Mastering flexible dieting is your one-way ticket to enjoying food freedom! Call it balance or even moderation.

Traditional diets often come with strict rules and restrictions, making them difficult to sustain in the long run. This is the #1 reason most diets fail – they are too restrictive or they have you eating like a bird. Flexible dieting or macro tracking is a refreshing approach that allows you to balance your macros (carbs/fats/proteins) while enjoying food freedom. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of flexible dieting, its benefits, and how you can master it to achieve your health and fitness goals. Let’s dive in!

1. Understanding Flexible Dieting

Flexible dieting, also known as “If It Fits Your Macros” (IIFYM) or “Tracking Macros”, emphasizes the balance of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) rather than focusing on specific food choices. Food should be enjoyed with abundance, not a restrictive mindset. Understanding flexible dieting allows for you to change how you think and feel about food. No food is off limits. This approach allows for flexibility and freedom in your food choices, making it sustainable and enjoyable.

2. Mastering Flexible Dieting: Setting Realistic Macro Targets

The first step in mastering flexible dieting is to determine your individual macro targets. This can be done by calculating your daily calorie needs and then allocating specific percentages to each macronutrient based on your goals and preferences. While there are general guidelines, it’s important to work with a professional to get accurate and personalized macro recommendations. Read more on Master Macros for Busy Moms here

3. Prioritizing Nutrient-Dense Foods

Although flexible dieting allows for flexibility in food choices, it’s crucial to prioritize nutrient-dense foods for overall health and well-being. While you can indulge in treats or higher-calorie foods occasionally, the majority of your diet should consist of whole, minimally processed foods. These foods provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber, supporting optimal health and satiety. Strive for the 80/20 rule. 80% whole foods, 20% fun foods! And make changes over time, there is no rush!

4. Mastering Flexible Dieting: Tracking and Adjusting

Tracking your food intake is a key component of mastering flexible dieting when you are first starting out. If you don’t track, you have no idea where you need to make tweaks. Track your current eating habits for 7-14 days to give you a baseline of your current eating habits. From there identify areas you can improve. I use MyFitnessPal or MacrosFirst as my food tracking app. Tracking also helps you develop awareness of portion sizes and the nutritional content of different foods. By no means should you develop a reliance to a food tracking app – if you do, you aren’t using it as a tool to help you learn which can be an issue.

5. Mindful Eating and Listening to Your Body

Mastering flexible dieting isn’t just about hitting your macro targets; it’s also about developing a healthy relationship with food. Practice mindful eating by paying attention to hunger and fullness cues. Eat slowly and savor your meals. If you’re craving a specific food, find a way to fit it into your macros. Being flexible allows you to enjoy occasional treats while staying on track with your overall nutrition. We strive for progress over perfection.

Conclusion

I woke up one day at my heaviest weight wondering where I had gone wrong.  Inside I was feeling sad and depressed. I felt frustrated with my lack of weight loss journey and another failed attempt at the latest fad diet. That all changed once I took time to understand flexible dieting. Mastering flexible dieting became the first step in improving my relationship to food ( was super fearful of carbs) and my one-way ticket to FOOD FREEDOM!  I say one-way because there is NO WAY I am going to back to restricting myself – ever!  It became a lifestyle for me.  I became more aware of the foods my body requires to feel vibrant and have more energy.  My weight loss journey turned into building a life of longevity.

Is it time for you to step out of your comfort zone and truly gain control of your nutrition which will provide so much potential transformation and results like you’ve never seen before? Check out what my clients have said and the progress they have made.