Dieting is not a short-term weight loss solution. Diet is a lifestyle. From time to time it might be necessary to adjust the diet (calorically) to lose body or gain muscle. The most important component of diet (for weight management) is caloric balance, followed by macro balance (protein, fat, and carbohydrate composition). For most of us, managing these is challenging, especially without help.
Some might choose to hire a nutrition coach. Others rely on their own tracking.
There are numerous tracking apps available for no or little cost. Some are better than others. The challenge with tracking apps, though, is that they don’t offer guidance—or minimal guidance. They are great for recording, but the user is still required to make decisions—decisions that are hard. Tracking also doesn’t consider the individual’s specific training needs.
Coaching apps are much better—if you can find a good one. I have long been a fan of Renaissance Periodization for nutritional lifestyle information. Recently, they released a mobile diet app developed by a team of nutrition and sport physiology PhDs and Registered1 Dietitians with years of experience coaching and training. Unlike tracking apps, the RP Diet App lets you enter your goals and training habits and determines a plan that is best for you. The app tells you how much (caloric and macro balance) and when to eat (nutrient timing). It reminds you when it is time to eat your meals and when to weigh in to track your progress. It helps you plan meals on a weekly, daily, and by meal basis (there is even a shopping list feature). Most importantly, the app learns your metabolism and makes necessary weekly adjustments to your diet to ensure your success.
I’ve started using the app. (This is not a paid endorsement.) So far, I like it. There are some challenges, but it is a lifestyle change, so this is not unexpected. The biggest challenge for me is that there is no flexibility in macro balance. For example, I can’t transfer carbs or proteins from one meal to another, but this is a key to the template’s success. I am finding that I am quickly learning to adjust my meals accordingly. The app tells me precisely what to eat—a little less protein, a little more fruit or vegetable to complete my carbs. It also tells be I can eat four almonds to balance my fats. Personally, I am finding it much more satisfying (and I expect more effective) than using my tracking app.
The app is free for a 2-week trial and less than $15 a month thereafter ($149/year, if you opt not to go month-to-month). You can cancel at any time. It is definitely worth a try.
I have followed RP and have seen real successes. (One thing I appreciate about their transformations is that, on top of getting incredibly lean, their client appear to have added muscle—something I don’t notice with most other “diets”. I will follow-up with my own progress in weeks to come.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!
1 https://renaissanceperiodization.com/rp-diet-app