Time and time again I’ve heard from countless ladies that tracking macros is too damn hard. That it’s too time consuming, too much work, and too stressful!
But the truth is, Macro Tracking is actually really simple and EASY. So in this blog let’s talk about what easy macro tracking looks like, and how you’re making it harder than it needs to be (yep, I’m calling you out in this one!)
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If you think tracking macros is SERIOUSLY complicated, you’re SERIOUSLY mistaken 😉
Macro tracking is actually a very simple concept, but let’s be honest – us ladies have a tendency to make things waaaay more complicated than they need to be. So let’s get back to the basics of macro tracking, and dive into how it can actually be really simple, if you do it the right way!
Back to the Basics
Let’s take it back to a quick review of the basics! Macro tracking is not just counting calories. It’s counting specific amounts of the 3 macronutrients you need in your diet every single day: fats, carbs, and proteins.
But with macro tracking it’s more intentional than simply meeting a calorie goal – it’s about having a specific chunk of each macro and eating enough to meet them at the end of the day – and all of this is designed for your specific, individualized goals. And once you’ve got your numbers for your macros, you just have to plug it all in. Sounds simple enough right?
It is, but of course we overcomplicate everything! And macro tracking is no different. I’ve seen so many women make macro tracking SO hard, and you might be doing it too. Instead of making it simple, you’re picking foods that require you to devote enough time for it to be a part time job just to track your macros. So here are three tips to help you get back to basics and start macro tracking for weight loss!
Relying on Recipes is a Recipe for Disaster
Okay, so this is where people start getting into trouble: becoming obsessed with RECIPES. Don’t get me wrong, recipes are great, but not if you’re new to tracking macros. Recipes and being new to macro tracking do NOT mesh.
Because think about it, if you’re on Pinterest and you’re pinning the “spaghetti-squash-zoodle-bacon-bake-with-balsamic-drizzle-glaze-and-crusted-almonds”, you have to track all that shit. You have to log EVERY. SINGLE. THING. So of course you’d be thinking “hell no!”
OF COURSE it’s going to take a lot of time and it’s going to feel difficult. You’re choosing things that are so complicated that it turns macro tracking into a stressful process that nobody has time for! So for the love of God, get off of Pinterest and start simple. Think of macro tracking like riding a bike – you first have to learn HOW to ride the damn bike before you can pop a wheelie and hit a ramp. Get good at the basics first, then start getting creative and fun.
Separate Your Macros
Besides just ditching recipes, try choosing foods that separate your macros into individual entities so you can build your meals strategically. For example, here are three examples of foods that are primarily just one type of macro:
Protein – Chicken (it’s a lean protein without a lot of fat, so eating chicken is a solid choice for protein)
Carbohydrate – Bread (People somehow always forget we can eat bread!)
Fat – Butter (I mean, who doesn’t love butter?!)
In this example all three foods are primarily just one of the macros. This not only means that you have less to log, it also means if you are over or under on a particular macro for your day, it’s waaaay easier to change things up. If you’re under on protein, eat some extra chicken! If you’re over on fats, use less butter. Simple and easy peezy! So instead of choosing a super complicated recipe where all the macros are intertwined in one thing, simplify your life by separating your macros.
Plan Ahead
The number one mistake I see people making when they’re new to tracking macros is not planning ahead. Set yourself up for success by logging your meals the day before so you have time to make adjustments if needed (and usually, they are needed!)
To give another example, I usually have my Mondays-Thursdays logged before I even hit the grocery store on Sundays because then I know exactly what I’m buying. I meet my numbers because I plan ahead with intention. It’s not an accident that I get to meet my macros at the end of the night every week. It doesn’t just “happen” – I choose to set up my environment in a way that makes it happen, instead of hoping that somehow, by the end of the day, all the numbers magically fall into place.
How about, instead of feeling like every day is a losing game of “macro tetris,” take a note from my play book, plan ahead, and start everyday satisfied knowing you’re going to meet not one, but ALL of your macro goals because you already made it so?! Trust me, there is a special feeling knowing your macros fit you and your goals like a damn glove… and the ONLY way to make that happen as a new macro tracker is to PLAN AHEAD (If I haven’t said it enough already *wink wink*).
At the end of the day, macro tracking really is so simple. So stick to the basics and don’t over complicate things for yourself.
Want to learn more about macro tracking and how you can start doing it for yourself? Here’s another blog in which I dive more into the details on what macro tracking is, my personal story with it, and why I think it’s the BEST!
Know that you want 1:1 support with your macro tracking and health goals? Click here to apply for 1:1 coaching!
