Macros / Why it didn't last

Remember when I started counting macros and I didn’t believe it would last even a week because I thought I would become too lazy and slightly obsessed about counting? Well, yup that happened. Fortunately, not so quickly but after a week I noticed my change in attitude towards counting.

My last post ‘Macros / Week 1’ which you can find here went into details as to why I decided to start counting my macros, what ‘macros’ are, how I was finding it during the first week and what I realised from counting my macros. I learnt quite a lot actually!

During my time counting macros I kept a journal including my thoughts and facts (whether I hit my macros that day, what I was struggling with etc…) and found it incredibly useful. I definitely recommend!

So, continuing in journal form from my first blog post, here’s week 2…

Monday 22nd August 16′ – Low carb day

– Getting a bit lazy with tracking my macros now. Haven’t tracked a homemade raspberry macaroon (macros unknown)

– Still under macros = 20g fat & 85g protein left

– Finding it really difficult to hit protein macro’s on low carb day as they’re increased quite a bit to balance out low carb percentage.

– Carbs are bang on! Woo.

– Outbreak in spots… Due to diet change?

Tuesday – Moderate carb day

– 50g carbs & 32g fats left – again, difficult to hit but i’m not being strict at all. I don’t plan my meals out.. I calculate at the end of the day to see how close I am or not.

– Hit protein bang on!

– A very hot day and no appetite led to macros not being hit.

Wednesday – Low carb day

– Didn’t track today (losing interest and slightly becoming obsessed with the number – something I thought would happen!)

– Know roughly my macros – probably low on protein but carbs were definitely hit.

– Easy day today. Don’t ever feel hungry on low carb days – thanks to the macro split. Healthy fats and protein keeping me fuller for longer.

Thursday – Moderate carb day

– Protein on point.

-20g carbs and 20g fat left (more carbs and fat need to be included in snacks)

– Very bloated in evening?  Drinking lots of water too.

Friday – Low Carb day

– Didn’t track at all today. Forgot and lost interest.

– Still kept it a usual low carb day so macros are roughly known. Quite easy to do this when I have repeated meals and snacks!

– Decided not to track for the bank holiday weekend. Saturday is always a high carb day with one large pizza to myself (although I was defeated this week by 3 slices left!) and I eat healthy throughout the day. Sunday was a complete day off. Italian for lunch, pick ‘n’ mix snacked on throughout the day, avocado on toast (2 slices) and pb on toast (1 slice) in evening finished with an apple and a squares bar. A very mixed day!

Final thoughts

When I began tracking my macros I quite enjoyed the process and found it rather interesting to see that 1) I was actually under eating beforehand and 2) I could eat ALOT more than I thought I could in terms of fat.

Since beginning my fitness journey and being aware of the numerous ‘fat’ myths I’ve always had a tense relationship with them – despite if they’re the healthy ones! So, I’ve always been aware that I don’t really eat enough fat but it was interesting just how much more I needed to eat and how in fact, my body didn’t react badly to it at all. It’s given me a lot more energy and I’ve never once felt hungry on low carb days. Instead, the healthy fats have been giving me the energy and fuel of which carbs usually do.

Low carb days were the easiest days to hit my macros. I knew exactly just how much (or little lol) carbs I could have and as time went on I was increasing my fats and proteins – although, I don’t think I hit them all together!

I did however, struggle to hit my carbs on moderate carb days (although I did in the end) and for high carb days too. I was just never that hungry for those amount of carbs. It left me feeling very bloated and at times miserable because I started obsessing about the need to hit my macros and I simply wasn’t – I was ‘failing’. Not a single day I hit my macros. In fact, I pretty much sucked at counting macros!

So yes, like I predicted beforehand, I started to obsess about my macros. I found myself wondering if I was hitting my macros, if I could eat certain foods, if my macros were actually right and then the worst thing… I started comparing myself and my macros to others on Instagram. I started getting comments about whether my macros were right for me “They seem pretty high?”, “Why is your protein so high on low carb day?!”… Well, were they too high? Were they the right macros for me? I started to doubt myself and my research into macros. Maybe I was too uneducated?

So with these thoughts coming to me one evening (Friday to be exact) I decided to stop. There and then. Just stop.

Counting macros taught me a lot of things and I’m now aware that I can eat more carbs, more fats and more protein. I know my low carb days are bang on but I need to still work on my moderate and high carb days. I will continue to do this but intuitively. I will roughly work out my macros from what I’ve learnt and because my meals are always repeated (I’m a boring old fart!) then I believe it will be quite achievable. I know a lot of people who count their macros roughly and it works for them. But for me, becoming too obsessed with the numbers and what I can and cannot eat just doesn’t work. It works for many other people – just not me. My attitude to this lifestyle has always been about doing what you love and having a balanced lifestyle. If you don’t love it then don’t do it. It’s simple.

Will I ever go back to counting my macros properly? Who know’s. I plan to do a slow bulk in Autumn to build muscle so counting my macros may come in use for that.

As i’ve said before, I’m not qualified or an expert in this area so please do your own research beforehand. However, I’m happy to answer any questions you have.

For now,  Au Revoir macro counting – it’s been grand but I don’t think i’ll miss you!

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