Finding Balance with Food, It’s a process

White Jeans | Tank TJMaxx [similar, similar] | Emerson’s Dress TJMaxx [similar]

Oh, food let me count the ways I love you. Give me all the good stuff: coffee, avocado, ice cream, pad thai, sushi, pizza, tacos, etc. I just can’t help myself. Hello my name is Tiara and I’m food obsessed — I love food and sometimes it’s all I can think about. While I’m a relatively healthy eater I totally have a sweet tooth, always have.

Recently I decided to get control of my eating because I was spiraling out of control. Meaning while I was making good food choices I was actually over eating. With that said, 10 weeks ago I started working with a nutritionist and started counting macros.

Counting macros still gives me the flexibility to eat all the foods I love because as long as it fits within my carb/fat/protein for the day it’s fair game. I don’t feel like I’m on a “diet.”

What Are Macros?

Macronutrients are what make up the caloric content of a food. Sometimes referred to as “macros,” the three categories of macronutrients are carbohydrates, fat, and protein. The caloric combination of the macros is where that mysterious total number of calories comes from.

Over the last 10 weeks I’ve found balance with food and my body. Before I use to feel guilty if I ate xyz, but now I don’t feel bad if I enjoy a daily treat. At the end of the day I know I’ve eaten the right ratio of c/f/p and my body is processing food efficiently. However, I still seek out better-for-me treat options like JOJO’s Chocolate Bark and peanut butter delight [c/o], which only have 6 grams of sugar per a bar. By seeking out better, yet amazingly tasty, treat options I’m not blowing my macros and can fill the rest of the day with healthy veggies, grilled chicken, etc.

Some may think I’m being restrictive, but it’s truly not the case. The hubs can’t believe how much food I eat somedays. When you start filling your marcos with whole foods it’s truly amazing how much food you can eat even if your c/f/p numbers aren’t high, like mine. Hello, I’m barely 5’4″!

While your macros will likely be different from mine I currently eat 150g/47g/115g. Every night using My Fitness Pal I plan what I’ll eat the next day. This task helps keep me on track while preventing me from standing in front of the refrigerator when I’m hungry trying to decide what to eat. Plus, it calculates and adds every for me! Anything to help make tracking easier is a win.

groovelife ring [c/o]

My body has turned into a well oiled machine and is efficiently proceeding food. I’ve noticed less  inflammation, higher energy levels, increase in strength, and I’ve even dropped 10 pounds in the process [bonus]!

During the the process of counting macros I’ve heard over and over I just want to live my life or I don’t know what you can eat. Well I’m here to tell you for me this is a lifestyle not a diet. I can eat it all with a little planning and trust me I do.

This weekend I enjoyed a few glasses of wine and a nightly piece of JOJO’s Chocolate Bark. It was delicious and it didn’t derail me or leave me feeling guilty. I’m living proof that you can indulge and be healthy. It’s possible, you just have to be willing to put in a little work in the beginning. Yes, I weigh food when I’m at home, but I’ve been doing it for so long now I can estimate when I’m out and about. If you’re looking for flexible eating while feeling and looking your best I highly recommend counting macros.  While it isn’t for everyone it’s truly helped me find balance.

I dare you to track what you eat for one week. See what you are actually eating. I bet you’re either eating too many carbs or fat and not enough protein. Or maybe you’re just not eating enough food. Then figure out how many calories you should eat in a day and try to eat 40/30/30 for one week. Don’t worry My Fitness Pal will calculate all the grams for you. Order yourself this food scale and a bag of JOJO’s Chocolate Bark and start tracking. I guarantee you’ll see results within the first week. Oh and follow me on instagram (@Tiara_Wasner) I post a ton of food and fitness on IG stories if you’re looking for inspiration. Psst — JOJO’s Chocolate will not help you lose weight it’s just a better for you tasty treat with a killer story!

Nourish your body and it will be kind to you. 

Thanks for sticking with me while I rambled, but a even bigger thanks and shoutout to JOJO’s Chocolate for making delicious chocolate bars and sending yours truly a few bags. For those who follow me on Instagram (@Tiara_Wasner) you know I’m a lover of JOJO’s Chocolate! I think Emerson is too.

More marco talk to follow and I promise I won’t ramble as much 🙂