The Beginner’s Guide to Macros for Men, Women, and Couples

If you’ve ever tried to lose weight by cutting carbs, skipping meals, or starting over every Monday—this one’s for you.

At Layden Fitness Co., we don’t believe in restrictive diets or one-size-fits-all plans. We coach real people—busy men, women, and couples—who want results that actually fit their lives.

That’s where macros come in.

Macros (short for macronutrients) give you a clear, flexible framework for fueling your body without giving up family dinners, social events, or foods you enjoy.

Let’s break it down in the simplest way possible.

What Are Macros?

Macros are the three main nutrients your body needs for energy, strength, and overall health:

  • Protein – Builds and maintains muscle, supports recovery, and helps keep you full

  • Carbohydrates – Your body’s main source of energy

  • Fats – Supports hormones, brain health, and nutrient absorption

Every food you eat contains some combination of these three.

When you track macros, you’re not cutting foods—you’re learning how to fuel your body intentionally.

Why Macros Work Better Than Diets

Traditional diets focus on restriction. Macro-based nutrition focuses on education and sustainability.

Here’s why macros work so well for our clients:

  • No food is “off limits”

  • You can adjust intake based on your goals

  • You learn portion awareness instead of relying on rules

  • It supports long-term fat loss, not short-term extremes

This is especially important for adults juggling work, family, stress, and changing bodies.

Macros for Men vs Women: What’s Different?

While the framework is the same, needs vary.

Men typically:

  • Require higher overall calories

  • Benefit from higher protein to support muscle

  • Often struggle with stress, sleep, and consistency

Women often:

  • Need careful balance for hormones and energy

  • Benefit from adequate carbs (not cutting them), and protein.

  • Experience changes due to life stages, stress, or recovery needs

That’s why personalized macro targets matter—and why we don’t use generic plans.

Why Macros Are Powerful for Couples

One of the biggest mistakes couples make is trying to follow the same plan.

Macros allow couples to:

  • Eat the same meals

  • Adjust portions individually

  • Support each other without comparison

  • Build consistency together

You don’t need separate diets—you need a shared structure that works for both of you.

This is a core part of how we coach couples at Layden Fitness Co.

What Macro Tracking Is Not

Let’s clear this up 👇

  • It’s not obsessive

  • It’s not permanent

  • It’s not about perfection

Macro tracking is a temporary learning tool. Over time, most clients develop confidence and awareness without needing to track forever.

How to Get Started With Macros (Without Overwhelm)

If you’re brand new, here’s what we recommend:

  1. Focus on protein first

  2. Eat consistent meals

  3. Learn portions before stressing numbers

  4. Get guidance instead of guessing

This is exactly what we teach inside our coaching programs.

Ready for Support?

If you want help:

  • Understanding your macros

  • Fueling your body without restriction

  • Creating habits that actually last

We’d love to help.

👉 Apply for coaching with Layden Fitness Co. or start with our Momentum Method to build confidence, structure, and momentum the right way ❤️

Apply Now!
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