Most people assume that the main reason someone chooses to track macros is to change how they look. Although improving body composition is the catalyst for many, most macro trackers experience many other benefits once they start. 

reasons to track your food that have nothing to do with how you look

Reasons to Track Your Food That Have Nothing to do With How You Look:

1. Learn what foods make you feel your best (and which foods don’t)

Although healthy foods generally make you feel good and processed foods leave you feeling less than your best, tracking what you eat gives you additional insight into how specific foods make you feel and allows you to double down on what works best for your body.

People also tend to under-report what they eat (read: you may eat more junk than you think!). Tracking can help you get the most accurate look at what and how much you eat and how those specific foods and quantities impact your body mentally and physically.

2. Improve your workouts and recovery

Tracking your macros allows you to monitor intake to ensure you’re eating enough to reach your performance goals in the gym. Tracking your macros also lets you intentionally time intake amounts around your training to give your muscles the fuel needed to push hard and recover well.

3. Gain confidence by reaching small daily goals

According to the American Psychological Association, “Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in his or her capacity to execute behaviors necessary to produce specific performance attainments” and “reflects confidence in the ability to exert control over one's own motivation, behavior, and social environment.”

How does this relate to tracking macros? If you set the goal of hitting your macros daily and actually do it, that confidence spills over into other areas of your life. You’ll be more confident at work, 

4. Enjoy occasional treats without stress or guilt

Committing to putting what you eat in your tracker gives you an extra layer of accountability when making food choices. There is definitely a time and place for enjoying a treat; doing so confidently (without stress or guilt) requires awareness and the knowledge that you’re eating a well-rounded diet.

5. Find a routine that works for you and establish consistent habits

A consistent grocery shopping, prepping, and eating routine is important for overall health, and tracking your macros helps you find and adjust a routine that works best for your lifestyle. Motivation gets you started; habits keep you going. When life gets busy, stressful, or throws you a curveball, the habits you build make the most difference in sticking with a goal! 

At WAG Nutrition Coaching, one of the main things we hear from our clients is that they came to us with weight loss goals but got much more in return. 

The five reasons to track your macros above have nothing to do with weight loss (although they may impact progress in that area as well!) but benefit your mind, confidence, and ability to live the life you want to live!