If you wonder what athletes do to have a ‘perfect physique’ and a ripped body, I can tell you the magic formula. It’s 80% nutrition and 20% workout. Of course, you need hard work, consistency, dedication and patience. However, you can train as hard as you want, but if your nutrition is not adapted to your goals, the results will not reflect your expectations. A balanced diet is important to get the essential nutrients your body needs to function properly. The food we eat determines the nutrients we receive. Macronutrients are needed in your body in large quantity, but what are they exactly? Find out more in Macros: Top 5 Benefits of Tracking Them!
So you’ve probably heard about them in some fashion, namely; protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Accurately calculating and measuring the intake of macronutrients you are eating for each meal, adequate to your bodily needs, is what we call “tracking the macros”. The amounts differ from person to person since everyone’s needs are unique.
1. Optimize Your Results
Macronutrients are very important for your body, and you need them to be able to train with optimum effect, and to improve your performance for better long term results.
- Protein is essential for muscle growth, building and repairing tissues
- Carbohydrates fuel your body by providing the greatest source of energy
- Fat (of the healthier kinds) help in maintaining proper cell function and protection of your vital organs
2. Improve the Quality of Your diet & Your Health
Health and nutrition are closely related. The foods you eat have an impact on your health. By choosing the right food you are reducing the risk of developing diseases such as arthritis, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and others.
3. Eat Without Feeling Guilty with Flexible Dieting
Your body draws the nutrients it needs from a variety of foods, so a balanced diet is essential. With flexible dieting you can eat whatever food you like as long as you stick to your macros.
4. Gain Confidence & Educate Yourself
The more educated you are about nutrition, the smarter and healthier food choices you will be able to make. Mental health and nutrition are linked, so being secure in a healthy lifestyle will make you feel better in your body and mind. You will feel happier, and you will gain in confidence.
5. Take Control of Your Weight
Meal planning though macros helps you to control the quantity of your food intake and calories. This method has proven effective in the weight loss process. Nowadays more and more people are tracking their macros. Using a Smartphone App like MyFitnessPal makes it very simple.