IIFYM
WHAT DOES ‘IIFYM’ MEAN?
IIFYM (if it fits your macros) means you can eat ANYTHING you want as long as it fits into your daily calorie requirements and daily macronutrient split of protein, carbohydrates and fats. So basically what I’m saying is if you eat oats and brown rice compared to white bread and sugar donuts for you choice of carbohydratess it will have no difference at all on improving body composition. (as long as calorie intake is equal and macronutrient targets are met) Eating donuts won’t automatically make you get fat. Gaining body fat is all about excess calories not the types of foods that you consume.
There is no such thing as “good” and “bad” foods, or “clean” and “dirty’ foods” (unless you are talking about health/micronutrient wise). There is no list of foods your not allowed to eat to reach your body composition goals. Don’t think you have to give up pizza or McDonald’s just because you want to lose some weight. General body composition is about calorie and macronutrient control, hitting your macronutrient targets and calorie requirements however and whenever you want with ANY foods of your personal preference.
EXAMPLE:
500 calories, 40g protein, 40g carbohydrates and 20g fats derived from chicken breast, brown rice and olive oil.
IS EQUAL TO:
500 calories, 40g protein, 40g carbohydrates and 20g fats derived from a peperoni pizza!
NOW LETS SAY FOR EXAMPLE YOUR DAILY MACRONUTRIENT TARGETS WERE:
Protein = 250g
Carbohydrates = 310g
Fats = 85g
Total calories from above macros = 3005
And you hit these numbers through eating pizza, ice cream, mayonnaise and drinking coke. That’s perfectly fine, it doesn’t matter and won’t make any difference on body composition. (although I don’t recommend this as you should still pay attention to your micros, all I’m saying is you can from time to time use the IIFYM principle and consume that food you have been craving and it will NOT effect your body composition goals in any way or form)
WHAT ABOUT THE GLYCEMIC INDEX?
The Glycemic index is irrelevant because of the metabolic equation. It does not matter or make any difference whether you consume high GI food such as dextrose sugars compared to a low GI food such as oatmeal. It will make no difference what so ever on improving body composition.
BUT WONT CONSUMING HIGH G.I FOODS CREATE AN INSULIN SPIKE WHICH WILL CREATE MORE OVERALL FAT GAIN?
NO. There is a constant rise and fall ALL DAY. It’s not the actual peaks that matter, ITS THE RESULT AT THE END OF THE DAY, eating under maintenance = NET LIPOLYSIS.
So with G.I being irrelevant there is no list of foods your not allowed to eat and vice-versa there is no list of food you have to eat in order to reach your body composition goals. Dont think you have to give up pizza, cream donuts and fizzy drink just because you want to lose some weight. General body composition is about macronutrient and calorie control, NOT FOOD CHOICES.
BUT… DON’T GET THE WRONG IDEA
Now I’m not saying that you should go out right now and slam back 2 whole pizzas and a can of coke just because it fits your daily macros. You should still base your diet around good healthy nutritious foods! (like I always do!) however if you want to eat that cream donut or double scoop ice cream because you have been “craving it” and it fits your daily macros, then you can eat that donut or double scoop ice cream and it won’t effect your body composition at all.
FOOD CHOICES ARE IRRELEVANT! – MEETING YOUR DAILY MACROS AND CALORIE REQUIREMENTS IS WHAT EQUALS RESULTS!
IIFYM is not a diet, it’s not a lifestyle – Its just a philosophy thats intended to make your life easier!
IIFYM does not mean you can eat however much of whatever you want. It means you can maintain your sanity by eating like a regular human being from time to time. Just use common sense and keep it all in moderation, you should always base your diet mostly around good healthy nutritious foods (which the IIFYM principle still applies to). This will help you get in your micronutrients such as fiber, omega’s vitamins and minerals!
- Article written by Josef Rakich Fitness
