IIFYM. If you don't know what this means, GIH

IIFYM = If It Fits Your Macros.

IIFYM. If you're new to the nutrition section of these wonderful forums, you've probably already seen this saying multiple times and may be wondering what it means. Let's further explore it's true meaning.

The majority of the new (even some of the old) members on these forums see the IIFYM slogan in a number of signatures and don't like it, so they jump to conclusions and turn to their broscience. "You can't eat carbs that late at night, you can't eat junk food and expect to see the same results as someone who has has clean diet, you'll get fat eating ice cream on a daily basis, stop telling people to eat as many brownies as they want, etc."
The list goes on further than the energizer bunny can walk. Before you jump to conclusions, do everyone a favor and familiarize yourself with the basic knowledge the forum has provided you with in the sticky's. This being said we can now begin our journey.

First, I'd like to point out that no one in the IIFYM crew is telling you to eat a 4 gallon pail of ice cream, 30 big macs, 50 brownies, 5 large pizza's or any other hyperbole you can think up, because that's just ridiculous and it wouldn't fit your macros. All they are trying to say is it's okay to Indulge in your favorite foods as long as you're putting your macros first. Generally what you may want to do just to get a feel for the diet is hit 80% of your total caloric needs for the day, usually filling your protein and fat requirements first, using the remaining 20% for any food of your choice. Personally I would use a food that contained mostly carbohydrates but it's up to you. Obviously depending on your diet regimen the remaining 20% of your macros may vary. Please note, 80/20 is simply a guideline for beginners. Once you can fully grasp what IIFYM stands for, you can start taking it further. ---> If It Fit Your Macros <--- If you have to read this 1000 times before it sinks in, do so now. Please understand. You can quite literally eat anything you please as long as it fits into your macros. There is no exaggeration here folks, If It Fits Your Macros, eat it.

Second, I know some of the members in the IIFYM crew may seem a tad cocky and obnoxious at times but believe me when I tell you, 99.9% of the time they're only looking out for your best interests. The way I see it, if you can't indulge in the foods you love, you're just gonna be miserable. By walling off your favorite foods, all you're doing is releasing the parking brake of the Bugatti Veyron that is your will power and thus enabling the inevitable, colossal binge that is the tree at the bottom of the hill you're on. From now on instead of thinking of IIFYM as something that may negatively impact your diet, think of it as as a blessing sent from above, Because let's be real, I know everyone must be tired of eating Chicken breasts and rice by now. =)

Remember, everything is good “in moderation”
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Replies

  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Good post! Forget the lettuce and broccoli and eat some food!
  • quirkytizzy
    quirkytizzy Posts: 4,052 Member
    Cheers!:drinker:
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    :drinker: :flowerforyou:
  • sunsnstatheart
    sunsnstatheart Posts: 2,544 Member
    Here Here! :drinker:
  • MacInCali
    MacInCali Posts: 1,012 Member
    I love this post bunches and bunches!!:drinker:
  • diodelcibo
    diodelcibo Posts: 2,564 Member
    Yes.
  • Elleinnz
    Elleinnz Posts: 1,661 Member
    YUSSS!!! Give this man some bacon.....
  • ashleehommy
    ashleehommy Posts: 1 Member
    Amen! :D
  • But but...what's the best macro spread to have? :devil:
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    Yes.
  • WhataBroad
    WhataBroad Posts: 1,091 Member
    Yesss!! **presses the 'love it' button**
  • BackTatJIM
    BackTatJIM Posts: 1,140 Member
    And I thought I was the only one who lost weight and ate pizza and ice cream on a regular basis. Well now I don't feel so special. Good post man!
  • IronPlayground
    IronPlayground Posts: 1,594 Member
    Excellent!
  • sz8soon
    sz8soon Posts: 816 Member
    :flowerforyou:
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    But but...what's the best macro spread to have? :devil:

    I don't know about best...but I've learned alot from the links below :smile:

    For info about your macros (proteins/fats/carbs) - check out this link. It will give you the formula to figure out your #s and also how to custom change them in MFP:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

    For more information about fitness and nutrition, I highly suggest checking out and joining this group: (Read all the stickies. It's great information to know.)
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress
  • LittleMiss_WillLoseIt
    LittleMiss_WillLoseIt Posts: 1,373 Member
    Love this!!
  • Lift_This_
    Lift_This_ Posts: 2,756 Member
    awesome...now lets all make bacon burgers minus the buns!!!!
  • TanselJones
    TanselJones Posts: 16 Member
    Great post!
  • Fr3shStrt
    Fr3shStrt Posts: 349 Member
    woot!
  • kiraleilani
    kiraleilani Posts: 124 Member
    TOTALLY agree, awesome post!
  • BeDawn
    BeDawn Posts: 56 Member
    Thank you! I've been looking for a realistic eating plan, and I think this is it! I need something I can maintain forever, not just "until I reach my goal weight''.
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    I approve.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Hear, Hear.
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    Second, I know some of the members in the IIFYM crew may seem a tad cocky and obnoxious at times but believe me when I tell you, 99.9% of the time they're only looking out for your best interests. The way I see it, if you can't indulge in the foods you love, you're just gonna be miserable. By walling off your favorite foods, all you're doing is releasing the parking brake of the Bugatti Veyron that is your will power and thus enabling the inevitable, colossal binge that is the tree at the bottom of the hill you're on. From now on instead of thinking of IIFYM as something that may negatively impact your diet, think of it as as a blessing sent from above, Because let's be real, I know everyone must be tired of eating Chicken breasts and rice by now. =)

    Remember, everything is good “in moderation”

    Bravo! :smile:
  • kms1320
    kms1320 Posts: 599 Member
    Theory is sound, I tend to fill in extra calories with tasty foods, but my macros and deficit pretty much make me stay on a more normal diet path. Good luck getting all the needed macro/micro nutrients on 1k defecit a day, while eating enough low cal foods so you aren't plagued by hunger all day. If you can do it eating junk, more power to you, but I do prefer to fill my day in with foods that are more beneficial to my overall health.
  • toddis
    toddis Posts: 941 Member
    Err what about your micros?
  • BeachGingerOnTheRocks
    BeachGingerOnTheRocks Posts: 3,927 Member
    You are wise, Grasshopper. So young and you get it.
  • Railr0aderTony
    Railr0aderTony Posts: 6,803 Member
    Well Said
  • kms1320
    kms1320 Posts: 599 Member
    Err what about your micros?

    I see IIFYM as more geared towards weight loss than overall health, but I suppose it is possible to get macros and micros right when you are eating at maintenance or a surplus. When your goals are 2lb/loss per week, you won't be able to get both on a IIFYM diet without proper supplementation, and you will also likely be fighting hunger and cravings because you gave in to a high cal treat and can't eat for a few hours or you'll go over your macros.
  • sunsnstatheart
    sunsnstatheart Posts: 2,544 Member
    Err what about your micros?

    I see IIFYM as more geared towards weight loss than overall health, but I suppose it is possible to get macros and micros right when you are eating at maintenance or a surplus. When your goals are 2lb/loss per week, you won't be able to get both on a IIFYM diet without proper supplementation, and you will also likely be fighting hunger and cravings because you gave in to a high cal treat and can't eat for a few hours or you'll go over your macros.

    I've never had that issue on days when I actually followed the guidance because I make sure I drink milk and eat some vegetables. The RDA micronutrient targets really aren't that hard to hit. IIFYM is also a general rule, and you should be designing your diet to hit your micronutrient targets, but you can do that without completely destroying your ability to live a normal life.