I have been strictly counting my macros and weighing out all of my food for the past seven months and I’m not looking back. When I first stated tracking everything in February, I had no idea what I was getting myself into or if this would help me achieve my goals. I can honestly say that I’ve surpassed everything I set out to accomplish so far and am constantly setting new goals for myself to conquer. I compiled a list of some of the reasons that I absolutely love flexible dieting and why I would recommend it to anyone. If you’ve never heard of flexible dieting, you can check out our what is flexible dieting post here.
1. I have never felt restricted.
One of the main reasons most people don’t want anything to do with healthy eating is a fear of restriction and missing out on their favorite foods. My entire experience with flexible dieting has been the exact opposite. Unlike most of the popular diets out there today, there are no specific foods that are off limits. Knowing that nothing is off limits and not feeling restricted is one of the reasons why I love flexible dieting.
2. You can make anything fit into your macros.
To piggyback off of my last point, you can literally make anything you want (for the most part at least) work into your numbers. This is my favorite part of flexible dieting, because it truly is flexible. No matter what food I’m craving, with some planning I can usually make it work into my day. Being able to fit in the fun foods is what really helps keep me on track. I have never once felt like I was depriving myself or not living life. I can eat the foods and I love and still make progress.
3. You will learn incredible balance.
So far, I’ve made counting macros and flexible dieting sound like its a food free for all. While it may be to an extent, most of the food I eat throughout the day is relatively healthy. Following the principles of flexible dieting has taught me how to balance my day when I want to work in a bad meal or some fun food. When most people work in a fun meal, they either go off the deep end and binge all day or they starve themselves all day in anticipation of it. Neither of these is a practical or healthy approach. Learning how to balance the healthy foods with working in some fun foods has been the most amazing lifestyle adjustment I’ve made since starting to count my macros.
4. Flexible dieting and macro tracking is extremely sustainable long-term.
Flexible dieting and macro tracking are extremely sustainable for the longterm and this is one of the main reasons why I always recommend it. Like I mentioned in the beginning of this post, I’ve been at this for seven months and I’m not looking back. I can imagine living the rest of my life this way. When most people diet, it is a short term fix where they don’t learn any new habits, but instead they restrict themselves from all of their favorite foods, under eat, or spend hours at the gym. Following a diet like that might help you get the short-term weight loss that you’re looking for but, it will not help you in the long-term. Flexible dieting and macro tracking will help you gradually learn new habits that will keep you successful in the long-term and help you keep your weight loss.
I really hate the word diet, which is why I typically refer to flexible dieting as macro tracking. Tracking your macros will help you have a healthy relationship with food and help you shape your habits around meeting your goals more so than any other diet that’s out there. Would you ever consider flexible dieting? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
I have never felt comfortable with dieting either. It’s good in the short term, but never becomes a part of your life. I will try this diet though, macro-tracking-not dieting 😉
Awesome, macro-tracking will really help you achieve your goals!
I have been trying to lose weight and will try tracking my macros. Hopefully I get good results.
Tracking your macros will absolutely help! We are currently working on a post about how to start tracking your macros.
What a great post! As someone with a Diabetic in the family, Macro tracking is just an everyday must. You really start learning what your putting in your body and how much your truly eating when you start tracking and measuring things out.
Exactly, I completely agree!
I think it’s a good thing to do if you can. It also reinforces focus on healthy eating and health as a whole. However, I hardly have time for this now. But maybe soon.
Awesome, definitely give it a try!
This is good post for me as I am really into healthy diet as I am into bodybuilding and train 5 days a week. What I eat really make a great impact so I don’t anyhow eat any food that is junk. I always look at the label and eat whole food.
Awesome, following a body building split really does require really clean eating.
I agree. In the past when I tried to follow a fad diet, I found it very restricting and it’s not sustainable at all. I elieve balance and clean eating is so much better in achieving your fitness goal. 🙂
Exactly!
I am eating healthy when I’m at home but for me, the problem is traveling. As I do it so often, I have a hard time trying to find healthy options, especially around airports, and I always end up breaking my healthy rules.
