Flexible Dieting....IIFYM.....

What is Flexible dieting? (aka IIFYM – If it fits your macros)
 
You may have heard of IIFYM, or you've seen unbelievable pictures of sweets/treats on social media with hash tags IIFYM or Flexible dieting.
 
Flexible dieting is not pop tarts, cookies, cereal......junks all day but rather lean meats, complex carbs, and quality fats- allowing treats and/or foods not typically seen in a body builder's Tupperware.

Flexible dieting is an essence similar to "clean eating" all week and the notorious "cheat day" at the end of the week, except you can add these "treats" daily as long as you are hitting your macros.  It is not an all or nothing approach but more of a balanced way of eating without guilt and conductive to reaching your goals.
 
Flexible dieting is science based where you determine your TDEE (how many calories needed based off your gender, height, weight, and age) and breaking that into macronutrient percentages. (Carbs, Proteins, Fat, and Fiber)  You aim to hit these specific numbers daily to achieve your goals.
 
For instance, a 30 year old female, 5'2" and 125lbs who wants to lose weight would need to consume no more than 1400 calories. Broken down, she would aim to eat 125 grams of protein, 124 grams of carbs, and 45 grams of fat each day, with whatever foods she chooses, as long as she is within +/- 5g off of each macros.  Trust me, it is impossible to eat junks all day and still hit your macros.  Overall, 80% of my food choices are nutritious foods, but flexible dieting encourages variety and balance. 
 
Still not convinced?  Does your body use 100g of carbs from broccoli the same as 100g of carbs from bread?  With 100g of carbs from broccoli your plate would be overflowing, you would be eating more nutrients, and you would stay fuller longer-- but will your body breakdown those carbs and use for energy differently?   Does your body know that you ate chicken breast and cashews instead of a chicken thigh or will your body process the 14g Protein, 0g Carbs, 5g Fats the same???? Think about it…. What’s the difference of eating “clean” for 6 days and completely binging on your “cheat day”?  I know for me, my cheat days consisted of a surplus of 1000s of calories along with guilt, bloating, and an overall feeling of......can't think of any other word but crap.
 
Stop thinking clean or dirty, but just look at science and what works for you – is your "diet" controlling social situations, outings/parties, movies, bringing your own Tupperware of food.  Is you diet allowing you freedom of choosing what you eat, giving you balance, helping you to reach your goals and is sustainable long term?
 
If the type of “diet” is working for you, that is great – I encourage you to stick with it; however if you are miserable, yo yoing, don’t know where to start, or want to try flexible dieting, what do you have to lose…..only those extra pounds in a more balanced approach.
 

Beauty of flexible dieting is that you can choose whatever you like – some days I don’t want to eat any “junk” food and eat egg whites, veggies, lean protein, nuts, etc and the next day I might have plans w/a friend where we are ordering pizza and I can enjoy this guilt free and the remainder of my meals would consist of more lean protein sources and less carbs.  With everything it takes time to learn to track, figure out what foods fit best, plan ahead, etc but it’s like a puzzle or balancing your check book...in the end you find what works and you'll never need to go back to "bro" style torture-type of diet.
 
There are endless websites on the intranet, iifym calculators and different ways to find your macros.  I suggest you try any of them and see how your body responds.  If you want advice to your specific macros email me your height, weight, sex, activity level, age, and your fitness goals.  If you want even further assistance check out plans that I offer.