Hi guys.
so yeah, been lifting 2 years. Made some pretty good gains, never counted macros at all, just got enough protein.
Im trying to cut now some. Working to stay at a deficit. Still ensuring enough protein, but counting macros (which I don’t have experience doing) feels overwhelming.
so yeah, how important is macro counting if getting enough protein?
thanks!!
Where you ask this question is going to depend a lot on the type of answers you get to it.
Here on AM, as its a bodybuilding forum, you're going to find that most of the members here are going to recommend counting macro's because it's what they do themselves - and yes, it is better for best results but there are a few big "but's and if's" there.
Yes, you will get your best results by tracking and counting macro's - however, I bet I've talked to literally hundreds of people over the years that have gotten so overwhelmed by trying to do so that it took the joy out of training for them and they wound up stopping training, stopping trying to eat healthier altogether, etc. bc of how overwhelming and frustrating it can be.
That's why the honest answer to this question is - there is no right or wrong answer - its finding what works best for you.
I've struggled with anxiety and a bit of OCD my whole life, and if I don't track everything, working out and the related diet is an escape from that. If I do try to keep track of it all, then it is no longer an escape from that, it becomes an extension of that and just ruins it for me.
I don't dispute that tracking everything is the best way - but I fall into the category of people that gets completely overwhelmed and just hates life when doing that and it ruins it for me. It just becomes overwhelming and takes the joy out of it for me, and I get frustrated at every little misstep until I just say screw it and either wind up stopping training consistently bc it takes the joy out of it, or I wind up mad at myself for messing up my macro's a little bit and saying screw it and just eating like crap because my brain says screw it, you messed up anyway so go eat a pizza.
I've discussed my approach on here before - and its not the most popular way - but it works for me and ultimately I'll get better results like this because I'll actually stick with it, and that is:
- When cutting, I make sure I get in enough protein and watch what I eat but don't get obsessive over calories or macros.
- When trying to gain, making sure I get in enough protein and also making sure I get in enough complex carbs, but not getting obsessive over calories or macros.
It's not that I don't have any idea what my macros are if I really try to figure it out, I have a ballpark idea, I just don't obsess over them.
For some people, working out and their physique is their life, and they love counting their macros and tweaking every little thing to help them reach their goals - and that's great for them.
For others, working out and physique is important, but we may not be able to mentally enjoy or stick with counting macros, it may take the enjoyment out of training, or it may put too much pressure on us and just ruin it for us. And/or it may be important to us, but we also don't care to be as strict because we do want to look better, but we also want to enjoy our lives and not have it revolve around tracking everything about every meal.
I just want to encourage you - the best approach is the approach that you will stick with.