Does IIFYM Work For Everyone?
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IIFYM is NOT right for you if…?
On today’s episode of Live Lean TV, we answer a viewer question who asked, does IIFYM work for everyone?
We also dive into if IIFYM and flexible dieting is right for you?
This is another episode from our #WayBackWednesday series, where we highlight the best questions from previous episodes of our #AskLiveLeanTV Q&A show.
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This question is from #AskLiveLeanTV Ep. 005, where we were joined by special guest, and fellow personal trainer, Leo Flowers.
As you’ll see in the video, Leo turns it up, as he is also a comedian.
For example, as a comic, he did have to address the following elephant in the room.
I was standing on yoga blocks.
But, I was doing this because, even though I’m average height, Leo is super tall.
Keeping it real, it hurt my confidence 😂.
So to build my ego up, I eventually just had Leo stay down by leaning in on the counter.
With that said, let’s jump into it.
Here’s today’s viewer question:
@makeup2massacre on Instagram asks: what do you think of IIFYM? I know you advocate healthy eating above all, however I see many people in the fitness industry following this eating style, and they seem to get incredible results eating whatever they choose, as long as it fits into their macros and calories. Does IIFYM work for everyone?
What does IIFYM mean?
If you don’t know what IIFYM means, it simply is an acronym for, if it fits your macros.
Also known as flexible dieting, this nutrition protocol allows you to eat whatever you like, and possibly still get good results, as long as it fits your macronutrient and calorie needs.
Lets get into it.
Does IIFYM work for everyone?
Like any way of eating, I definitely think IIFYM works for some, but also doesn’t work for others.
When you read any health or fitness advice on IIFYM, the paleo diet, etc, at the end of the day it should be about how it makes you feel.
For example, ask yourself:
- are you having a positive or negative reaction to it?
- do you feel stronger?
- do you feel leaner?
Here’s the deal, everyone’s digestive system is different.
Even though certain foods like broccoli are classified as healthy, for whatever reason, some people can’t properly digest it.
Therefore eating broccoli makes certain people feel bloated or gassy.
Regardless if you’re getting nutrition advice from an expert, magazine, etc., at the end of the day, you still have to be tuned into how your body is responding to it.
Then you can make those minor adjustments from there.
Why we primarily advocate clean eating
We primarily advocate healthy food because of the long term effect to your health.
A lot of the fitness people you’re seeing on Instagram promoting IIFYM are in their early 20s.
Sure they may be currently killing it and getting shredded abs eating pop tarts.
But that may not be the same case 10 years down the road, or later in their life.
Even though we don’t yet know of the long term effects of fitting pop tarts into your daily diet, it doesn’t seem like a logical and wise way to eat.
Especially when it comes to setting yourself up for sustained success and long term health.
Ask yourself: is it hard for you to stop eating junk food?
It may also be hard to stop yourself from eating more addictive foods after hitting your designated macros.
For example, think about trying to fit eating potato chips into your macros.
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Many people would fit it hard to stop at your measured out portion size because those types of food very addictive.
Do you even like counting your macros?
The other thing you need to ask yourself is, are you okay with counting macros and measuring everything you eat?
For a lot of people, the daily measuring and counting of every meal, does not fit into their lifestyle.
This is one of the main reasons why I don’t follow IIFYM.
I don’t want to live with a food scale, all the time, and always have to look up nutrition info when I go out to eat.
A lot of people promoting flexible dieting tend to highlight eating whatever they want, while down playing the hard side of tracking everything.
For example, they’ll show you how they enjoy eating Captain Crunch for breakfast.
But they don’t show themselves weighing it on their food scale and meticulously picking out pieces that don’t fit their macros.
This can be very time consuming and obsessive.
Especially since most people don’t have time for that, as they have too many things to do, kids to raise, and work.
If It Fits Your Macros will be easier depending on your macro ratios
Since most processed foods are higher in carbohydrates and fat, IIFYM will be easier to follow if you are on a dirty bulk diet, or have those macro ratios higher.
However, here’s an interesting question.
Should you set your macros at:
- 40% protein, 20% carbohydrates, and 40% fat?
Or should you set your macros at:
- 40% protein, 40% carbohydrates, and 20% fat?
In other words, how do you really know what your macros should be?
Are you even certain those macronutrient ratios will work most effectively for you?
Ultimately, it’s about trial and error.
Test one way, and if it doesn’t work for you, you’ll have to switch up your macros ratios.
Flexible dieting vs cheat meals
If you’re a clean eater, it’s not to say you can’t ever eat pop tarts.
Just have it once per week as part of your cheat meal.
Clean eating is not an all or nothing situation.
Earn and enjoy your cheat meal, then get back to eating healthy and clean food for the week.
Side note: if you’re going to have a cheat meal or cheat day, step your cheat game up.
You’ve worked hard for this, and that’s how you’re treating yourself?
A $1.99 box of pop tarts? 😂
Go to a bakery and get yourself some real handmade sweets!
If you’re looking for cheat meal ideas, go check out @TheRock Instagram page.
He does his cheat meals right with stacks of pancakes and pizzas.
Bottom line: does IIFYM work for everyone?
Ultimately my opinion on IIFYM is try it out since every diet and way of eating can work.
Nutrition only works over the long term, if you can stick with it.
So make sure it is sustainable and doesn’t make your life miserable.
That’s the most important thing.
If it works for your lifestyle, you’re fueling your body with the right nutrients, and you’re feeling good, go for it.
However, at the end of every day, if you’re not feeling good after eating those crappy foods, don’t do it.
Customize it to you
Every healthy diet and way of eating works, however, you need to customize it to you.
It’s similar to buying a dress shirt at a store.
Sure it may fit you, but it would be an even better fit if you took it to the tailor to take the sides in.
Especially since you probably just lost weight after reading my book, Think and Live Lean … smooth 😉.
Here’s your next post to check out!
Now it’s time to go check out your next helpful and insightful video post on clean eating vs calorie counting.
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Question For You:
- Have you tried IIFYM?
- If so, do you still do it?
Be sure to share your answers in the comment section below.
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Brad Gouthro is the founder of Live Lean TV, a media company focused on helping men and women “Live Lean” 365 days a year. Brad’s programs and content have helped millions of people all over the world learn how to get in shape, and more importantly, sustain it for life.
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