Flexible dieting, or better known as IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros) is the tracking of your macronutrients (Protein, Carbohydrates and Fats). These macronutrient daily requirements are determined based off of your body compositional goal. The beauty of flexible dieting most people love about it is that everyday you have the option to eat different things as long as at the end of the day you hit your required macronutrients. If you still hit your correct macros goals daily, you will get the results you desire!
Now don’t get me wrong, flexible dieting and tracking your macros isn’t about trying to fit in Oreos and doughnuts everyday. Yes, you have the CHOICE to fit treats into your daily macros but it is still crucial and optimal to fuel your body with nutritious whole foods. Just because you may be able to fit 3 donuts + candy and other empty calories into your macros doesn’t mean you should.
Especially if you are cutting, and you don’t have much room to play within your macronutrient ranges, it is important to eat foods that are higher volume, nutrient dense that will satisfy your hunger and make you feel more full!
Making sure you are eating lots of nutrient dense foods is important for overall health and for your body to recover and function properly.
By all means, if you have an urging craving for a donut one day, the beauty of counting macros is that you can satisfy that craving AND still be well on your way to achieving your goals!
That is what I think this makes flexible dieting so sustainable and effective!
It allows people to be strict but NOT restrictive with their diets.
EFFECTIVE because at the end of the day it is a numbers game. In order to lose weight you must understand that a calorie deficit is necessary and in order to put on more muscle mass, a surplus of calories is ideal. Tracking everything you are eating gets you well on your way to taking control and reaching your goals!
SUSTAINABLE because like I said above it does not restrict you. Flexible dieting has been said to kill the binge diet. It is more mentally and emotionally sustainable knowing that you don’t have to always deprive yourself and then go crazy on a binge. You can eat what you want in moderation and still accomplish your goals!
Hope this helped your understanding on the IIFYM diet!
As always, if you have any questions or would like to try out this style of dieting or want to find out your ideal macronutrient intake should be for your goals, shoot me a msg!
I’m always happy to help! Xoxo