Zarina has put in years of work. She has trained for more than a decade, competed in Olympic weightlifting, trained in powerlifting, spent time in CrossFit, and now trains with the goal of eventually competing in Figure bodybuilding.
But even with that experience, she still had a hard time pinning down how much energy she was actually expending each day.
That’s where MacroFactor came in.
Before MacroFactor
By the time Zarina found MacroFactor, she already had years of training and nutrition experience behind her. She had been strength training for more than a decade, tracked macros, worked with several nutrition coaches, and ultimately decided she was comfortable with her nutrition knowledge.
“I have been tracking macros since 2016,” she said. “I worked with several nutrition coaches until I became more proficient in it and came to MF from a different app.”
Even with that experience, she still found her expenditure tricky to measure.
And that’s the thing about nutrition tracking that can get a lot of people. You can weigh your food and hit your macros, but are they the right for your energy expenditure?
MacroFactor co-founder Greg Nuckols has written a lot about how much energy expenditure can vary from person to person. That’s also why MacroFactor’s adaptive expenditure estimate is so central to what the app does well. Rather than relying only on a static estimate, MacroFactor uses your nutrition and weight data to update your estimated expenditure over time. And this feature became crucial for Zarina’s results.
Results and favorite feature
With MacroFactor, Zarina used the app through several phases of training and nutrition.
“I did several cycles of growth, fat loss, and maintenance with MF,” she said. “And I would just log as I go. I do not need rigidity like some people might, and I love having fun with my meals. I have my staples that I always eat, but I tend to mix and match depending on what I crave on that particular day.”
Over time, Zarina used the app to make progress in multiple directions.
“I made a lot of progress with lean tissue gain as well as body fat loss,” she said. “I ultimately achieved a great body recomposition with it. The app is very intuitive, and it helps you stay consistent and accountable to your goals.”
When asked about her favorite feature, she didn’t hesitate.
“Definitely the TDEE feature,” she said. “It opens your eyes to what your true expenditure is. Most people tend to assume they expend more energy than they truly do. In reality, you probably don’t expend that much. I feel like people who only strength train can be quite surprised at the beginning, but that realization can also help many people start doing some cardio as well.”
“Just because you lift weights four times a week doesn’t make you non-sedentary,” she continued. “Overall daily activity matters a lot, both for health and body composition.”
Parting advice
When we asked Zarina what advice she would give someone working toward a similar goal, she highlighted the importance of tailoring the process to the person.
“Find what works for you and be aware of your own psychology,” she said. “If you thrive with the rigidity of eating the same meals every day, then do that. If you are like me, who needs variety and flair and loves cooking and experimenting in the kitchen, then utilize that. You can use the app for your own unique needs. There’s no right or wrong way.”
She also wants people to think about their whole diet, not just their protein.
“So many people just focus on the protein but don’t bat an eye on their fiber intake,” she said. “I love vegetables and fruits, and the app lets you see your micros as well. Do not neglect the micronutrients. Macros matter, but micros matter as well.”
Lastly, she wants people to lean into their strength.
“Get strong,” she said. “Strong like a bull, especially if you are a woman. You do not need to focus only on aesthetics. Having performance-based goals is so vital. My current goal is muscle growth, the sky is the limit, and to keep getting stronger across the board.”
You can follow Zarina’s journey at Stronglikez on Instagram.
Try MacroFactor for yourself with a 7-day free trial
Confidently control your nutrition with MacroFactor, a science-backed diet coach and macro tracker app that empowers you with the tools you need to reach your goals without rigidity.
You can try it free for 7 days on the App Store or Google Play, or learn more here.
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