Macro Hacks

Counting macros isn’t difficult, but just like everything else in life there are a few tips and tricks that we want to share with you to help you get started and save some time. Welcome to Macro Hacks!! Let’s get right to the point- Once you know what you’re ideal macros are, where the heck do you keep track of them?

 MyFitnessPal App

Let me save you some time and recommend using MyFitnessPal Premium.  I tried Loseit, My Macros+, and the free version of MyFitnessPal all before finally purchasing the premium.  With MyFitnessPal premium you can tell it exactly how many of each carbs, fat, and protein you want to eat each day.  You also have the option of setting your home screen to show what macros you have left to eat without clicking between several screens. Trust me when I say, it’s been worth every bit of $79.99(and if you know me well, I’m cheap).

Grocery Shopping

How do you know what to eat? Well, obviously you want to pick the most nutrient dense foods possible to hit your numbers. Here’s a look at what foods you should be filling your cupboards, fridge, and freezer up with on a regular basis to help you stay on track.  This list will also come in handy when you’re planning out a meal or snack and need a few ore grams of a certain macro.

 

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Meal Planning

I have big plans for a whole post dedicated just to planning your meals but for now I’ll share a sample of what your food intake should look like on a typical day. Notice that this person eats 3 meals and 2 snacks.  Counting macros is NOT about restricting calories, in fact it’s the exact opposite. You should be eating as many calories as possible to keep your body fueled and turn into a fat burning machine. Tracy and I also suggest inputing your food the night before so you know exactly what you can eat each the following day.

Eating Protein

Most people seem to have the most trouble filling their protein grams each day, myself included. I have found that picking my protein for each meal first to be beneficial.  This way I know how much of it I need to eat (a small chicken salad vs. a mega chicken burrito) and I can plan my meals accordingly.  I also like to keep easy protein snacks around. Hands down our favorite protein bars are G2G (Good 2 Go) Bars. Order some ASAP and get 20% off with our code: stayfitmom. Our favorite flavor is PB chocolate chip! 

Another way to get in enough protein is to always have a post workout protein drink.  Ideally you should have a 1:1 ration of protein and carbs immediately after a workout.  My favorite thing is 4 ounces of frozen banana and 1 heaping scoop of protein powder. My post workout drink alone gives me 27 grams of each protein and carbs.

Food Scale

Macro counting is all about consistently hitting your numbers.  If you want to see results, you have to do your best to get as close to your numbers as possible.  In order to accurately do so, you must weigh your food with a food scale. I recently purchased a second one so my hubby and I don’t have to take turns at dinner time.I understand that there are situations when you can’t (at a restaurant, friend’s house, etc.) but any other time you should be putting your food on a scale.  I mentioned on my Instagram a few weeks ago that I weigh EVERYTHING. I’ve actually learned I save myself quite a few dishes to clean when I do so.  

Support

Doing anything in life is just so much easier when you have others supporting you and share a common goal.  You can join our free Macro Nutrition Facebook group here where everyone is happy to help with any questions, give meal ideas, and much more!

***Click here for a 1 time macronutrient prescription($40) 

Interacting with our community on social media fuels our passion to keep on creating!  We do our best to read and respond to every single comment.  It means the world to us to know that you’re out there listening and going through the trenches right alongside us! 

on Instagram:  @stayfitmom_tracy and @stayfitmom_Krista 

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“How do I calculate my macros?”