Macros have become “the thing” recently. That’s all people talk about. And I’m continuously asked what my macros are. I want to make something clear: I don’t count macros. I don’t know how to and I don’t want to. In the past I’ve counted calories, I’ve weighed and measured my food when I did zone, and when I did those things, I was never happy. I was actually pretty unhappy. I was obsessive, I didn’t want to go out with friends and I was even more frustrated when I didn’t see my body change when I was putting SO much work into it.
I’m not saying this because I don’t think macros are helpful. I’m sure they are for lots of people. I’m saying this because I want people to know that there is freedom outside of obsessing over numbers. I don’t obsess over how much protein or carbs or fat or sugar. I don’t eat crappy food because it “fits within my macros.” I just try to balance it out. Sure, sometimes I indulge in gluten free foods like when I had a mimosa and chicken chilaquiles at brunch yesterday. But it’s all balances out by the continual smart decisions I make with my other meals. For me, it’s not about perfection or how many ounces of meat I have. It’s about eating healthy food on a regular basis and listening to what my body needs and is craving.
So if you’re still trying to find your balance, not sure where to look and you’re thinking macros since it’s the new thing right now, just know that I have found a balanced life without numbers or tracking or obsessing. Sure, it’s taken me some time and some trial and error to get there, but don’t get discouraged thinking that counting is the only way to stay in shape or reach your goals. Because I firmly believe that’s not true. Just my perspective! Working hard on a regular basis, resting, eating well, and being kind to your body WILL PAY OFF. Remember that!
Sunday – Rest day
Monday –
Every 30 sec for 10 mins: 1 Squat Clean @ 70%. All reps must have a 3 sec pause at knee. – I used 105#
Then @ 0:00 Sprint 400m For Time. MAX EFFORT!!! – I got 1:25
@ 4:00 Sprint 400m For Time. MAX EFFORT!!! – I got 1:28
** Both times recorded!
Lastly – 6 min AMRAP Of: (from CF Linchpin)
4 Lateral Burpees Over Bar
2 Power Cleans (185/135)
I honestly do not remember what I got. No idea!
Tuesday –
20 mins Moving With Purpose
– Accumulate 1 min in OH Hold (1 rep max strict press weight) – I used 90#
– 16 Double KB Front Rack Lunges (2 x 70/55) – Must go unbroken! – I used 35#KB’s
– 30 Kipp Swings on Rings Or Bar. Every 10 swings perform 1 Muscle Up or Pull Up. Hold on entire set!!! – I did pull ups
Then 10 min Partner AMRAP Of:
20 Wall Ball
Max Cal Row
* Score is total Cals per pair. One person completes 20 Wall Ball while the other rows. Once 20 wall ball have been completed partners swap.
Me and my partner got 104 calories on the rower
Wednesday – See movements here
Deadlift: 4 x 7. All sets at 75% (13 mins) with a 3 second descent – I used 165#
Then 3 Rounds For Time Of: (17 min Time Cap)
50 Double Unders
30 Toes 2 Bar
25 Cal Air Bike
20 Push Jerks (135/95)
I got 2 rounds + 87 reps using 85#
Thursday – Rest day
Friday –
10 Rounds For Time Of: (10 min Time Cap)
6 Strict HSPU
6 Strict Hollow Pull Ups
I got 7 rounds
Then 2 Rounds For Time Of: (19 min time cap)
400m Run
15 Thrusters (115/75)
– 1 min REST –
500m Row
15 Thrusters (115/75)
– 1 min REST –
I finished in 15:21 rx
Saturday –
5 rounds of:
400m run
40 air squats
20 deadlift (185/125)
I finished in 19:35 using 105#
_______________
At Home/Hotel Gym Workout:
Modified from Saturday’s workout!
5 rounds:
400m run
40 air squats
15/15 bulgarian split squats (weighted, if possible)
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Thank you! I needed to see this post and be shaken to my senses, or rather just be reminded that not everyone needs to count macros even if some people love it. I listen to the GGWod podcast and have been influenced by Claire and Joy’s discussions of their success with counting macros. I was tempted to try it, even though I KNOW from past experience that any type of counting when it comes to food makes me bonkers, stressed about food, unable to stop thinking about food all the time, and just generally less happy. So I should know better by now that macro counting is not a good road to go down for me unless basically a doctor tells me it’s medically necessary, which fortunately, is not my situation. That’s nothing against GGWod of course! I know you all are friends, and I very much have been enjoying their show, and I am happy that their macro counting has worked for them. I just needed to hear an alternative viewpoint and be reminded that it’s okay if it’s not for me, so thank you.
