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It’s fitness Friday and I’m so excited to share today’s blog post with you: chatting all about my macro counting experience (yes, I kept a full diary for 30 days) and the workout program that I simultaneously have been loving! I know a lot of you who follow me on Instagram have been super invested in my health and fitness regimen and I’m so excited to share everything in LOTS OF DETAIL today (I’m getting real personal). It’s a long one (thank you for submitting all your questions), so grab a cup of coffee, or wine, and let’s get to it…
Ok…first things first! I just want to let you know I’m not a certified personal trainer, not a certified dietician or nutritionist, this is just what I have been doing for MY personal health and fitness goals! It’s what has worked for me, but it may not work for everyone. One of my biggest passions in life is living a balanced, healthy, and positive lifestyle, and I do this partly by being mindful of what I eat and how I move my body every single day! With that being said, I’ve tried a lot of fitness programs in the past few years (see all my fitness posts) and I love mixing up my workouts. I have been determined to make my 30th year my healthiest and fittest one yet, so to switch things up, I took the plunge and joined a 30-day macro counting/workout challenge! My cousin introduced me to the fitness blogger named Madeline who created a very organized and incredible workout app combined with macro counting as a “Tighter Together” challenge (it happens 3-4 times a year). The challenge I participated in was in May-June and the next starts in September!
This is the line-up of today’s blog post:
- I’m going to answer your most FAQ
- I’ll share my 30-day before and after photos (eek, nervous!)
- Then I’ll share my 30-day personal diary of counting macros
What is macro counting?
Macro counting is the technical term used when people count their macronutrients. Essentially, it’s keeping track of how many carbs, fats, and protein you eat in a day!
Why did you decide to count your macros and what were your goals starting out?
My goals starting out were essentially to educate myself on macro counting since I had heard so much buzz around that term in the fitness world. I didn’t start it to lose weight (a lot of people have had success with this though), I essentially wanted to gain muscle and lean out feeling less bloated.
What are your macro numbers?
I don’t feel comfortable sharing my macro numbers (how much protein, carbs, and fats I eat in a day) because EVERYONE is different. Every body type, everyone’s physical activity level, everyone’s goals… it’s all different and so you’ll have to get yours personally calculated. If you google macro calculator, there are some free websites that can do it for you, but I’m not sure how accurate they are which is why I had Madeline count mine for me.
What was the most challenging part and the best part of macro counting?
The most challenging part was the learning curve of counting macros. It took me awhile to get the hang of looking at labels, figuring out what foods to eat when, etc (it was kind of like a game of Tetris at the beginning), but I finally feel like I have the hang of it. The best part has been seeing my body change composition AND how I feel. I don’t ever feel bloated, overly full, starving, shaky because of hunger, I don’t snack mindlessly, and so much more (you get the idea). I feel like my body is in a constant balanced state and I can honestly say it feels REALLY GOOD.
What was the most surprisingly part of macro counting?
OH MY GOSH THIS IS A GOOD ONE! I was shocked at how much I was restricting myself before starting, and how little I was eating. I am now eating MORE FOOD THAN EVER (I’m talking so many more carbs) and it feels incredible! In the past I had always tried to avoid eating more, and eating carbs, but I’ve learned they fuel my body SO MUCH and they’re SO NECESSARY! It’s been really eye-opening to see that carbs are actually healthy and I’m obsessed with how I can eat so much and feel so lean! It really is mind blowing still…
How do you calculate your macro numbers? Where do I even start?
My macro numbers were calculated by Madeline (I paid $50 for the Tighter Together challenge), whom I totally trust! However, there are various online coaches that will do it for you as well. There are also free macro calculators online, I’m just not sure how accurate they are!
What program do you use to track them daily?
I use the iPhone app called My Fitness Pal, so I log everything that I eat, every single day. It took awhile to figure out, there’s a huge learning curve, but once I got the hang of it, it’s second nature now!
Can anyone do this?? Pescatarian or vegetarian?
Absolutely! Your macro numbers will vary slightly depending on how much protein you typically consume and what type of diet you maintain. My only restriction is that I don’t eat red meat, but there’s many different protein options out there for every type of person.
Do your macros vary based on your workout?
Yes! Depending upon how much energy you exert daily, your macros will change. Some people during their macro counting will do one or two higher carb days (to fuel up for the next day’s leg workout). Other people just stick with the same macro numbers every single day, of every single week. I’ve been doing a little experimenting to see what fuels my body, so for example: during the 30-day challenge I had 2 days where I ate higher carbs, and now I’m eating the same amount of macros every single day and feel fine!
What changes were most noticeable? Body composition?
I first noticed the bloat in my stomach area go away and then I’ve been noticing more lean muscle definition in my legs, arms, and even more in my stomach area! I guess the saying “abs are made in the kitchen” really is true…
Can you eat anything as long as it fits in your macros?
YES, literally anything!!! This is the best part. I’ve been enjoying a daily bowl of cereal, or a dessert every single day (as long as I try and stay around my goal for carbs, proteins, and fats each day)! It’s been life-changing being able to enjoy my sweet tooth and still get fit at the same time. Portion control 😉
Do you workout fasted?
I used to when I went the gym at 5:00am, but now I enjoy a cup of coffee or a latte and then I go to the gym. So I don’t consume a meal until I come home from my workout in the morning.
How do you find the motivation to workout everyday?
I have created a lifestyle around it. It’s part of my routine, it’s part of my daily schedule (like washing my face essentially). Without it I feel yucky and not like myself, so it’s a habit now! It only takes 20 days to create a habit, you can do it 🙂
What differences did you notice between counting macros and intermittent fasting?
Intermittent fasting I literally felt STARVING every single morning, it did not feel right. Counting macros I’m able to eat whenever I want, as long as it fits into my macro goals. It’s amazing! You can still do IF while counting macros, but all your food will have to be consumed in a shorter window.
How does your workout program now compare to BBG?
This program (Madeline’s app is called Weekly Moves) and it’s incredible! It’s a ton of weights, it’s extremely challenging, but it’s SO good for me! I need a really good push at the gym, and her workouts are different every single day so I never get bored! BBG is great (see my before/after pics and BBG blog post) but it’s mostly centered around cardio. It really depends what you’re looking for and how your body responds best.
Overall: I’ve learned self discipline, portion control, and what fuels my body! I’m feeling STRONGER and more toned than ever (I flexed my bicep today in the mirror and couldn’t believe the definition I saw in my reflection), I’m feeling LESS bloated and MORE ME! I feel incredible. I know being in your best shape is a marathon and not a sprint- consistency is what will pay off in the long run so I’m not giving up now. Even since the challenge ended, I’ve been feeling even stronger and even better, so I honestly can’t wait to see how I’ll feel at the end of this year!
Below are my before and after photos from Week 1-Week 4 (super vulnerable share for me):
As you can see above, there’s progress (not perfection) from Week 1 to Week 4. It’s really crazy to me to think that all of this happened in 28 days with just a simple diet change (since I’ve always worked out super hard)! I’m excited to see what the next 4 weeks and months will bring!
Below is my diary that I used to keep track of how I was feeling, what I was noticing, what was challenging, and what I loved over the 30-day period! Very interesting to see how my mindset shifts as the weeks go on…
AND THAT’S THAT FOLKS! I hope you loved today’s blog post and learned a little something! Feel free to always reach out to me via email (torey@toreystreasures.com) OR on Instagram @toreystreasures .. I’ll always respond! XOXO