If you’ve spent any time in the fitness world, you’ve probably heard people talk about “counting macros.”
For years — especially in endurance sports — I tracked everything. Carbs. Fats. Protein. Calories. Performance fueling. Race prep. All of it.
And yes — understanding macronutrients can be powerful.
But here’s what I’ve learned coaching women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond:
Nutrition should support your life — not become another source of stress.
Midlife bodies aren’t broken.
They’re evolving.
And fueling them requires awareness, not obsession.
Let’s talk about macros from a grounded, real-life perspective.
What Are Macros (Really)?
Macronutrients are simply the three primary nutrients your body needs in larger amounts:
Carbohydrates — energy for your brain and muscles
Protein — muscle preservation, recovery, metabolic health
Fats — hormones, brain function, cellular health
That’s it.
No drama. No extremes.
They aren’t rules.
They’re tools.
Understanding them helps you make informed decisions — especially as metabolism and hormones shift during midlife.
Why Macros Matter More in Midlife
This is where the conversation changes.
Many women I coach aren’t underperforming because they’re overeating — they’re under-fueling, under-proteining, and under-muscling.
Common patterns I see:
Chronic dieting history
Fear of carbohydrates
Not enough protein
Muscle loss from years of cardio-only training
Metabolism slowing due to under-eating
Tracking macros can sometimes reveal powerful insights:
You’re eating far less than you think
Protein intake is low
Energy dips are nutrition-related
Recovery is compromised
But…
Tracking is not the goal.
Awareness is.
Tracking: Helpful Tool — Not a Lifestyle
Apps like MyFitnessPal or others can provide data and awareness, especially when you’re learning.
They can show patterns and help you understand intake.
But here’s my coaching stance today:
You should not need to track forever.
I aim to help women develop:
✔ Nutritional intuition
✔ Portion awareness
✔ Protein prioritization
✔ Sustainable habits
✔ Confidence around food
Because the ultimate goal isn’t food math.
It’s food freedom.
Everyone’s Body Is Different
There is no universal macro ratio.
What works for your friend, trainer, or coworker may not work for you.
I’ve personally experienced this throughout my athletic career:
I thrived on a Paleo-style approach for a season — until my Ironman training required more carbohydrates. Then I adapted.
That wasn’t failure.
That was intelligence.
Nutrition is not static.
It evolves with your life stage, activity level, and physiology.
And sometimes figuring it out includes:
Experimenting
Adjusting
Learning
Rebalancing
That process is part of growth.
The Bigger Picture of Nourishment
Macros are just one piece of health.
True nourishment also includes:
Hydration
Micronutrients
Movement
Strength training
Stress regulation
Sleep
Emotional relationship with food
This is the holistic lens I use when coaching women today — especially those navigating menopause, identity shifts, or lifestyle reinvention.
Because transformation is never just physical.
It’s metabolic.
Mental.
Emotional.
Meaningful.
Where This Fits Into My Coaching Philosophy
Understanding nutrition — without obsession — is a core pillar of my work.
Inside The Comeback Blueprint, I guide women through four foundational areas:
Movement
Building strength and capability
Mindset
Rewriting internal narratives
Metabolism
Fueling and supporting the body intelligently
Meaning
Reconnecting with identity and purpose
Macros fit into the metabolism pillar — but they’re never the whole story.
They’re a starting point, not a destination.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need perfection.
You don’t need restriction.
You don’t need food anxiety.
You need education.
Awareness.
Support.
And a strategy that respects your stage of life.
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start understanding your body in a deeper way, I’d love to connect.
Check out my FREE PDF called The Comeback Blueprint
Or apply for coaching HERE!
You’re not starting over.
You’re coming back stronger with wisdom this time.
Love, Jen