Cool story. I hear it all the time.
My response?
That’s cute.
Here’s the truth:
I don’t track my macros 365 days a year either. I’m not weighing spinach leaves or obsessing over every almond.
Some seasons I use the Precision Nutrition hand method (palm, fist, thumb—super easy). Other times I’ll pull out MyFitnessPal or Cronometer and get more detailed. Not forever. Just for a short sprint when I want to check in.
And every. single. time.
I learn something.
I feel better.
I eat out less (which saves a ridiculous amount of money).
And I stop pretending that “eating healthy-ish” is a real strategy.
Can You Be Successful Without Tracking?
Sure.
But if you’re stuck, plateaued, or feel like you’re spinning your wheels, then “hoping for better results” probably isn’t cutting it.
Tracking doesn’t have to be complicated or extreme.
It can be as simple as:
- Keeping tabs on protein
- Logging your water
- Or just paying attention to your portions using your hand
If nothing changes, nothing changes.
So before you decide tracking “isn’t for you,” ask yourself:
Is what you’re doing working?
Speaking of Tracking… Let’s Talk Hydration
We’re staring down 90+ degree temps this week here in Portland, which means water matters a lot more than usual.
If you’re training outdoors or just sweating through your shirt on the walk from your car to the gym, you need to pay a attention to your hydration.
Here’s how:
- Drink half your bodyweight in ounces as a baseline
- Add 20-30 oz for every hour you’re sweating
- Include electrolytes (especially sodium, potassium, and magnesium) to help your body actually use that water
Not drinking enough? You’ll feel it:
- Headaches
- Low energy
- Slower recovery
- Crummy workouts
So yeah, tracking matters. Whether it’s food, water, or both. Remember, awareness is the first step to progress.