Do you want to accelerate your weight loss goals? Tracking your macros is an effective way to help you reach them. Macros are the three major macronutrients in our diet: carbs, fats and proteins. Knowing how much of each you are consuming and tracking their intake in your meals can help ensure that you reach your goals in the most efficient way possible. Read on to learn the fundamentals of tracking macros and creating your own weight loss success story.
What are Macros?
Macros are the three types of macronutrients essential for the human body: carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Carbs are the body’s main source of energy and are broken down by the body and quickly turned into glucose to supply energy for many bodily functions. Proteins are made up of amino acids which are essential for growth, tissue repair, and energy production. Fats are an important energy source, providing essential fatty acids for the body. They’re also important in the absorption of certain vitamins.
How to Calculate Your Macros
Knowing how much of each macro group you should be consuming is the first step in tracking your macros and in creating your own weight loss success story. The exact amount of macros you should be consuming is based on your weight, body composition, age, and activity level. A good starting point is consuming 45-50% carbs, 25-30% protein, and 20-25% fat. You can use an online macro calculator to get a more specific number tailored to your individual characteristics and goals.
How to Track Your Macros
Once you know how much of each macro you need to consume, you can track your macros by tracking what you eat using an app or website. You can use popular macro tracking apps like MyFitnessPal or Cronometer to log all your meals. This can be done by searching for specific foods, entering the nutrition label information on the food, or by entering a restaurant meal.
Benefits of Tracking Macros
Tracking your macros can help you stay on track and reach your goal weight in a timely manner. It can also help you become more mindful of what you’re consuming throughout the day and make sure you are getting the right balance of nutrients. On top of that, tracking macros can help you to develop good habits such as eating healthier, more balanced meals and being more mindful of what goes into your body.
Create a Macro Meal Plan
Once you know your macros and have seen what your diet looks like as a whole, start creating a meal plan that contains food that meets your macro needs. Planning meals that meet your macro needs can be overwhelming but thankfully there are tons of macro friendly recipes online for you to use to create meals and snacks.
How to Make Macros Work for You
Once you have a good grasp of how to track your macros and how to create meals that work with your macros, you must make sure you are staying consistent. Tracking your macros everyday will help you stay consistent with meeting your macro goals. This also means that if you have went over your macro goals one day, you may need to adjust your eating the following day to ensure that you are still reaching your macro goals.
Track Your Progress
Once you have your meal plan set and you have adjusted it to be within your macro needs, start tracking your progress and take note of any changes in the way you feel and your energy levels. Keeping track of your progress and the results of your diet will help you to stay motivated and keep striving towards your goals.
Stay Hydrated & Get Enough Sleep
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, staying hydrated and getting enough sleep are essential for reaching your goal weight. Staying hydrated helps your body function at its optimum level and helps you to feel full which will reduce cravings and help you stay on track with your macro goals. Getting enough sleep also helps with cravings and is essential for healing, mental clarity, and overall well-being.
Conclusion
Tracking macros can be a great tool to help you reach your goal weight in a timely manner. There are many benefits to tracking macros, such as knowing exactly how much of each macro group you should be consuming and being more mindful of what you eat when it comes to your meals. By creating a macro friendly meal plan and staying consistent with tracking your macros, you can create your own weight loss success story.