Why you should count macros and not calories

Welcome to On-the-Go with Macros

Let’s talk about who I am.

My name is Jill Murphy and I am a registered nurse by trade and I am a fitness and macro coach.

I have been a registered nurse for over 24 years.

And there is a TON of nutrition that you learn in both nursing school and applicable in the job.

I became interested in counting macros about 10 years ago.  

You see, after the birth of my second child (about 14 years ago), I became a runner.

I took up running when my second child was around 1 and I was trying to lose the baby weight.

I picked up counting macros and during that time, I really didn’t understand macros AT ALL.  I was really focused on counting macros.

And while I KNEW macros were proteins, carbs, and fats - I really didn’t know how to count them or how to work that into my daily life.

I was running between 20-25 miles per week and there was no strength training.

And if you spend ANY amount of time around here, you’ll find out why I NOW believe this is a no-no.

In fact, by doing all the running and no strength training and counting my calories all the time, I was digging myself a hole.

And if that’s you, YOU are in the right place, friend. 

I’m so glad you are here.

I did this for YEARS and then maybe around 7-8 years ago, I truly became interested in macros and so I hired a macro coach.

The basics were great.

I learned how to count macros and what they were but the PROBLEM was we focused on the SCALE and I ended up not feeling good at all and I quit.

So I moved on.

In April 2021, I hired a FASTer Way to Fat Loss coach and macros became clear as a bell to me and I was taught what they are, why you need them, and how they can truly transform your body composition.

I was VERY VERY successful over that 6 weeks - losing over 10 pounds AND losing over 16 inches WITHOUT RUNNING 20-25 miles/week AND I was able to fit into ALL my clothes again AND I had all of this energy and it was soaring and it was UNBELEIVABLE.

And I decided THEN that I would need to share this with EVERYONE else.

So in October 2021, I became a FASTer Way to Fat Loss coach and in addition to that, I’ve invested in additional training and am both a certified Nutrition coach as well as a certified Personal Trainer.

All that to say, Yes - if you’ve ever counted calories, YOU just need some tweaking.

Why is counting macros different than counting calories.

Let’s just say YOU plan to eat 1200 calories today.

Now I would NEVER recommend a number that low, but since we are being hypothetical, we shall use this number.

Now you can go eat 1200 calories in ICE CREAM today and that “fits in your calories” but you wouldn’t feel very well.

OR you could go and eat across the board in your macros and eat 1200 calories, and focus on getting enough of the right proteins, carbs, and fats and you could feel your very best and have fuel on hand to live your busy lifestyle.

That you ate enough CARBS to give you energy.

That you ate enough FAT to sleep well (because fat controls our sleep hormones)

That you ate enough PROTEIN to keep you fuller longer.

Have you ever wondered why 2 hours after eating, you are starving?

Because likely you aren’t eating enough protein?

The way we KNOW that is by counting macros.

When you count calories, YOU will get to an overall number and stop eating, regardless of the makeup of those calories.

When you count macros, YOU eat a specific number of proteins, carbs, and fats as prescribed by YOUR coach to help you reach your goals. 

Do you see how that is different?

Counting macros is SO very good for your body if:

— You have fat loss goals

— You have weight loss goals

— You want to get stronger in the gym

— You want to change your body composition

Did YOU know that 80% of the body composition changes that we see related to diet and exercise are DIRECTLY related to nutrition?

Have you ever heard “You can’t outrun a bad diet?”

Well it’s exactly true.

I can go run 20-25 miles next week but if I’m only giving my body processed junk, then my body will not be fueled properly for this activity.

You see, counting calories cannot tell you whether or not you are eating enough carbs to support this type of activity.

Counting calories cannot tell you whether or not you are eating enough fat to support this activity.

But counting macros can.

You see when YOUR body is not fueled effectively and efficiently, YOUR body will cry out for other things, and you will give it something, because you are starving.

And if you don’t know WHAT to fuel it will, it will run eventually run on empty.

And that’s why we count macros.

So that our bodies get the proper ratio of proteins, carbs, and fats for OUR body’s goals

— not your neighbor 

— not your best friend

— not your sister-in-law 

But the proper ratio for YOU.

Because YOU are an individual and YOU need an individual plan.

A unique plan for YOU because you are unique.

My fitness pal is a GREAT tool for when you are getting started, but My fitness pal has its limits.

My fitness pal cannot tell whether or not you have a thyroid disorder 

My fitness pal cannot tell whether or not you are training for a marathon.

My fitness pal cannot tell whether or not you are in menopause or peri-menopause.

My fitness pal cannot tell whether or not you’ve lost 50 pounds this year and you are ready to hone in and build muscle instead of continuing to lose.

But do YOU know who CAN tell you those things.

A Coach.

This is where a coach in SO valuable.

A COACH looks at YOU as an individual.

A COACH evaluates YOU and then sets forth a plan to set YOU up for success.

I COACH with the FASTer Way to Fat Loss and I help women each and every day find ways to meet their macros so that they can reach their goals each and every day.

And I help women meet those goals every day without starving themselves.

There are NO good foods and no bad foods.

Food is just food.

We count it and we move on.

So are YOU ready for a coach?

Grab a spot here in my next 6 week coaching round

https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=jillmurphy

Or contact me @ jillcmurphy@bellsouth.net

I can show YOU how to enjoy food and life again WHILE reaching your goals.

I simply cannot wait to get started.

Until next time friends.

Love, love, love!

Blog Post Title Two

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Three

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.