Why I Don’t Track Keto Macros

Low-carb and ketogenic diets have been popular for years. While the number of people living this keto lifestyle is nowhere close to its prime, there will always be a group of people who choose to eat this way. From day one, I chose not to track keto macros. Read on to discover why this worked for me and if it may be a good fit for you.

Ketosis: Nice to Meet You

I’ve been all sorts of sizes over the years, and I bet you have, too. We’ve both probably tried various diets, right? Calorie deficit, Atkins, Weight Watchers, Low-calorie, and Low-carb diets. I’ve tried them all.

A few years back, while I was struggling with baby weight and body fat. I saw my friend’s keto transformation on Facebook and watched her video that explained keto macros and the lifestyle. At first, I just wanted to lose weight, but then I got really interested in the food freedom, feeling full for hours, and intermittent fasting that comes with balancing keto macros.

Obsessed with Food

I came to realize I had been totally obsessed with food. Whether I was heavy or smaller, it was always on my mind. Can you believe I used to actually hate brunch? I mean, seriously, I felt like I was missing out on a whole meal! The idea of not even thinking about eating for hours and feeling full just sounded like a dream.

For years, I honestly thought I had to eat every couple of hours. Three meals a day, no matter what, with snacks, too. Even though most of the time, I kept my weight in check, I was just so exhausted from all the mental fighting. It felt like, no matter how often I ate, I was always hungry and totally fixated on food. Have you ever felt that way?

My Keto Diet Introduction

So, when I stumbled upon Keto, the food freedom aspect really grabbed me. I was so tired of obsessing over every single bite and feeling like I should log or record everything I ate.

Low-carb wasn’t exactly new to me – we had eaten lower-carb and counted carbs for years due to Gary’s Type 1 Diabetes. Keto was different, but I thought it was too intense and complicated. Carbohydrates, macronutrients, ketones, fiber, ratios, protein intake…need I say more?

Then, I had this major mindset shift. Instead of seeing it as just another diet with a start and end date, I started thinking long-term. Thinking about a new lifestyle. Could I actually stick with this for good? Health became my main focus, not just dropping pounds.

Even when I’ve been tempted to start tracking keto macros to speed up my progress or break through a plateau, I haven’t. I know what works for me in the long run.

Are you wondering why I don’t track macros? I’ve got five solid reasons that might surprise you.

1. I don’t need more stress in my life

You know, my life is pretty jam-packed. I’ve got four kids – from elementary age all the way up to college. I’m homeschooling the two younger ones, and I’m running multiple businesses from home. It’s like I’m juggling a million things at once.

My to-do list? It’s already longer than my arm, and I swear it grows every time I look away. Adding macro tracking to that mix? No way. I know myself – I’d forget half the time and then beat myself up about it. Who needs that extra stress, right?

For me, not tracking macros means one less thing to worry about in my already hectic day. It’s all about keeping my sanity intact. Can you relate?

2. I am not a highly regimented or “list maker” kind of person

If there was an ADHD poster child contest for adults, I’d probably win hands down. I get distracted by a butterfly… ooh, shiny! Starting new things? I’m all over it. I love it, and I get sooo excited. Sticking with it? That’s where I struggle. I’ve learned the hard way that if I try to force myself into something outside of my natural giftings, I end up feeling like a total failure.

And those lists? They make me feel like I’m trapped in a tiny box with no air. I’m a free spirit! I need options, choices, and room to breathe. If I’m gonna stick with something long-term and actually enjoy it, It has to work with my personality, not against it. It’s about setting myself up for success, not failure.

3. I want to focus on my health and not just the weight loss

For the first time ever, I’ve totally changed my game plan. It’s not about dropping pounds anymore – it’s all about living healthy. You know what that means? When the scale doesn’t budge like I think it should, I don’t throw in the towel or go hunting for the next fad diet. Tracking keto macros? I just want to enjoy being healthy.

Here’s the thing – I had my last two kids in my forties. Yes, two kids in my forties! So now, I’m focused on being the healthiest momma I can be. It’s not about the number on the scale anymore. If I started tracking macros, I know I’d get obsessed with weight loss again. I’m close to my goal weight, so it’s way healthier for me to maintain and focus on this lifestyle.

4. I don’t want to have to focus on calories, fats, protein, and carb intake all day long

I got my first taste of food freedom the very first week I started keto. It was incredible! It took about six weeks to really become fat-adapted, but I remember feeling full after meals and staying satisfied for hours. Listening to my body’s hunger signals was a huge transformation in my view of eating.

If I started tracking macros, I’d be obsessing over hitting those percentages all day long. Where’s the freedom in that? Instead of enjoying this newfound liberation I’d be totally bogged down in numbers. I know myself, right? I’d get completely overwhelmed instead of enjoying this freedom. And when I feel overwhelmed…I freeze up. I tend to quit because it all feels too hard. Sound familiar?

5. My kids are watching me

I don’t want my girls looking back and remembering their mom obsessing over macros. I want them to grow up with a healthy body image and view of food. Instead of freaking out over the scale or calorie intake, I want them to learn to eat when they’re hungry, stop when they’re satisfied, and not obsess about food until they’re hungry again.

Trying to raise girls in this “thinner is better” world? It’s tough, and it weighs heavy on my heart. Social media and society are screaming at them to look a certain way. I hate it.

I know some people can track macros without any issues and I applaud them! I’d be obsessing over my weight and every single bite. I know me too well. My girls would pick up on that for sure.

I want them to see a mom who isn’t chained to food, a scale, a keto macro calculator, or an app that dictates what I can and cannot eat. I want them to see a mom who’s free. Can you imagine how powerful that could be for them?

What Works for You? Track Keto Macros or Not?

Look, I’m not saying tracking is wrong in any way. It works great for a lot of people. They may feel lost without that structure in place. I’m just sharing why I personally choose to loosely count net carbs in my head. You’ve gotta figure out what works for you. You do you!

I’ve found my groove after several years of living the keto life. For me, simple is the key. In this crazy season of my life, I know that keeping things uncomplicated is my best shot at sticking with it long-term.

I know myself pretty well. If I tracked macros, I’d judge my whole day based on whether I hit those goals. Hit them? Great day. Miss them? “I’ll do better tomorrow.” But there’s so much more to me than what I eat! To me that would still be obsessing over food.

My real priorities? Being a good wife and mom, treating my family and others well. Food doesn’t define who I am – it’s just fuel for my body. So why should I let it control my heart or mind?

Why I Love Food Freedom

It’s taken a lot of trial and error over the past several years. I have discovered that food isn’t the boss of me anymore. When I wake up, I rarely even think about eating. I can feed my kids breakfast without taking a single bite if I’m not hungry. Snacking? Only if my body says so. And if I can’t eat for a while? No big deal.

Who’s in charge?

Food doesn’t run my day anymore. I’m not a slave to sugar or freaking out over foods that don’t fit my lifestyle. I can go on vacation or have an off-plan day and hop right back into keto. Sure, I’ve seen the scale move and my body change – all awesome stuff. But the real win? Breaking free from that guilt and shame cycle with food.

Here’s the bottom line: find what works for you! You do you. Don’t measure yourself against someone else’s yardstick. Focus on those non-scale victories and long-term health choices. The weight will follow. Whether you’re counting macros or not, remember your weight isn’t who you are! Your value isn’t tied to a number on a scale or a clothing size. Those things change. Separate who you are from what you do, and make choices that’ll set you up for long-term success. You can do this!

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