Discover the difference between counting or macros and counting calories to unlock the secret to weight loss and achieving your fitness goals. Understanding macronutrients will help you make healthier and more educated food choices in the marketplace - arm yourself with knowledge!

1. The Magic of
Macronutrients
The difference between “counting macros” and “counting
calories”

2.  Macronutrients
 Comprised of 4 types:
◦ Protein
◦ Carbohydrates “Carbs”
◦ Fat
◦ Alcohol
What are “Macros”

3. Protein!
**Muscle building superstar**

4.  Builds muscle and prevents muscle loss
 4 calories per gram
 Controls appetite (can hold hunger off
better than fat or carbs – but more on
that later)
 Requires energy for your body to break
down; really awesome when trying to
tackle weight loss
 Lean body mass x .05 or up to 1.2 for
daily requirements
Protein Function

5. Carbohydrates
Omnomnom…

6.  Carbs are stored in the liver, brain blood
and muscles – used as energy for the
body
 4 calories per gram
 Found in what seems like everything: fruit
bread, drinks, anything sugary or starchy
 Range on a daily basis can be dependant
on goals
Carb Function

7. FAT

8.  An essential nutrient; it assists in vitamin
absorption, hormone regulation etc.
 Good fats versus bad fats; but all are 9
calories per gram
 Usually 0.35 – 0.7 per lean body mass
percentage is a good goal on a daily basis
 Fat has gotten a bad rap, but it’s
important to note that too much fat (even
good fat) isn’t good
FAT Function

9. So what does this mean??

10. More Labels…

11.  Calories (similar to the Weight Watchers
style) of doing this does not account for
your individual needs
 Macronutrient counting has been called a
more complicated and more glorified form
of calorie counting – not so
 Good calculators online can can help you
figure out your general targets
Counting Calories versus Counting
Your Macros

12.  Allows flexibility in
mind set
 Can be complex and
time consuming
 Need to know what
your lean body
mass is to begin
with
 There are no “good”
or “bad” foods
 Good food =
healthy body
 Some foods are
demonized and can
give people a
complex
 Can still gain weight
eating clean if you
are in a calorie
surplus
Counting Macros v. “Eating Clean”

13.  Understanding what macros are and how
to read labels can help you determine why
you are or are not hitting fitness goals
 Beware of marketing; you can decide via
the label if something is “good” for you or
not
 Handy calculators and apps such as “My
Fitness Pal” make counting easy on the go
Conclusion

14. Questions?