Here are the answers to all of your questions—including exactly how to get started.

What is the macro diet?

The idea behind the macro diet is pretty simple: Instead of staying under a calorie threshold, you focus on getting a certain number (typically grams) of macronutrients—protein, carbohydrates, and fat—instead. Depending on your goals, you can adjust the amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and fats you consume to slim down, build muscle, or maintain your weight.

What are macronutrients?

Macronutrients are the three types of nutrients that provide you with most of your energy: carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Micronutrients, on the other hand, are the types of nutrients that your body uses in smaller amounts, like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals.

Most foods have two or even all three different macronutrients, but they’re categorized by the macronutrient of which they contain the most. For instance, chicken is a protein even though it also has some fat, and sweet potatoes are considered a carb even though they have a bit of protein.

Kunal Makwana is an online body transformation coach based in London. With a background in sports education and psychology and a passion for learning about the mindset behind attaining excellence, Kunal has helped transform the lives of hundreds of busy men and women by achieving outstanding transformation results.

To learn more about KMAK, click here.

View client success stories on his Instagram, kmakfitness.

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Today, we explore the profound difference between sympathy and empathy, and how understanding these distinctions can significantly impact our interactions and overall wellness.

1. Sympathy: Feeling for, not with

Sympathy involves recognizing another person's suffering and expressing care or concern for their well-being. However, it doesn't necessarily entail truly understanding or sharing their feelings. Let's consider an example:

Imagine a friend who recently lost a job. You may feel sympathy for them, expressing condolences and offering support. While sympathetic gestures are compassionate, they might not fully grasp the emotional turmoil the friend is experiencing.

2. Empathy: Sharing the emotional journey

On the other hand, empathy is a deeper connection that involves stepping into another person's shoes, truly feeling and understanding their emotions. An empathetic response goes beyond sympathy, creating a profound sense of shared experience. Consider this scenario:

Returning to the friend who lost a job, an empathetic response involves not only offering sympathy but also trying to understand their feelings of uncertainty, fear, or disappointment. It's about validating their emotions and showing genuine understanding.

Impact on Wellness and Interaction:

a. Wellness:

• Sympathy: While sympathy fosters a sense of care and compassion, it may fall short of addressing the emotional depth of an individual's experience. This can leave someone feeling acknowledged but not fully understood, potentially impacting their mental well-being.
• Empathy: By contrast, empathy provides a more profound sense of connection and support. Feeling understood contributes to a person's overall emotional wellness, fostering resilience and a sense of being heard.

b. Interaction:

• Sympathy: It often remains on the surface level, manifesting as kind gestures or words. While these are valuable, they may not create the depth of connection that empathy can offer.
• Empathy: Builds stronger interpersonal bonds by creating a shared emotional experience. It enhances communication and relationships, allowing individuals to feel seen and valued.

Practical Tips for Cultivating Empathy:

1. Active Listening: Pay full attention and validate the other person's feelings.
2. Ask Open-ended Questions: Encourage the expression of emotions and thoughts.
3. Share Personal Experiences: Relate to their feelings by sharing similar experiences.

In conclusion, fostering empathy in our interactions contributes to a more compassionate and supportive community. By understanding the difference between sympathy and empathy, we pave the way for a healthier, more emotionally connected society.

There are many ways to measure body fat percentage. However, the most accurate measurements aren’t available at home.

While it’s natural to want objective feedback on your progress, body weight shouldn’t be your main focus.

Some “overweight” people are healthy, while others with “normal weight” are unhealthy.

However, your body fat percentage tells you what your weight is comprised of.

Specifically, it tells you the percent of your total body weight that is fat. The lower your body fat percentage, the higher percentage of lean muscle mass you have on your frame.

1. Skinfold Calipers

Skinfold calipers measure the thickness of your subcutaneous fat — the fat underneath the skin — at certain body locations.

Measurements are taken at either 3 or 7 different sites on the body. The specific sites used vary in men and women.

2. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)

BIA devices detect how your body responds to small electrical currents. This is done by placing electrodes on your skin.

Some electrodes send currents into your body, while others receive the signal after it has passed through your body tissues.

Electrical currents move through muscle easier than fat due to the higher water content of muscle.

The BIA device automatically enters your body’s response to the electrical currents into an equation that predicts your body composition.

There are many different BIA devices that vary widely in cost, complexity and accuracy.

3. Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)

As the name implies, DXA uses X-rays of two different energies to estimate your body fat percentage.

During a DXA scan, you lie on your back for approximately 10 minutes while an X-ray scans over you.

The amount of radiation from a DXA scan is very low. It’s about the same amount you receive during three hours of your normal life.

DXA is also used to assess bone density and provides detailed information about the bone, lean mass and fat in separate body regions (arms, legs and torso).

Singh Snapshot:
Whichever method you use, it’s important to use the same method consistently.

For almost all methods, it’s best to perform your measurements in the morning after an overnight fast, after you go to the bathroom and before you eat anything or begin your daily activities.

Ideally, you should do the test before you have anything to drink, especially for methods that rely on electrical signals like BIA, BIS and EIM.

Assessing yourself the same way each time will reduce error rates and make it easier to tell if you are making progress.

However, you should always interpret your results from any method with caution. Even the best methods are not perfect and only give you an estimate of your true body fat.

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Today's episode is all about kickstarting the new year with a commitment to a healthier lifestyle.   

Whether you're a seasoned health enthusiast, or just starting out on your wellness journey,   I've got some great tips and insights for you.

1: Reflection and Goal Setting
2: Nutrition and Hydration 
3: Exercise and Movement 
4: Mental and Emotional Well-being 
5: Building Healthy Habits 
6: Creating a Supportive Environment 

Thank you for being a part of the Back Story community. Your dedication to self-improvement and well-being is more than a resolution;  it's a commitment to a happier, healthier you.

