6 reasons why you need to count macros to lose weight || Dunnebells

Tracking your macros is most likely something that you have heard about before. So, what exactly are macronutrients? Maros is the nutrient group that is essential for your body. Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins are the three macros to focus on which will fuel your body to perform at its optimal level.

Gone are the days of counting calories. Switch over to track your nutrition intake with macros is also the Best Way to Lose Weight. It is important to understand that everyone needs a different macronutrient ratio.

Here are a few reasons why counting macros is a better alternative to counting calories and how tracking your macros can help you lose weight.

1. YOU’LL LEARN A LOT ABOUT NUTRITION BY TRACKING MACROS

I as a Fitness Nutritionist in Calgary hear from a lot of you that you waste so much time reading through countless blogs and visiting websites to learn about nutrition. Take away all the confusion and just start by implementing things into your life and learning that way! I have several certifications in the nutritional world but the best learning comes from trying things out. Watch how your body reacts to certain nutrition groups, this will enlighten you in ways books or blogs cannot.

2. YOU’LL KNOW YOUR MAINTENANCE LEVEL WHEN IT COMES TO CALORIES AND MACRONUTRIENTS

While tracking your macronutrients, you will also be monitoring your calories simultaneously.

Carbs provide 4 calories per gram and typically make up the largest portion of your calorie intake.

Fats have the most calories of all macronutrients, providing 9 calories per gram.

Like carbs, proteins provide 4 calories per gram.

With time you will gain a deeper understanding of the number of nutrients you need to lose weight, gain weight or maintain your weight. I recommend you try your macronutrient numbers for two weeks before switching so your body has time to adapt and you can notice changes occurring.

3. YOU’LL BE ABLE TO LOSE FAT MORE EFFICIENTLY BY TRACKING MACROS

If you are trying to lose weight, you have probably rationed your food to eat smaller quantities in your quick weight loss diet plan. This isn’t always the best way to achieve your weight-loss goals. Like me, when I was on my 8-Week Weight Loss Program journey, I cut and restricted my calories to lose fat. When I started tracking my macros it was such a game-changer. I was finally fuelling my body correctly. My workouts improved tremendously and my body had what it needed to shed the fat.

4. YOU WILL HAVE A TON OF MACRONUTRIENT DATA OVERTIME TO EASILY ACCESS

The best thing about tracking your macros is you will build an elaborate database of your progress. This can be done by using various tracking apps on your smartphones, such as Myfitnesspal, My Macros+, etc. This information will help you make the necessary improvements in your diet to reach your fitness goals.

5. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO GET CREATIVE WITH MEALS AND MAKE NUTRITION FUN

When you track your macros, the world is your oyster and no foods are off-limits! This is one of the best things about tracking your macronutrients. As long as a meal fits your specific macronutrient values, you can consume it. Burgers, bread, take-out, chocolate, ice-cream are all allowed! You can experiment a little with your meals and try newer things to keep you interested in your food. This makes tracking macros sustainable because you don’t have to say no to your favourite snacks!

6. YOU WILL ELIMINATE THE “CHEAT MEAL” MENTALITY

Macronutrient tracking enables you to eat anything you want as long as you hit as close as possible to your numbers for the day. This way, you are not urged to throw in the towel on your quick weight loss diet plan or do it for a few weeks and then give up. So, it helps you to find that balance between all foods without guilt.

Macronutrient tracking is an easy way to plan your meals and stick to them. It is one of the fastest ways to shed those inches healthily. Inside the Dunnebells 8-Week Weight Loss Program you receive your custom macronutrient breakdown along with coaching and support to achieve your goals!

MACRONUTRIENTS AND ALCOHOL

Dunnebells is so different than any other 8-Week Weight Loss Program out there for several reasons, one of them being that we don’t ban alcohol to get results! Nothing is off-limits. My clients like to celebrate and are social people and we encourage that. Sure, if someone is drinking every single day we may discuss limiting the amounts of alcohol being consumed for a number of other health reasons but that doesn’t mean eliminating alcohol.

Interested in learning more about my 8-week weight loss program? Click here.

HOW MANY MACRONUTRIENTS SHOULD I EAT?

As you now know, everyone is different and requires a different macronutrient distribution range. Factors that make this different include age, height, weight, activity level and goals. If I had to give you a good starting point on what your percentages for your macronutrients should be it would be this:

Carbohydrates - 45–65%

Fats - 20-35%

Protein 10-35%

These numbers are geared towards weight-loss.

MACRONUTRIENT SUMMARY

When you first start counting your macros, it can be overwhelming. Like anything new, it is uncomfortable.

I assure you if you stick with it you will be glad you did.

Find the macronutrient range for carbs, proteins and fats that works best for you and try it for a few weeks.

For a full guide on how to count and track your macros click here.

Before you know it, counting macros will feel natural.

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