You might be thinking to yourself, “What do you mean you didn’t track macros for 7 days? Isn’t that what you’ve always advocated?”
Yes. That’s true. Since starting Treasured Tablespoons by Kelsey Nicole (and well before), I have been a huge proponent of tracking macros/calories, and I still am! So, why challenge myself to stop? Let me explain.
I strongly believe that tracking macro nutrients is essential to understanding nutrition. Better yet, it is essential to understanding the nutritional needs of your body, a one-of-a-kind body. Becoming knowledgeable about macro nutrients makes you aware of what you put into your one-of-a-kind body. And, if you strive to eat well and live a balanced life, I think it is necessary to be aware of the macro nutrients you consume. This means knowing the difference between the three macros: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats (good and bad).
Just like anything in life, you’ve got to start somewhere. There is no exception when it comes to living a healthy, balanced, full life. It comes easier for some than others, just like throwing a football comes more natural to my little brother than it does myself. In the beginning stages of any fitness journey, tracking macros helps you gain a better understanding of the specific macros your body needs to meet your goals.
With that being said, I began my fitness journey in 2011. I started by solely tracking calories until I learned and understood macro nutrients better. As I stated earlier, everyone starts somewhere. Fast forward to 2017 and I’ve learned a lot via research, personal experience, and watching others. Through trial and error, I started to see what “healthy” and “balance” looked like for me. My one-of-a-kind body is just that, one-of-a-kind, just like yours.
After 7+ years of tracking calories and macro nutrients, it’s started to have an adverse effect on what I was striving so hard for. It was becoming unhealthy. Visualizing how many carbs, protein, and fat I actually ate during the day, in comparison to what I should eat made me feel guilty. (Humor me as I, once again, say there is nothing wrong with tracking macros. Nothing at all. I think it serves it’s purpose in the right time and place. However, I am past that time and place.) Guilt is not healthy. Stress is not healthy. Obsession is not healthy.
Moving forward, I know the amount of protein, carbs, and fats I should consume daily in order to achieve my goals. I can guestimate portion sizes and the amount of calories I’m eating. But most importantly, I have peace when I enjoy an extra scoop of ice cream or glass of wine.
I guess what I’ve come to realize is that my idea of “healthy” changed. What once was a lean physique, no sugar or carbs, and workouts every day turned into a maintainable body, enjoying food daily, making exercise a priority but not letting it rule my life, and having peace and joy about who I am, inside and out. Life is too dang short to live any other way. Amen?!
