One of the talks we would have liked to get to yesterday was a comparison between eating 'clean' and If It Fits Your Macros.  Unfortunately it was over before we could get to the event.

If It Fits Your Macros or IIFYM essential breaks down to having a calorie and macro goal and eating whatever you like to achieve those numbers.  

Eating 'clean' is eating foods as close to their natural state as possible while avoiding some foods that are known to have an adverse affect on a majority of peoples digestive systems.

We used to be 100% advocates of eating clean, we still are essentially but we understand that everybody's journey with food and weight loss is different.  We didn't want to add to the pressure of trying to eat better by having such strict rules.  

If you want results and to feel great fast, we still believe it is the best way.

My main issue with IIFYM is that food quality less important.  If your calorie and macro goal are reached it doesn't matter.  I've known people who have gone out to by bags of crisps and chocolate to simply hit there macros.

Not an ideal way to build health.

It relies a lot on tracking, which I actually really see the benefit to since trying it myself.  

Depending on your goal and hopefully some individual factors (although I have met very few trainers who consider individual differences in their clients), you are given 4 numbers.

Total Calorie, Carbohydrate grams, Fat grams and Protein grams.

As long as you meet those numbers all is good.  If that happens to be in one meal and dessert at pizza hut or meat and veggies throughout the day, it doesn't matter.

At Team Achieve, we believe in building long term health as the route to weight loss and fitness.  To do that successfully means that there has to be a focus on the quality and type of foods you eat.  

However, over the next 4 weeks I'm going to work with a few of our members to try out our own version of IIFYM that fits in with our principles.

If you want to be part of the experiment and start achieving awesome health apply today - www.achievebootcamp.co.uk/application

Darren 'macro basher' Checkley

PS If you're reading this via Facebook or twitter please share or retweet.

PPS Current members, let me know if you want to take part in the experiment I need you to do a few things first.