating events is to focus on protein before the event or meal out. Many times, having meals out and about are less protein dense *due to portions, or availability etc* and much heavier in carbs or fats so focusing on consuming as much protein as you can prior not only assists in attaining the daily goal but also keeps you satisfied and satiated longer which can be found just as helpful too.
So if you’re looking to level up your progress, see some further results or just focus on fueling properly, let us help you and customize some Macro goals for you!
Be sure to follow along as we dive further into Programming, Tips/Tricks + Nutrition with our Bi-Monthly Blog!
xoxo wellnwhole
