Staying in shape without tracking macros

[Jameson829]

All I have ever known as far as diet goes is to track macros neurotically or to basically eat whatever I want. I want to know if anyone has found a balance between the two. Now when I say "whatever I want", I don't mean stuffing my face everyday, but still far from a bodybuilder diet. I do not compete but I still want to look good. I've always had issues with my midsection. But my fear is that I will go back into living in that diet box we are all so familiar with. The one where you obsessively track EVERY. SINGLE. THING. that goes into your mouth. The one that hardly allows you to eat out or have a home cooked meal. Flexible dieting was introduced to ease this neurosis but you end up just being obsessed about tracking the junk that you eat. It's very hard to hit numbers consistently and live a life no matter what your food choices or goals are.

[Hoss06]

I only track macros from food and shakes....however, I do not count anything from Splenda, BCAA's, green veggies, etc...IMO as long as you remain consistent, you'll have better results.

[Jameson829]

If I'm gonna be totally honest I live at home and my mom is one HELL of a cook lol. It's hard when the rest of my family is eating what she makes and there I am pulling out 4 day old chicken and rice.

[Hoss06]

If I'm gonna be totally honest I live at home and my mom is one HELL of a cook lol. It's hard when the rest of my family is eating what she makes and there I am pulling out 4 day old chicken and rice.

So use MFP or just do your thing man...

[Jameson829]

I know I guess I really just want the best of both worlds. My question was if this is an all or nothing thing. Bodybuilders seem to be like that. My own problem is that I get neurotic about these things and it takes over other aspects of my life. My attitude changes, I become more distant toward people etc.

[Hoss06]

idk if this helps or not -
I'm a family man
married with 2 kids

We dont always have a chance to eat together, but when we do I just eat my meal and they eat theirs....I dont think she's offended to it, but is more appreciative that we can have a sit down meal together.....every Saturday we go out and get food/ice-cream together and have a meal all together as well...my wife gets the whole lifestyle though.

[Minnphat]

unfortunately you need to stay on track 90% of the time esp if you dont have the best genetics and you are natty..... so yes four day old chicken is what you will eat 90% of the time... the other 10% you can live normal...... We all want both only a few have the genes for it...

[Minnphat]

also when you do go off I suggest having two very low calorie days like 1000 cals.... that works for me too

[Provo82]

idk if this helps or not -
I'm a family man
married with 2 kids

We dont always have a chance to eat together, but when we do I just eat my meal and they eat theirs....I dont think she's offended to it, but is more appreciative that we can have a sit down meal together.....every Saturday we go out and get food/ice-cream together and have a meal all together as well...my wife gets the whole lifestyle though.

DITTO here i do the same but it is extra special when i have the weekly meal w the wife. I guess for some greatness in life there are some sacrifices which in this case involve us being at the very least mildly neurotic

[Granite-Dawg]

Schedule in a cheat or reefed once per week, or twice per week. I am like Hoss I have a wife and kids. They eat their food and I eat mine. My wife generally cooks baked chicken co I eat the greens and meat with them. If you are withdrawn its because you choose to be. Don't look at it as a negative, but rather a positive I am going to eat this chicken so I gain muscle or get shredded etc. If you constantly look at this as some terrible chore, you will not get the results you desire. We have all been there with nutrition, and at some point have been like man this shit sucks, or I don't want to eat again etc. Just think of it as another set and another rep, and what you are doing is going to keep you from being average.

[Jameson829]

Schedule in a cheat or reefed once per week, or twice per week. I am like Hoss I have a wife and kids. They eat their food and I eat mine. My wife generally cooks baked chicken co I eat the greens and meat with them. If you are withdrawn its because you choose to be. Don't look at it as a negative, but rather a positive I am going to eat this chicken so I gain muscle or get shredded etc. If you constantly look at this as some terrible chore, you will not get the results you desire. We have all been there with nutrition, and at some point have been like man this shit sucks, or I don't want to eat again etc. Just think of it as another set and another rep, and what you are doing is going to keep you from being average.

Well said. I set a plan to start the new year off with and in the mean time I will eat moderately.

[Jameson829]

Schedule in a cheat or reefed once per week, or twice per week. I am like Hoss I have a wife and kids. They eat their food and I eat mine. My wife generally cooks baked chicken co I eat the greens and meat with them. If you are withdrawn its because you choose to be. Don't look at it as a negative, but rather a positive I am going to eat this chicken so I gain muscle or get shredded etc. If you constantly look at this as some terrible chore, you will not get the results you desire. We have all been there with nutrition, and at some point have been like man this shit sucks, or I don't want to eat again etc. Just think of it as another set and another rep, and what you are doing is going to keep you from being average.

Well said. I set a plan to start the new year off with and in the mean time I will eat moderately. It's funny that you mentioned choosing to be withdrawn. For the first time I feel like I'm doing this for the right reasons. In the past, it was to try to chase a certain look as if my self-worth was dependent on visible abs or not. I know enough about nutrition and training to get there. If one's motives are right, this won't seem like such a chore as you said.

[Granite-Dawg]

Well said. I set a plan to start the new year off with and in the mean time I will eat moderately. It's funny that you mentioned choosing to be withdrawn. For the first time I feel like I'm doing this for the right reasons. In the past, it was to try to chase a certain look as if my self-worth was dependent on visible abs or not. I know enough about nutrition and training to get there. If one's motives are right, this won't seem like such a chore as you said.

I wish you the best!! A good mind set will put you at an advantage over most people. Thank you for reading and comprehending what I wrote. You are well on your way!! Stay positive brother, and good things will come.