Happy Saturday!
Quick question for you: have you hit your protein goal today?
If you're like most women, the answer is probably no. And honestly? You're not alone.
Most women I talk to are eating about half the protein their body actually needs.
Half.
And then they wonder why they're tired, hungry all the time, and can't seem to lose the stubborn fat no matter how hard they're working out.
Here's the truth about protein that nobody talks about:
Protein is THE most important macro for your body.
It's not just about building muscle (though it does that). Protein:
- Keeps you full for hours (no more 10am snack cravings)
- Stabilizes your blood sugar (no more energy crashes)
- Supports your hormones (especially important after 40)
- Preserves your muscle when you're trying to lose fat
- Actually burns calories just by digesting it
That last one? It's called the thermic effect. Your body burns more calories breaking down protein than it does breaking down carbs or fats.
So literally, eating protein helps you burn more calories. Wild, right?
But here's where most women get stuck:
They focus on eating less. Cutting calories. Doing more cardio.
And they completely ignore the one thing that would actually change their body composition: eating enough protein.
When you don't eat enough protein and you're in a calorie deficit, your body doesn't just burn fat. It burns muscle too.
And muscle is what keeps your metabolism running. It's what gives you that toned, defined look. It's what makes you strong.
Lose muscle, and your metabolism slows down. You get softer. Weaker. More tired.
So how much protein should you be eating?
A good starting point is aiming for 0.8 to 1 gram of protein per pound of your goal body weight.
If your goal weight is 150 lbs, you should be eating around 120-150 grams of protein per day.
Sound like a lot? It might feel that way at first. But once you start prioritizing it, it becomes second nature.
Add eggs to your breakfast. Have chicken or fish with lunch. Snack on Greek yogurt. Throw some protein powder in a smoothie.
Small changes. Big results.
So here's your Saturday challenge:
Track your protein today. Just see where you're at.
You might be surprised at how far off you are from where you need to be.
And if you realize you're way under? Start adding more. One meal at a time.
Your body (and your future self) will thank you.
Enjoy your Saturday!
—Nikkiey
P.S. If you're thinking "I don't know how to hit my protein goals," listen to this podcast episode on the biggest protein mistakes women make (and how to fix them).
No comments:
Post a Comment