I started counting macros a couple of months ago but I really started it to see how much I eat and what I should be eating. After being crazy with it for about a month I still measure the amount of protein I need and try and stay close to what I need in carbs and fat but I am tracking it more loosely than before. It helps to know how much of something I’m supposed to eat in terms of recovery. I know I wasn’t eating enough fats before but now I am. I think macros are a great tool for that but at the same time it did make me crazy and feel bad if they weren’t exact.
Thanks for the insight, Juli. My close friends call me the ‘food wagon’ – I do like my food! I like my grains and dairy too much to go full paleo, but was considering the macro option, just to see what improvements I could make to body composition (I’m your typical ectomorph, so struggle to put on much muscle), and to try and increase my energy levels. After reading some of the responses on this post, and also looking into it in more detail, I think I need to give it a miss, and just concentrate on eliminating the ‘bad goodies’ I have, and being a more mindful eater. All that counting sounds exhausting, and ultimately, I think I would be too lazy to actually do it. Loving your posts, and your sense of humour!
Your gym has great programming! Thanks for the weekly workout posts! They’re my favorite!
Hi there! I’ve counted macros for 7 weeks now and I actually love it! I travel often for work and found that I was actually eating very little. Macros work for me because I know I have good, healthy meals that are appropriate to what I need right now. I don’t over think it and I like the structure. I still enjoy meals, date night meals and the occassional glass of wine with friends! However, I do understand how it can lead people in a negative direction and effect the way they think about food.
my best friend had the same experience, she actually noticed that she wasn’t eating enough and it helped me figure that structure out and then she was able to move forward without it while knowing how much she should be eating
I just wanted to stop by and say THANK YOU! Thank you for having the best blog, being honest, and funny as hell! I’m so thankful for the hotel workouts!!! I just moved to Denver on Saturday and I haven’t quite gotten used to the altitude and I haven’t found a CrossFit gym yet.. I left an amazing gym in Seattle so it’s so scary to go and try and find a new one 🙁 so the hotel gym workouts have been amazing!
Any suggestions on how to adjust to the altitude? That’s my biggest worry going into a new gym, I feel like I will be so out of shape!
So thank you!
why don’t you come check out CrossFit Broadway where I work out!! and i honestly don’t know if there is a way to adjust other than time. you’ll acclimate over time but you’ll also get use to feeling like you can’t breathe, it just becomes a normal feeling in cf workouts haha!
I will for sure!! So I am in my hotel gym and I started the 21-15-9-9-15-21 dumbbell thrusters and burpees.. Now I know what you mean by feeling like you can’t breathe! Wow this makes me feel like I’m so out of shape lol
Juli! Just want to say that I found you in the past few months and I’m effing obsessed with your posts/recipes- not in a creepy stalker way, but in a “omfg, how did I ever live before I discovered this site and this rad chick!!!!????!” You’re the best- all of your recipes I’ve tried are plate and spoon licking crack addict delish! Love you girl! Keep em coming!!!!!????????????
yayyyyyy! welcome to the blog! hope you enjoy many recipes and posts to come!! xoxoxo
Hey Juli,
I loved this post and it made me realize I’m finally coming out of my obsession with tracking calories but every once in a while I find myself turning over a pack of sausages or a bar to look at the calorie number. It doesn’t really change my feeling about that food but I do it anyway, maybe out of habit. I was just wondering if this is something you experience still and if it is something I will eventually stop doing all together.
Thanks for all of your posts! I love your blog!
Hey Juli – the link on the last couple of newsletters sent out have taken me to the March 7 weekly workouts instead of the current one. Just wanted to let you know!
thank you! those links sometimes don’t save when i change them. thanks for letting me know!
Juli,
Your Saturday workout looks fun…I’m totally doing it while I put your barbacoa in the crockpot, so thanks for my weekend plans. I do have a question: What’s the secret to the double under? I suck and can’t handle them. As in, I only end up with CrAzY red lines on my butt/hamstring from the rope slapping me, and I’m sure all the neighbors make their kids wear earmuffs when they see me with the jump rope, just knowing that there will be an F-bomb or 12.
Finally, I think you need a chilaquiles recipe. Just sayin! Or is there one in the book???
no secret or trick, it’s just all about practice practice practice. and then practice more. when i first started doing crossfit on my own, after my workout i would practice double unders for 10-20 minutes, every time. and the more i did it, the better i got! just keep at it, even through the pain! and no chilaquiles recipe, I totally need to make one!