Do I Need To Track Macros To Lose Weight?

I get this question A LOT...

Do I need to track macros to lose weight?

First of all, what are macros?

Macros, short for macronutrients, are the carbs, fats, and protein that make up food and provide energy for our bodies.

Breakdown:

• 1g Protein = 4 calories
• 1g Carb = 4 calories
• 1g Fat = 9 calories
• 1g Alcohol = 7 calories

Now, whenever someone asks me if they need to track macros, I always respond with...

Do you want to reach your fat loss goals in the most EFFICIENT way possible and MAINTAIN your results afterward? 

When you track macros, you are...

1. Creating STRUCTURE, DIRECTION, and ultimately more CONTROL

Without structure and direction, you're basically just throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping it sticks...or wandering into the forest hoping to find your way without a map...

Most of us create structure in every other aspect of our lives (with our finances, in our jobs, within our households) but fail to recognize the importance of structure in our nutrition and eating habits.

Structure = Freedom

The more structure you have, the easier it is to know and control what direction to move in, and the more freedom and 'at ease' you will feel as you continue towards your destination.

2. Creating AWARENESS to ensure you are getting to your goal as EFFICIENTLY as possible

When you track your food (just like you track your finances) you're becoming AWARE of exactly what and how much you're consuming.

You're gathering data so that when you need to make a decision or an adjustment, you have actual measurable info to work with.

You wouldn't buy a car or a house without first checking your finances, right? 

Making decisions based on data (both qualitative and quantitative) is KEY in getting & keeping your results.⁠

3. Gaining NUTRITIONAL KNOWLEDGE that will set you up to MAINTAIN your results long-term

Tracking your food teaches you which foods contain which macronutrients, how those foods affect you personally, what an actual portion size looks like, and much more...

Tracking macros is not a 'diet' and it shouldn't be looked at as 'restrictive' or 'obsessive'...it literally is a tool that teaches you what is in the food that you eat, so that you can feel empowered in each and every food decision you make moving forward.

So, do you NEED to track your macros to lose weight?

No...

But is tracking macros a great tool to build structure, awareness, and nutritional knowledge to reach your goals faster and learn how to maintain your results long-term?

You betcha!