Macro FLEX tracking (MFT) takes the underlying concept
of IIFYM, strips it down to its core essentials, while maintaining its overall effectiveness.
Knowing those three distinct phases, we can start to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of a more
IIFYM approach.
I can find hundreds of people who look awful in gyms on meal plans as well
as IIFYM.
The problem is not necessarily
with IIFYM, but with the way this concept is often interpreted.
but if you want to get more technical you follow a more typical
IIFYM style diet can start by aiming to get 20 - 25 % of your cals from fats and fill in the rest from carbs.
Knowing how many grams of each macronutrient you need to eat per day is the starting point
for IIFYM.
There's a clear time and place to implement a
more IIFYM style approach to dieting.
All these guys talk
about IIFYM like it's the greatest thing in the world and how they're able to eat foods like cookies and pop - tarts on a daily basis...
Similar to how
IIFYM allows this and Intermittent Fasting if you plan out your eating schedule right.
Here's the next email this reader sent me: «I have
done IIFYM with good weight loss results while eating junk!
Bonci has some personal reservations
on IIFYM's protein recommendations.
The above reasons all play a role into
why IIFYM style isn't quite as effective as a «cleaner» eating approach while dieting.
I ended up with about 10 extra lbs of fat & I'm not sure what I should be doing nutritionally — I kind of kept eating like when I was lifting trying to maintain muscle & now I'm not sure if I should base my calorie reduction on what I was eating or
what iifym calculates & should I include the calories burned from boxing in my calculations.
Most people don't misinterpret
IIFYM like this, but it's easy to see how someone could if they don't understand the concept.
Many people say that its
just IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros) and calories in / calories out that matters, I disagree with that.
The problem is when someone with no regard to food quality — little common sense or nutritional knowledge —
starts IIFYM and takes it literally.
The thing is,
IIFYM misses the mark when it comes to internal health.
IIFYM makes sure your body is getting all the macronutrients it needs to function properly, build muscle, and have enough energy.
IIFYM also allows you to search for new food choices and help you reach your fitness goals by following the 80/20 rule.
Macronutrient IIFYM diets work because they emphasize eating the right proportion of whole foods.
IIFYM means following a personalized macronutrient diet.
I don't really follow macros or
IIFYM at the moment.
If you
think IIFYM could work for you, here's what you need to know.
How it works: Calculate your daily caloric needs, then split those calories into 40 percent carbohydrates, 40 percent protein and 20 percent fat, the ratio that
IIFYM proponents say is the most effective for muscle growth, fat burning and consistent energy levels.
******: «Also, just wanted to mention that the reason I stopped doing
iifym despite some weight loss was because it was taking up too much space in my head to count macros.
A Complete Guide to «If It Fits Your Macros» —
IIFYM aka Flexible Dieting By: Elliot Reimers What does healthy... View Article
I used to spend a great deal of my time trying to come up with fantastic «
IIFYM treats».
For those that don't know, the basic premise
behind IIFYM is that you're given a macronutrient (proteins, carbs, fats) target to hit every day, and as long as you hit it, it doesn't really matter what foods you eat.
It's worthwhile touching on the money motives around Meal Plans
vs IIFYM.
Instead of insisting on taking an extreme approach in either direction — either through massive restriction via Clean Eating, or through complete lack of discipline
via IIFYM — like most things in life, what works best is a moderate approach.
Of course, in the bodybuilding and fitness world, the idea of no foods being off limits has sent many «clean» eaters into a frenzy,
scolding IIFYM as being an inferior and illogical way of dieting.
That being said, I would be remiss to not touch on a final, crucial point that I
believe IIFYM can teach many bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts — that your diet has a psychological aspect to it.
The beauty
of IIFYM, she notes, is that you can manipulate the macro numbers as your body and goals change.
-- Weighing and measuring every ounce of food you put in your mouth, meal prepping days in advance and carrying the appropriate amount of food with you wherever you go; I wish anyone luck who decides to take this approach to their grave —
IIFYM approach (see point above)-- Bulking up for one part of the year (after competitions), while shredding the rest (pre-competitions).
The beauty
about IIFYM is that unlike other types of diets which limit your food choice and give you a strict meal plan throughout the day, it gives you the freedom to eat whatever you want during the days provided that it fits your macro goals for the day.
IIFYM diets flip the outdated food pyramid on its head.
For example, if someone is told to get 300 grams of carbs for the day, a lot of people who
follow IIFYM will stress over getting exactly 300 grams of carbs.
While you are allowed to
on IIFYM, eating sticks of butter wrapped in bacon for your fat intake isn't recommended.
In this article I'll talk about flexible dieting, also known
as IIFYM.
The reason
why IIFYM has such a bad reputation is because people don't know it's concept.