In other words, taking a more flexible approach to eating by counting macronutrient intake was more effective.

Well, it turns out that a study that compared strict and flexible dieting found that those who were strict about what they ate were much more likely to have a higher BMI, that their feelings of self-control were minimized, and they experienced heightened levels of psychological stress regarding their food consumption and their weight. So, what are the benefits of counting and calculating your macronutrient intake? What are the Benefits of Macro Calculating? Whether it’s bodybuilding competition, a photoshoot for a magazine spread, or a night out on the town no matter what it is, if you need to shed some weight by a specific deadline – and that deadline is fast-approaching – macro counting could certainly be helpful.

Calculating your macronutrient intake can help to put things back in balance and keep your diet in check. If you find that you have this insatiable need to gobble down a big old slice of chocolate cake at 2 in the morning because your body is screaming for it, if you’re always craving salty, oil-riddled chips, or you swallow a pint of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream in a few swallows, something is definitely off. I eat plenty of nuts, so…” If this sounds like you, macro counting would be beneficial. When a lot of people say, “I’m getting enough protein”, that translates to “I guess my protein intake is about (fill in the blank) grams, and though I’m not really certain, I think it’s probably the right amount. If you have stubborn fat that just won’t budge, keeping tabs on your macros would be helpful. If you’re already lean but you want to become even leaner, even the smallest changes in your nutrition intake can influence your ability to drop those last few pounds. Still not sure if calculating your macronutrients is the right choice for you? Consider the following situations, as they’re all great examples of when macro calculating can be extremely beneficial. That said, however, there are lots of weight lifters and bodybuilders who find that once their fitness and bodybuilding goals become more and more specific, honing in on their nutrition by keeping track of their macronutrient intake can help maximize their results. Some people really don’t need to do it at all, while others might find that other strategies are more effective. Should you keep track of your macros when bodybuilding? In fact, a lot of people in this community swear by macro counting and don’t think twice about whipping out their food scales, no matter where they are, to calculate. “Tracking your macros” is actually a pretty simple concept that involves keeping tabs on the amount – in grams – of proteins, fats, and carbs you eat on a given day.īodybuilders, in particular, as well as anyone who focuses on building their physique, have really mastered the art of the IFFYM concept. What does “tracking my macro” mean?īefore we jump in, let’s take a moment to clarify what it means to “track your macros” (better known as “IIFYM” or “if it fits your macros”), because after all, you kind of need to know the concept is all about to be able to actually do it. Read on to learn more about macro counting, including what it’s all about, what types of macronutrients you should be counting, and how to go about counting your macros.

You can always use this easy-to-use Bodybuilding Macro Calculator or you can also use a diet-specific tool like our Vertical Diet Macro Calculator. You can learn more about what the Vertical Diet is and the Vertical Diet for weight loss on our website. If you’re looking to maximize your bodybuilding gains, macro counting might just be the solution you’re looking for.

Macro calculator app