Here's to making 2024 a year filled with positive transformations,  and a deep sense of fulfillment.

The Pros and Cons of Protein Supplements

Pros

1. Convenience: Protein supplements, such as protein powders and shakes, offer a convenient and quick way to meet daily protein requirements, especially for individuals with busy lifestyles.
2. Muscle Growth and Repair: Adequate protein intake is essential for muscle growth and repair. Protein supplements, particularly those rich in essential amino acids, can accelerate the recovery process after intense physical activity.
3. Weight Management: Protein has a satiating effect, helping to control appetite and support weight management goals. Including protein supplements in a balanced diet can contribute to a feeling of fullness, potentially reducing overall calorie intake.
4. Nutrient Timing: Protein supplements can be strategically consumed around workouts to optimize nutrient timing. This practice is thought to enhance muscle protein synthesis and improve exercise performance.

Cons

1. Nutrient Deficiency: Relying solely on protein supplements may lead to nutrient deficiencies, as whole foods provide a broader spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals that supplements might lack.
2. Digestive Issues: Some individuals may experience digestive discomfort, such as bloating or gas, when consuming protein supplements. This is often attributed to additives or lactose present in certain products.
3. Cost: Quality protein supplements can be relatively expensive, and their cost may not be sustainable for everyone, especially when compared to whole food sources of protein.
4. Regulatory Concerns: The supplement industry is not as tightly regulated as the food industry, which raises concerns about product safety, quality, and accurate labeling. Consumers must be cautious when selecting protein supplements.

While The Diet Coke vs. Regular Coke debate is multifaceted, involving considerations of caloric content, dental health, blood sugar levels, and cardiovascular health. The concerns over artificial sweeteners add an additional layer of complexity to the decision-making process.

Ultimately, the health impact of these sodas depends on various factors, including individual health conditions, lifestyle, and overall dietary choices. It's advisable for individuals to consult with healthcare professionals, especially if they have specific health concerns or conditions such as diabetes.

In the grand scheme of a healthy lifestyle, the occasional enjoyment of either Diet Coke or Regular Coke is unlikely to have a significant impact. What matters most is a balanced and varied diet,  combined with regular physical activity and other healthy habits.

Coke Zero is calorie-free, it does not have any nutritional value. More research is needed to determine the long-term effects of drinking sodas with artificial sweeteners.

The New York City Marathon will always hold a special place in my heart because it was my first marathon in 2022, in the city where I became a true long-distance runner. With the inclines of five bridges to conquer, the course is not conducive to setting a personal best. However, most people who have run this iconic race would agree that you can’t beat running through all five boroughs in one day supported by arguably the largest crowd of spectators you’ll ever find at a road race. 

1. DON’T START TOO FAST!

The excitement of the NYC marathon is unparalleled. The first mile is uphill. The race is crowded. Don’t waste energy weaving the first two miles. 

2. ENJOY THE CROWD

NYC has great fans! Take in the positive energy, give high fives, read the signs. Say thank you to fans and volunteers.

3. REMEMBER TO SMILE.

Science shows that smiling makes us feel better. My anecdotal evidence tells me that when I smile, I get more crowd support

3 Cs of Running
1- Confidence
2- Control
3- Collected

Thank the ones who got you there.

You undoubtedly received tons of support in your training and in the race. Make sure you reach out to those friends, family, coaches, and fellow runners who pushed you to the finish line in Central Park.

Staying properly hydrated is one of the keys to comfort and performance while running, whether you’re hitting the trails or roads. The benefits can include more energy and endurance, and a decrease in recovery time after a long, challenging run.


Sports Drinks
When you sweat, you lose electrolytes (minerals in your body), and if you lose too many, your performance can suffer. To compensate for the loss, focus on replacing sodium and potassium, as well as calcium and magnesium. One way to accomplish this is by drinking water and snacking on foods rich in these minerals. Another way to maintain mineral levels is to consume an electrolyte-replacement sports drink.

Dehydration occurs when the loss of body fluids, usually through sweating, exceeds the amount taken in. If you don’t counteract this by drinking water, you risk becoming dehydrated. The following signs are a tipoff that your fluid intake is insufficient:  

Early signs of dehydration:

• Dry mouth
• Decrease in energy or running performance

More serious symptoms of dehydration:

• Cramps
• Headaches
• Nausea

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Why Should I Increase My Running Cadence?

Before we discuss how to increase running cadence, it’s important to cover why you might want to increase your running cadence in the first place.

As mentioned, your running cadence is one of two things that determine your pace. In a nutshell, how fast you run is determined by your stride length multiplied by your stride rate, or cadence.

Running speed = stride length x strides rate

To run faster, you can increase your stride length, cadence, or both. However, there’s evidence to suggest that increasing stride length can increase the risk of injuries because it increases impact or loading forces.

In contrast, research suggests that increasing your cadence by about 5-10% above your current stride frequency can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal stress and resultant injuries by reducing the impact and loading on your hip and knee joints, decreasing the braking force when your feet contact the ground and reducing your vertical ossification (bouncing motion).

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Is Yoga or Pilates Better for Back Pain?

Many people rave about Pilates, claiming that it saved their back or improved their posture in a significant way. Others love yoga, saying nothing else comes close to giving them the pain relief they seek.

But when it comes to these two popular forms of exercise, is one method better for your back than the other?

Ultimately, the choice between yoga and Pilates for reducing back pain may be personal preference. If you'd rather mix your physical healing with a spiritual experience and breathwork, yoga may be for you. But if staying in the physical realm with your exercise routine sounds more palatable, consider Pilates. And a combination of the two may give you a more well-rounded wellness routine.