Unsupportive family or friends?

When you are tracking macros, it can be difficult to be around people who aren’t.

Here are some ways to handle the questions that may come up so you can reframe the conversation.

Them: “Oh, you’re on a diet?”

You: “No, I’m just tracking my macros. The macronutrients in food make up total calories, so it’s not about limiting calories, it’s about making sure I have a healthy amount of protein, carbs and fats throughout the day.”

Them: “Why do you have to be so strict?”

You: “Because right now, I’m working towards a goal and these macro targets are a strategic way of getting there faster and healthier.”

Them: “So why do you have to measure everything?”

You: “It’s difficult to eyeball grams, oz, and cups. This just makes sure I’m entering the right info into my App while I’m temporarily tracking.”

Or just say: “I’m getting guidance from a dietitian and tracking what I eat is part of that. It’s not forever, but it’s interesting and helpful for the time being!”

My three main tips for these situations:

1.) Stay positive. If you portray what you’re doing as something negative or restrictive, the people around you will feel that, too. Always bring it back to bettering health, working with a professional, working towards physique goals in a healthy way, and a means to an end.

2.) Be prepared. Make sure you have a game plan! The more prepared you are for going places, the less stress you’ll feel when people offer things you hadn’t considered.

3.) Be confident. What you’re doing is your business. It’s not anyone’s place to judge. If detox teas and juice cleanses are widely accepted nowadays (unfortunately), you shouldn’t feel bad talking about something you’re doing, especially when what you’re doing is rooted in science.

Like everything you do in life, you’re making this meaningful, too.