Talking Body Composition and What the Hell are Macros?

We’re a couple of weeks into 2016 now and I’m also a week into trying a new way of eating and tracking my exercise to make sure I can shift this last little pesky bit of body fat that seems to be hanging around. What a drag.

It all started a couple of Saturdays ago when I was weighed for the first time since Christmas. This is a scary enough thing in itself but this particular weigh-in was also a chance for me to see my full body composition broken down in black and white. Fat %, Visceral Fat %, water % - the LOT. Now, post-Christmas cheese-fest, even just getting weighed in the normal sense is frightening, so to see everything broken down was a bit daunting. 

Luckily since the last time I had this done mid-2015, my overall weight was slightly up but this was due to an increase in lean muscle mass (woo!) and my overall body fat % had decreased (excellent). These kind of stats are a great opportunity for you to assess where you’re at now so you can start planning your exercise and meals if you have a particular goal in mind (which I do - HIYA getting married in SIX months) or if you want to just know more about your weight and body in general.

Women’s fat % is always going to be higher which is just a fact of life - mine is probably a little too high at the moment, so I’ve set myself a goal of shedding 3% over the next few months which is totally achievable, there’s just some hard graft involved. Cue those HIIT workouts.

One thing these particular stats already tell you is your BMR (Basel Metabolic Rate).

In very basic terms, BMR is how many calories you’d need a day to maintain your weight if were to do zero exercise.

Now to get totally geeky, BMR is also something super crucial to help work out a macronutrient plan - a tailored nutritional plan comprising of how much protein, fat and carbs you need a day, depending on how active you are, and this kind of nutrition tracking can help you achieve a certain goal.

I am still very much a beginner of learning the way of the macros but if you want to read some more about what they mean and why tracking your macros might be a good way to help you reach a certain weight etc, I've popped some links below to pages that have all the info you need, and which make the whole protein/fat/carbs ratio - which can be frankly, a bit mind-boggling- a total breeze to understand. 

A Beginner’s Guide to Counting Macros

Michael Kory Fitness Guide to Macros (don’t be put off by the word Bodybuilding in the title!)

Is tracking macros something you’ve ever considered or done? If so, what was your experience like - did you find it easy or hard to do depending on your lifestyle?

June Favourites

As if it’s the end of another month. Where the f**k is 2015 going?

June has been an…interesting month. A lot emotional highs and lows, whilst trying out a new way of eating and another bloody injury. All I can say is BRING. ON. JULY.

The last month has brought some good stuff with it though, and with that is mind, here’s a few of my faves from the past four weeks or so. 

Scales

Yes. Scales. Kitchen scales at that (not the sad step, no, never that). This completely boring piece of kitchen equipment has revolutionised my month in a weird kinda way. I’ve been dabbling with tracking my macros (coming soon to a blog post near you) and without the scales, I would’ve basically powered my way through a 1kg tub of Almond Butter in a week whilst thinking ‘but these are healthy fats!’ Almond Butter is indeed a healthy fat, but not when you trough your way through it without giving it second thought. The scales have been ace for helping me with portion size and, after two weeks or following a sort-of macro plan, I’ve already noticed changes in my body shape and energy levels. Go scales!

MyFitnessPal

Yes, I have joined the MFP crew. As I’m following a certain way of eating, tracking it has been incredibly helpful with helping me to analyse my diet and seeing when having certain foods works best for me (carbs in the AM all the way). Another ace feature of MFP is the fact you can pop in your favourite recipes and it shows you the nutritional breakdown and how your favourite foods can fit in with your nutrition plan. I've been doing this with things like my Paleo Sweet Potato Bread and favourite Madeleine Shaw energy balls, to track there content and the best time to eat them. I wouldn't say I would use this religiously everyday day going forward, as it is quite time consuming, but if you have a certain goal/weight you're trying to reach, this is for you.

#LiftLikeAGirl

All hail the #girlgains. I’ve been lifting weights for nearly a year now, and it hasn’t just changed my body, but my overall fitness levels and general outlook on life. I wouldn’t say I've made huge gainz (must go to the gym more) but significant enough to give to see how lifting help with not only fat loss but empowerment and mental strength, and this is totally spurring me on to keep training. A recent article by The Telegraph really sums up the whole movement for me. Ladies, for one, do not be afraid to pick up the bar bell, you will not get bulky! And there are some super inspiring ladies squatting for their lives and showing you what your body can be capable of. Gan on lasses. 

Korres Fig Shower Gel

Finally! Enough gym chat, something beauty-related. I’ve been meaning to pick this up for ages as am a huge lover of anything fig-scented, and this shower gel from Korres is just the thing. It's so beautifully balanced (not too overpoweringly figgy) and doesn't dry the skin out. Win! Next on my figgy wish list? Jo Malone's Wild Fig and Cassis scent. Hubba hubba. 

Nails Inc. The New White in Swan Street

Or 'The nail polish that everyone bought months ago but I’ve only just managed to pick up’. I’m not usually one for following a trend (on a continual quest of being a trend maven), but, unexpectedly, this is one of those beauty products which does live up the hype. The cool minty just-off-white shade is hot for this warmer weather, and would look even better with a tan (better get the St Tropez out). It gets even more bonus points for no chipping, even after 5 days of wear.