Thoughts on If It Fits Your Macros (IIFYM) lifestyle?

wild1990 · January 2015

I believe that following the 'If It Fits Your Macros' principle to be the best nutrition plan to hit your goals with a realistic lifestyle. What do you think?

KarenJanine · January 2015

Agreed,

mrmagee3 · January 2015

I think that the best nutrition plan to hit your goals is the one that you can stick to, regardless of which one it happens to be.

cincysweetheart · January 2015

mrmagee3 wrote: »

I think that the best nutrition plan to hit your goals is the one that you can stick to, regardless of which one it happens to be.

THIS^^^
For whatever it's worth… I'm a firm believer in IIFYM. I love it. It's what I follow (essentially). And it would be my first recommendation for anyone. However, I also know that people are different. Some people have medical issues that require a different diet and some just have a really hard time moderating (which is essentially what IIFYM is based on). Therefore you have to find the diet (meaning eating plan) that best fits your personality, your morals, and what you can live with forever.

ryanhorn · January 2015

mrmagee3 wrote: »

I think that the best nutrition plan to hit your goals is the one that you can stick to, regardless of which one it happens to be.

This right here. I follow IIFYM; however, I have buddies that follow the clean eating methodology, and they see tremendous results as well. It all depends on 1) what your goals are and 2) who you are.

jacksonpt · January 2015

Why do they have to be mutually exclusive? Why can't you and IIFYM and paleo or be vegetarian or whatever else you choose to be?

mrmagee3 · January 2015

jacksonpt wrote: »

Why do they have to be mutually exclusive? Why can't you and IIFYM and paleo or be vegetarian or whatever else you choose to be?

To a certain extent, you are. I think it's a bit of a break between the actual words "IIFYM" and what the actual nutritional guidance of IIFYM is. While the guidance of IIFYM as a plan is really "eat whatever you want, in moderation, as long as it fits your macros", the actual words "if it fits your macros" don't necessarily preclude, say, setting your carb macro goal at 25g and eating a ketogenic diet.

jacksonpt · January 2015

mrmagee3 wrote: »

jacksonpt wrote: »

Why do they have to be mutually exclusive? Why can't you and IIFYM and paleo or be vegetarian or whatever else you choose to be?

To a certain extent, you are. I think it's a bit of a break between the actual words "IIFYM" and what the actual nutritional guidance of IIFYM is. While the guidance of IIFYM as a plan is really "eat whatever you want, in moderation, as long as it fits your macros", the actual words "if it fits your macros" don't necessarily preclude, say, setting your carb macro goal at 25g and eating a ketogenic diet.

Except that's not really what IIFYM is about... that the's bastardized MFP version. IIFYM is really about setting macros and choosing foods to maximize workout performance. So in that regard, I guess IIFYM could preclude some low carb diets if someone wanted to be a triathlete.

But ultimately, if your dietary preferences lined up with your athletic goals reasonably well... IIFYM wouldn't exclude said dietary preferences.

Would it?

wild1990 · January 2015

Personally for me i've tried 'clean eating' only, have even tried 'intermittent fasting' and saw great results, however in terms of actually hitting your macros with a busy lifestyle there is no better then the IIFYM choice.

jacksonpt · January 2015

wild1990 wrote: »

Personally for me i've tried 'clean eating' only, have even tried 'intermittent fasting' and saw great results, however in terms of actually hitting your macros with a busy lifestyle there is no better then the IIFYM choice.

Again, they aren't mutually exclusive. You can IF and IIFYM. You can eat clean and IIFYM.

mrmagee3 · January 2015

jacksonpt wrote: »

mrmagee3 wrote: »

jacksonpt wrote: »

Why do they have to be mutually exclusive? Why can't you and IIFYM and paleo or be vegetarian or whatever else you choose to be?

To a certain extent, you are. I think it's a bit of a break between the actual words "IIFYM" and what the actual nutritional guidance of IIFYM is. While the guidance of IIFYM as a plan is really "eat whatever you want, in moderation, as long as it fits your macros", the actual words "if it fits your macros" don't necessarily preclude, say, setting your carb macro goal at 25g and eating a ketogenic diet.

Except that's not really what IIFYM is about... that the's bastardized MFP version. IIFYM is really about setting macros and choosing foods to maximize workout performance. So in that regard, I guess IIFYM could preclude some low carb diets if someone wanted to be a triathlete.

But ultimately, if your dietary preferences lined up with your athletic goals reasonably well... IIFYM wouldn't exclude said dietary preferences.

Would it?

You appear to be more well versed in it than I am -- so I should ask you that question, as I have no idea. I'm just going by what I've read here and via a brief scan of their website, and wouldn't claim to be any authority on it. It's not what I do.

RhineDHP · January 2015

I feel everyone who is interested to learn about IIFYM would benefit from SideSteel's forum post from back in 2012:

IIFYM

wild1990 · January 2015

RhineDHP wrote: »

I feel everyone who is interested to learn about IIFYM would benefit from SideSteel's forum post from back in 2012:

IIFYM

Great read, very informative

Th3Ph03n1x · January 2015

IIFYM sounds like a sound eating plan but it also sounds like it would take added planning. To make sure you get your macros in. I don't have much difficulty staying where I want to be on calories (except yesterday man was that a hollow day). However I tend to be over on some macros and under on others.

eatsyork · January 2015

I think that it is awesome for some people but it's never worked for me. Any kind of moderation or portion control diet leaves me feeling deprived and constantly hungry. I do way better eating a ton of protein and fat. I always feel satisfied. It's all about what works for you. I can't thrive on IIFYM and others can't thrive on my lack of grain/sugar/vegetable oils. It's not a one-size fits all for any "diet".

martyqueen52 · January 2015

Peanut butter chocolate pop-tart game = strong.

lemurcat12 · January 2015

mrmagee3 wrote: »

I think that the best nutrition plan to hit your goals is the one that you can stick to, regardless of which one it happens to be.

This. I watch my macros, and also do other things based on what is likely to make me eat well (as I understand that) and keep a deficit.

I think IIFYM encourages people to figure out their own needs and what will enable them to meet those, and as such I think it's quite a sensible approach, however.