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Beyond the Scale: The Power of Macros and Why They Matter

Updated: Aug 9


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When you're on a fitness journey, the scale can feel like your ultimate judge. But what if we told you there's a better, more precise way to measure progress? The secret lies in understanding and tracking your macronutrients—or macros. Beyond just counting calories, focusing on macros gives you the power to sculpt your physique, boost your performance, and truly transform your body from the inside out.


What are Macros?


Macros are the three primary nutrients your body needs in large amounts for energy and to function properly: protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Each one plays a unique and critical role in your body's performance and composition.

  • Protein: The building blocks of your body. Protein is essential for repairing muscle tissue after workouts, supporting growth, and boosting your metabolism. It also helps you feel full, which is key for managing your appetite and fat loss.

  • Carbohydrates: Your body's primary fuel source. Carbs provide the energy you need to train hard and perform at your best. Strategic timing of carbohydrates around your workouts can significantly improve your strength, endurance, and recovery.

  • Fats: Crucial for hormone function, brain health, and absorbing essential vitamins. Healthy fats, like those found in avocados and nuts, support overall health and help keep inflammation in check.


Why Tracking Macros is a Game-Changer


While a calorie is a calorie from a pure energy perspective, the source of those calories matters immensely. A diet of 2,000 calories from fast food will have a completely different effect on your body composition and health than a 2,000-calorie diet rich in lean protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats.

By tracking macros, you move from simply managing your weight to intentionally shaping your body. You can manipulate your macro ratios to achieve specific goals:

  • For Muscle Growth: Prioritize a higher protein and carbohydrate intake to support muscle repair and fuel intense workouts.

  • For Fat Loss: Maintain high protein to preserve muscle mass, while strategically managing your carbohydrate and fat intake to create a calorie deficit.

  • For Performance: Optimize your carb intake to ensure you have plenty of energy for peak performance during training sessions.


Your Macros Cheat Sheet


Use this chart as a starting point to help you understand the role of each macronutrient. The exact ratios will vary based on your body, activity level, and specific goals, which is where a personalized plan from Demolition Fitness becomes invaluable.

Category

Item












Complex Carbs

Serving Size

10g

15g

20g

25g

30g

35g

40g

50g

60g

75g

100g


Oats (uncooked)

15g

22.5g

30g

37.5g

45g

52.5g

60g

67.5g

90g

112.5g

135g


Shredded Wheat (biscuits)



1 biscuit




2 biscuits


3 biscuits




Whole wheat bread





See Product Label








Brown/white rice (cooked)

44g

65g

88g

110g

130g

153g

176g

220g

260g

330g

440g


Quinoa (cooked)

1/4 cup


1/2 cup


3/4 cup


1 cup


1.5 cup




Pasta (cooked)

1/4 cup


1/2 cup


3/4 cup


1 cup


1.5 cup




Sweet potato (cooked)

56g

84g

112g

139g

168g

195g

224g

278g

336g

419g

556g


Yam (cooked)

37g

56g

75g

93g

112g

130g

150g

186g

224g

280g

372g


White potato (cooked)

46.5g

69.5g

93g

116g

139g

163g

186g

232g

278g

349g

464g

Fibrous Carbs


5g

10g

20g










Spinach (Raw)

134g

268g

536g










Broccoli (Cooked)

69g

138g

276g










Asparagus (Cooked)

120g

240g

480g










Cabbage (Raw)

92g

184g

368g










Brussel Sprouts (Cooked)

71g

142g

284g










Mushrooms (Raw)

150g

300g

450g










Cucumbers (Raw with peel)

140g

280g

420g










Green Beans (Cooked)

64g

128g

256g










Bell Peppers (Raw)

80g

160g

240g










Cauliflower (Raw)

96g

192g

288g










Tomatoes (Raw)

128g

256g

384g










Zucchini (Raw)

144g

288g

432g










Romaine (Raw)

148g

296g

592g










Kale (Raw)

50g

100g

200g










Swiss Chard (Raw)

133g

266g

532g









Protein


20g

25g

30g

35g

40g

50g

60g






Chicken breast (cooked)

80g

100g

120g

140g

160g

200g

240g






Turkey breast (cooked)

72g

90g

108g

125g

144g

180g

216g






Tuna



1 can




2 cans






Egg whites (Raw)

12.5g

19g

25g

38g

44g

50g







Eggs (Whole Large)

3 (15f)












Cod (cooked)

88g

110g

131g

153g

176g

220g

262g






Haddock (cooked)

75g

93g

112g

130g

150g

186g

224g






Mahi mahi (cooked)

85g

104g

126g

146g

170g

208g

252g






Pollock (cooked)

82g

102g

121g

141g

164g

204g

242g






Salmon, Atlantic (cooked)

91g (11f)

114g (14f)

136g (17f)

159g (20f)

182g (22f)

228g (28f)

272g (34f)






Tilapia (cooked)

78g

97g

116g

135g

156g

194g

232g






Snapper (Cooked)

76g

96g

114g

133g

152g

192g

228g






Bison (grass fed, cooked)

80g

100g

120g

140g

160g

200g

240g






NY steak (cooked)

68g

85g

102g

119g

136g

170g

204g






Beef tenderloin (cooked)

72g

90g

108g

125g

144g

180g

216g





EFA's


5g

10g

15g

20g

25g

30g







Flax oil

1 tsp (5G)

2 tsp (10g)

1 tbsp (15g)

4 tsp (20g)

5 tsp (25G)

2 tbsp (30G)







Udo's Oil

1 tsp (5G)

2 tsp (10g)

1 tbsp (15g)

4 tsp (20g)

5 tsp (25G)

2 tbsp (30G)







Hemp Oil

1 tsp (5G)

2 tsp (10g)

1 tbsp (15g)

4 tsp (20g)

5 tsp (25G)

2 tbsp (30G)







Avocado

34g

68g

102g

136g

170g

204g







Ground Flax


1.5 tbsp


3 tbsp


4.5 tbsp







Hemp Hearts

1 tbsp

2 tbsp

3 tbsp

4 tbsp

5 tbsp

6 tbsp







Chia Seeds

1 tbsp

2 tbsp

3 tbsp

4 tbsp

5 tbsp

6 tbsp







Almonds

10g

20g

30g

40g

50g

60g







Almond Butter

10g

20g

30g

40g

50g

60g






Miscellaneous


1/2 cup

1 cup











Skim Milk

4P, 6C

8P, 12C











Almond Milk (unsweetened)

1F

2F










How to Get Started


Tracking macros might seem complex, but it's a skill that becomes second nature. Start by using a food tracking app to log your meals and see where you're currently at. Then, work with a professional to set specific macro targets tailored to your body and goals. This is exactly what we do at Demolition Fitness—we take the guesswork out of the process, providing you with a customized plan that ensures every meal and every workout is pushing you toward your best self.

Remember, a successful fitness journey is about more than just the number on the scale. It's about building a strong, healthy body and a disciplined mindset. By understanding and utilizing the power of macros, you're not just dieting—you're building a sustainable, high-performance lifestyle.




 
 
 

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