There can be healthy options available at airports. When I go to the airport I usually pre-pack a meal to eat with me while I’m there.
I guess it’s time I start tracking my macros too, your way looks quite easier than dieting. Thanks for great tips.
Macro tracking is great for learning how to properly fuel your body and how to balance your food intake.
I really need to start getting into this! I’ve been needing to lose weight!
Macro tracking is great, you will learn how to balance your food choices and how to properly fuel your body.
I did this for a short period of time just to make sure I was eating enough when transitioning to a vegan diet. But now I intuitively eat 🙂
Inuitively eating is great. I always make sure to track my intake everyday because I want to make sure I am fueled up appropriately for my training.
I’m glad it works for you! I’m not big on tracking things, so I’ll probably never do this. But I’ll pass it onto friends who are into this sort of thing.
Awesome, its super helpful if you’ve been trying to lose weight without succeeding. It gives you the opportunity to track and analyze what you’re eating and see where you can make changes.
Macro tracking is just an everyday must. In the past when I tried to follow a fast diet, I found it very restricting and it’s not sustainable at all. i guess i will try your pattern now
There really is no restriction and its great to have a history of your eating right in front you so you can see where you need to improve.
I had never of the word “macro” in the context of dieting. That’s interesting. I think i’ll try macro tracking now!
You should check out our initial post on flexible dieting and macro tracking to learn more about it! here.
I feel like I have been dieting my entire life. This plan looks like it may actually work for me.
The best part of flexible dieting is that it isn’t a diet, but rather a technique to learn better eating patterns and habits.
Great tips! First time I heard of this and it sounds like something I might try. I love food so I like the idea of not feeling restricted to eat. I’m a fan of eating in moderation.
I’m a fan of eating in moderation as well, thats why I love tracking my food intake so I can be sure that I am actually eating in moderation.
Just the fact that I’m on a diet stresses me out! I prefer to not think of dieting.. rather just watch what I eat. I enjoyed reading your post.
Thank you! It really does help us stay more successful when we focus more on the food we’re eating.
I’m starting getting diet. Obviously when I start making diet I have a lot of adjustment of course discipline is the main key. to achieve my diet great tips from this is really helpful a lot.
Thanks – we love and always recommend flexible dieting.
I too hate the word dieting! This sounds interesting will check out more about it on your blog!
Awesome, let us know if you have any questions 🙂
Excellent article!
I am currently transitioning into Intermittent fasting, but need to get my lab work results (hormones) to see where I am at. Flexible dieting is definitely doable. My issue is counting Macros.. It just seems so tedious and time consuming. I had started using Macros the app, but stopped.
What do you use or recommend?
Intermittent fasting is great as well, you could even combine the two. My app of choice is Fat Secret to track everything, its very straight forward and I find it easier to use than My Fitness Pal.
Yes! I have to get back to IF since I went off for a bit because the boys were off for two weeks. I am getting my lab work done tomorrow so I’m excited! Awesome thanks so much I am going to check out Fat Secret. OMG MFpal I have used them all. Actually, I think the ones with scan codes for foods is supper easy, problem is– they rarely work lol. We need to create an app where you just voice or scan food and “Pooff” inserted ha! Thanks for the tips again 🙂
LOL that kind of app would be so convenient for sure! Fat Secret has the scanning feature – I just find it so much easier to use than MFP!
I also don’t like the idea about being on a diet but sometimes it’s unavoidable. Anyway, I”m only hearing of macro tracking and it sounds better since flexible dieting would be appreciated.
Flexible dieting is really the best, you will learn incredible balance and have a more positive relationship with food.
So true! I haven’t started any wight loss program because I do not want to feel restricted. I easily lose motivation that way. Maybe tracking downs my macro will help!
Tracking macros will absolutely help, not wanting to diet for fear of restriction is SO common. Macro tracking will teach you exceptional balance – you’ll learn how to make the fun foods work along with how to balance it with the rest of your day.