Macros - What Are They & Do You Need To Count Them To Be Successful?

By: Kelsey Heenan, HIITBURN
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Maybe you've heard the term "macros" or macronutrients before, and are wondering... Do I need to count my macros in order to be successful? Before we answer that, let me first answer the question:

What are Macros?

Macronutrients - macros, for short - are what the foods we eat are largely made up of. I’m sure you have heard of the three components that fall in this category.

-Protein
-Carbohydrates
-Fats

Each of these macronutrients plays an important role in our nutrition and each of them has a significant place in helping you achieve certain goals.

Here at HIITBURN, we find carb cycling to be the most effective approach to placing each of these macros appropriately in your meal plans. I'll discuss more about the details of carb cycling on the next page. But first, let's get back to our original question...

Do you have to count macros in order to be successful?

We get asked often whether you have to diligently count each of your macros that you consume each day in order to see the results you want.

In short, the answer is NO!

While we do not think there is anything wrong with counting macros, it has been our experience that most people simply do not have the time or desire to count their macros everyday. 

We have found this type of tracking to feel potentially restrictive and even shameful when specific numbers aren’t hit exactly.

Again, we do not think that tracking macros in and of itself is bad. Instead we want you to understand that it doesn’t have to be the only way...

We teach following some simple guidelines (eating certain foods at certain times) while learning to listen to your body to know what it needs, is the best way to get the results you want. 

So what are these guidelines? Here is a basic overview of how we recommend using macros to work for you:

Protein:

Include with every meal (on low and high carb days)

Fats:

Low Carb Days: Add a healthy fat to all meals. This can include avocado, nuts, seeds, olive oil, nut butter, etc.

High Carb Days: Simply cook your meals in healthy fats (grass fed butter or coconut oil)

Carbs:

Low Carb Days: Get the majority of your carbs from veggies.

High Carb Days: Add complex carbs like potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, beans, oats, etc. to each one of your meals!

It’s that simple! No counting, no measuring, no weighing.

Follow that simple outline and eat when you are hungry and until you are satisfied, while following the Carb Cycle that is right for you. 

To learn more about our carb cycling principles or see why it works so well, click to the next page below...

Go To The Next Page...

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