Macronutrients
A few Mondays ago we broke down what the Paleo diet consisted of. This Monday we introduce Macronutrients.
Commonly referred to as “macros”, these are the nutrients we need in large quantities to provide energy for our bodies to function properly. Protein, fat and carbohydrates are what make up macronutrients.
Counting Macros is basically the next level of counting calories. One gram of fat is nine calories. One gram of protein is four calories, and one gram of carbohydrate is four calories. Are you confused yet?
To take on this style of easting you would focus on counting your macronutrients that make up your total calories instead of counting just the calories you consume. Each person’s macro needs are different based off of their daily work activity, weekly trips to the gym, type of exercise and intensity of each workout.
Three and a half years ago, after having my first child, I was looking into different nutrition plans. I had done the Whole 30 and Paleo many times years prior, but I felt like I needed something just a little more dialed into my life and goals. That’s when I found Macro Counting. I did some research and found that this was not a typical diet with restrictions on food consumption, but a nutritional program that could fit any lifestyle and goal. It became the perfect fit for my new mom life with breastfeeding, and it supported my goal of coming back to the gym even stronger than ever before.
After giving birth the extra weight fell off while eating macros. But I noticed I had also lost a lot of muscle. I was weighing in 10 lbs under my pre-pregnancy weight. My goal when starting macros was to gain back the 10 pounds but with lean muscle mass and little fat. In about 4 months of consistent macro counting I successfully gained my 10 lbs back, but the best part was I was stronger, faster, had abs for the first time ever, and I still wore the same pant size as I did 10lbs lighter! Fast forward 3 years. I had my 2nd child and was able to achieve the same results the second go round with macro counting. Of course my macro numbers have changed many times over the years due to life changes and new goals. In the end this has been the only diet and nutrition plan I’ve been able to stick with, see results, and NOT do away with foods that I love. I foresee counting macros for the rest of my life!!
-Coach Alyx Gardner
2018 08 05