Counting Macros for a Year: User's Weight Journey

Counting Macros for a Year

Counting macros has been a popular method for individuals wanting to maintain or lose weight. Macros, which refers to macronutrients – fats, carbohydrates, and proteins – are calculated to suit one's body weight, body composition, and fitness goals. The process is often challenging as it requires a good understanding of nutrition and discipline to stick with it. After a year of following this process, a Reddit user, WhyAreYouUpsideDown, shares their progress.

Maintaining the Process

WhyAreYouUpsideDown reveals that they have been logging their food intake using MyFitnessPal and aiming for at least 120g of protein per day and less than 20g of sugar. They are not too strict on carbohydrates but avoid them on rest days. They tried to increase their calories a bit as they felt like they were losing muscle at 114lbs. They also practice 'cheat days' and encourage others not to beat themselves up for doing the same.

Intensifying Core Strength

Discipline when it comes to food intake isn't always enough to get the best results. According to WhyAreYouUpsideDown, it helps to engage in activities that intrinsically activate core muscles instead of doing planks and crunches. Dancing, cave climbing, sprinting, and Pilates are some examples. They also suggest keeping an eye out for foods that make one's middle spongy, even if they are calorically in deficit.

Notable Improvements

In the Reddit post, WhyAreYouUpsideDown admits that their progress was difficult to judge due to the inconsistent pose in the before and after pictures. While some comments suggest that there are only slight changes, others praise the improved definition in their obliques, upper arms, and shoulders. When it comes to body transformation, everyone's experience can vary due to factors such as genetics and lifestyle.

Encouragement to Keep Going

WhyAreYouUpsideDown's progress may not seem drastic, but it takes time to achieve long-term fitness goals. Maintaining discipline in one's nutrition and finding a workout routine that suits one's natural strengths are vital. It's also essential to have realistic expectations and not get discouraged by small setbacks or 'cheat days.' The journey may be challenging, but progress, no matter how small, is a victory worth celebrating.