If you’re reading this you know you want to change; you want to be leaner, stronger, faster, or more energetic. You know Macrostax works; you’ve seen the success stories in your social media feeds or watched your training partners’ performance skyrocket. And while you can find out virtually anything you want to know through Macrostax’s website and social media channels, it’s a lot of information to sift through. So we polled the Macrostax community to find out what they wish they’d known before they started.
1| Planning is Key
Carving out time each week to plan your meals and making a shopping list is a must. Not only does it save you the headache of creating meals multiple times a day, it practically guarantees you’ll stay on track.
Thankfully, Macrostax has you covered as far as meal planning; the meal builder creates customizable meals that meet your macros. Before you go shopping, generate a few days’ or even a weeks’ worth of meals. (To keep things extra simple, repeat your favorite meals throughout the week). Having all your ingredients and a meal plan already in place make it easy to hit your macros. With some dedicated planning time, you can say goodbye to stress and hello to nailing your numbers.
2| Invest in Kitchen Supplies
You can buy all the chicken breast, sweet potatoes, and kale in the world, but if you cannot measure or store them, you have a recipe for disaster. Before you start Macrostaxing, invest in a few non-food essentials, including:
Your measuring tools keep you from having to “eyeball” your portions; an extra ounce of this and a few extra grams of that add up. Your food storage containers will come in handy when you’re packing lunch and snacks for a hike, grabbing a pre-workout meal on the way to the gym, or preparing a week’s worth of lunches. Whether you’re eating on the go or in your kitchen, having clean containers at your fingertips can be the difference between hitting your macros perfectly and making a bad decision when you’re “hangry”.
3| Do a Little Homework
Whether you’ve been counting macros for years or you’ve just discovered that all calories are not equal, you’ll have questions when you start Macrostaxing. And Macrostax has answers—most of which are just a click away. Spending just 30 minutes acquainting yourself with Macrostax’s plethora of (free!) resources will set you up for success.
Whether you’re wondering how to count the macros in alcohol, how to determine your activity level, or what a refeed day is, we have the answers. Read the FAQ’s, or watch some of the videos on the Macrostax YouTube channel.
4| Expect Results—But Not Necessarily Overnight
While some will see results within the first few days, for others, it will take weeks—and that is okay. Chances are, it took you months, or even years to develop the body you have right now. So be patient with yourself and with the process. Expect a learning curve as you figure out what meals and shopping lists work best for you. Even as Macrostaxing becomes second nature, there will be days you will not hit your numbers perfectly. Remember, your success doesn’t hinge on one specific day. It’s a product of what you do consistently over time. As Macrostaxer Alyssa Berger puts it, “It’s not a sprint it’s a journey.”
5| Input Your Photos and Measurements (Not Just Your Weight!)
Macrostax lets you input your weight, your measurements, and photos to measure your progress. While weight is the most convenient metric to track, it does not always tell the whole story. When Jessica M. started Macrostaxing, she lost eight pounds right away, but now, a few months in, she fluctuates within three pounds of her lowest weight. What’s more important than the number on the scale is the fact that she feels fantastic; this is the first summer she hasn’t “dreaded” wearing a swimsuit.
Lisa Napier is a prime example of a successful Macrostaxer whose pictures tell a different story than her weight alone; though her weight remained stable, her muscle tone increased significantly over a few months. (Seriously, check out her killer abs!). So take a few minutes a week to take your measurements and a few selfies for those days when you need some reassurance that this is all worth it. (It is!)
6| Choose real food
When you start Macrostaxing one thing becomes clear very quickly—You get a lot more bang for your buck when you choose “real” food over processed food. Sure you could eat a bagel, a protein bar, or a slice of birthday cake to get your macros (and you certainly should enjoy them once in a while). But you’ll be able to put more food on your plate when you focus on nutrient-dense foods like lean protein, veggies, and fruits. Not only will whole foods make you feel more full, they’ll also make you feel better overall. Jen Giles is a Macrostaxer who wishes someone had told her earlier that just because something fit her macros, it’s not necessarily a great choice. Since she made a habit of choosing whole foods over processed foods, not only has her body composition improved, her skin is clearer, her eyes are brighter, and she feels “lighter” inside.
7| Join the Facebook Community
The live chat feature is one the best parts of Macrostax; an expert is available to answer your questions nearly 24/7. But there’s also a Facebook Community just for Macrostaxers. With nearly 5,000 members, it’s growing every day. This is where we cheer each others’ successes (“I love this pic of me in a bikini!”), troubleshoot each other’s problems (“What do I eat at bedtime when I still need to get 21 grams of carbs and 16 grams of fat?”), and make each other laugh (We love our fitness memes). Valerie Hall is a new Macrostaxer who credits the group with helping to keep her on track. “I love being able to scroll through to see others’ progress. It’s extremely motivating.” And if that’s not enough to make you want to join, I dare you to find a better way to find thousands of personal cheerleaders with the click of a button.
There are times in life when you have to make your own mistakes. Thankfully, being a newbie Macrostaxer is not one of them. Taking advice from those who have been there before means you can enjoy maximum results with minimum stress.
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